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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN SURFING LIFE’S OAKLEY BIG WAVE AWARDS

Biggest Slab Finalist Ryan Hipwood. Pic. Shannon-Stent

Australia’s most prestigious huge-surf challenge is once again up for grabs, along with $35,000 in prizemoney, as the finalists have been announced in Surfing Life’s Oakley Big Wave Awards.

Huge, crazy rides have been thrown into the mix from renowned big-wave chargers like current Biggest Wave champ Mark Mathews, former Awardee Marti Paradisis, and Queensland legends Jamie Mitchell and Ryan Hipwood. But these well-known watermen are facing stiff opposition from underground hell-men like Chris Shanahan, Ben Rufus, perennial West Australian Damien Warr, and a man who goes solely by the name of Camel!

Jamie Mitchell, 10 time conqueror of the Oahu-Molokai paddleboard race and one of the world’s top mega-surf hunters, secured his monster Paddle-In entry at the infamous Cow Bombie, usually only tackled with jetski assistance, ‘Usually the left-hander out there is the only paddleable wave, but that day I through caution to the wind and paddled into one of the rights and after that it all just came together. My big wave, the one that has made the finals, felt exponentially bigger than my other waves that day. It was such a perfect day, everyone was going for it!’

This year’s finalists have been decided through a world-first surfer poll in which every surfer who’s ever registered for an Award entry was asked to vote for the top few rides in each of the three divisions: Biggest Wave, Biggest Slab, and Biggest Paddle-in Ride.

“We felt the surfers themselves were the best judges of each other’s performances,” explained event co-ordinator Nick Carroll. “They know these wild surf zones better than anyone else and they have a clear view of the challenge involved. We were stoked with the way they responded! They’ve come up with an epic group of finalists, that’s for sure.”

Biggest Wave, Biggest Slab, and Biggest Paddle-In rides are now in the hands of the finalist judges – an elite international panel of big wave maestros – and they’ll be stretched to pick the winners out of an unprecedented range of entries.

A number of impressive sessions in a year of consistent swell has seen a colossal total of 80 entries, far above and beyond any of the year’s previous, which have now been whittled down to 13 entries between 12 surfers across the 3 categories.

The Awards, now in their 10th year, have come to highlight a side of surfing that’s way beyond both the recreational mainstream and the professional competitive arena – a zone where seemingly normal people take seemingly outlandish risks, with seemingly little concern for fame or renown.

Surfing Life’s Oakley Big Wave Awards will be presented at a super, spectacular, celebrity-studded evening at Simmer on the Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney on February 8th, 2012.

All finalists can be viewed at www.bigwaveawards.com.au.

Tyler Hollmer Cross. Pic. Andrew Chisholm

Remembering Sarah Burke

Sarah Burke would light up a room when she walked into it. Actually more than that, she lit up an entire sport, and was bound to light up the world in the forthcoming Olympics, before she succumbed to spine injuries sustained while training in Park City on January 10. She passed away yesterday. The world lost an amazing skier and a superstar human being.

I had the amazing opportunity to know and work with Sarah over the course of a decade. During that time I, along with so many others, had the insanely good fortune to watch her change the face of women’s skiing and simultaneously watch her inspire all those around her. The image gallery above is the tip of an iceberg of images I was able to capture of/with Sarah. This tribute isn’t her best work, or mine. It isn’t meant to be. It’s rather a humble historical look back – in some cases looking back more than 10 years – at her first Freeskier skiing cover, her first Smith Goggle ad, her practicing runs at the X-Games, and that amazing smile. Working with her was pure joy. And she will be missed dearly. RIP.

My manager, Christopher Jerard, knew her even better than I did, as he was the publisher of Freeskier and Snowboard Magazine for many years before coming to work at CJinc. Jerard and I got the news of her passing while we were together yesterday. He wrote these words below about Sarah that I think we can all live by. The theme is ‘step up’. Step up to the challenges in your life. Step up for your friends, step up because it’s human to do so….

For my friend Sarah Burke – January 19, 2012

“Step up.”

I met Sarah when she was 16 years old shortly after I joined the staff of the brand new Freeskier magazine. She was already the “it” girl in freeskiing. Actually, in 1999 she was really the only girl in freeskiing. She was incredibly talented and fearless. And there was always that ever-present smile. She was shy early on -but before you knew it she was giving the editors at our magazine shots in the arm, still with that same great smile, and challenging us to get the shot, ski another run, or just have more fun. Her passion for skiing was evidenced by her athletic success – and her passion for life came through like the sun. She was a light for all of us. Just one of those people that is universally loved. For all of those who knew her only through the movies and photos – she was exactly as she seemed. Simply one of the best people you’ll ever meet. Pure love.

It’s impossible to deny, that by the time she was 20, she went from being a cute kid, to being simply drop-dead gorgeous. Suddenly she graduated from profiles in the ski industry standards Freeskier and Powder to being in Maxim, People and one FHM’s sexiest athletes alive. But she played it all off as no big deal with a humbleness rarely found at her level of success – an elegance and grace that was unique to her. And yet, even with all the beauty and the elegance, she was one of the toughest people Ive ever met. She once put me in a head lock. And I am not ashamed to admit I could not break out of it. And I tried. Hard. I think that memory would make her smile.

She could play with the boys. That is for sure. She had to for a lot of years in order to open up the sport for the women behind her. Her will and determination on and off the hill in this regard are legendary. Sarah was an innovator and a leader for women in skiing. Even as Sarah was an inspiration to so many people – but she was especially important for women athletes. She did more for the progression of woman’s freeskiing than any other single person – period. She was a founder of the Association of Freeskiing Professionals and was instrumental in helping to push the disciplines of skiing she loved, halfpipe and slopestyle skiing, into the Olympics for 2014. That will be a lasting part of her legacy forever.

She pushed her sport, her profession, to the next level. And even as she had to fight for women to be considered in competition with the men, when she took her hits, she always smiled through the bruise and the bang. Both on and off the hill. In 14 years of working with Sarah – I never saw her without a smile and a good word. Not once. Ever. No matter what. That smile on the podium, holding the X Games Gold four times? That was the same smile she would give 2 months later if you ran into her on the street in passing. So radiantly genuine.

Sarah will always be around us.Trennon Paynter, her coach and good friend to both Sarah and her husband Rory, sent a message out on twitter yesterday: “She’s in every snowflake, every ray of sunshine, every breeze. More than ever, now and always, #IBelieveInSarah.” She will always be there to remind us to “step up” and be better. No matter if it’s out skiing, at work, at the gym or remembering to smile and give your friend a hug. Do not hold back. Life is simply to precious and too much of a gift. Step up. Its such a powerful idea.

It was a dear friend of mine, Matt Harvey, the longtime Editor of Freeskier magazine, who reminded me of this playful challenge to step up that Sarah so often conveyed to her fans and those around her – with such obvious joy.

The news of Sarah’s passing hit in the middle of the work day and Matt was onstage hosting a Freeskier magazine sponsored event. He was a very close and personal friend of Sarah’s. To be in public and hurting, gutted with loss, was painful. But he remembered her words, “Step up.” She would tell him this, no matter if she was standing next to him on the hill taunting him to try a jump or rail slide or pushing him to go talk to the girl across the bar later that night – she was always nudging those around her to be better. And she led by example. So when it hurt and he wanted to hide – he smiled and remembered Sarah. He dug deep and stepped up. That’s what Sarah did when organizers told her that girls didn’t have a spot in competition and that’s what she did when she was battered from falls and that’s what she did when there was a line of little girls who wanted an autograph…hours after the last competition run of the day.

Sarah always stepped up. Always.

And that’s what we’re going to do to remember her. Step Up. Thanks Sarah. We will. And we’ll remember you’re smile when we do.

ORION HEALTH GODZONE ADVENTURE FILMED FOR WORLDWIDE BROADCAST

The North Face signs Snowboarder Mitch Brow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25.01.12

The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative, and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment, and footwear, today announced the sponsorship of New Zealand snowboarder Mitch Brown.

Mitch is an extremely talented and well respected rider that dominates both pipe and park. He also embodies the “Never Stop Exploring” motto with his energy and enthusiasm and is looking forward to a few missions in the backcountry with The North Face.

Marketing & Sponsorship Manager Christopher Sharland believes Mitch Brown will make a great asset to The North Face team:

“The North Face has been so well represented by our forward facing freeski rippers we figured it was about time we got some solid sideways standing riders on the team to give them a run for their money!”

Mitch competed in the men’s pipe in the 2006 & 2010 winter Olympics. Recently recovered from an ankle injury, the 24 year old Kiwi is on track to represent New Zealand yet again in the 2014 winter Olympics at peak fitness levels.

Currently in Colorado training then onto Norway to compete in the TTR World Champs, Mitch is pumped to be working with The North Face;

“I am stoked to be on board with such a quality company and solid brand. Definitely looking forward to working more closely with The North Face!”

For over 30 years The North Face has teamed up with the world’s finest mountaineers, alpinists, climbers, skiers, snowboarders and endurance adventurers who have defined the limits of what is humanly possible. The North Face Athlete Team works closely with Research, Design & Development, creating innovative designs that push new technologies and inspire cutting-edge products. These new designs are tested in the harshest weather conditions in the world ensuring quality products for our customers. Our team of athletes will continue to pursue adventures in remote regions of the world testing their personal limits and the limits of their gear.

For any media enquiries, please contact:

Sajah Saleh
Public Relations Account Manager

True Alliance
Level 1, 151 Crown Street
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

T +61 (0) 2 8306 3352
F +61 (0) 2 9357 4130
M +61 (0) 408 809 544

sajah.saleh@truealliance.com.au
www.truealliance.com.au

Kiwis and Visitors Urged to ‘Be AdventureSmart’ this Summer

Every year thousands of people enjoy New Zealand’s outdoors and for the vast majority it’s an enjoyable and safe experience.  However, sometimes unfortunate incidents do occur and often they involve people who underestimate the planning, preparation and sometimes the skills required for the outdoors activity they are undertaking.

In a joint initiative, leading outdoor organisations and government agencies have created and expanded the AdventureSmart.org.nz website. The aim of AdventureSmart is to provide both residents and visitors to New Zealand with one online location for safety information and planning support, prior to engaging in land, snow, water, boating and air activities.

Duncan Ferner, from the NZ Search & Rescue Council, says: “AdventureSmart has good advice for everyone, regardless of ability or experience.

“Access to this information means that those taking part in recreational activities on offer in New Zealand will be better prepared and make better decisions which will in turn hopefully reduce incidents.”

AdventureSmart is also the home of New Zealand’s Outdoor, Boating and Water Safety Codes. The message is make sure you ‘know before you go’ by reading and following the 4 or 5 simple and easy to remember rules.

The rules are especially useful for overseas visitors who may have little knowledge of New Zealand but equally applicable to Kiwis, especially those who may be trying a new activity or visiting a different part of the country.

Examples of the simple rules include:
..    Tell someone your plans and leave a time and date for when to raise
the alarm if you haven’t returned. (Outdoor Safety Code).
..    Watch out for yourself and others – always watch children around
water. Swim with others and in lifeguard zones. (Water Safety Code).
..    Skipper Responsibility – keep everyone safe – stay within the limits
of your vessel and your experience. (Boating Safety Code).

Other features of AdventureSmart include; more than a thousand links to safety information from appropriate organisations, detailed information including videos on avalanche awareness and the outdoor safety code, plus links to where people can up skill and learn more about their chosen activity, for instance Coastguard’s boating education programme.

There is also a comprehensive Outdoors Intentions process for land-based activities. It provides visitors with easily accessible ways to tell people where they are going plus when and how to raise the alarm if they haven’t returned.

Mr Ferner is urging people to visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz to ensure you plan well and make wise decisions.

“Whether it’s a weekend family outing or extreme mountaineering – we want people take responsibility for their own safety and have a great experience”.

To find out more about AdventureSmart and how it can help you plan and prepare for your outdoors activity or to download your own copy of the safety codes, please visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz

Media Release 17 Jan 2012

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