The folks at Billabong using the “phantom camera,” an amazing piece of technology that shoots over 1 million frames per second!!!, recorded incredible of pro surfers at the Billabong Pro Tahiti 2011 at Teahupoo, one of the world heaviest, most perfect barrels. This is the most incredible surf footage to date. The footage is mesmerizing. Watch it in HD and maximize the screen.
The trials at Teahupoo are on, new swell has arrived and the boys are on it. As always, big barrels come with big wipe-outs. Check out these massive wipe-outs including Laurie Towner and Anthony Walsh.
This HD slow-motion video of Jaws was shot by “iamkalaniprince” (Vimeo user) on December 7, 2009. This clip shows a seemingly endless set at the monster break. Jaws broke countless times this winter and Sebastian Steudtner, won the Billabong XXL was a massive left at Jaws (video link). This really shows how big tow-in big wave surfing has become. Every wave of the set has a rider on in, with I’m sure a few left after the set waiting for more.
Teahupoo goes ballistic on the first big swell of the season, looks like the South Pacific might be doing the same thing that the North Pacific did this winter and it’s getting start early. All the regulars were on it. Check out the last wave of the video, one of the biggest ever ridden at Teahupoo and a guaranteed Billabong Ride of the Year XXL contender. All the regulars were on it including Raimana Van Bastolaer, Poto, Shane Dorian, Ian Walsh, Carlos Burle, Manoa Drollet.
The Mavericks Surf Contest ran today in epic, clean conditions at Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, CA at one of the world’s heaviest and biggest waves. Results were: 1st – Chris Bertish (South Africa), 2nd – Shane Desmond (Hawaii), 3rd – Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz). The Mavericks Contest was webcast on Ustream and they provided updates throughout the contest on Twitter and Facebook. They shot some great photos from the line-up and posted them via Twitter (see below).
The Mavericks contest is held semi-annually at Mavericks (between 1999 and 2010, there have been 7 contests). Contest organizers wait until the swell is sufficiently big (40 ft. minimum) before calling the contest. Invitees fly from all over the world within a few days notice to compete. Previous years winners have included Darryl “Flea” Virostko (1999, 2000, 2004), Anthony Tashnick (2005), Grant “Twiggy” Baker (2006), and Greg Long (2007). Check the photos below (full gallery at SFGate.com). Photos: Ben Margot/AP.
Josh Loya paddles into a giant
Diagram of the wave at Mavericks
Evan Slater drops in late on a macking wave as Darryl "Flea" Virostko looks on.
View from the boat of the Mavericks Surf Contest - This photo posted via Twitter
More photos of the Mavericks Surf Contest after the jump
Jaws (Maui) was macking on Monday with dozens of teams of tow-ins vying for position. One particularly unlucky surfer hit a few chops on the face that Jaws is notorious for and got worked in a devastating manner. Here’s the video:
Billabong’s XXL contest (official site) has become a regular in encouraging and recording the biggest and best of the world’s waves as surfers charge for the chance at $50,000 to ride the biggest wave of the year (other awards given for Monster Tube, Monster Paddle Wave, and Ride of the Year). So far, the results have been impressive with the Aussie clocking in some serious waves from Shipstern’s Bluff in Tasmania, all them coming from what some are calling the Biggest Shipsterns Ridden. Here’s the video of the biggest wave submissions so far to the Billabong XXL.
This happened in 2005 at Teahupoo, Tahiti, but is still incredible to watch. The surfer is Tahitian, Raimana Van Bastoloer, as he is towed into a wave by his tow partner, Reef McIntosh. Neither were injured, though it was probably the last time Reef piloted a jet ski.
Big wave season is coming to an end with the North Pacific in a funk sending more rain than waves at the big wave breaks of Hawaii and California. Check this years entries at the contest site. Here’s a video of last year’s bombs including the winning wave of Mike Parsons at Cortez Bank.
