Mix and match models, locations and bikinis here to win one of 30 O’Neill swimsuits. You or your lady are gonna look good this summer. Like, really good.

We saw you eyeing that O’Neill suit on the cover of our annual Swimsuit issue, looking amazing on our model Allie. And the good people at O’Neill want to give it to you, along with 20 other bikinis. It’s as simple as looking at a hot girl, a perfect wave and sexy swimwear, making the connection and sending us (in 100 words or less) your dream getaway.

Directions

Pick one model, one swimsuit and one location. Then describe what your ideal getaway would include. If you’re one of the best we’ll send you one of 30 O’Neill swimsuits for free. Leave your entry in the comments area below. Please leave your first and last name as well as your email address to receive your prize.

Deadline

All entries must be in by March 31.

30 Winners will receive an O’Neill swimsuit. It’s that easy. Now go out and get our swimsuit issue and then enter to win.

Models

1. Model 1

2. Model 2

3. Model 3

Swimsuits

1. GoodTimes: reversible top and tab side bottom by O’neill

2. WashedUp bandeau top and skimpy bottom by O’neill

3. Mirage one-piece by O’neill

Locations

1. El Salvador

Photo:Jimmicane

2. Tahiti

Photo:Flindt

3. Reunion Island

Photo:Carey

4. Panama

Photo:Struntz

5. Nicaragua

Photo: Carey

6. Bali

Photo:Lawrence

Ten surfers remain, and you have three days left to go to Innersection.tv and pick your top five. Here’s ours.

After thousands of views, hundreds of comments, and some good old fashioned down to the wire drama, the field has dwindled to ten. Forty official Innersection judges picked the top ten winter videos and now it’s on you to go back and make your top picks. Remember, five of these surfers will make it in the video, and one will be the winner of the Winter Round. To help you out we’re giving you our top five…

#1 Nate Tyler:

We were all unanimous on this one. It epitomized why Innersection is going to be something special. A talented surfer bursting from nowhere with one of the best surf segments we’ve seen in a while. Great on all levels. Will put Nate back on the map in a big way.

Nate Tyler. Photo: Carey

#2 Dylan Graves:

He filmed his part in two weeks at home in Puerto Rico and in Barbados. A great combination of big waves and small waves, and a nice smooth edit

#3 Nat Young:

Another guy that filmed his part in a short amount of time. It needs work, but when it shines, it’s definitely one of the best out there. We all hated the song, but agreed that Nat’s is a part we would like to see if he had the time to get more footage and work out some of the kinks.

#4 Mikala Jones:

Mikala just being Mikala. A great skit and a great change of pace section for any movie; it’ll balance out the flying grommets. Our biggest concern is, what about for the next round? All his footage looks like it was taken from a pretty big chunk of time. If he can keep up the pace he should be in there.

#5 Shaun Cansdell:

Rounding out our Top Five, and barely sneaking by Mike Losness, Shaun is another guy who will benefit by doing things his way. If he can get some creative help, like he has here, he’s a shoe-in.

Now go to Innersection.tv and pick your favorites already.

You should review your break

By Stuart Cornuelle

If you ever use Google, which I’ve heard some people do, you’re sure to eventually come across a search result directing you to a Yelp! page. That website, which provides consumer reviews of service businesses like restaurants and bars (and surf shops, actually), is bringing new magnitudes of accountability to businesses who must now treat every customer as a potential Yelper. It’s also generating valuable information about those businesses that can be accessed without ever actually visiting them. Not every review is spot-on, but the collective wisdom of the crowd usually paints a fairly accurate picture of the place in question — enough to determine, at least, whether you want to go and spend your money there.

How long until there’s a version for surf spots? A platform for cataloging the combined knowledge of thousands of surfers to profile every aspect of every break, from the physical (Where’s the channel? Where to park? Watch out for that boulder on the inside right!) to the social (Surf P.E. practices here on weekdays; The guy with a bright red Tundra is violent; Taylor Knox filmed part of Arc here; etc).

A natural response is that this would compromise the value of first-hand experience. The subtleties of a surf spot reveal themselves with time and devotion, and giving them away like smart shopper tips would reward the unqualified with privileged information.

Which sounds sort of like Surfline. And WetSand. And WannaSurf. Etc.

The (sometimes tragic but unavoidable) truth is that technology is to information what hormones are to VD. The Internet finds ways to tell people what they want to know, and if you think surfing’s secrets are protected by some fraternal code of silence, well, that notion went out with the universal surf cam.

A “Yelp! for surf spots” could be a good thing: beginners would see which places to avoid, and there would be a public record of lineup misbehavior that might discourage people from breaking the rules. Surfers would learn about (and spread out to) second-tier spots instead of all making straight for the well-known standards.

At face value, of course, this is still an awful idea, but given that something like it will probably debut on our browsers long before man-made waves are a reality, it’s worth trying to find the positives. And if you’re the enterprising person who creates such a website, share some of the proceeds with your friends at SURFING (the real Yelp! pulls in around $30 million per year). Also, a very sincere curse on your soul, from the entire surfing community.

See if you can guess

By Stuart Cornuelle

They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and surf fans have been awfully squeaky recently about conservative, methodical contest surfing — as exciting as the Home Shopping Network on mute, some say.

In response, the Boost Mobile Surf Shwo debuted a non-traditional format at their Bondi Beach contest last week. It was almost like H-O-R-S-E or S-K-A-T-E, with surfers throwing big moves instead of wiggly safety turns to advance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, X-Men character Owen Wright won the event and 25 thousands of dollars. But his closest runner-up was none of the big-name superstars in the event — not Mick Fanning or Kelly Slater or Taj Burrow. It was 15-year-old Cooper Chapman, whose success suggested that any changes in judging criteria that award progressive surfing will probably favor the underage. This highlight clip from the Boost Mobile event plays more like the final section from a major surf flick than a beachbreak specialty contest in the Sydney suburbs. Could this be the future of the surf contest — at least for small, rampy waves? We…and Owen…and Cooper…can only hope.

Oil companies keep trying to suck the life out of coastal communities

By Matt Walker

A little known fact: Corey Haim’s last words were: “Please — please — stop offshore drilling.” Okay, that’s a lie. They were probably something like, “Just one more blue one; I never had any trouble with the blue ones.” But it doesn’t matter because — as cute and cuddly as he was in Lucas and the Lost Boys — addicts will say anything to get their next fix. Just like our petroleum companies, their lobbies and other political cronies.

“New rigs don’t spill!” Really, have you talked to Australia recently? And have you seen the government’s own stats after Katrina and Rita?

“We bring states jobs and money!” But how many do lose if a disaster occurs — or risk losing from other uses? And how many long-term opportunities disappear each day we fail to compete in new, green technologies?

“We want the US to be energy independent!” Then why do we export more oil overseas than ever before? And why did the petroleum industry spend the past fifty years fighting mileage standards and other conservation efforts?

You can get the whole range of facts in numbered, official form NotTheAnswer.org but, at this point, we’re done trying to convince people. With the Department of Interior making its recommendations in the next couple weeks, California in danger of putting fresh rigs within 3 miles, Florida actively deliberating legislation, NC ‘s energy subcommittee chucking around ideas — with some type of debate occurring in every coastal state — the time for thinking is done; the time has come to act.

If you don’t believe in drilling , let your local, state and federal legislators know how you feel — RIGHT NOW while they’re considering the topic.

If you’re not sure, research the issue from both sides. Listen to the March 10 debate here between Florida’s pro-and-con interests. Maybe even attend a Surfrider meeting — or one of the California community info rallies below.

And if you’re already completely convinced expanding petroleum exploration in offshore is a good idea, ask yourself why you feel that way?

Did you make that decision yourself based on both sides’ arguments? Or did you buy into the lies and false promises the world’s biggest energy addicts? Addicts, who will say and do will do anything to feed their own appetites until their supply is cut-off — or the last drop is gone.

And, unlike Haim, when the party’s over, Big Oil still walks away with pockets full of cash — it’s the coastal economies and environments who curl up dead and broke in a corner, empty spikes broken offshore, leaving the rest of the world wondering: why did we ever enable them?

SURFRIDER SO CAL AWARENESS MEETING”

March 17, 2010 Wednesday. 7-8pm

Santa Monica Library–Fairview Branch

2101 Ocean Park Blvd,

Santa Monica, CA 9040

SURFRIDER NOR CAL AWARENESS MEETINGS:

Contact chapter for specifics.

April 19 - Monterey

April 20 - Santa Cruz)

April 21 -San Francisco

Creative traveling with Craig Anderson

By Chas Smith

Nate Lawrence and I are driving Craig Anderson from the Gold Coast to Sydney. We will surf and film and write etc. It is an eight hour drive, he has a board coffin filled with four boards. Three have glassed on fins. So unruly! So pregnant! And Craig Anderson doesn’t have any straps.

He realized this predicament the night before our departure. He called friends and asked. He thought about going and buying some but drank a little instead. Then he went out with girls. When he returned, late, he had the same problem. So he tore his bed apart and ripped the sheet into six strips. He tied three of the strips together creating three long strips. Then he fell asleep.

Early the next morning Nate Lawrence and I arrived at Craig’s. He came out dragging his sheets and said, “Once we hit the highway these things are going to fly off.” He was a little hung over and slightly depressed. Nate tied expert knots. I laughed because it looked like Craig just escaped from a mental institution.

We spent the next three days driving everywhere. Cruising down the coast at 120 kph (74ish mph). Driving over speed bumps. Taking the boards on and off for surfs.

On the third morning I had to get at the airport so early. We were late. It was pouring rain and there was an earthquake epicentered right at us (in the town of Forester). We tied the boards on in minutes and flew down an empty rain slicked highway at 150 kph (95ish mph) while the rain poured and the earth quaked. I got to the airport just on time! I turned around and Craig, sitting shotgun, gave me a thumbs up. His eyes wild. The sheets looked so white and perfectly taut.

Bedsheet boardstraps are one reason Craig Anderson is cooler than you. Helicopter airs are another.

NSR founder Brad Farmer and Kelly at Bondi Beach. Photo: James Alcock

First trio of World Surfing Reserves to be in Australia, California, and Hawaii

Bondi Beach, Australia – Nine-times World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater joined National Surfing Reserves founder Brad Farmer to announce his endorsement for the World Surfing Reserves program, and that 2010 will be the year of global surf spot enshrinements. In announcing this historic year for surf-spot preservation, Slater stated, “This is a pretty exciting thing for me to be a part of and support. It’s almost mind-numbing that [WSR] hasn’t happened yet, especially in Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing.”

World Surfing Reserves seeks to identify and enshrine the most important and cherished surf areas around the world, in partnership with local surf communities. World Surfing Reserve (WSR) sites are nominated and selected based on four major criteria: quality and consistency of waves, importance to surf culture and history, environmental characteristics, and community support.

The naming of the specific WSR sites is anticipated soon, according to Dean LaTourrette, Executive Director of the California-based Save The Waves Coalition, which launched the World Surfing Reserves program in 2009, in conjunction with National Surfing Reserves Australia.

Several surf areas in Australia, California, and Hawaii have been proposed for enshrinement as initial WSRs. These were selected from over 125 iconic beaches nominated from 34 countries. The nominations include sites like North Narrabeen and Manly Beach in Australia, Malibu and Santa Cruz in California, and Waikiki and Oahu’s North Shore in Hawaii, in addition to many others around the world.

Beyond its cultural and aesthetic significance, each WSR is a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this coastal zone of waves and habitat from wanton destruction and exploitation – through no other mechanism but the positive force of appreciation and valuation.

On hand at the Bondi announcement was Brad Farmer, founder of Australia’s National Surfing Reserves (NSR) program, which enshrines exceptional and culturally significant waves and beaches in Australia. The NSR program has been an inspiration and model for the global WSR effort.

“Today,” Farmer announced, “I join Kelly in announcing that spots in Hawaii, California, and Australia are finalists to become World Surfing Reserves.” He added that, “In Australia, the three finalists are Margaret River (WA), the Gold Coast (QLD), and a Sydney (NSW) beach.”

Farmer said that Australia’s Prime Minister will announce the final decision in June and that, “we expect that beach to be dedicated as a WSR in October 2010.”

Today at Bondi, Farmer and Slater also announced the launch of a new NSR website (www.surfingreserves.org), which offers access to this exciting new vision of respect and valuation to beach-lovers all over the world. This new site, combined with Save The Waves’ WSR site (www.worldsurfingreserves.org) provides further details on the global surfing reserves movement.

For more information:
www.worldsurfingreserves.org
www.surfingreserves.org

Photo: ASP / Robertson

Australian young gun Owen Wright is flying high after winning the Boost Mobile SurfSho presented by Samsung at Bondi Beach today.

The 20-year old from Lennox Head, NSW, competed against some of the biggest names in surfing, including Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, during the three-day aerial surfing extravaganza. Owen takes home $25,000 in prize money, along with a stack of other prizes.

When receiving his trophy on the SurfSho podium, Wright said: “I’m ecstatic! Where’s the thesaurus to describe how I feel? It was a great final, great atmosphere, and a great crowd. I’m buzzing! It’s been a big three days. I’m stoked to be at Bondi and walking away with the Boost Mobile SurfSho trophy and this cheque!”

During the final this afternoon, Owen threw down some gravity-defying moves to out-fly fellow surfers including reigning world champion Mick Fanning and world number two Jordy Smith (ZAF), to take home the major prize. This is the second time the aerial specialist has won the ASP specialty event, beating Kelly Slater in the final in 2008.

Owen boosted high over Bondi’s ramping waves, performing a massive full rotating aerial to score a near perfect 9.8 (out of a possible 10). He then backed it up with a similar manoeuvre scoring 8.3. His closest competitor in the final was Cooper Chapman, scoring a 7.17 for a front-side air reverse.

Bondi Beach provided the ideal playground for the event today, with 4-5 foot waves providing perfect aerial conditions on the water, and more than 30,000 spectators watching on in sunny conditions and soaking up the festival atmosphere.

In contrast to a traditional surfing competition, the day’s format followed a unique format in which a wheel was spun at the start of each heat, dictating which aerial tricks the surfers had to perform. B, O, O, S, T letters were awarded for each successful manoeuvre and the six highest scoring surfers who spelt ‘BOOST’ went into the final.

John Shimooka, event spokesperson and former pro-surfer commented: “Surfing’s finally back at Bondi Beach after a 20 year hiatus. This weekend, Bondi witnessed some of the biggest moves performed by some of the world’s best surfers, and judging from the crowd, they enjoyed every minute of it. We can’t wait to bring the event here again next year.”

We thought the Internet was the future. According to Bruce Irons, it is not. And we’re fine with that.

By Chas Smith

I have always had an uncomfortable suspicion that that the Internet is patently uncool. Like, the worst. That stylish websites such as Gawker and them-thangs and gofugyourself mask the very soul of nerd. I know Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have more money than Brad Pitt and George Clooney. I assume Tom Anderson and Mark Zuckerberg do too. But I try and bury my fears. Try and think, “No. This Internet business is technological progress. Like, radio to TV.”

And I call the perpetually cool Bruce Irons.

“Bruce” I say. “What websites do you go to these days? What are your favorites?” He answers, “Aaaaaaaaah maaan. Ummmmmmm, you know, I still don’t know about the computer, honestly. I don’t go to any at all. My wife will go on and go to Surfline and I’ll read over her shoulder, but that is it.

Photo: Jimmicane

Shiiiittt….” My suspicions are totally confirmed. He continues. “I wish it was, like, programmed into me or something. That I would want to be able to do stuff on the computer. I think I had a computer typing class in high school, but I still only do the two finger chopsticks. I am jealous of people who get around that shit easily.” I correct him. “No no no. Don’t be jealous. Everyone who gets around this shit easily should be morbidly ashamed. It isn’t cool at all. None of it.” Bruce laughs, “Hahahahahah, yeah it looks like a lot more work. Well, whatever, I can use my iPhone, I just can’t fucking send emails. And my wife can get on to Surfline for me…wait, who do you write for again?” “Surfing” I answer. “I mean my wife can get on Surfing for me hahahaha.”

Welcome to the new Surfingthemag.com. Bruce ain’t here and neither should you be. Get embarrassed.