Looks like Teahupoo strikes again, and this time it laid a licking on one of the Dream Tour’s finest.

According to Transworld SURF’s Senior Photographer, Tim Jones, Damien Hobgood got sucked backwards over the falls on an eight-footer at Teahupoo. Apparently someone had called him off the wave, so Hobgood pulled back, but still got slammed onto the reef. Though he is in stable condition, he did sustain a serious concussion, along with a chewed up shoulder and back. Initial guesses have him out of the water at least six-eight weeks.

This will more than likely keep him out of next months Billabong Pro, which of course will be held at ‘Chopes. This is doubly sad considering he won the event last year and we’d all love to see him defend his title. After taking a pounding like that at a break that is as heavy and deadly as any in the world, I’m guessing that is the least of Damien’s concerns right now. The fact that more guys aren’t laid up by this Tahitian fire-breather is a testament to the talent and skill possessed by those who are constantly charging such an unbelievable wave.

We wish Damien Hobgood all the best and look forward to seeing him back in the water once he is recovered.

damien hobgood teahupoo

The second annual Boost Mobile Surf Sho is set to kick-off this weekend and two more monster talents have thrown their names into the event. Bede Durbidge and C.J. Hobgood both confirmed they will be in attendance, giving an event that is already choked with world class surfers even more star-power. Hobgood and Durbidge will join a line-up that already includes current world-champ Mick Fanning, wonder-kid Julian Wilson, Ozzie Wright, Ry Craike, as well as last years Surf Sho winner Taj Burrow.

The whole event is set up to wow spectators with some of the more dynamic aerials and tricks that are coming into performance surfing. It’s great to see more of the top WCT surfers participating in an event that is completely geared toward progressive surfing. Bede’s participation has me especially excited to watch as I have yet to see much of the White Fijian’s aerial repitoire.

The event will be webcast this Saturday and Sunday. This is definitely an event worth taking a look at. Putting some of surfings top talent and just letting them boost air after air will keep anyone watching on their toes. The Boost Mobile Surf Sho is gaining momentum in only it’s second year and is becoming an event to annually keep our eyes on.

bede durbidgeboost mobile

The epic swell that set off an all-time Teahupoo on November 1 of last year ended up providing more than just breathtaking waves and jaw-dropping images. Following the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards, it also sent surfers Shane Dorian and Manoa Drollet, as well as photographers Gustavo Camarao and Jeff Flindt home with much deserved awards that altogether totaled $62,000.

The Big Island native and big-wave pioneer Dorian took home the highest honor of the evening when he was awarded Ride of the Year. He somehow pulled into a section of Teahupoo that few live to tell and was spit out into a full cart-wheel. It was an unbelievable ride, and one that sent one of surfing’s legends and all-around good guys home $50,000 richer.

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I’m really starting to just be completely over plastic already. I know that may seem like a strange line to open an article with, but I’ll explain. My news-cruise through Surfersvillage ended with my reading of an article about the heavy increase of plastic litter on the beaches of Britain.

The Marine Conservation Society, which campaigns for cleaner beaches and seas, said plastic litter has increased by 126 percent since its first survey in 1994. This is disastrous to a countless number of creatures that call the ocean their home. This is disastrous for all of us as well.

Hearing the specific numbers that studies such as this produce is always astounding. The truth is none of us really need a study to realize the sad state that much of our ocean and beaches are in. A walk along any random shoreline will provide a small sample of the mass amount of nonsense that has made its way into the water.

To be honest, it wasn’t only until recently that I became aware of how dangerous plastic is to the ocean and its lifeforms. I think my whole life I’ve known that it obviously wasn’t good for the ocean, I just never completely realized how serious of an issue it is. I know a little better now, and it is for this reason that me and plastic will be going our separate ways.

Kelly Slater has long been known as the ‘king of surfing’. Is he now going after Budweiser for the title of ‘king of beer’ as well?

No, Not really. But in a tribute to the 8-times world champion, Anheuser Busch (the self proclaimed king-of-beer) distributed Hinano Beer, in association with Quiksilver, has launched a limited edition beer-can designed with the original “SL8R” Quiksilver logo. If you ask me, the can looks more like an energy drink than it does a beer can. But I digress, they are pretty cool none-the-less.

The tribute to ‘The King’ has limited distribution and will only be sold in Hawai’i. Pick these up now while they’re available and save yourself a can or two. Who knows, these may become valuable collector items one day in the surf world.

kelly slater

Heading into the inaugural Boost Mobile Surf Sho event around this same time last year, Taj Burrow was sitting on top of the world. Earlier that same week he had won the 2007 Bells Beach title to then hold the world overall no.1 ranking. This time around he is not quite where he had hoped to be following the Australian two-step, but he’s hoping a repeat victory at an event that will jump-start a run to his long awaited ASP world championship.

Pulling off another victory at the aerial show will be anything but easy for Taj. He’s up against a field that includes current world-champ Mick Fanning, wonder-kid Julian Wilson, aerial-artist Ozzie Wright, as well as young-gun Ry Craike in the innovative and entertaining ‘game show’ style event. Getting back into the winners circle, even though it won’t count on the tour standings, would be a huge boost to Burrow’s confidence heading into Tahiti

“It’s been the most frustrating start to the year because I feel I’m surfing well, I’m fit and I’ve got great equipment,” said Burrow. “I’d love to make up for it by reclaiming the Boost Surf Sho title. I’ve been practicing and working on some new flips so, hopefully I can get the jump on the boys again”

The Boost Mobile Surf Sho in itself is huge for surfing’s progression. What really caught my eye is the prize money. First place brings home $25,000(AUS), which is roughly $23,500(U.S.). That’s pretty solid for an event that is only in its second year of existence, especially when you consider that the stagnant prize money totals for WCT events are not that much higher. The format is geared to make the event spectator friendly, and this is something that the ‘CT events have struggled with at times. Putting world-class talent in an event and rewarding progressive surfing with a large purse will surely bring a display of maneuvers that will leave us all standing in awe.

taj burrowboost mobile

Reef has announced that they have come to terms with current world champion Mick Fanning on a new 5 year deal. Mick’s partnership with Reef dates all the way back to 1995. Since then, he has established himself as one of Reef’s elite footwear team riders, along with the likes of Rob Machado and Sofia Mulanovich.

“I’m so stoked to continue my relationship with Reef, they have been my longest sponsor along with DHD. I have been wearing Reef shoes and sandals for as long as I can remember. The people who work there are like family which makes the partnership that much easier.”

Mick’s journey to the top has been a long, arduous trek. Reef has seen him progress through National titles, Pro Junior series, and the grueling WQS on his way to winning the ASP title last year. Mick is as hard a worker and as dedicated a surfer as you’ll see on the tour. Reef has to be especially stoked on this deal, seeing that Mick’s consistency will almost undoubtedly keep him at or near the top of the standings in every one of those five years. Congratulations, once again, Mick Fanning.

mick fanningreef

As many do in their high-school years, a couple of my best friends and myself decided to take over the world in the form of a start-up clothing company. We actually did really well considering we started the whole project off with limited resources somewhere in the neighborhood of $650. Our marketing skills were obviously somewhat limited, but we were bound and determined to get our name out and simply would not be denied.

We used part of our initial “investment” and had a few thousand stickers printed up in order to put our name out for all to see. After seeing that O’Neill is using a similar - obviously more large-scale strategy - with their recently launched SuperFreak/RuOne online contest, I took a trip back in time to the days where no object within 100 mile radius was immune from the branding method used by a few ultra-dedicated teenagers looking to become moguls at an early age.

Basically whoever prints off the SuperFreak/RuOne creative, found on the O’Neill site, and slaps it in or on the most random and crazy location wins. Entries are to uploaded and submitted online. At the end of the contest surfing phenom Jordy Smith will review and personally hand pick the grand prize winner who will receive a brand new autographed Jordy Smith surfboard, signature boardshort, along with a bountiful apparel package.

O’Neill makes it clear they aren’t looking for entries that deface public property or that will be considered vandalism. My past experience with this technique is that there is really no way to avoid it. Depending on the participation in this contest, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the SuperFreak/RuOne image in some very unexpected places. We think placing one (or more) on the Cardiff Kook would do well.

O’Neilljordy smith

The $40 shakedown has long been known to be expected as part of the Baja experience. As far back as I can remember, it has been common knowledge to bring a couple of extra twenties with you just in case. That way when the local police force in Tijuana and neighboring cities pull you over and begin telling you how all of the horrible traffic violations you “allegedly” committed are enough to lock you up in a Mexican jail for the rest of your life, you can simply slip a couple of Andrew Johnson’s his way and carry on to any one of the magical breaks that Baja holds.

The crime, drug-trafficking, and violence in Baja have escalated to new levels over the last year, and anyone contemplating a trip down should really take a second look before making the trek south.

My last trip down in September of last year ended with the $40 shakedown (to be exact, I think it ended up being an $84 shakedown). Compared to some of the horror stories that have been all to common recently, I can only be thankful to have made it out of there just losing a few bucks. Sexual and physical assault, kidnappings and extortions, and every other type of despicable criminal activity have taken place on those simply looking to go on a surf trip, much of which takes place under the supposed watchful eye of the federal police who were called in to curb such behavior.

A recent article on Surfline posed the question-

“Crystal Meth, Federale takeovers, corrupt cops, international drug dealers, itinerant poachers and poor desperate people all thrown into one narrow, long, dusty peninsula that happens to have some incredible surf and is located right next to California. What’s a surfer to do?”

So what is a surfer to do? For me, at this point, the answer is simple. Until they get their act together down south, I will be avoiding Baja altogether. The $40 shakedown is being taken to new levels, and good waves aren’t worth possibly finding myself and loved ones ending up in a real Mexican hell.

It looks like Southern California and Kauai aren’t the only locations that are finding themselves in the news for shark encounters. Sadly, the recent encounter that made headlines in Australia ended fatally.

A 16 yr. old boy was bodyboarding off of New South Wales in Australia when he called out to his friend to let him know he was in trouble. The friend went out to help, but at that point there had already been too much damage done by what officials are calling a “very large shark.” Rough seas and poor visibility have delayed any search for the shark, but many are leaning to the thought that the culprit was a bull shark as there had been several recent sightings in the area.

I can’t think of any action sport, or any other sport in general for that matter that has as much interaction with wild animals. Surfing is unique in that way and that is part of what makes it beautiful. Unfortunately, these types of deadly encounters take place on the rare occasion and remind us all to be as cautious as we can to avoid things like surfing near river-mouths, being out in the water when it’s dark, and coming out if you begin to bleed. Sharks have much more of a reason to fear us then we do them. Being aware and taking precautions will help lessen the already microscopic chances of having a shark make a mistake and grabbing a chunk.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim.