WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

Editorial

© AQUASHOT / POULLENOT

Welcome to the SWATCH GIRLS PRO !

Hossegor and Seignosse! Wel-come to the best beach break in the world. Welcome to the best

women surfers in the world. Welcome to pro surfing.

The energy that powers the beating heart of Hossegor and Seignosse is the energy of

surfing. Surfing is everywhere in Hossegor and Seignosse. Beaches as far as the eye can see, world renowned waves, the heart of the

European surf industry, these two towns are not to be missed for any self-respecting surfer. We are pleased to present the SWATCH GIRLS PRO, the marriage between Swatch and Surfing.

TThe SWATCH GIRLS PRO ce-lebrates the fresh new energy around Women’s surfing today.

From Stephanie Gilmore (3-time and current World Champion) to Coco Ho (the latest heiress of the Hawaiian surfing dynasty), Swatch is pleased to invite you to share this moment of pure pleasure.

The action starts Wednesday, May 12th on the beaches of Hossegor and Seignosse with

the international competition where the world’s foremost female surfers will meet up in the mythical waves of Hossegor and Seignosse. Once the weekend arrives, the nocturnal festivities get underway on Friday the 14th with the official opening ceremony of the Swatch shop in Hossegor and continue on Saturday with the Swatch party at the local watering hole and hot spot: The Café de Paris.

Scheduleswatch girls pro

Wednesday May 12th11.00am Round 1 SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR 01.20pm Round 2 SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR 02.40pm Quarter Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR 04.20pm End of contest for the day

Thursday May 13th 11.00am Round 1 SWATCH GIRLS PRO01.00pm Semi Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR 01.50pm Break02.20pm Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR 03.15pm Awards Ceremony SWATCH GIRLS PRO JUNIOR03.35pm End of contest for the day

Friday May 14th11.00am Round 2 SWATCH GIRLS PRO 03.00pm VIP/Media Surf lesson 08.00pm Grand opening of the SWATCH shop in Hossegor11.00pm End of contest for the day

Saturday May 15th11.00am Round 3 SWATCH GIRLS PRO 01.30pm Round 4 SWATCH GIRLS PRO 03.10pm “SWATCH World Time ” – Tag Team 04.10pm End of contest for the day08.00pm SWATCH GIRLS PRO Night at Rock Food

Sunday May 16th11.00am Quarter Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO 01.00pm Semi Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO 02.00pm Break02.30pm Finals SWATCH GIRLS PRO 03.10pm Prize giving and Closing Ceremony of the SWATCH GIRLS PRO

Schedule is subject to change. Surfing conditions will define the daily schedule of the SWATCH GIRLS PRO.

Swatch store eventThe newest and freshest of over 13,000 Swatch stores world-wide celebrates its arrival in Hossegor town on

Friday, May 14th. From the Champs Elysées to the Avenue Paul Lahary, from fashion to surfing, Swatch carefully selects its prestigious locations to expose the public to its avant-garde collections.

Athletes from the Swatch ProTeam will be present to join in the festivities. Skiers, Snowboarders and Surfers, the 3 communities will come together to present the latest creations from the Swiss brand, most notably the Color Codes by Swatch.

Best surfers

Born on January 29th in 1988 at Rainbow Bay, Gold Coast – Australia.

Talent: Despite the numerous accolades collected by predecessors such Layne Beachley (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA), Gilmore is the first surfer ever to claim the ASP World Title in their rookie season. Three time ASP World Champion, crowned the ActionSport Person (men and women) at the pres-tigious Laureus Award, Stephanie enchants her world with a her malicious smile, her talent for music and her sense of humour. A new

ambassador for the sport is born, mainstream American and Australian media love her character. Stephanie says: ‘It definitely keeps me in check when i compete with the firing young girls, so i do like to compete every chance i get in 6-star WQS. Hossegor and the South West of France area is one of my favourite places in the world, not only to surf and hang out but to enjoy the culture and indulge in the local patisseries. I’m so excited that it is a destination on the WQS tour’.

© ASP / GRAMBEAU

Born on April 28th in 1991 at Sunset Beach, Oahu – Hawaii.Talent: The niece of former ASP

World Champion Derek Ho, daughter of Hawaiian charger Michael Ho, winner of the prestigious Triple Crown (Hawaiian tour), Coco is the youngest of a long line of the first family of Hawaiian surfing. Coco has surfing in her soul. To her, being part of the tour is an honor and an incredi-ble experience to live her life travelling with her best friends, her heroes and her family. ‘I’ve been to France just

once before. To finally get to spend time in Hossegor and surf the good waves and venture around the town is really exciting! I will just do my best to maximize my potential and enjoy the good beach breaks on offer.’At 19 years old only, she finished 4th on 2009 ASP World Tour ranking and was the ASP Rookie of the Year.

coco ho

© ASP / GRAMBEAU

© SPARKES / RIPCURL © VOLCOM

Stéphanie Gilmore

Born on June 23rd in 1989 at Bayonne - France.Talent: Lee-Ann is the French

golden child on the ASP Women’s World Tour. Her passion for the surfi ng lifesytle is in her DNA being the daughter of three-time ASP World Champion legend Tom Curren. She is intelligent (graduating University with Honours), an artist (recording sounds with the famous French sin-ger Tom Frager and always travelling with a guitar) and extremely generous

(actively participating in helping children). France could never have wished for a better ambassador. Lee-Ann says: ‘a win on a WQS 6-Star would be a massive result, we will have all the best surfers of the planet. The diffi culty will be close to a World Tour contest.’

Lee-Ann Curren

Born on December 19th in 1990 at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa – Australia.

Talent: ‘It will be my fi rst time to France. I am really excited to be competing in an event there. The waves are ama-zing and the fans at Hossegor seem to really know their surfi ng and surfers. To have a 6-Star at such an iconic surf location, it is just amazing!’ Sally will be one of the girls to follow during this event. She’s fast. The fastest-ever qualifi er for the ASP World Tour and

winner of the ASP Junior World Title in 2008. Sally is a competitive machine and gives her all every time she takes to the water. There is nothing in her path to stop her chasing and winning titles.

Sally Fitzgibbons

© ASP / GRAMBEAU © ASP / GRAMBEAU

© AQUASHOT / ROXY © RUSSI / ROXY

Born on March 5th in 1990 at Hanalei, Kaui – Hawaii.Talent: Elected the sexiest

women surfer in the world in 2009 by Surfer Magazine (USA). She is not only a pin-up girl – she can surf. Her targets when she comes to the SWATCH GIRLS PRO is ‘to try as hard as I can, surf my best and have fun while I am in France. It would be amazing if I won a 6-Star.’Alana developed her skills sur-fing epic waves such as the Banzai Pipeline and Hossegor will be a playground that she will relish in. ‘I love to surf beachbreaks, I am

working on barrel riding right now, so France will be a good occasion to test the efficiency of my hours of training.’

Alana Blanchard

Born on November 19th in 1993 at Puy en Velay – France.Talent: 2009 ASP Europe

Junior Champion and 3rd at ASP World Junior Championships in 2009 and at only 16 years old Johanne works hard to be part of tomorrows best surfers. Johanne says: ‘In 2010, I am planning to compete against the best girls in events such as the one in Hossegor, keep my Junior European title and qualify again for Narrabeen to win the World Junior title.’ Her attendance to the SWATCH GIRLS PRO with the best surfers in the world will be a dream come true whe-

re she will battle in the water against her idols: ‘All the girls have their special skills but my favourite one is Stephanie Gilmore. Her surfing is radical, graceful and she controls everything she does with speed’. Dangerous competitor to follow with big surf and barrels the highlights in her skill repertoire.

Johanne Defay

© ASP / GRAMBEAU © AQUASHOT / ROXY

© CHILDS / RIPCURL © AQUASHOT / ROXY

Swatch, launched in 1983 by Nicolas G. Hayek and under the presidency today of Arlette-Elsa Emch, Swatch is a leading Swiss watch and jewelry maker and one of the world’s most fashionable brands. The fi rst Swatch watch surprises everyone with

its provocative spirit, new design and enormous success. Always at the forefront of popular fashion, Swatch continues to innovate and surprise with its watch and bijoux collections and Art Specials. The brand has also established a strong presence in the world of sports with its ongoing support for fun and action sports like Snowboard, Free Ski, BMX, FMX and Surf as well as Beach Volleyball. Right from the start, Swatch connected with popular culture and the arts, and today Swatch remains a highly visible canvas for world-famous artists, musicians and fashion designers, who continue to create art for the brand under the motto “Swatch & Art”.

Swatch

HOSSEGOR – SEIGNOSSE : One of the most perfect beach-break in the world!

HOSSEGORLA NORD – 6 to 15’ feet Right Hander

This wave usually breaks quite far from the shore during big swells when the sand banks allow.These

sand banks are very sensitive and may refuse to work for months on end.The La Nords’ peaks may move slightly according to the season and when its on makes for a spectacular drop and view from the beach.

LA GRAVIERE – 3 to 10’ feet Right Hander

ZEEEE Shore Break wave in Hossegor! This “Pipe from the Landes” tubing only a few meters

from the shore, allows great show for often very numerous spectators and endless opportunities for photographers. It is also one of the most crowded and powerful break in the Landes area. This spot could also very easily show in the Guinness Book of broken boards record!

LES CULS NULS – 3 to 8’ feet Right and Left Hander

A hidden beach overflowing with various sand breaks and alterna-ting with very dangerous strong

current pools. Hollow, powerful and long

waves join with each other and offer great tubing opportunities. It’s the most reliable spot whatever the conditions, so it will probably be the main set up for the Swatch Girls Pro 2010.

SEIGNOSSE

LES ESTAGNOTS – 3 to 8’ feet Right and Left Hander

Les Estagnots is where Hossegor joins Seignosse, the spots are very similar to Les Culs Nuls but the

access to the beach is much easier, thanks to its private parking complete with showers, a legendary after surf “spot” for many vans and its European surfers.

LES BOURDAINES – 2 to 6’ feet Right and Left Hander

Fallback spot in case of small swell, Les Bourdaines has on offer little gems of long and tubular small

waves that have often saved a contest! Stuck between two promontories, the southern being a steel pier, this is the favorite surf camps destination.

LE PENON – 2 to 6’ feet Right and Left Hander

The coolest and northernmost spot selected for the SWATCH GIRLS PRO 2010.

Another long and tubular peak haven, with also an easy access thanks to another parking lot, squatted all summer season by vans, a place for soul surfer AND sur-fers girls.A little wooden pier helps with the sand banks; it is not a very crowded spot that offers cool additional after session expe-riences such a ride on the close by skate-park or a few drinks at the local bar.

The selected spot for the SWATCH GIRLS PRO will only be known at the last minute according to wave conditions forecast. The contest organizers want a maximum of flexibility and mobility to offer the best conditions to the best women surfers to win this new event set in such a prestigious surfing area.

The ‘Côte d’Argent’ (Silver Coast) with its 230km of sand beaches is undoubtedly the longest uninterrupted succession of beach breaks in Europe.Situated on this perfect coast, Hossegor and Seignosse offer some of the best beach-breaks in the world thanks to their sand

banks but also to a very deep sand rift named Capbreton’s “Gouff”. This sand rift naturally appeared when Napoleon III decided to divert the course of the river Adour to create the harbor of Bayonne, and what a blessing as it amplifies the swell before it reaches these beautiful French spots.Here’s a description from north to south of the havens of Landes surfing:

The magnificant towns of Hossegor and Seignosse were chosen in the early 1950’s and

the message spread around Europe of this perfect beach oasis in the South-West of France. In 1957, Mr Jack Rott became well known for his surfing prowess in the epic beachbreak barrels. His growing notoriety lead to the first professional surf contest in 1980 at Hossegor and Seignosse. The surfing grapevine

had started to spread news of this incredible surfing location, and in 1986, Rip Curl bought the first ever international surfing contest to town with the Rip Curl Pro. Since this date, the little villages of Hossegor and Seignosse have been renowned worldwide for its world class waves attracting thousands of surfers every year. All these strengths combined have defined Hossegor and Seignosse as

the Mecca of surfing in Europe with all the major global surf brands elec-ting this as the home of professional surfing in Europe. Year after year both villages have grown. From the little cottage town to a desired destination for those looking for endless summer fun, water activities at the lake, golfing, fine Gascon cooking and a good party.

© J.Ph. PLANTEY

History of women’s surfingPast

The first professional women’s surfing events were esta-blished in 1976, and the fol-

lowing year came the fully-fledged Women’s World Tour. Margo Oberg was crowned the first ever Women’s World Champion, and from ’84 to ’88 Freida Zamba ruled the sport, winning her first title at only 19 years old. South African, Wendy Botha took the lead in 1987. In the ’90’s, Lisa Andersen step-

ped it up even further. She competed against the men, beat them repeate-dly and was a pin-up model in every boys’ bedroom wall. Kelly Slater and Lisa became the golden children of professional surfing, pushing the sport into mainstream exposure. In the years following, Layne Beachley claimed six back-to-back ASP Women’s World Titles, a feat no other surfer has ever accomplished. Layne retired from the sport in 2009 with an amazing seven ASP Women’s World Titles and her last at 34 years of age.

Now

Since 2007, Stephanie Gilmore has ruled professional women’s surfing. With her amazing abi-

lity, shining beauty and endless smile, she is the stick by which all the other girls measure themselves. The new generation have exploded onto the scene in the last two years leaving the old guard in their wake and bringing the sport to another level: they surf as well as the men do.

WavesFirst, we must wrestle with this

preconceived idea; it’s not the seashore wind which allows the

shaping of waves and has influence on their quality! It’s the offshore wind that can affect the swell.The offshore wind has the same effect on the ocean that a cobbles-tone has on a pond: it gives birth to moving waves, and it’s relevant to notice that these waves are in mo-tion, and not the water itself. These sinusoidal waves, also called ‘swell’, travel through the ocean to reach the continental plateau. In the Gascony bay, the swell is bred offshore the British

Isles by depressions coming from Greenland: swell from 7 up to 8 meters in North west Ireland gives birth to 1 up to 2 meters of waves on the French Atlantic coast.Arriving on the continental plateau the swell needs homogeneous floors on the seabed to break. The waves will be more or less powerful depending on how sudden or progressive will be the seabed rising. Thus, the hotspots which set up the Hawaii archipelago offer floors made of dried lava in a very deep oceanic environment: per-fect situation for fast and powerful wa-ves. The breaking floors of the waves

can have three starting points: sand (Beach break), rocks (often point break) or coral, dead or alive, (reef). In the ‘Landes’ region, sand predo-minates and the beach breaks of the region are known to be the best in the world!Depending on the shore shape, the wave rises up more or less just before breaking and maybe creates a pipe: it’s the typical shape of the waves of the region, on the beautiful sandbanks of the Atlantic coast, where the power of the waves is strengthened thanks to the pit in Capbreton located offshore the coast.

Surfingfreestyle

Bottom Turn:This is a turn at the bottom of the wave, used to gain speed

and redirect the surfer back up the wave face or position himself for the following manœuvre.

Roller / Off the lip: This is a turn that every surfer has in his repertoire.

It consists in pushing the turn to the extreme, tight fast snaps or radical tail slides. While hitting the top of the breaking wave, the aim is to push the board beyond vertical forcing the fins and tail to break out the back of the wave before returning down the wave face.

Round house cut back: This manœuvre is used to return from the shoulder to the

curl of the wave, the surfer executes a horizontal figure 8.

Floater: It’s a fantastic linking manœuvre: the surfer flies high across

the lip of the wave and at the very least moment ‘floats’ back down to earth with the foamy breaking wave. Landing a good floater is a great way of flying over a section in order to project as far as possible along the wave.

Tube: Probably the manœuvre that has the highest scoring

potential. The tube ride or barrel is always a crowd favourite. The surfer needs precision and commitment to position himself deep in the most critical part of the wave to disappear behind the curtain of water. In order to tally a good score, the surfer has to exit the tube clearly.

Aerial: The aerial is the trademark of ‘new school’ surfing inspired

from skateboarding. Big points are available for a surfer who launches above the lip of the wave, flies through the air and lands his board on the face of the wave in control to continue his ride! The fun doesn’t stop there for the aerial specialists: keep your eyes open for rotations 360 +, Alley oops, reverse landings, and maybe rodeo flips!

© RIP CURL / SPARKS

© RIPCURL / SPARKES

© RIPCURL / WILLIAMS

© RIPCURL / SPARKES

© RIPCURL / SPARKES

the foundations

By the mid-70s, events had popped up from Sydney to Rio, from Florida to Durban. This

loose knit belt of tournaments was strung together in 1976 in what would prove to be the embryonic stage of ASP. The very first pro surfing governing body (IPS) crowned Peter Townend (AUS) the very first pro surfing world champion and he was followed by Shaun Tomson (ZAF), Wayne Bartholomew (AUS) and of course the legendary four-time world champion Mark Richards (AUS). Between the four of them, they ushered in the new era, and by 1984,

the tour had expanded to in excess of 20 internationally rated events.

Tom Carroll (AUS) and Tom Curren (USA) soon pushed to the forefront of the sport and

their contribution, plus a booming surf industry, paved the way for enor-mous growth. With over 60 pro events worldwide, the ASP introduced a two-tiered system of ratings in 1992, incorporating the Top 44, who automatically qualified for what was then called the World Championship Tour (WCT). A World Qualifying Series (WQS), was also introduced to feed the top tour with 16 people dropping off at year’s end to be replaced by red hot WQS aspirants.

Today

AToday the two-tier system is still relevant for the female division of the ASP. The 16

best surfers compete on the World Tour. Top 10 women from the current year-end ratings re-qualify for the following year World Tour. The remaining 6 Surfers will come from the WQS current year-end final ratings. The number of stars on the WQS tour goes from 1 to 6 stars, respectively, the winner receives 250 to 3,000 points.

asp Tour

scoring criteria

Judges award points out of 10 for each wave ridden according to the following criterias:

‘Surfers must perform to the ASP judging key elements to maximize their scoring potential. Judges analyze the following major elements when scoring waves.- Commitment and degree of difficulty - Innovative and progressive manoeuvres - Combination of major manoeuvres - Variety of manoeuvres - Speed, power and flowIt’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon

the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.’ The two highest scoring waves of each surfer count to give a heat total out of 20 points with the winner progressing to the next round.

Contest Rules : Priority/Interferences

4 Women Heat: The surfer who takes off closest to the peak has priority.

The Surfer deemed to have the inside position for a wave has unconditio-nal right of way for the entire dura-tion of that ride. Interference will be

called if during that ride a majority of judges feel that a competing Surfer has hindered the scoring potential of the Surfer deemed to have right of way for the wave.Woman-on-woman heat (2 surfers in the water): A priority system works for all the woman-on-woman heats. This allows the surfers to concentrate on finding and surfing two incredible waves in the allocated time. Using the priority brings a tactical element to the sport, which can be critical for the outcome of the contest. The disk on the top of the judging tower indicates which surfer holds the priority at any given time.

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