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Yeti, a new slab was discovered in Oregon and surfed by Mark Healey, Greg Long, and crew. Check out the photos and story in Surfer Mag. Story via Surfing Stoke Blog. Photos by Jason Murray.

1) Kelly destroys ASP winning 9th world championship.

Photo: Quicksilver

I’m not sure there’s anything that needs to said here. He blew away the field, winning 6 contests and 5 of the first 7 contests. It was never a contest, there was no race in points, it was just a matter of when he would close the deal, which he did in Mundaka, Spain. Unless the top 10 on the tour step up huge next year, there doesn’t look like anything is getting in the way of Kelly winning his 10th world title next year. Final ASP Rankings.

2) AI implodes on tour, takes 2009 off.

Photo: ASP/Cestari

Andy Irons put up a disappointing performance on WCT tour in 2008. He highest finish was 5th place. He failed to show up for his heat at the Quicksilver Pro France and skipped the Brazil contest leading to speculation about his troubles. Andy announced that he was taking 2009 off from the tour, and may be following the path of free surfer of his brother, Bruce Irons.While I respect any athletes decision to do what he pleases with his career, A.I. has shown to be the best competitor to Kelly Slater (no disrepect to Taj, Mick, Parko, Bede, and others in the top 10). When he’s on top form, he’s one of the most exciting surfers to watch on tour. So while a year free surfing the best barrels of the world will no doubt be the time of his life, he will be missed on the 2009 WCT tour and his absence removes one more hurdle to Kelly Slater clinching his 10th world title.

3) Kelly wins 6th pipeline masters (on 5’11” board).

Photo: Channel Islands Surfboards

Kelly looked unstoppable all year and the Pipeline Masters was no exception. He beat Chris Ward in the final heat while riding a 5’11” in 8-10 ft Pipeline. Adding a final flourish to his epic year. Well done, Kelly. Looking forward to see what you can do next year.

4) Year of the shark.

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The future of the big-wave Mavericks Surf Competition (Half Moon Bay, CA) was in doubt when previous sponsors pulled out this year (article SFGate). Jim Beam bourbon and benefactors Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of the private equity firm MVision couldn’t pass on the opportunity to support the chance of the best big wave surfers in the world hucking themselves over 50 ft. ledges at the famed Northern California big wave surf spot. The total purse is $75,000 with $30,000 going to the winner. More at the official website Maverickssurf.com, including the list of invitees.

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Highlights of Kelly Slater in his 2008 WCT Championship year includes footage from Bell’s Beach, Padang Padang, Pipeline, J-Bay, Trestles, and other events on the 2008 Tour.

Video highlights from the 2008 Pipeline Masters where Kelly Slater rode a 5’11” to win.

Flickr is a great photo sharing site with incredible amateur and pro photos. Surf photography has been a burgeoning category on Flickr with some incredible photography. Check out the surf photography groups on Flickr for more: Surfing Group, “Surf Photography” Group, “Wave Porn” Group, and the “Surfer” Group. Check out some of my favorite photos and photographers below:

Surfing Sign. Photo Credit: Ed Fladung (Flickr Profile)

“Yallingup Lil’ Left.” Photo Credit: Morgan Maassen (Flickr Profile)

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You’ve probably heard the news by now that Kelly Slater won his sixth Pipeline Masters (adding to his 9 world titles). The finals were Slater vs. Chris Ward. The surf pumped for most of the contest and Slater, deciding the push the limits of the reason in board size, surfed a 5’11” Channel Islands “Deep Six” board throughout the contest in 8-10 ft. Hawaiian Surf (Transworld Surf story). That’s the size surf at Pipeline that most of us wouldn’t consider paddling out in, let alone on a 5’11” board.

Photo: Channel Islands Surfboards

5Ones did a great post on who to follow on Twitter in action sports. Here’s a follow up on who’s on Twitter in the surf world.

Surftherenow is now on Twitter, follow us at @Surftherenow.

5ones: @5ones

Surfline: @surfline

Surf3r: @surf3r

Surfer Mag: @Surfer_Magazine

Surfing Blog: @surfing_blog

Swell Search: @swellsearch

CJ Hobgood: @cjgoods

Shane Beschen: @shanebeschen

Chris Cote: @chriscote (Editor Transworld Surf)

Ed Fladung: @edfladung (Quality Peoples Blog)

Surfrider: @surfriders

Mr. Tweet: @MrTweet (Great service for finding other like-minded Twitterers to follow)