Vans Surf

Registration Now Open!

2010-02-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Registration now open for Surf Ride's $100,000 Freedom Surf Series by Vans - Feb. 21 contest at OB Pier, San Diego

-Groms through Pro Divisions are offered, with a Prize Purse that is
unparalleled!
-All registered participants receive a $200 welcome pack thanks to
Vans, DAKINE and our other generous sponsors.

"Our goal with the Freedom Surf events has been to create a California
series that develops young surfers while supporting professionals with
much needed financial support and visibility. With so much talent in
the Golden state, along with a significant industry presence, it's a
win win for both participants and sponsors."

Purse Breakdown:

Pro Division: $5,000 per event for 1st place, $1,700 for 2nd, $750
3rd...through 6th Place.
$10,000 up for grabs for the Season Champ!

NEW DIVISION: Open Men's Family Division: $750, $350, $200 1st through
3rd respectively*

Juniors Division: $850 1st, $400 2nd, $250 Third*

Youth Division: $700 1st, $300 2nd, $150 Third*

Also featuring Masters, Open Women and Grom Divisions- with similar
Prizes Purses.

*Pros receive Cash and Family Division winners receive Surf Ride store Credit.

NEXT EVENT: Sunday, February 21st at Ocean Beach Pier, Ocean Beach California.

Registration and more info: www.Freedom.Surfride.com

Grand Opening!

2010-02-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

Vans has just opened a new retail shop in Costa Mesa, located at Newport Blvd & Harbor Blvd. There was a signing by some of Vans greats; Christian Hosoi, Jeff Grosso, Omar Hassan & Joel Tudor! and Alex Knost's new band "Tomorrows Tulips" performed live. It was raining pretty hard, but that didn't stop us from having a good time, Here's some pics from todays event! and be sure to stop in and check out the new shop!

Get to know: Reef Mcintosh

2010-02-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Take a look at Van's team rider Reef McIntosh's profile in Surfer Magazine's March issue. This North Shore charger recently competed in Volcom's Pipeline contest and will be traveling to more exotic locations looking for huge barrels.

ASR

2010-02-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Went down to everyones favorite trade show this weekend, wait.. wednesday. Thats right, its only 2 days and in the middle of the week. And its also about an 1/8th the size of what it usually is. But on the way, we stopped off at the Tudski's house, and he has just had another baby! Judah Tudor. Tosh was up playing with his little brother. Then Joel was getting stoked showing us his new array of boards.

After that we headed south for asr. When we arrived on site, Steve Van Doren was cooking up some waffle grip waffles for all who were feeling like a waffle. The Vans booth was packed as usual, the skate ramp was going off with young groms going huge. Russ was there too, talking about how nice Vans stuff is. Then we got some lunch and high-tailed it outta there.

GUDAUSKAS BROTHERS JOIN THE VANS FAMILY

2010-02-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

Its Official! Pat, Dane and Tanner – The Talented Surfing Trio Now Represent Vans Apparel, Footwear and Accessories and the Next Generation of Vans’ Southern California Heritage

Everyone at Vans is proud to announce that Patrick, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas, widely regarded as three of surfing’s most talented and promising young surfers, expanded their six-year relationship with the original action sports brand to include apparel and accessories as well as the footwear program they already support. Born and raised in San Clemente, California, 24-year old twins Pat and Dane and Tanner, 21, represent the next generation of Vans’ Southern California heritage and our ever-growing commitment to surfing culture. The Gudauskases will work directly with the Vans design team to bring their creativity to Vans’ boardshort program and our Surfsiders footwear collection.

The Gudauskas brothers, having amassed impressive individual track records traveling and competing around the world, represent an expanding lineage to Vans’ surf program that already includes icons such as Joel Tudor and Nathan Fletcher as well as young Pipeline charger John Florence and aerialist Jason “Ratboy” Collins. They also join a long tradition of family involvement at Vans, starting with the founding Van Doren family in 1966 and continuing to include legendary and influential names such as Fletcher, Wastell, Smith and Florence.

Known throughout the surf world for their positive attitudes and contagious stoke, it has been obvious from the start that Pat, Dane and Tanner fit in perfectly with the Vans team, possessing the skill, competitive mindset, individual pursuit and creative expression that the brand and surf program symbolize.

"We are thrilled that our sons have joined the elite surf team at Vans,” said Tom and Nancy Gudauskas. “Vans has always been one of our favorite companies and they’ve supported the sport and lifestyle of surfing for decades. As the boys pursue a World Championship Title and surf the best and most challenging waves in the world, it is wholeheartedly exciting to know they will be partners with Vans.”

“The Gudauskas brothers’ partnership with Vans signals another major step forward in our progressive role in surfing,” said Vans’ VP of Marketing Doug Palladini. “That surfers of their caliber, with futures as bright as Pat, Dane and Tanner’s, would choose Vans as their best path speaks volumes about just how far we have come and what the coming years portend.”

As Pat and Tanner gear up for their first year on the WCT in 2010, Dane is set to embark on some exploratory big wave surfing and will be competing in 6-Star Prime Events, continuing to move up towards WCT qualification.

Pat, Dane and Tanner join surfers Joel Tudor, Dylan Graves and Russell Smith on Vans apparel team, along with skaters Anthony Van Engelen, Johnny Laytonand Andrew Allen.

For more info on Vans Apparel and Vans Surf, visit www.vans.com

Final Day of Pipeline

2010-02-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

The finals of Volcom's Pipe Pro were held today. It kicked off with the first semi-final heat, in which John John Florence went up against Ian Walsh, Anthony Walsh and Jamie O'Brien. It just didn't come together for John today, however Jamie went on to win it in the end. There were plenty of exciting heats throughout the entire contest, you can check out photos and watch heats on demand plus other videos at volcompipelinepro.com

Pipeline Update

2010-01-31T12:36:00.000-08:00

There's been so much action at Pipe these last couple of days. Dane Damus and Kalani Chapman went down, but lets not forget the good times that are still going. Reef has been surfing incredible as well as Nathan and John John. And now, it looks like Reef and Nathan will find themselves in a heat together coming up later today. John John's heat is coming up pretty soon, he will be going up against Rob Machado, Nils Schweizer and Mark Healey. Tune in to watch John shred circles around those guys.

Pipe Pro ON today

2010-01-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

Get ready today as Nathan Fletcher is gonna be surfing in the second heat of the day, and then Dane and Reef take on Ola Eleogram and Joe Tanaka. Watch them live right HERE

USA takes Bronze - ISA World Championships

2010-01-30T12:51:00.000-08:00

Words of USA head coach Ian Cairns:
With 12 of the best under 18 American surfers on the plane to Piha, NZ, I was confident that we had a USA Junior Team with the skills to win a gold medal. Our main rivals have traditionally been Australia, Hawaii, South Africa and France and I was keen to improve on the 2009 fourth place finish. The Quiksilver ISA World Juniors is a long and grueling event and day seven was not kind to the America team -- by day's end we lost six surfers to tough heats and we had dropped behind Australia and Hawaii in the overall standings. To win gold, Team USA would need to win in the Women's and take first and second in the U16 Men's. Day eight would be dramatic.

In the end it was Lakey Peterson with a fourth in the Women's Final and Jake Halstead with a second in the U16 Men's Final. With those results America finished with the bronze medal closely behind Hawaii and Australia.

For me this event was a great learning experience and we will be back in 2011 with a great, young US team, new strategies and a revitalized effort.

Banzai Lay Day

2010-01-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

Got a lay day today at the pipeline pro, but when it does start up, Nathan Fletcher is going up against Alex Gray, Dusty Payne and Sion Milosky in heat #13. Then in heat #15, Dane Gudauskas and Reef Mcintosh take on Ola Eleogram and Joe Tanaka. Watch out guys, I smell something delicious, could it be a little Shake & Bake. So maybe tomorrow? stay tuned and get ready for some world class surfing when the last day of the Pipeline pro begins.

Today's Highlights from the Banzai Pipeline

2010-01-29T17:46:00.001-08:00

It was a good day, we saw plenty of awesome action today, Reef advanced through dominating his heat with one of his patented late-drop-to-rail-grab-to-let-go-and-stand-straight-up-in-the-barrel deals to nail the highest wave score of the morning. “I was out there just like any other day, just trying to get a few good ones,” he said after his heat. John John prevailed as well, scoring high, and making it look easy. Kalani Chapman had the quote of the morning after dropping in on David Giddings, “I wasn’t gonna let him (Giddings) paddle around me and get away with it, this is my wave and I had to let him know that.” Amazingly, Kalani won the heat even with an interference that negated one of his scores. His luck would run out in his next heat, nevertheless, he still had the line…

Pipeline Pro: Day 2

2010-01-29T12:03:00.000-08:00

Day two is going strong with solid 8-foot barrels at the Pipeline Pro! Nathan Fletcher, Reef Mcintosh, and John John florence all won their heats today, way to go guys! And there's so much more action to come, watch it live right HERE

Costa Mesa Vans Store Grand Opening With Vans Athletes

2010-01-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 6th we are opening a new store in Costa Mesa, CA. Come out and get autographs from Vans pros Joel Tudor and more. We will also have the What If? Skate Bus complete with half pipe for you to skate and tons of giveaways and prizes from Vans and Rockstar. Check the flyer for details.

Pipe Check In

2010-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

Kalani Chapman & Reef Mcintosh have won their heats today, and might surf another heat each before the days up. Nathan Fletcher will also be surfing today, so be sure to check it out online and live

Volcom Pipeline Pro

2010-01-28T10:28:00.001-08:00

Broken boards, spitting barrels, helacious wipeouts, memorable rides - expect it all because Pipeline is awake today and the Volcom Pipeline Pro hits the start button at 8:30am. Waves peaked at over 20-foot Hawaiian scale in the wee hours of this-morning, washing across Kamehameha Highway and running up into beachfront properties. Wave face heights at select spots measured in excess of 40 feet. This-morning it is settling into a beautiful groove as the offshores return and waves are peaking from Pipeline's second reef. so click on over to their website and watch it live for free. What a deal! and it's all happening right now!

Leila Hurst, ISA, and Volcom's Pipe Pro

2010-01-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

Leila has been down in Piha, New Zealand at the ISA World Championships with fellow Vans teammate Andrew Doheny. Leila dominated her first heat placing 1st, but then in the next round, she placed 4th and was knocked out. But now she's looking forward to a short plane ride over to Australia where she'll be getting ready for the Maitland Toyota Open in Newcastle NSW, Aus. The Gudauskas' will be heading down under as well, they have a pretty full schedule there too. As for now, almost half the Vans surf team is getting ready for the start of the Volcom Pipeline Pro. It should be underway tomorrow, you can watch: Kalani Chapman, Reef Mcintosh, Nathan Fletcher, John John Florence, and Dane Gudauskas all live right HERE

Surf Or Die

2010-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

I thought this was the new GROWLERS music video, but nope, I was totally wrong, it's the slammin' new track from Surf MC's. Check it out

BIg wave paddle session

2010-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Reef Mcintosh and Nathan Fletcher paddle into some bombs in Hawaii, and if this doesn't excite you, check this out

The Golden Era

2010-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Click on over to Surfline right now, theres a nice little feature up on a small group of California's finest, Including Pat & Tanner Gudauskas, Nate Yeomans and Brett Simpson. These guys all grew up surfing the beaches of Orange County together, and now get to travel surfing the best waves in the world together. Way to go guys!

Andrew Doheny Team USA?

2010-01-21T14:35:00.001-08:00

Thats right kids! Andrew Doheny is on the US Team for the ISA World Junior Championships. He's over with the rest of the US Team in Piha, New Zealand. Piha is a beautiful black sand beach, Don't know if it has the best reputation for good waves, but we'll see how it goes. They ran round 1, and so far everyone from the US team has advanced through. You can check out the live action right HERE. It's kinda like the olympics but not

VOLCOM PIPELINE PRO

2010-01-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

The deadliest wave in the world. The most coveted tube-ride on the planet.
Pipeline has been the ultimate proving ground of surfers for over half a century.
Pipeline perfection happens on only a handful of days each year, typically during late January into February. It has been a record season on Oahu's North Shore. Don't miss the first major event of 2010 and the last opportunity of the winter to watch 112 of the world's best surfers prove themselves at Pipe. The contest starts saturday!

$120,000 5-star ASP Hawaii Event
112 surfers from 13 nations.
Andy Irons - Bruce Irons - Rob Machado - Sunny Garcia - Clay Marzo - Dean Morrison - Gavin Beschen - Mark Healey - Reef McIntosh - Mark Mathews - Fred Patacchia - Dusty Payne - John John Florence - Shinpei Horiguchi

LIVE on the webat volcom.com/pipelinepro
LIVE on television: OceanicCable channel 250 & 1250 throughout Hawaii.
Finals broadcast LIVE on FUEL TVthroughout USA, Australia and Portugal.

More Swell On The Way

2010-01-17T09:59:00.001-08:00

It's looking like we're gonna have more waves hitting the Cali coast, but they are being sent to us with a storm, so batten down the hatches and get ready for some rain. Pictured below: Dane Gudauskas, showing us the proper way to hit the lip

Van's Surf Ride $100,000 Pro-Am

2010-01-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

Vans is proud to partner with Surf Ride in the $100K Freedom Surf Series kicking off Saturday, January 23rd at Seaside Reef, Encinitas. Registration is now Open for both the Pro-Am and Family Divisions. So make sure you sign up quick before its too late. The $100K Series includes five surf contests each month January through May at breaks throughout the San Diego and North County areas.
January 23 - Seaside Reef, Encinitas
Feb 20 - OB Pier, Ocean Beach
March 27 - T st. San Clemente
April 20 - San Fernando, Mission Beach
Season Championship
Oceanside Pier, Oceanside

Event Highlights include:

* $5,000 for the first place Pro Division winner
* $1,700 for second, with cash prizes for competitors through 6th place.
* $5,000 for Family Division winners- in Surf Ride store credit
* Huge welcome Packs for all event participants- by Dakine, Vans and Dragon Optics
* Free Family BBQ compliments of Vans
* Ritz-Carlton Resort "2-day Stay" raffles to support CPK Surf Club

Visit Surfride.com to register and learn more.

Why hasn't Mavs run yet?

2010-01-14T09:56:00.001-08:00

Well, for one reason, running the event takes a majority vote from all 24 competitors. And the swells that did come in, were on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they don't run the contest over those holidays. Here's Pat Gudauskas dropping in!

Volcom Pipeline Pro

2010-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Pipeline is the Mecca of the surfing world, and it is at this legendary location that Volcom is proud to announce their first ever ASP event: The Volcom Pipeline Pro, a WQS 5-star event running with a waiting period from January 23rd – February 5th, 2010.

Volcom has been deeply rooted on the North Shore since the early 1990's. It all started with their first team houses at Turtle Bay, then Rocky Point, then V-Land, and Sunset - until finally settling permanently at their dual beachfront locations directly in front of the Banzai Pipeline.

"To have our own contest in front of the Volcom Pipe Houses is truly amazing," says Volcom Founder and CEO, Richard Woolcott. "I think it's going to be a great event for everyone; the surfers, the spectators and the community. This is something I never would have imagined when starting Volcom... It really is a dream come true."

The Volcom Pipeline Pro will feature a prize purse of US $120,000 and be a great opportunity for locals to get much needed WQS and Triple Crown points.

"We're super pumped to host an event at Pipeline," says Troy Eckert, VP of Marketing. "This is the place that separates the men from the boys, and we're all very honored to be involved at this level. I'm glad that we are able to step in and support the Hawaiian surfing community."

Photo: Carey