ASP announces 2012 Volcom Fiji Pro
After nearly two weeks of unflattering attention during the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay -- from the conspicuous absences of Dane Reynolds, Bobby Martinez, and Kelly Slater, as well as mediocre surf -- an announcement today by the Association of Surfing Professionals that it would be returning to Fiji for a contest beginning in 2012 was met with approval. Goofy-footed brothers CJ & Damien Hobgood took to Twitter this morning: "Are we Dreaming tour? ... thanks @Volcom @aspworldtour. can't wait to see my Fiji family."
"I've been waiting for this event to come back. I can't believe we ever left," said Fred Patacchia. "I haven't surfed there since the last time the World Tour was there. Hopefully this is the ASP moving in the right direction."
Ironically, Slater missed the latest contest to meet a sizable swell that hit Cloudbreak and Restaurants, two celebrated left-hand reef breaks off the shores of the remote resort island of Tavarua, in Fiji, where the ASP will hold next year's event. The ASP said in a statement that Fiji would host the Volcom Pro through 2014, "with the potential for further extension from the current three-year license agreement."
Since then, the ASP schedule has seen a growing number of so-called "Dream Tour" contests occurring in urban destinations where spectator quantity can exceed wave quality. Unlike other stops during the season, the Fiji event -- some 3,000 miles east of Australia -- hardly caters to spectators.
While each ASP season opens along the crowded shores of the Gold Coast in Australia, the top competitive surfing circuit will visit Long Island, NY (Quiksilver Pro New York) in September and San Francisco, Calif. (Rip Curl Search), in November. And in May, this year's annual ASP Brazil tour stop moved north from Santa Catarina to Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in the country with a population near 12 million.
A homecoming to Fiji is a move that will satisfy some competitors' desire for a more consistent, superior wave. Teahupoo in Tahiti and Hawaii's North Shore are the dominant shallow reef waves on the World Tour. Two months ago, the ASP went online seeking the public's opinion about adding an event at what it called a "reefy lefthander," although, at that time, G-land (Grajagan), Indonesia was the expected choice.
Not since the 2008 Rip Curl Search arrived at Padang Padang and Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia, has a peeling reef-break similar to Fiji welcomed the world's top competitive surfers. "We love the concept of The Dream Tour so it just made sense to host an event in world-class waves," Dougherty told ESPN.
Hawaii North Shore Tour - News
With its rolling North Sea swells and wide open beaches, the spa town has been appointed for the first time as a stopping-off point on the prestigious UK Pro Surf Tour. In October leading exponents of the sport will be seen carving through the spume
Teahupoo in Tahiti and Hawaii's North Shore are the dominant shallow reef waves on the World Tour. Two months ago, the ASP went online seeking the public's opinion about adding an event at what it called a "reefy lefthander," although, at that time,
This bill will prohibit mopeds from traveling on pedestrian paths meant for foot traffic and/or bicycles on the North Shore Greenway in Paia and the Kihei Collector Road in Kihei. It does not include bikeways on streets or on highways.
island to the North Shore, which is where you will see huge waves and professional surfers. Climb Diamond Head crater if you dare, or take a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about all of the South Pacific islands and their history.
George Downing (Hawaii): Born in Honolulu in 1930, Downing began surfing Waikiki at age nine. Known as one of the original big wave riders with encyclopedic knowledge of the sport, he was among the first to ride Laniakea on the North Shore and Maui's
North Shore of Oahu Art Festival » Hawaii News » Hawaii News ...
ArtFest will include original artwork by 140 artists, working in different mediums like painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture and glass. The festival will include a wide variety of food and beverages from local establishments, guaranteeing no one will leave ArtFest hungry! With a “Cool Stuff to Buy” booth featuring limited edition poster prints and shirts, there will be plenty of affordable gifts and souvenirs.
The festival will feature a variety of music, including rockabilly, bluegrass, ukulele and even Celtic pipe, ensuring ArtFest will be a delight for music lovers. And if you are a fan of surf art, Heather Brown will be showing a new painting at the festival. The 14th annual Summer ArtFest is the perfect summer thing to do in Oahu and is sure to be a great time for both visitors and locals alike!
Before you leave the North Shore, make sure to grab a delicious shave ice to cool you off!
Hawaii North Shore Tour - Bookshelf
Frommer's Hawaii with Kids
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VacationsToGo.com/hawaii. Elsewhere, the vast beautiful beaches of the North Shore and Waikiki lure those looking for fun in the sun. As a shore excursion, ...Frommer's Hawaii 2011
Plan to have dinner on the North Shore—my recommendations begin on p. 673. Day 3 : Seeing Kauai from the Air on a Helicopter Tour Book a helicopter tour (p. ...Fodor's Hawaii 2011
Generally speaking, surf kicks up on the North Shore in winter and the South Shore in ... Choose from several options, including the half-day Backroads Tour ...Hawaii for Dummies
You also can tour for free a gorgeous native plant garden located at the ... another National Tropical Botanical Garden on the North Shore (see the listing ...Walkthroughs Directory
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Hawaii's Exclusive North Shore Activities Tour - bike, hike, kayak, snorkel, swim, stand up paddle board or take surf lessons on Oahu's North Shore, Hawaii.
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This Oahu North Shore tour will take you to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, famous surfing beaches such as Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay, and famous Hawaii filming locations.