Well London Fashion Week has just finished in the UK and in true designer style the surf giant Billabong has launched its first ever Runway Swimwear Collection.

The fashion-forward swim collection is straight off the Design for Humanity runway, and benefits Water, a charity that brings fresh drinking water to developing nations.

Like the items sold from last autumn’s live LA fashion event, all the proceeds from the four Billabong Runway Swimwear pieces will go towards the organisation charity.

We think you will agree that the designs are pretty edgy compared to Billabong usual safer surf chic, but check out the designs below and make your own mind up.

The Billabong Kayala Swimsuit

Billabong Runway Kayla One Piece Swimsuit for Summer 2010

If you’re planning on partying at swanky poolside bars in L.A. or Vegas this summer, consider the sleek look of  The Kayla, a lace one-piece that will surely stand out against the basic string bikinis everyone else is wearing.

This nylon suit is covered in black lace, has removable soft cups and spaghetti string ties.

Features:

• Billabong Design for Humanity Runway Collection
• 100% Nylon
• One piece Billabong women’s swimsuit
• All-over asymmetrical lace
• Soft removable cups
• Spaghetti ties

The Billabong Jordan Swimsuit

Billabong Runway Joardan Tie Die Swimsuit for Summer 2010

The Jordan is a fun, bright, deep v-neck one piece swimsuit that is perfect for more glamorous beach destinations.

Or for dancing around your bedroom in high heels while listening to Lady Gaga.

A bohemian style trimmed with beads and benevolence.

Details include:

• Deep V front trimmed with neon bead fringe,
• All-over tie-dye
• Halter top
• Exposed back
• 80/20 nylon/lycra

The Billabong Aaliyah Swimsuit

Billabong Runway Aaliyah Swimsuit for Summer 2010

The Aaliyah looks like something that you might see on a James Bond film set.

Very sexy, but something about the unique cut-outs in this one piece makes it seem a bit risky to wear at the beach – unless you’re into some wacky tan lines.

Could well be the ideal swimsuit for night time pool parties.

• Billabong Design for Humanity Runway Collection
• 85% Polyester/ 15% Lycra
• One piece Billabong women’s swimsuit
• Billabong graffiti style pattern
• Unique cut-out design
• String neck
• Soft removable cups

The Billabong Ashbury Swimsuit

Billabong Runway Ashbury Two Piece Swimsuit for Summer 2010

The only two piece in the collection, the Ashbury is a stylish yet edgy bikini that is more rock chic than Malibu-beach Barbie.

The Ashbury will easily make waves at a music festival or a blowout summer kick-off bash.

Features:

• Billabong Design for Humanity Runway Collection
• 85% Polyester/ 15% Lycra
• Two piece Billabong women’s swimsuit set
• String
• Tropic bottom with side rings
• Small logo embroidery on top and bottom
• Soft removable cups

Billabong’s Design For Humanity Swimwear Launch

We are looking forward to getting stock of the Billabong Runway Swimwear Collection in time for the Summer.

But check out our new collection of Summer Wetsuits 2010 over at the Wetsuit Centre.

Billabong SGX Wetsuit

Introducing the lightest most flexible wetsuit in the world - the Billabong SGX Wetsuit .

Soon to hit the shops in Australia, Billabong have launched their next generation of wetsuit technology – a super-lightweight steamer that has the fit of a second skin. The new SGX, is significantly lighter when wet than traditional wetsuits. Reported to be the first ever wetsuit to weigh under 1kg, the new Billabong SGX could be the wetsuit that sets the standard for 2010.

It is made of durable lightweight material that soaks dramatically less water than conventional wetsuits and its water repellent characteristics minimise resistance when paddling.

“The new SGX has all of the qualities a surfer expects in a high performance wetsuit - warmth, comfort and flexibility - but it’s so much lighter and has less resistance,”

said Billabong wetsuit designer Scott Boot.

Billabong SGX Wetsuit Features

Billabong SGX Features

The key componenst that make this wetsuit so light are the cell structure of the neoprene rubber - larger cells mean less density ensuring “air-like” lightness. The 2nd element is the water repellent yarn which prevents absorption.

The wetsuit, the only one of its kind on the market, utilises advanced Japanese technology that includes a high-grade, yarn-coated exterior, a specially-knitted carbon-infused jersey and a high-grade foam core to maximise its thermal properties. The lightweight SGX weighs just over 900 grams when dry and only absorbs 268 grams when wet, tipping the scales at a meagre 1.196kg.

The SGX has been designed to eliminate water entry with a combination of a C2 chest zip and welded seams. The SGX has less seams meaning free movement and greater comfort. The optimum seam positioning to ensure greater flexibility without compromising fit. All the seams are triple glued and blind stitched to ensure a water tight seal.

The new SGX is the next generation of Billabong’s technology-focused wetsuit program and follows last winter’s introduction of the B9 environment-conscious wetsuit made largely from recycled materials.

Billabong SGX Video

The Billabong SGX Wetsuit will be available in Australian in March and we hope to see it in the UK soon.

More info: http://www.billabong.com/sgx/

Sorted Surf Festival

It’s game on for the first Sorted Surf Festival at Boscombe Artificial Reef.

Sorted Surf Shop have announced the first ever Surf Contest to take place at the newly completed artificial reef on the weekend of March 20th and 21st 2010.

The guys at Sorted will be joining forces with many of the surf industry giants including Rip Curl to bring a surf contest and festival to the beach at Boscombe.

The weekend will consist of Surfing and Bodyboarding competitions and there will be loads of activities and demonstration stands with equipment for all to try.

The Boscombe Surf Contest categories will consist of :-

• Mens Open,
• Mens 35+,
• Ladies Open,
• and Juniors (under 18´s).

Even more reason to put the weekend in your diary - the contest will also host the first leg of the British Bodyboarding Annual Championships.

Bodyboard heats to be contested on the Reef all other categories will be held at the Pier / Beach.

Rip Curl Sponsors Sorted Surf Festival

Rip Curl Sponsors Sorted Surf Festival

Rip Curl are the event main sponsors and they will be providing some fantastic prizes. There will also be plenty of opportunities to come down to the beach and try some of the latest surfboards from Tiki, Rusty and Firewire, BIC will have Kayaks and Indo Board will be be running sessions throughout the day.

Gul team riders Mar “Igor” Harris and Russel Winter will be around all weekend giving advice and signing autographs.

And there’s more ….

For all you party lovers there will be a party at Boscombe´s coolest bar, Urban Beach sponsored by Monster Energy Drink. Contest organizers, sponsors and contest competitors will enjoy a BBQ and live music with a few surprises thrown in to the mix.

Boscombe Surf Festival Competitor Information

Information for all competitors - The Sorted Surf Contest/Festival will be run under the usual guidelines and rules outlined by the British Surfing Association. Any competitor found to be intoxicated will be refused entry into the competition and no refund will be given.

Judging - Will take the usual criteria i.e. ´a surfer performing the most radical maneuvers in the most critical part of the wave´ will receive the highest scoring potential; this is the case for all categories.

Check-in time - for all competitors will be at 0730 on Saturday morning located at Sorted Surf School on the East side of Boscombe Pier on the promenade. Sunday Check-in will be at 0830.

Demos Galore

The first heats in the water by 0800 Saturday and to complete all the round one heats and the quarter finals on day one. Sunday´s first heat will start at 0900 for completion of the semis and the final by approximately 15.30

Categories - Mens Open, Mens over 35´s, Ladies open, Junior U18, and BodyBoard Open

All categories may have up to 32 entrants. Beach entries may be accepted on the day if space is available.

Heats - will consist of 4 competitors with a running time of 20 minutes per heat.

Round 1 will consist of 8 heats, then 4 heats for the quarter finals, 2 heats for the semi finals and 1 heat for the final.

Surfers may catch up to a maximum of 12 waves per heat, at the end of each heat it shall be your top 2 wave scores that decides your position, the 2 highest scoring surfers progressing to the next heat. In the event of a tie between 2 persons it will go to their 3rd wave score or even their 4th wave score and so on if necessary.

All surfers must have BSA insurance or a full membership to Wessex Surf Club. You may be required to prove your insurance on the day.

Prizes will be presented on the Sunday afternoon at Sorted Surf School after all finals are finished.

Sorted Surf Contest Entry Forms

Sorted Surf Crew

Click here to download Entry Form

Completed entry forms to:- Sorted Surf Shop Ltd. 42 Sea Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH5 1BQ

We hope to see you down on the beach in a few weeks time for the Sorted Surf Festival !

Is it a Mirage?

Ok, so the wintry weather may only be a short distant memory but we have been unpacking a lot of Summer surf kit and getting it ready to add to the website.

The surfing brands have begun to unleash their latest gear, designed to make you surf faster, feel more comfortable and up the ‘cool’ factor. Well at least that’s what the marketers tells us.

In the boardies line, Rip Curl have unveiled their main feature 2009-2010 summer boardshort…The Rip Curl Mirage Boardshort.

Rip Curl Mirage Boardshort

The Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts are already on sale in Australia, but we are hoping to see these amazing shorts in the UK very soon. Rip Curl have done a cracking job in creating a material that has taken the boardshort market to the next level.

Check out the video below to see how Rip Curl show off these fantastic shorts.

“They’re a high performance surfing short, designed and developed with high performance surfing in mind. We’re talking electromagnetic welded seams, rip curls quadroflex quick dry fabric and a heap of other technology outlined in the features list.”

- Rip Curl

The Mirage Boardshort is released in three flavours:

• Mirage 3 (Owen Wright model)
• Mirage Fanning (Mick Fanning model)
• Mirage Flow (Stu Kennedy model)

Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts Technical Specification

• 21″ outseam
• Performance style
• Metallic ink
• Flex Fly- Eliminates Velcro and reduces bulk
• Silicon laced drawcord- Lightweight- Silicon treatment makes it lock together when tied
• Curved inner Gusset- Moves seams away from critical rash areas
• Flow system- Perforated water release areas allow water and air to flow and reduce drag
• Quick dry
• Quardoflex- 4 way stretch water repelling material- Super durable
• ES3- Beyond 4 way stretch- The lightest most comfortable fabric in the water

Check out more lovely Rip Curl products over at Sorted Surf Shop.

Kelly Slater paddling

World Champion surfer, Kelly Slater has concluded the principal photography for the new Ultimate Wave Tahiti Movie that is due to premiere early next month.

It’s the first 3D film for IMAX® theaters to capture intensity of Tahiti’s famed Teahupoo break.

Kelly Slater and a group of friends arrive in Tahiti. With their host, Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer and will seek out the best waves breaking on the reef at the famed surf site Teahupo’o. Kelly and Raimana share a passion for the waves, but different ideas about what surfing means: is it a modern competitive sport or an ancient Polynesian wave-riding art?

Either way, if the right conditions arise, they hope to surf some unique giant barrels created by storm swells breaking atop the shallow reef.

As the surfer’s quest unfolds, the film explores the hidden forces at work shaping the waves and the islands that lie in their path. In stylized animated segments, the audience is propelled into the cosmos to discover the sources of a wave’s energy; and then back to Earth to witness the swirling dance of the atmosphere that will transfer energy deep into the ocean and shape a wave’s long journey across thousands of miles of open Pacific.

Kelly and Raimana consider what makes a great surfing wave. In an extended surfing sequence showcasing Kelly and Raimana, we see the magic of high-performance surfing on modest breakers.

Raimana muses that

you don’t have to chase the perfect wave; if you are patient, it will come to you

He swims across the reef, through the waves — around him are dolphins and humpback whales and the wide Pacific.

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti Movie premiers in Los Angeles on February 12th but we hope it won’t be too long before they bring to an IMAX cinema near you!.