Surf Report with John Veage

It couldn't get any smaller so don’t even bother taking your board to the beach. I surfed yesterday when it was 1 ft,  today it's smaller, end of story, not one surfer on the beach only a couple of SUP riders doing their best.

The Swellnet report shows nothing until Saturday morning  when a new head high southerly swell is due to build on our shores.The winds will be westerly (SW) so that’s another bonus .

There should be good waves all weekend which is typical because I am going to Melbourne, I will check Bells so stay tuned till next week for that.

Today the world’s best female surfers took to the water for Round 1 of the Vans US Open of Surfing in peaky one-to-three foot surf at Huntington Beach Pier. Stop No. 6 of 10 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Vans US Open of Surfing, plays a vital role in deciding the 2014 ASP World Champion. 

Stephanie Gilmore five-time ASP Women’s World Champion and former US Open winner, was excellent in her opening campaign despite wave-starved conditions. The Australian veteran capitalized on excellent wave selection and did not stumble, posting the day’s highest two-wave heat total of 15.77 (out of a possible 20) for the win.

I watched a couple of heats at 5am and the conditions weren’t great, Sally Fitz had a win with a 8.67!-a couple of 4's. Just like Jbay really.

In the men’s they are up to round 2 and competition saw several standout performances from World Championship Tour (WCT) surfers, while a field of up-and-comers delivered big upsets. 

Josh Kerr, Pupo, CJ Hopgood, Jordy and Matt Banting all had good wins and go into round 3.

The ASP is thrilled To Announce the first Ever Qualifying Series Event at Cloud 9 Philippines .The 20th Annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup will be an historic event as it will be the first time this world renowned surf break will offer ASP Qualifying Series points. This year the event is co-sanctioned with both ASP QS and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) points on offer for those who can master the pristine barrels on offer.

Putra Hermawan (IDN) took out this event last year and is looking forward to returning this year for an even bigger and better event and the unique opportunity to compete for both ASP QS and ASC points in the one event.

"That wave at Cloud 9 is really good," Hermawan said. "Surfing Cloud 9 is like surfing my homebreak, Lacerations in Nusa Lembongan. Last year was my first time to surf at Cloud 9 and I'm so stoked to win the event in really fun barrels. I'm so excited to go back there again!"

The 2014 NRMA NSW Junior State Titles wrapped up at Bonny Hills with Jay brown qualifying in the under U14 boys division in fourth place. Jared Hickel  goes to Aussies in the All Stars (school individual) and MR shield (school team) with Roan Osullivan representing De La Salla.Roan  finished 8th in the NSW state titles whilst  his Cronulla boardriders team member Kalani Ball also qualified with a second in the under 18’s.

Paris Whittaker also goes to Aussies in the MR shield (school team) and after placing second overall in the u18 womans and also makes team NSW with Jay Brown.

In my favourite part of the surf news The International Surfing Association (ISA) announced today a new Member Federation. Madagascar has become the 86th country to gain full Membership taking the number of ISA Members in Africa to 14 and further driving the expansion of the sport on this important continent.

The ISA's global expansion, with a goal of reaching 100 Members during 2015, is part of an overall strategy to demonstrate the sport's universality and appeal with the ultimate objective of inclusion in the Olympic Program.

Madagascar is perhaps one of the world's best kept Surfing secrets. Despite being the fourth largest island in the world with a wealth of great surf breaks, it has remained largely untouched by the Surfing community. The ISA's guidance and sustainable development initiatives in the local community can lead to an increase in job creation, a boost in the tourism industry and the introduction of youth mentoring schemes and community health programs.

I tried to go there in the early 80’s and they wouldn’t let me in!

Anyway hopefully  they will let me in to Victoria this week!