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.

By Stuart Cornuelle

At an airport newsstand last week, curiosity drove me deep into the homoerotic pages of Men’s Fitness magazine. It was awkward, but I had to persist to suss out their front-page promise of “training secrets from top big-wave surfers,” or something like that. The corresponding article included a photo of Fred Patacchia doing sit-ups on the beach, his feet buried in the sand for leverage. This is where the surf-training craze leads? Muscle magazines and ab-busting beach workouts? I called Freddy.

SURFING Magazine: I want to get your thoughts on training — why you do it, but also why it is or isn’t a good thing for the sport of surfing in general.

Fred Patacchia: To be honest, I wouldn’t train as much if I weren’t on tour. The whole thing about training is that some guys — the Kelly Slaters and Joel Parkinsons and Mick Fannings — they’re just naturally gifted; whether they wanted to train or not, they’d still be some of the top surfers in the world.

Training is about getting a fraction of an edge over your opponent — whether you really have that edge, or it’s just a mental thing because you’re saying to yourself, “F—k, I’ve been getting up and training at 6am every morning.” Who knows if it really works?

So you work out to improve your competitive performance, and that’s the end of it?

The whole reason I train is to be comfortable in the ocean. Being from Hawaii, we surf some big waves, so if you don’t have good stamina or cardiovascular health, you’re going to feel pretty uneasy out at places like Waimea, Pipeline, Sunset or Haleiwa.

A lot of us here get in the pool. I don’t use weights; I haven’t picked up a weight in years. So I don’t think a lot of us do it to bulk up, we do it to prepare ourselves for what we’re going to put our bodies through. Also, training helps you to keep from getting injured.

I’d argue that your image as a surfer suffers if it looks like you take it too seriously. People love Bruce Irons and Dane because they seem effortless, but a lot of those same people trash on guys who train and openly try hard.

Those guys who are against the training thing, you know, to each his own — but surfing is a career now. Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning — even myself, if I play my cards right — we’re not going to have to work another day in our lives. So in order to prolong my career and retire at a young age after surfing, I have to make sure there’s not some young kid who’s not training, but because he’s young and his body can take more, he’s taking my spot.

It’s all marketing, anyway. If you want to market yourself as a fierce competitor, then — I mean, just look at [mixed martial arts fighters] BJ Penn and Georges St. Pierre. BJ Penn is known for not training, but he’s so naturally talented that he’s still the best in the world at his weight class. Georges St. Pierre is a training freak. So some kids want to look up to a guy like BJ Penn, or a guy like Dane, who doesn’t care whether he wins the World Tour or not, and some kids want to look up to a guy like Mick Fanning who’s completely dedicated and wants to win the world title — and has won the world title because of that dedication. To tell you the truth, I see Mick out drinking and getting hammered more than Bruce and Dane put together. But the media doesn’t like to portray him as a party guy.

Where do you fall on the spectrum between Mick Fanning and Dane Reynolds?

I don’t know what kind of image I have in the marketplace, but I like to juggle business and pleasure. I’m sponsored by Bud Light; I drink a lot, and I don’t mind telling people that because I drink responsibly. And a lot of people on my website say that’s why I haven’t cracked the Top 10 yet, or that’s why I’m not in world title contention, but you know what? I like my lifestyle. I like drinking beers. I also like being in shape and training. Picking one or the other isn’t for me; I want to balance it and be who I am.

How did you end up in the pages of Men’s Fitness?

That came out of the gym I was working out at, called the Boar’s Nest. Quiksilver rented out that gym for the winter for their team to go and train at, and I work out there about five days a week when I’m in my training period. So now, getting ready for the tour and everything, I’ve been going up to the Boar’s Nest and working to get my cardio and stamina up, and my strength training. That’s how that all came about. I think Quiksilver put that Men’s Fitness thing together; they knew I was working out up there and they thought, Ok, Freddy would be a good candidate. Obviously, they weren’t going to have Dane do that one.

Right, I guess not.

But I’ll tell you one thing: Kelly isn’t known for going to the gym and trying to get in shape, but that guy is pretty damn fit, so maybe Kelly or Dane are just better at hiding it than other people. Just to protect their image, in a way — you never know. It’s like a rapper saying, “I’m slangin’ drugs, I’ve got hookers on the corner,” and trying to put forth that image because it sells records. But in reality, they don’t live in the hood no more — they live in Beverley Hills, you know? They’ve got nice houses. They may roll with a gun, but they don’t need to use it. They just portray that lifestyle because they need to keep their image intact. So maybe those surfers are hiding it, too. I don’t know.

Nat Young stormed into round one of Innersection with his electro-driven part that’s got people talking bout two things: his surfing and his music choice. We caught up with him to find out how he went about building the two-minute section.

By Matt Skenazy

SURFING Magazine: How did you hear about innersection.tv?

Nat Young: Just from people taking about it saying, “are you gonna put a part together for that new Taylor Steele video?”

How did you approach making your clip?

When I got home from Australia about a month ago me and Ryan [Moss] decided to put something together, we pretty much started from scratch, but we realized it would be a good opportunity for both of us.

How much time did it take in the water, and then in the editing bay, to put the whole thing together?

We filmed pretty much everyday for probably two and a half weeks. After we collected footage he went home and edited. He spent hours editing.

Most of the footage looks like it’s from Santa Cruz, was that intentional, or just out of convenience?

Yeah, we didn’t have time to go on trips and stuff, it was too last minute, luckily Nike let us use some footage from a couple trips earlier in the year.

There’s a facebook group somewhere out there looking for support from your friends. Are you going for a real grassroots approach here?

Yeah, Ryan actually made that thing. [Laughs]

What else are you doing to try and get votes?

I’m giving everyone that votes for me $20. [laughs] Nah, I don’t know just telling friends and stuff.

What do you think of the other sections?

The other sections are crazy. Matt Wilkinson does some messed up stuff in his section. Nate Tyler’s is all around good, great clips and nice editing, Mikala Jones’s is pretty funny and puts me in a good mood after I watch it, and Mike Losness’s section is amazing — It’s so different, I love the idea and the way its put together.

What kind of feedback have people given you so far on your part?

So far I have heard the song sucks — but I like techno, and I like the way techno fits with surfing. Also I have heard I need better quality waves and stuff like that, But I haven’t been able to go on trips to all these exotic locations. And anyways, I honestly like watching people surf bad waves, because a lot of the time that’s what we surf. Watching perfect Indo doesn’t get me psyched to go surf what is in front of my house.

Did you pick the song?

My mom actually found the song on a website, and we thought it was different and cool so we used it.

Check out Nat and all the Round 1 entries of Innersection at www.Innersection.tv

Mitch has been living on the Goldy for the last year and a half. He moved down from the sleepy sunny coast to help his surfing career, though hasn’t done much work on the coast.

Words and Photos By Kai Neville

SURFING Magazine: What do you love about Gold Coast?

Mitchel Leslie Coleborn: The babes.

Hate about Gold Coast?
Surfing mostly. It’s not very productive. Even when there are good waves people still get in the road and you can’t do shit.

So why do live there then?
Good point…ummmmm, I dunno. Where else would I live?

Are you kidding?
I might move to Japan or something

Shut up?
I would like to live back home but there is nothing going on at the Sunny Coast. I thought I would be shooting more on the Goldy but it doesn’t happen.

Why do you like the sunny coast?
Surfing is way more fun. But there is way more shit going on down the Goldy. It’s a more laid back version of the Goldy. You can find waves with no one out. It actually doesn’t matter where I live; I get most of the work done on trips. Last year I could of lived in Antarctica. I’m going rent a room in California this year, base myself in the US for a while.

Ohh sweet. Reasoning for this?
Ill be there for some comps. So I may as well hang for the summer. Newport babes.

Your local watering hole?
Huh?

Where do you flair up?
Neverland. Some good times and any bands that come to the Goldy play there.

What about the Cooly Hotel?
Ohhhh maaatttee!

Describe your crib?
It’s an igloo. I have the air con on 60 degrees all summer long. It’s a little sex igloo…. A sexigloo!

You have a lot of art, some of you favorites?
I like my sex panther.

Where did you get that?
Down the road at an antique store. And my Kill Pixie stuff cause he sprayed me some boards for free before he blew up in the art world. He tagged them not so much like his style now, so they are pretty unique.

What’s the most you have lashed out on something?
800 bones on that one framed Kill Pixie drawing.

Most valued possession?
Reef lamp on my bed. It’s from the ‘60s! Although every time I turn it on I think I’m going to burn the house down.

Describe your dream home?
The one I’m about to buy on the beach at Wurtulla. Hopefully ill get it! I just put an offer in.

Randy Rarick, Executive Director of the Triple Crown of Surfing, goes on record

By Stuart Cornuelle

When we spoke to Sunny Garcia last month about the unfortunate end to his 2009 Vans Triple Crown campaign (a late arrival, a missed heat, an injustice suspected), we only got one side of the story: Sunny’s. Oozing as we are with journalistic integrity, we had to seek out input from the other parties involved in the incident, which took place on December 11 at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Specifically, we had to question Randy Rarick, the event’s Executive Director and the man tasked with informing Sunny of his dismissal from the contest.

Luckily, Randy contacted us first.

Randy Rarick: Before we begin, let me give you a bit of historical background about Sunny, my relationship with him and the details behind the Pipeline Masters.

I’ve known Sunny since he surfed in the Gotcha Pro at Sandy Beach back in the mid-‘80s. You have to realize, he was 15 years old, and that was 25 years ago! Coming from the West Side and the limited social-economic background that he had, surfing was his ticket to success. His aggressive attitude and desire to succeed are what gave him the fire to be such a tempestuous competitor.

Over the years, I watched Sunny use this attitude to his advantage, and in doing so, grow and mature as one of the best competitive surfers Hawaii has ever produced. I’ve dealt with him in my role as a contest director, as regional director for ASP Hawaii, as a board member for ASP International and as an event producer. Because I always represented the “establishment” or the “voice of authority,” it was inevitable I would clash with Sunny. Many times we agreed to disagree, and I never took any of his positions personally. By the same token, while a lot of times I was confounded by his positions, I never took it as personal towards him.

In fact, while he’s been a pain in the ass many a time, I’ll go on record saying I think he’s one of the world’s best surfers — certainly one of Hawaii’s best. He’s got one of the best power styles I’ve ever seen and he’s a pleasure to watch surf. Over the years, he’s done a good job of looking out not only for his own interests, but those of his fellow competitors. Last winter he stayed two houses away from me and I saw him every day, and this past winter, he would be at the beach each morning when we made the daily call and we were congenial as ever to each other. So, I want to make it very clear to all, that despite some naysayers, I have the utmost respect for Sunny. I don’t have anything against him and I’ll go surf with him at Sunset anytime.

In regard to the Pipeline Masters, the format for that event is unique among all Championship Tour events. This is an outgrowth of the decision five years ago as a concession to the Hawaii Pro Surfers Union (HPSU), to ensure that the event had valid local representation. Without going into all the myriad details, the salient points are that 16 additional surfers get a start as “Local Pipeline Specialists.” Eight of them qualified earlier in the year at the Pipeline Pro WQS event, plus an additional six were selected from a peer pole of the HPSU membership, for a total of 14 pre-qualifiers. The 15th spot went to the top Tahitian (Manoa Drollet), and the 16th spot was reserved for a “Vans Triple Crown Contender.” This is how Sunny got a start in the event. I want to make it very clear, he was one of the 16 additional surfers to get a start and WAS NOT a World Championship Tour competitor.

As has been the case for the past five years, in the event of a no-show for one of these 16 surfers, the next designated local surfer will take his place. The first three wildcard slots are divided between Vans (the event license holder) and Billabong (the event title sponsor). These three slots are rotated, with Vans getting the first (John John Florence), Billabong the second (Shane Dorian), Vans the third (Bruce Irons) and Billabong the first alternate slot (Torrey Meister). After that it goes off the results of the next highest surfer from the WQS Pipeline Pro qualifying event, and this year that was Evan Valiere.

In the first round of the event, you can replace a no-show surfer if he is one of the 16. The ASP rule applies ONLY to WCT surfers and not to the local 16. This is to ensure there are 16 local surfers represented. Thus, regardless of who is injured, late or misses their heat for whatever reason, an alternate surfer is standing by.

SURFING Magazine: Can you elaborate on your recollection of the morning’s events, to the best of your memory?

RANDY RARICK: The surf was pretty good, so we called the event on and got underway with Round One. With the overlapping heat format, the event moves along quicker, because despite man-on-man judging, you have two heats in the water at the same time. This makes for double the action and moves a round through in a little over five and a half hours, as opposed to a straight man-on-man round, which take eight hours to finish. I think Sunny miscalculated the running time and didn’t realize his heat would come up as soon as it did.

When it came time for his heat, the announcers repeatedly called his name, and when there were 10 minutes to go, the announcers called the next alternate in line (Torrey Meister), who was put on notice to get ready.

With five minutes to go, the rules state that the alternate is to take the place of the no-show competitor. I was up in the tower, and noticed there was no one paddling out, so I went down to the Beach Marshal and asked what was going on. The Beach Marshal, Aaron Walters, said he just assumed Sunny was there and that he was waiting for Sunny to show up.

By this time, the previous heat was almost over and Torrey had not been given a jersey, so I immediately told him to suit up and get out there. As it was, Torrey paddled out late. Three minutes into the heat, Sunny came running down and made a move to grab a jersey to paddle out, and it was then that I informed him he was too late for his heat and that an alternate had taken his place. He tried to grab the jersey and said he’d go out anyway, and I said, I’m sorry to say, it was too late, that he had been replaced, the heat had started and there was nothing I could do at that stage. I told him it was such a bummer, as he was in contention for a Triple Crown Title — which obviously would have been really good not only for him, but an insane promotional angle for the Vans Triple Crown. I asked why he was so late, and he explained to me he had run up to Makua [Rothman’s] to get his fins and was snagged in traffic on the way back. I watched him go through the full gamut of emotions from supreme anger to ultimate frustration to the realization that he’d simply gotten there too late.

What from Sunny’s recent account do you consider inaccurate?

Well, first off, Sunny did not know the rules, and tried to apply the WCT rules to his situation, which weren’t applicable — and honestly, I just don’t think he was mentally prepared or up to date on all the rules of the event.

Then to imply there was some sort of conspiracy with Billabong and their rider getting into the event and winning the Triple Crown was absurd, since Torrey had been patiently waiting all morning for a start in the event and Joel Parkinson just happened to be the most consistent competitor over the winter season.

In addition, his comments about Evan Valiere were incorrect. As explained above, Evan was next in line for the alternate slot.

After the initial anger and frustration wore off, Sunny wanted to know what recourse he had for missing the heat. As the Executive Director, I made the call to offer him the option of becoming the next in line on the alternate list, if Evan was willing to give up his spot. So, right there in the competitors’ area, I asked Evan personally if he would be willing to give his slot to Sunny, should another no-show opportunity arise.

Obviously, Evan didn’t want to give up his slot, but he looked at Sunny and — being from Kauai — said something to the effect of, “You deserve the chance and if I can help that chance, then I’ll forgo my slot.” I don’t remember the exact words, but it was a very cool, unselfish move on Evan’s part, and that’s something Sunny should always remember.

To be clear: I asked Evan if he was willingly giving up his slot and he said, For sure, and I think he and Sunny shook on it. So I told Sunny to stay on top of it and if there was another no-show, then he would get in. Unfortunately that did not come to pass.

Is it true that someone at the beach wrongly indicated that Sunny wouldn’t be surfing, due to injury — a person from Billabong, as Sunny suspected?

I never heard about anything like that — and certainly nothing from anyone at Billabong. There was speculation in the competitors’ tent as to why Sunny wasn’t showing up, and someone might have said they thought he was hurt, but nothing official was ever said to me. I was constantly in touch with the Billabong crew, and they never said a word to me to that effect.

So Adriano [de Souza] and Kelly weren’t replaced — even though they, too, were late for their heats — because they were seeded World Tour surfers.

Right. As I explained, that rule only applies to the CT surfers and not to the 16 extra slots, which are there to ensure sufficient representation for the Hawaiians.

Do you admit any wrongdoing on behalf of the ASP or contest organizers?

You can see from what I’ve explained that I was completely in the right, and actually stretched my authority to try and assist Sunny. Had I let Sunny go out and kick Torrey out of the water, then that would have been wrongdoing!

Will there be any compensation to Sunny or Evan as a result of what happened?

Unfortunately, both Sunny and Evan fell short in the recently completed Volcom Pipeline Pro, which qualified 10 locals for the reduced field of the 2010 Billabong Pipeline Masters — so hopefully, either may make it as a Vans Triple Crown Contender instead.

I’ve been running events on the North Shore for 35 years, so I feel I’m in a pretty good position to judge how things should be handled. To all the bloggers who think they know what they are talking about, learn the facts, then weigh in with your opinion. I think this whole issue got blown out of proportion, and had Sunny been aware of the rules, he would have reacted differently — and let’s face it, had he just shown up on time for his heat and let his surfing do the talking, it would have been an entirely different outcome.

Innersection.tv is officially underway. Get over to the site and start participating and voting on your favorite sections. Our Round one favorite’s are Nate Tyler and Dylan Graves, and, well just go check it out for yourself.

Clay Marzo - Breathe from Heavy Mayo on Vimeo.

Presented by Westside Pride Media
Surfing by Clay Marzo, Shot by Adam Klevin, Edit by Shaun Swink.
Music - Joe Con “Breathe as they Move”

Taj Burrow wins the 2010 Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks

Words By Chas Smith; Photos By Nate Lawrence

The bridesmaid gets a marriage proposal! Tears of joy in the eyes of those who have been waiting for a proper suitor to come along! Tears of joy in the eyes of Mr. Burrow, Mrs. Burrow and Johnny Gannon! Tears of joy in my very own eyes!

There are lots of events left. Lots of time in this courtship. But right now today the ASP World Title is down on one knee in front of Taj TB Burrow. The Snapper Rocks are providing such a picturesque backdrop! Tears of joy! Get bent Cheyenne Tozzi!

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.57
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.56
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.67 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.00
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.30 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 8.96
ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1 - Taj Burrow (AUS) 10000 pts
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8000 pts
3 - Bobby Martinez (USA) 6500 pts
3 - Dane Reynolds (USA) 6500 pts
5 - Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5250 pts
5 - Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5250 pts
5 - Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5250 pts
5 - Kai Otton (AUS) 5250 pts

Damn victorytastes good; Photo Nate Lawrence

This gallery is brought to you by surfingthemag.com

Jack Robinson, Kanoa Igarashi and Leonardo Fioravanti are the future. A few moments with them

Words By Chas Smith; Photos By Quiksilver / Bosko

Watch this video and watch it good. Kanoa, Jack and Leo are the future of surfing. But they are also the right now. They are already richer than you and they also already surf better than you and they also already surf better than some on the CT. They are 12.

Kanoa has had 30 NSSA wins in a season. It is a record. Jack was won Taj’s Small Fries more than once while competing against young men. Leo made it to the quarterfinals of the World Juniors while also competing against young men.

Jack can do kerrupt flips. Leo’s home break in Italy is called “Banzai.” Kanoa has more trophies than Huntington Beach High School (go Oilers!). Leo has women cued up around the contest site waiting for even a few syllables of Italian poetry.

Download this video and when Kanoa, Jack or Leo wins the world title in 2016 show it to your friends. Then check yourself into a rest home, old codger!

Kanoa Igarashi Photo: Quiksilver/Bosko

Leonardo Fioravanti Photo: Quiksilver/Bosko

At SURFING Magazine, the main (and only) qualm we hear with regard to our annual swimsuit issue is: “What does a swimsuit issue have to do with surfing?” And to those with the audacity to ask, we answer: This has everything to do with surfing. During the making of this year’s swimsuit issue, our toes rarely left the sand. We shot it on location in Malibu, California — the birthplace of surf culture and fashion — and Puerto Rico, a wave-infested, rum-scented Caribbean dream. We surfed. We sat out in the sun. We watched the most beautiful girls we’ve ever laid eyes on enjoy their fabulous lifestyle — and we enjoyed it right along with them. And for this we’re not sorry — we’re excited. Excited to give you a glimpse of what you’ll find skipping along beaches and through lineups across the globe this spring and summer. As a surfer, hot, sun-kissed women should be as much a part of your life as wax and trunks. That is your birthright. We hope you have as much fun looking at SURFING Magazine’s 2010 swimsuit issue as we had making it. —Travis Ferré, Editor in Chief, SURFING Magazine