… a surf trip like no other

Rip Curl Tip 2 Tip

The Rip Curl’s ‘Tip 2 Tip’ Search project is a surf trip like no other. Six-months on a boat, 21 professional surfers, a mission to explore the entire Indonesian archipelago – from one tip to the other…

A journey about discovery, adventure, adversity and the people who share the laughs along the way, Rip Curl’s ‘Tip 2 Tip’ has it all and more. From perfect waves to unlocked mysteries, feral pirates to cabin fever, from cheers and tears to fresh fish and beers.

Now, thanks to 14 cameramen, seven editors, five journalists and a handful of untitled others, Rip Curl will unravel the entire search trip online with anyone keen to jump on board for the ride.

Rip Curl will launch its “Tip 2 Tip” blog on Monday 16th Auguest at www.ripcurl.com/tip2tip.

Web users the planet over will share stories from a unique part of the trip every week until the entire project wraps up in October, 2010.

Each chapter will boast three video episodes, several photo galleries, trip stories and other random bits and pieces putting you with the crew Living The Search.

“We have created a crazy amount of content from this six month expedition, so we worked out that we’re going to need nearly three months to share all the best stuff on the T2T microsite,” says Neil Ridgway, Rip Curl International Marketing & Advertising Chairman. “The site will be a cool way for people around the world to follow the trip and get involved with some of the stories.”

Rip Curl took possession of the Quest 1 charter boat in March this year, signed on longtime surf guide Albert Taylor to lead the charge, and then rotated surfers and image-makers on and off the boat accordingly while searching every beach, reef and stretch of coastline they could find.

“Rip Curl started The Search trips for its early surf films up there in the ’90s with Martin Daly, so to take Indo Searching to the next level, we knew we had to have a boat that could just Search wherever and whenever we wanted,” continued Ridgway. “It took a lot of work by a lot of good people, but ‘Tip 2 Tip’ proved that it’s still possible to find new waves and new locations to surf – at the end of the day it’s true that the Search never ends. We also had the chance to put some of our best creative designers on board as well and there’ll be a Search inspired range for surfers to check out in 2011.”

Rip Curl Tip 2 Tip Stars

The “Tip 2 Tip” project stars a global cast of the best RC riders including:

• Dillon Perillo (USA),
• Dean Brady (AUS)
• and Bruno Santos (BRA),
• while featuring Gabriel Medina (BRA),
• Steph Gilmore (AUS),
• Koa Smith (USA),
• Bethany Hamilton (USA),
• Garut Widiarta (ID),
• Ricardo Christie (NZD),
• Tyler Wright (AUS),
• Davey Cathels (AUS),
• Stu Kennedy (AUS),
• Kekoa Bacalso (USA),
• Taylor Knox (USA),
• Alana Blanchard (USA),
• Timmy Turner (USA),
• Ben Dunn (AUS)
• and reunites the legendary Search team of Frankie Oberholzer (ZAF) and Tom Curren (USA) and Tom’s sons Pat and Frank.

Follow all the action of the “Tip 2 Tip” Search project online at www.ripcurl.com/tip2tip from August 16th.

Quiksilver iPhone App

OK, so we may have been a bit slow off the mark in terms of finding the Quiksilver iPhone App – but now we have it installed we think it is pretty damn hot!

If you like all things Quiksilver now you can get loads of great exclusive content directly on your iPhone – Quiksilver surf, skateboarding and snowboarding are all included.

Quiksilver iPhone App Features:

• Quiksilver Weather: information about 2000 surf spots all over the world including weather conditions, spot description and localisation, tides, webcams and surf forecast provided by Windguru (waves, wind and temperatures) – Bournemouth Pier and Kimmeridge are listed so we are pretyy happy with the fact that we can check out our favourite spots.
• Quiksilver TV: all videos featuring Quiksilver riders (Kelly Slater, Jeremy Flores, Tony Hawk, Travis Rice, Mathieu Crépel, Candide Thovex, etc…)
• Quiksilver News – keep up to date with the latest Quiksilver Global news channel
• Quiksilver live events: news, live scores, results, photos, videos (including heats on demand) and live streaming as it happens.

Download the Quiksilver iPhone App from iTunes

Download the Quiksilver Live iPhone App from iTunes

Quiksilver iPhone App Gallery

The first of a series of complimentary event webisodes available in the lead up to stop number 5 on the 2010 ASP Men’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui is available now!

“Teahupo’o”  has been considered among the world’s most intimidating surf spots since its ‘outing’ a little over a decade ago. Male professional surfers have withdrawn from the competition in fear for their lives.

In 2006 a decision was made that the women’s ASP event would be scrapped from the schedule all together and just a handful of surfing’s chargers are considered true Teahupo’o specialists.

Webisode 1 reveals Teahupo’o via a captivating visual montage that is set against a backdrop of comments from the surfers who have experienced Teahupo’o at its awesome best. It’s as much a horror movie film trailer as it is advertisement for one of sport’s true sporting spectacles.

Just check out the size of those waves – incredible action from an amazing surfing destination.

Billabong Pro Tahiti – Webisode 1, The Wave from Billabong on Vimeo.

Don’t forget to check out the latest Billabong Wetsuits deals over at ww.wetsuitcentre.co.uk.

Quiksilver Junior Line

The surf brand Quiksilver is dipping into the Junior pool with a new clothing line.

Starting next Spring, Quiksilver will launch more than 100 pieces intended to complement the surf styles from the company’s existing junior girls label, Roxy, and serve styles to a more contemporary look sold under its label.

It appears that Quiksilver isn’t concerned that the line might cannibalize sales of Roxy and its young contemporary business. Although Roxy targets a 17-year-old customer, the junior collection aims to reach a 19-year-old, and the young contemporary line pursues women age 25 who have outgrown Roxy and other junior brands.

Prices are set similarly to Roxy,with the junior line offers a variety of “modern coastal classics.” Whimsical prints in subdued colors. Psychedelic screen prints of doves in brilliant hues, bi-color geometric pattern reminiscent of Moroccan landscapes and a collage of pastel-colored flowers.

There are 108 items in the line, and the majority of it is sportswear comprised of denim, shorts, dresses, wovens, fleece, and some knits.

With the ever growing opportunity in the junior market we think this is a wise move, offering young, fun, California styles for the average teenager.

Billabong has launched a new social media microsite that strives to find out what makes surfers tick.

The Billabong microsite, www.isurfbecause.com, asks surfing fans to explain why they love to surf or want to try it. We have had a quick play and it is actually pretty cool.

I surf because ...

I surf because….

You can choose an image or video clip and make up your own “I Surf Because … ” poster which then gets added to a weekly and monthly competition. We particularly liked the opportunity to grab a still photo from a video clip – you become the photographer and decide on teh shot to use for your poster.

Once you have created your poster you can share your intimate thoughts on why you surf through Facebook and Twitter links.

One prize up for grabs includes a trip to surf Jeffreys Bay in South Africa with Marco Occhilupo.

“The challenge for any brand is creating intimacy with the consumer. It’s so easy to just be a ‘big brand’ and assume people all want to hear the same thing,” said Stirling Howard, digital marketing manager at Billabong International. “Creating an intimate message can be a challenge, but at the same time very rewarding — not just for the brand, but also for the consumer.”

Users can also personalize wallpapers with surfing snapshots, and then submit them to Billabong for review. Consumers can also share the wallpapers with friends on social media platforms.

“I believe in the power of word of mouth and if people feel something is worth talking about or sharing, then that’s a powerful catalyst in delivering any brand message,” added Howard.

Here’s a few of the latest posters…

Build your own “I surf because” poster at www.isurfbecause.com and who knows you might even get picked to go surfing with Occy in South Africa.

www.billabong.com

Bill Stewart working on his Night Stalker

Bill Stewart has created a prototype surfboard designed specifically for surfing at night. The ” Night Stalker” is an S-winger, with two rechargeable battery powered 700 lumen adjustable headlights, a plexi-glass nose panel, and very unique LED imbedded side fins.

The lights are designed to be adjusted to view into the water while paddling, and out past the lineup to watch for upcoming waves. The fin lights will light up the board’s wake and will create interesting effects in the face of the wave.

The Night Stalker will make its debut on August 7th 9:00pm at the San Clemente pier. Everyone is invited to the show.

The board was designed and shaped for Billabong’s “Art of Shaping” charity event at this year’s ASR show in San Diego, August 13th and 14th. It will be auctioned off on the 14th, with all proceeds benefiting the 2010 SIMA Humanitarian fund.

Please check out our web site for more information.

More info:- http://www.stewartsurfboards.com/