11.30.2011
11.29.2011
This is the come up.
2011 has not been very kind to Jacksonville sports fans. The Jaguars have had a miserable season and lets not even talk about the performance of our beloved Gators. This week our world was turned upside down with the firing of Jags head coach Jack Del Rio, the sale of the franchise, and Urban Meyers return to college football at Ohio State of all places. Things are changing down here but hopefully this is the new beginning we need for a successful 2012. WE ARE JAGUARS, WE LOVE OUR GATORS, AND THIS IS OUR TIME... DUVALLLLLLL!!!
The times they are a changin'.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have reached an agreement to sell the small-market franchise to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan.
Majority owner Wayne Weaver made the announcement Tuesday, hours after he fired coach Jack Del Rio and gave general manager Gene Smith a three-year contract extension. He said Khan will have 100 percent control of the team.
Weaver called Khan “a great American success story” and said the Pakistan-born entrepreneur will keep the team in Jacksonville.
Khan is the owner and CEO of the Flex-N-Gate Group based in Urbana, Ill. Khan had been a candidate to buy controlling interest in the St. Louis Rams last year.
The sale of the franchise and the firing of Del Rio are the city’s most significant news since the team’s inception in 1993.
11.28.2011
11.27.2011
Surf Community Toy Drive
Florida State Pro/Am Surfing Championships
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! This contest could be basically free for competitors. If you bring a toy, unwrapped to the contest, you can surf! Slots will be limited, so send in your entry and then write at the top of the form you will bring a toy for the Children’s Hospital. Then you can surf! The Champions in each division along with a few selected top pro surfers will take the toys to the Children’s Hospital and visit, sign autographs and provide a few smiles for this Christmas. Thanks to DREW’S SURF STIK for providing the support, great trophies, and underwriting this event so that we can provide a bit of holiday cheer!
We will be hosting the 2011 State Surfing Championships in Jacksonville Beach December 3-4, 2011.
You can get more information about FSA programs by emailing us at info@floridasurfing.org
11.26.2011
The Future
11.23.2011
Surfer Profile: Piper Austin
DOB: 2/25/96
Born: Jax
Resides: Jax
Stance: Goofy!
Favorite wave: Little Talbot
Maneuver: Big off the tops, haha I dont know what to call it.
Inspirations: I have a lot of these. My dad. He passed away from brain cancer when i was 9 and he made everything sooo much fun. He impacted so many people. Every person he met he left a smile on their face. Everyday he would have to do his "triatholon" and do 3 fun things like surf, go play frisbee golf, and motorcycle ride. He really taught me to live life to the fullest and just have fun in everything you do. Then theres my "brother" Cito. He reminds me so much of my dad, same outlook on life and everything. He battled liver and lung cancer at age 17 and made it through it all smiling the whole way. He makes me so thankful for everything around me and really helps me through a lot. His faith in God just pushes me to use my surfing talent for HIS glory.
Q&A with Piper:
So you're fresh off a win at Easterns. What's it like being the East Coast champ?
Well everyone keeps asking me that and to tell you the truth, I'm not really sure haha. I mean it feels great to know that I made it all the way and then came out on top, especially with all the really good surfers I had to compete against. But to me it was really just another contest. Anything can happen in 15-20 minutes and I was blessed with some awesome waves to show the judges what I could do!
How old were you when you started surfing?
I was 8... or somewhere around there. I used to hate the beach, water, sand, everything but my parents always took me anyways so one day I just decided to hop on a board.
You always ripped but you really turned it on last season. What do you attribute that to?
Well I started really focusing and some people were giving me tips and helping me train. I really appriciated it.
Contest or free surf?
Ummmmmm... I enjoy both.
Every time I see you, you're wearing that chicken hat. How much do they pay you to wear that thing?
Oh yes!! I love my chicken hat. I'm excited for winter just so I can wear it :)
Will we be seeing you bust some airs anytime soon?
I'm not going to ruin any surprises so you'll just have to wait and see.
Your boyfriend Adam is a pretty good surfer as well. Tandem championships in your future?
Oh thanks! He is getting really good... and hopefully yes! We just need to find a board that will float both of us and I need to learn how to do a handstand.
What does it mean to you to be an East Coast Surfer?
It means you get excited over 2 ft surf.
5 best surfers in Jax... boys and girls
Cody Thompson, Jake McGuire, Kaylas, Mallory Turner, KK
Where do you see girls surfing in Jacksonville going over the next decade?
Going big! There are a lot more girls out in the line up already and more and more are competing in contests. I think we're really going to have a big break thru in the surfing industry and take it to the next level!
11.22.2011
North Florida ESA Update
Code Red Wins Above The Lip at Redbull Night Riders Event
THE FULL MOON LIT THE STAGE AS RED BULL NIGHT RIDERS SHONE.
Six of the South’s Best Surfers Shred It at the 12th Annual Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic at Flagler Beach.
Flagler Beach, FL – November 12, 2011-The full moon and high tide set the stage for six of the top east coast surfers to show off their toe-at skills in one of the most unique surfing competitions around. Over 6,000 spectators gathered around Flagler Pier to cheer on these Red Bull Night Riders as they captured big air, pulled off their best trick and ventured to the limits of their sport. The surfers pushed themselves to the extreme as the enthusiastic crowd cheered their encouragement, each jump made all the more dramatic by the vivid lighting illuminating the surfers against the ominous backdrop of the crashing black waves. This is the second time the nighttime tow-at event took place at Flagler Beach and was part of the Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic presented by Nautica.
The airs were high and the lights were bright as CJ Hobgood and Jake Mcquire went full force soaring into the night sky. Each exhausted and elated surfer gave everything they had but there can only be one victor and that distinction went deservedly to Red Bull Night Riders veteran Cody Thompson. Judges determined unanimously that Cody hit it the hardest and nailed the best trick of the night and from the crowd poised in stunned silence, mouths agape as Cody rose through the air to the deafening roar as he landed; it was clear the crowd agreed. Judge Jay Dobson had this to say “I absolutely love the event, it’s one of the most unique events on the entire eastern seaboard. The competitors were the best in Florida, the best on the east coast”
NIGHT BRIGHT
The Sunshine States’ best aerialists put on a world-class performance in a unique and unusual setting, More used to blazing sun and crystal blue waves the surfers were challenged to adapt their technique to deal with the shifting light and shadows underneath the illuminated night sky. Winner Cody Thompson has a distinctive way of dealing with the challenging conditions, “My strategy is to try get the best waves and open my eyes wider than I usually do”. With great conditions, Cody Thompson posted a winning score of 8.17 out of a possible 10 points. “The atmosphere is ridiculous, the hype from last year seems like it’s multiplied” expresses Thompson, “Everyone is really psyched to be here, everyone is hanging out and cheering you on.”
Completing the roster for the evening were CJ Hobgood, Blake Jones, Oliver Kurtz, Eddie Guilbeau and Jake McQuire. All of the surfers admitted to having their nerves rattled by the thousands of fans who gathered to watch from the stadium-like atmosphere of the Flagler Pier. They needn’t have worried; the spectators were equally as enthralled and excited to be a part of the night. UNF Student John Flanagan told us; “This was the first time I have heard about something like this in Florida and wanted to come and check it out. I have never seen anything like this before.” Equally excited fan Amy Simmens stated, “I have heard about this event all year and it has lived up to its expectations, it was an incredible night”. We couldn’t agree more Amy.
Courtesy of Void Magazine
11.10.2011
This is Rat Town...
A seaside slum located on the coast of Northeastern Florida, the beaches of Jacksonville are often referred to as Rat Town. I've had the privilege to get to know many of the city's greatest residents: the founder of the Rat Town movement Mitch Kaufmann, artist Kathy Frosio, legendary surfer/shaper Clay Bennett, pro surfer/hellraiser Jeff Crego and countless other eclectic figures. I've heard the stories and made some pretty crazy stories of my own. This blog is an insight to our lifestyle. A life that is centered around endless days at the local pier, sleepless nights, and Jaguar football. Rat Town: It's dirty, it's filthy... It's paradise :)
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