Rip Curl Stomp Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010

The guys at the Wetsuit Centre have been working hard to get the latest Mens Summer Wetsuits photographed, video reviewed and up on to the website in time for the new season. And what a season it looks set to be !!! All of the major wetsuit brands are bringing out new wetsuits and you won’t be surprised to hear that the technology is getting even better.

First out of the blocks is the new Rip Curl Stomp 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010 – we reviewed the Rip Curl Stomp 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit back in 2009 and even then the suit was punching well above its weight – being compared with wetsuit almost twice the price.

Rip Curl Stomp 2010

For 2010, Rip Curl have updated the suit with some minor changes. The 3/2 summer wetsuit has 3mm on the core area of the suit and 2mm on the arms where you don’t need as much warmth but need the flexibility.

The Rip Curl Stomp is all about value, it is an entry level suit that is at the cheaper end of the market but that doesn’t mean there is a compromise on quality and performance.

You certainly get a lot of wetsuit for your money – particularly if you are shopping on a budget, which why this wettie is so popular.

On the front and back of the suit you get a smoothskin panel – which minimises windchill and water penetration. All of the stitching is flat-locked so there are no needle holes going right through the neoprene – again minimising water penetration and giving a really comfortable fit.

For a wetsuit of this price you don’t get a lot of smoothskin – but the number of neoprene panels are kept to a minimum which means you get an extremely flexible suit.

The knees are fully reinforced so that minimises the wear and tear, particularly for first-time surfers.

The neoprene is not the stretchiest of Rip Curl’s material so it is never going to be as comfortable as some of their more expensive suits – but this is still a wetsuit packed with performance.

Rip Curl Stomp Features:-

• Seamless Paddle Zones

• SuperSeal Collar: Fully Adjustable Neck

• Wind Resistant Smoothskin Chest and Back Panels

• Krypto Padz: Ergonomic Knee Panel

• Flatlock stictched-breathable seams,

Rip Curl Stomp 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010 Video Review

At £69.99 and free delivery, the Rip Curl Stomp 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010 is probably one of the best entry level Summer Wetsuit on the market today.

Mark Richards - surfing legend

Quiksilver has just announced a collaboration  pack with free ride surf pioneer Mark Richards.

Consisting of eleven vintage tees, tanks, truckers, and board shorts designed to recall Richards’ 70’s steez, the collection drops soon at select surf shops.

Look out for these retro designs at a surf shop near you.

Kiwi duo surf deadliest wave Photo: Josh Humbert

Doug Young and Sam Hawke have become the first Kiwi tow team to surf the monstrous Teahupo’o, considered the deadliest wave on Earth.

Wednesday the 17th of March will be remembered as surfing’s greatest St Patrick’s Day ever! A giant low-pressure system, creating a massive 15-20ft swell that developed and battered the New Zealand coastline then intensified in the Pacific gaining strength and size on its way to Teahupo’o in Tahiti.

All surfers regard Teahupo’o as the heaviest and deadliest wave in the world. This is due to the combination of big open ocean swells breaking from extremely deep water onto very shallow coral reef. This causes the wave to break below sea level and with no back to the wave.

When Teahupo’o gets big the only way to ride it is with the help of personal water craft (Jet Skis), not only to get into the wave but also to save any surfers that wipeout on the reef.

Having already surfed Teahup’o twice before with one particular wave getting nominated for biggest barrel and ride of the year at the Billabong XXL Awards, Doug Young (Chch) woke up to write his local surf report and realised what he was looking at on the swell map, a chance of a lifetime to surf the break for the third time. Doug had one hour to organise his life.

Doug grabbed young surfer Sam Hawke (Chch), rushed to the airport and managed to get the only flight heading to Tahiti for the week.

Reaching Tahiti late and exhausted Doug and Sam slept on the beach and woke up to what locals are calling the biggest day ever in Teahupo’o.

“I scored one of the most amazing barrel rides of my life only to be swallowed by the foam ball and dragged across the reef. I then had another five more waves on the head before finally being rescued by the jet ski. It was a very special day with many of the best big wave chargers from all around the world claiming to have ridden the best waves of their lives.” Doug recalls.

Having the right tow partner plays a crucial role in riding these waves; one small mistake by the driver can turn into a big mistake for the surfer.

This was not however the case for Young and Hawke, after several hours flying and sitting in seats that were their lucky numbers they didn’t want there luck to run out.

Wearing as much green as they could on St Patrick’s Day, it was the luck of the Irish when Young raced toward the largest set wave of the day and towed Hawke into the biggest, gangliest wave of his life. The wave of the day which everybody called the biggest ever ridden at Teahupo’o!

Watch the Video of Teahupoo Surfed on YouTube

Watch the Video of Teahupoo Surfed on YouTube

After getting washed into the lagoon Young pulled Hawke out of the water, struggling for breath, blood rushing out of his nose only to be greeted by a standing ovation from an all star cast of surfers including; Shane Dorian, Ian Walsh, Vatea David, Carlos Burle, Raimana Van Bastolaer and the rest of the local crews.

Hawke explains, “The who’s who were there. Ten skis were out so we picked off small and medium ones and I was happy, we got good waves. We looked out and there was only one other ski out, Shane Dorian and Ian Walsh were waiting for the bomb, we started to laugh, threw the rope out.

“They took the first wave we took the second and knew it was the bomb. Doug screamed at me to go bro! As I looked at a dry patch of reef all I was thinking was that every muscle of my body was set to make the bottom of this wave.”

Hawke made the drop and set his line, the wave had so much water on it sucking the reef dry on the inside eliminating the safety of the channel.

Both Surfers rides will now be amongst the top contenders for the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards, a global competition rewarding the worlds best big wave surfers with a first prize purse of US$50,000.

Hawke and Young’s rides will be entered in the ride of the year and monster tube categories.

Hawke also has entries in this year’s awards from his monster perfect 10 point ride as part of the Fantastic Noodles Intense Wave Invitational and Doug with his biggest paddle in wave award at the Australasian Oakley ASL Big Wave awards.

The event-waiting period ended on 19th of March 2010, with this spectacular session in Tahiti set to dominate the podiums at the gala awards night in two weeks in Los Angeles.

Flow Rider coming to Cornwall

Ok, so it might be a bit early for April Fools – but looks like Flow Rider – an artificial 12m wide standing wave – is coming to Cornwall.

Constructed at the five-star Retallack Resort & Spa, near Wadebridge, the new Flow Rider is being sponsored by Quiksilver/Roxy – and will be open to resort guests from Easter weekend onwards.

Drawing on a mixture of surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and wakeboarding skills, the Flow Rider represents the very latest in artificial wave technology, providing excitement and thrills to everyone from global extreme sports champions to novice youngsters and adults alike. The wave itself uses a number of pumps that circulate water across a foam-padded incline at high speed to create a 2-inch deep rapid.

Specially-designed stand-up boards and bodyboards can both be used, and Retallack’s Flow Riding instructors will always be on hand to make sure even those without a world-class sense of balance can get a taste for the action.

To celebrate the launch of the Flow Rider at Retallack Resort, members of the Quiksilver & Roxy team including British Junior Champion Toby Donachie, Under 16s Champion Luke Dillon, top British female surfer Sophie Hellyer and 13-year old wunderkind Rhys Barfield, will be trying out their standing wave skills on April 1st.

Plans are also already in the pipeline to create a UK Flow Riding Championships which will host its first event at Retallack Resort in June, pitting the country’s best surfers, snowboarders, skaters and wakeboarders against each other in a unique cross-discipline clash. In addition, the launch of the Flow Rider is Retallack’s first step towards becoming the world’s only inland surf resort which will also incorporate a 100m wide breaking wave pool.

“As a UK first, this is an incredibly exciting time for Retallack Resort and indeed for Cornwall as a whole and we’re all delighted to have Quiksilver and Roxy onboard,” says Jason Keyter, Retallack’s Resort Director. “Flow Riding is a wonderfully safe and fun activity that is as incredible to watch as it is to take part in.

You don’t have to be a pro surfer to use it which means it’s a great way to learn some balance and boardsports manoeuvres before hitting the waves, or indeed the slopes. The Flow Rider at Retallack Resort is set to make a real splash and we’re really looking forward to welcoming people here to enjoy it.”

The Flow Rider is set to form part of Retallack’s new Loop complex which, when complete, will also house retail units, a new restaurant and a spectator gallery. Flow Rider packages will be available to guests staying at the resort (including a mandatory induction) although Cornwall residents will also be able to sign up for a loyalty scheme.

Standard guest rate:
3hr beginner session : £40
1hr freeflowing: £25

Opening offer for locals (proof of Cornish residence needed):
3 hrs beginner session: £25
1hr freeflowing; £20

www.roxy.com
www.retallackresort.co.uk
www.quiksilver-europe.com

Flow Rider Video

Rip Curl E Bomb 69 Retro 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010

Some of you may be old enough to remember the 1970′s. Mini skirts were popular and the flower power influence was everywhere. Disco was all the rage and men were real men, wearing flared trouser, big collars and bright patterns.

Well, if you were a mean disco king – you can now take the look to the beach !

The new Rip Curl E Bomb 69 Retro 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010 is a brand new suit that is absolutely stunning in the flesh. It has all the great features of a standard Rip Curl E Bomb but without the batwing water penetration system.

The Rip Curl Retro E Bomb is made of 100% E3 ultimate stretch neoprene that means it is one of the most flexible and comfortable wetsuits on the market. Rip Curl have also made sure the performance is not affected in any way whilst adding new graphics and new features to improve warmth for 2010.

Rip Curl E Bomb 69 Retro 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit Features:-

• Rip Curl E3: The third generation of Elastomax Superstretch Neoprene. Lighter, Warmer and More Flexible. The Rip Curl E Bomb continues to offer ultimate flexibility and stretch whilst still offering fantastic warmth.
• Hydroloc Collar: Seals neck and prevents those unwanted cold water flushes!
• Glued & Blindstiched: Maximum seam stretch and strength with zero water penetration gives unbeatable warmth and keeps the cold water out.
• S-Flex Knees: Highly flexible and durable knee pads allowing maximum movement and unsurpassed life span.
• Seamless Shoulder Panel: For unrestricted flexibility and movement
• Stash Pocket: External zip pocket with comb for easy access.

Rip Curl E Bomb 69 Retro 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit Video Review

Check out the YouTube video review of the Rip Curl Retro wetsuit by Sean of the Wetsuit Centre.

One thing to note is that although this looks like a wetsuit “blast from the past” – turn the wetsuit inside out and you have all the standard features of a high performance Rip Curl E Bomb.

Rip Curl have done an amazing job with the E Bomb 69 Retro 3/2 Mens Summer Wetsuit 2010 – we will be dusting off our medallions and heading for the beach.

But let’s just hope no one thinks of manufacturing a wetsuit tank top to match !!!

Billabong and Biodroid, a Portuguese game developer, are proud to present Billabong Surf Trip a brand new surf game for surfers made by surfers. The demand for a new surfer’s game of surf has been brewing slowly in the surfing community and this brand new iPhone game brings an authentic experience that captures the real essence of surfing.

Billabong Surf Trip iPhone App

“Biodroid is very excited to be developing world class surfing titles in partnership with Billabong,” says Ricardo Flores, producer, Biodroid Productions.”

Billabong iPhone App Surf Game

This robust and life-like game explores the surf theme in a totally authentic way; each nuance of the surf life will be brought to you in this game. The player will be able to travel around the world getting to know some of the world championship tour locations and surf breaks that are so special to surfers. Both concept and game-play are validated and tested by Billabong Pro Surfers.

“This is a surf game with the kind of true surfing simulations that will make you feel you are at that perfect spot” says VP, New Media Scott Wallace. “It’s a trip around the world to surf the best waves on the planet.”

Super-realistic waves that can be traveled to on Billabong Surf Trip include World Championship Tour locations like Mundaka, Spain; Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa; Pipeline, Hawaii; Teahupoo, Tahiti and many others

Billabong’s A-Team of professional surfers tested all aspects of the game, giving specific input on the look and feel.

“The player has direct control of the board on the wave,”

says Taj Burrow currently rated #1 on the ASP World Tour.

“You focus on pace rather than on action.”

The surf-art style graphics create super-realistic visuals, and the game has many highlights that create a whole world inside the surfing culture. Future platforms will include Sony PSP, Wii Ware, Xbox 360

“The player paddles in the water waiting for the right wave. At the right moment the player jumps onto the board,” says Tiago Pires another ASP top surfer who has been involved with testing Billabong Surf Trip. “The camera tracks the player as he rides the wave. The wave is dynamic and changes constantly. It’s the ultimate thrill for any die-hard surfer, nothing comes close to being in the tube!”

As soon as we have a release URL and iPhone App link we will let you know.

Don’t forget to check out The Wetsuit Centre for the latest Billabong Summer Wetsuits 2010.