Registration Now Open!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Golden Era

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

More Gudauskas's

A short film on the Gudauskas Bros made my mastermind Steve Sherman, see what they're watching, what inspires them, drives them, and keeps them motivated.

Mavericks Waiting Period

We've entered the waiting period for the Mavs Contest. With the swell in the water right now, we thought they'd be running the show already. I guess we'll have to wait a couple more days, it'll be worth it though, with some of Norcal's favorites competing like Tyler Smith, Flea, Nathan Fletcher, and so many more. For more info on this event, and to watch it live visit Mavericks Surf

Gudangs first sesh at Mavericks

The Boys paddle out at Mavs for some big waves and good vibes. With a swell on the way, its possible they could run the contest this weekend. So here's a little sample for you all

Jazzercise

another great surf short brought to you by 3slobs! Andrew and Kyle head up to Rincon for some smooth rights ...so smooth

Tomorrows Tulips Jan. 7

Tomorrows Tulips (Alex and Christina) will be making another appearance at the Prospector in Long Beach California on January 7th. If your in the area stop by for a cocktail and some live tunes. Audacity is heading the bill, they are amazing live, also playing that night: the living suns and cosmonauts!

Vans Be Here Times Square Countdown!

Everyone knows that one of the biggest New Year's Eve parties on the planet is in Times Square New York City. We're giving you the chance to post your photos to our live billboard right in the heart of the New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square. Simply upload your photos to Vans.com/BeHere and be a part of it all. Happy New Year from Vans!

You can upload as many photos as you want between now & midnight on January 5th, 2010. (Tip: don't add your last name or a website in your message. We want to protect your privacy)

Here's Vans Girls Blogger Amanda Rae in Times Square in front of the Be Here Billboard.

VANS BeHere Launch in Times Square NYC from amanda rae on Vimeo.

Check-in with Andrew Doheny

a short clip of droid's recent sessions deep in the newps!

Happy Holidays!

San Clemente in the Spotlight

"Changing of the Guard" the cover story from South Orange County's local news magazine, It features the four young men who achieved greatness this winter. Pat & Tanner Gudauskas broke through the WQS this year into the top 15 and qualified for the ASP World Tour alongside fellow San Clemente shredder, Nate Yeomans. And shortly after these boys were done celebrating on the north shore of Oahu, Greg Long comes out from behind, and takes the title of the 2009 Eddie Aikau from everyone! So be sure to look out for San Clemente in the 2010 ASP Tour!

Start New Year Off Right With Beach Cleanup

Here is the list of all the local Huntington Beach cleanups in January:
- Saturday, Jan 2nd from 9 to noon at either Huntington Beach Pier or at 90 Termino in Long Beach
- Friday, Jan 8th from 9 to 11 at the wetlands, meet at 9 a.m. at 10 Pacific Coast Hwy, Seal Beach
- Saturday, Jan 16th from 10 to 1 at 15 1st Street, Seal Beach

We have a new donations page where you can donate as little as $1 to help us continue the volunteer work that we do! You can put your name, your company's name or your club or team's name on our wall!

Everyones Gone

The crowds here in Hawaii have calmed down since everyone has left after the Triple Crown. Tyler & Russell Smith, and Ratboy had a session down at Off The Wall today. Super fun waves, the boys were getting barrel after barrel, I think there were more photographers on the beach than surfers in the water.

Final Day of the Triple Crown/Pipeline Masters

What a sad day, no wait, i mean happy, but its all come to an end. Let's not forget the good times we had here on the North Shore. Today we crowned two Triple Crown Champions: Joel Parkinson & Stephanie Gilmore! Also fellow Aussie Taj Burrow won the Billabong Pipeline Masters. There was a strong Australia presence at this year's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. It was quite a final, Kelly vs. Taj, and to the victor go the spoils!

Surf Nerd

Watch Andrew Doheny battle his dad in the most ultimate game in the universe, that's right, Transworld Surf's: Surf Nerd!

Day 2: Billabong Pipeline Masters

Today ended short as we wrapped up round 2 at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. They decided to call the contest for the day as the waves were getting smaller and the wind picked up. John John Florence was a stand out both days as he came out on top through all his heats defeating Danny Fuller and Heitor Alves. Not a shocker coming to realize that Pipeline is his backyard, literally, his house is right in front of Pipe. And at the end of the day, Joel Tudor shows up for some tasty post-contest barrels.

Monster Swell Lights Up The North Shore

It's been a busy week on Oahu's North Shore... and it's only Tuesday. With the Eddie Big Wave Invitational running for the first time since '04 in monster surf at Waimea Bay and other spots too big to surf; conditions should be primed for a Thursday or Friday start at The Banzai Pipeline. The Billabong Pipeline Masters is the final stop on the ASP World Championship Tour and will decide who will win the ASP world title and The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title. You can watch all the action live on the new "Vans 3X Surf" iPhone app.Download a copy today!

Vans Triple Crown Golf Tournament

Today was the 4th annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Golf Tournament presented by Bud Light! We had decent weather as it was overcast all day but we didn't have any rain, so that was good. Beers were cracked as early as 10am, and lunches were provided to all the players, as well as custom Vans Golf shoes. All the big names came out for the tournament, including Kelly Slater. It was a scramble style gameplay, each group took the best ball in play, there was also a longest drive contest and closest to the pin. The Ross Williams foursome won with an outstanding -15! Jason "Ratboy" Collins, Dana Mesebrink, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas won the $1,200 Bud Light Powerball Raffle, and donated their earnings to Pancho Sullivan for his daughters medical bills. It was a great day of golf and everyone was in good spirits.

FUEL TV To Broadcast 2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters Finals Live

FUEL TV, the only network dedicated to the lifestyle of action sports, is excited to announce that the network will be broadcasting the finals of the last stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, the Billabong Pipeline Masters, live in the United States. This will be the first-ever live broadcast of an ASP World Tour event in the United States. In addition, the Billabong Pipeline Masters will also be broadcast live on FUEL TV in Australia and on FUEL TV in Portugal. FUEL TV will also be offering an HD quality webcast of the contest, for those who don’t have FUEL TV but can access the internet.
Check out Vans.com for more information.

Big thanks to the Patacchias!

We want to extend a huge THANKS from everyone at Vans to Fred Patacchia and his family for all their hospitality. Fred is one of the original north shore representatives of our generation. Since we have been here in Hawaii they've been generous enough to open up their home for us, and brought by more than enough Bud Light to keep the boys satisfied. They truly embody the aloha spirit.

Turtle Bay

While the waves were pumping here on the north shore, everywhere was too big and messy, so how bout a round of golf with Dylan Graves and his pal Ale. We drove up to Turtle Bay, and hit the Arnold Palmer course, it's a gorgeous course, and maintained quite well, and since the north shore is so small already, your always likely to run into someone you know. Placed adjacent with the beach, its always nice to feel that ocean breeze while your teeing off. Definitely hit up this course next time your on Oahu. Vans Surf Team has many avid golfers: Dylan Graves, Ratboy, Nelly, Reef Mcintosh, Timmy Reyes, Gudang Bros, so be on the lookout next time your at the course!