Some random shots from the phone.

Greg and me at the LA Lakers game the other day, fuck these guys are big.

Chillin’ by the pool in San Diego for the weekend. Was back to the physio soon after.

My dog ‘Pingo’ is letting everyone know what he thinks about the dog restrictions on the beach.

Was trying out a new 6′1 Semente at Peniche, it felt good but it only lasted for three waves in the 6 feet offshore waves. Booo.

Portugal; tender juicy steak with a nice cold Sagres for dinner.

Whoop! All good in Peniche. There was still time for a little game of golf with Q-Ball and Pipo!

Pipe. © Joli

I’m on my way to Hawaii, we’ve got an amazing world title showdown about to unfold in front of us at Pipe and my mind is just full of all of those amazing waves we had last North Shore winter. My mood has obviously been helped along by my recent run of results which has got me back into a position to achieve my goal for this year – finishing inside the Top 5.

I’ve had a chance to freshen up at home on the Goldie after the Search in Portugal and I’m frothing about what might lie ahead in Oahu. The Triple Crown is going to be awesome.

Having that little “mini-circuit” at the end of the Dream Tour is a nice carrot at the end of the season for the guys who are out of the running for the world title — and that’s all of us bar Mick and Joel!

That carrot’s pretty big this year too. It’s a nice cash prize but I still reckon the prestige of being a Triple Crown winner is something money can’t buy. If I can repeat my 2007 Crown success again, I’ll be stoked.

But most eyes are rightfully going to be on Joel and Mick. Australia wins either way because we get to bring the world champion home with us at the end of the Pipe Masters. It’s going to be an awesome show as the title comes down to the wire.

Mick has the upper hand — but not by much. Both guys have made finals at Pipe so it’s anyone’s still. I’d love to replicate my 2007 success at Pipe because not only would it cement that top 5 finish I want and prime me for a big campaign next year, I will have also achieved my other goal of winning at least
one event per year.

I’ve done that the last three years running, so the pressure’s on at Pipe!
My recent run gives me some confidence, though. I last blogged after the event in France where Mick beat me in the final. I followed that with a 5th at Mundaka and then reaching the final in Portugal against Mick yet again. So I can’t be too bummed. Two seconds in France and Portugal, a third at Trestles and a fifth at Mundaka gave me the consolidating run through California and Europe that I needed.

It was a bonus to also be involved in one of the more memorable tour days. I’m talking about the third round and quarter final day at the Search.

We’d missed the best surf in years at Mundaka by a week so everybody was amping for Portugal.

We had fun waves before the event started. There are so many set-ups there and that coast gets so much swell. Everyone was stoked to be surfing some good waves because we hadn’t had much the rest of the European leg.

I felt right at home among the punchy beach breaks. Growing up on Straddie Island, we encounter those sorts of waves all the time. The only bummer is they are board breakers too! I snapped my favourite board on my first wave in my heat with Marlon Lipke. I was so bummed. It was the magic board I won in Brazil last year and that I had used in the final in France. I loved that board!

Peniche. © Joli

It was hard to get my head around it for a couple of minutes there but then I said to myself: “I’ll get another magic one”, and got on with the heat.

The third round and quarter finals were pretty insane. We scored some of the best waves of the year in round three. There were a lot of closeouts in the quarters but the odd perfect one would sneak through. It was one of those that saved me in my quarter with Jordy. That’s a heat I’ll definitely remember. I knew he would be fired up to beat me because I had knocked him out in the last comp the week before. And sure enough he had me on the ropes and just about beat. I needed a 9.67 to win, which is pretty much a 10. But I just had this weird feeling that if I was patient I was going to get it. Luckily this bomb came through and it went to plan. That wave – and being awarded a 10 – was such a rush. And the crowd made it even better. They were insane to surf in front of, probably the best I’ve seen on tour. They made it so much more exciting to surf.

My semi clash with Parko is also something I’ll remember for a long time. I knew it was going to take a big heat to overcome Joel given he was obviously back in top form. The swell had dropped off from the previous day but it still looked fun. Joel got a couple of good scores early then the wind changed halfway through the heat and just went to crap. I needed something like a 7.8 and I couldn’t see much hope of that given how the barrels at the start of the heat had pretty much disappeared. Time was ticking down and this left came. Parko didn’t go it and I thought ‘I’ll just go it and see what happens’. It turned into a 7.3 and then I only needed a 5.5. I paddled back out and pretty much got nearly the same score. If only all heats went that well!

The conditions were even worse for the final. Mick and I were both scrambling for whatever we could find. It was really hard to find a wave that ran off and let you get in a few turns. I fell on a good wave and that probably cost me the final. But it was still good to finish on a high note after a good trip.

Bring on Hawaii!

- Bede

With Mushy and Greg at Lagido in Portugal. © Joli

I know it’s been a while since my last post, a bit has happened. Did a two week stint in Portugal for the final leg of our Euro invasion: Supertubes came to life and there were some serious waves on hand. I’m back home now, feels really good to be back with the family in my own bed after two and a half months on the road. But that’s part of the job! I’ve got about three weeks until I head off for Pipe.

So it’s all about getting the right training in now before I jet off, get the lungs ready for some possible beat downs, get the confidence up to push myself just that much more, it’s an El Nino year so there could be some serious swells for this season. They’ve actually already had some serious waves hit the North Shore this winter and November has only just started!

If anything interesting happens while I’m home, will post it on the blog (davey-weare.blogspot.com/) Hopefully I can get some waves while I’m home cause I’ve actually had no waves at all this year. Missed all the swells that have hit Durban and when I’ve been on the road for events, we’ve pretty much had bad waves all year round too. So if you know of any good waves around, let me know!

Peace out,

Davey

Supertubes shot by Greg Pearson © http://davey-weare.blogspot.com/

This was my first trip back from injury. Maybe if I missed this one I would not be injured again. Hahahahahahaha, no seriously I should have sat this one out. Two weeks of sleeping in tents, driving in a double decker bus from pub to pub watching live bands, surfing shit waves, hanging with hell crew having a hell time. Hang on a second. I would not miss this for the world. Injuries heal, missing out on this stuff you never get back.

This is Otto …

… and my new hero, Dion. He is the bus driver, the skate ramp builder and the man gets shit done. I want to be just like him one day …

The boys watching the skaters in the bowl at dusk.

The Bus from Hell.

AS you can see we were all having a really crap time while we watched MGMT live at Splendour In The Grass.

This is Warren Smith. This is his neck with hickies all over it. He is also not gay.

The man.

This is Steve Gorrow. He did most of the paintings on the bus, put the trip together and does all the artwork for Insight. Pretty much single-handedly made this trip happen. Well almost.

Otto became Crocodile Dundee as the trip came into the final days and he caught a huge croc in the gully that ran behind this back beach at Forster.

The Man again!!!!!!

It got a lil weird at times.

- LS

Here’s my second video webisode. This one features; freesurfing sessions, my win in France and some other random gear. Hope you enjoy …

(Check out my last one from Trestles by clicking right here as well. )

“Yeah Yeah Yeahs … “

One of my most fav bands in the world, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were playing while the Trestles contest in LA was on and one of my good buddies hooked me up with some tickets.

I had no idea where we were going to be seated and did not care one lil bit. Was just so excited to have the op to get there in the first place. The night just got that much better when we asked the guy who worked at the Greek Theatre where our seats were and he pointed at this booth below. I looked at TB and he had the same expression on his face when he won J bay and that was a few years ago. Have not seen it since then either. Hahahahah, kidding hui.

The Team:
- Me and my girl,
- TB and Steph,
- Johny and Sasha,
That’s Steph trying to fly kick Johny in the face. I think she is looking for a Bra Boys tatt or a postcode or some sort of cred from him. Maybe she is just over him being the 3rd wheel …

The Greek Theatre was the best venue I have ever been to. Did not matter where you sat, you had good vision of the band and could enjoy the atmosphere that this place had to offer. It’s fully outdoor which is great. The only thing I could ask for more is volume. I like it when I feel the music rattle my bones. So that’s why straight after the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, me and my lady drove across LA to the Viper Room and watched The Goons play really, really, really loud … Nothing better than seeing your boys play rock and roll, well, loud, loud noise.

Ozzzzzzzzzz, Blakey, Tim and Cow are The Goons.

We also went to Disneyland the next day at 8:30am. Real smart move. The girls were hurting and so was I and that’s why I’m not in any of these shots.

- LS

“Seeing who can hold his nerve the longest”

Was feeling fit and primed at the Quik Pro France. © Joli

Hey Everybody,

Bede checking in from Mundaka. It’s been a hectic few weeks since the tour resumed and we’re right in the thick of the action now in Spain. Trestles and the first of the European events in France came right on the top of each other after the long six-week break post J-Bay.

And with Mundaka on right now, and The Search, just around the corner, now
is arguably the most critical time of the tour. That’s definitely the case for Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. And it has been for me too.

I went into Trestles determined to make my own move after being dissatisfied with some of my early season performances. So to come away with a semi-final appearance out of the Hurley Pro and then a second to Mick in France last week was a good feeling that told me I had used my time off since J-Bay wisely.

What did I do? Basically, I just knuckled down. I did a bit of reflecting on how the first few events had panned out for me and I realised I needed to work
harder if I wanted to stay in the top 5. I’d become a bit slack around training and I wasn’t putting in the same effort as last year, which was why the results weren’t coming.

So the first thing I did was commit to a daily training regime – and to hit it hard. I was spending three days a week solely concentrating on fitness work. I did that with Gary “Kong” Elkerton. Elko is such a mean taskmaster. He always gets me to peak condition. But I also made sure I pushed myself harder more often than I had been. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, physically and mentally. But I also started doing skills training two days/week with my
shaper Wayne McKewen.

The work I did with Gary and Wayne was also very specific to this up and coming leg of events. Plus I was armed with some pretty good boards which just added to my confidence. Trestles went well from the outset. It’s always been a good venue for me (I won my first WT contest there). It’s like a perfect little wave park and I was really looking forward to getting my year back on track there. I felt I was surfing good and then I ran into Dane Reynolds in the semis. Dane was on fire.  He was riding a smaller board and just doing some massive airs, almost at will. With a few huge carves thrown in as well, it was an impressive showing.

Mundaka mezu ohartu. © Joli

I felt we had a good heat. I was able to get a couple of airs myself but the difference proved to be one really high score of 9.67 Dane pulled off which included two really nice airs. Equal 3rd place showed me I was on track though, and I immediately felt good for France.

It was ironic to come up against Dane again, only in the fourth round this time.
I knew it was going to be another tough heat and this time I wanted to get off to a flyer to put Dane under some pressure. I was able to get that quick start and with the waves slowing up as our heat wore on, I was able to hold my lead and get one back on Dane.

I felt I surfed really well the whole contest except the final. It got a bit choppier and I didn’t adapt to the conditions as well as Mick. I was trying to push my turns too much and caught the odd rail which cost me. Mick was surfing so precise and fast and the better man won on the day.

But Trestles and France did help me climb back up to #4. I’m back where I want to be in the ratings. I want to finish the year off strongly and remain in the top five. Realistically, the world title is a long shot for me this year. But if I can remain in the top five after finishing second last year, I can set myself for a shot at the title next year.

The real battle for the world title is between Mick and Joel now. It’s going to be a fascinating contest too. Parko had such a great start to the year but now Mick has turned his season around and is coming home like a steam train. I’m excited to see how things now unfold. Both are really good mates of course but they’re also both super competitive. Their friendship is big enough to survive the competitive tension but seeing who can hold his nerve the longest is
going to be epic.

- Bede

“The biggest schlong on tour?”

©: kerr-azy.blogspot.com

… Day 2 action from the Hurley Pro Trestles … Had a couple of close heats but came though with the wins …

© Dustin

… In California, went to see Dr. G to get work done on my ankle, after surfing a lot the last two weeks it has been pretty sore.

I have been able to do a few turns lately, it’s exciting and I’m getting closer but still pretty limited on my turns. Every surf has been better than the last and I’m so fired up to be in the water again. I’m spending the next few weeks here in sunny southern California doing therapy, training and surfing as much as I can to get back to 100 percent!

© Dustin

Since I have been hurt I’ve been freaking out waiting for football season to finally start! Even though the Jags (http://www.jaguars.com/) are getting hated on by most media out there I think they’re going to be good this year. Speaking of the Jaguars, I just got my new Jags shoes in from DVS and they are sick. This is the third run of shoes they have made for us and I think they are the coolest ones yet. Here’s a sneak peek, look out for them at the Jags games when they are killing it this year!

© gabekling.com

- Gabe

Victorious TBC © All pics from me and Robo’s site: moborush.com.

Torquay Boardriders Club just took out the state title with a pretty epic ‘come from behind’ victory. TBC needed to win the last heat and Phillip Island Boardriders needed to get 4th for a TBC win. It happened. Check the shots.

The crappiest but most prestigious trophy in Victorian surfing.

The Juc fired as per usual. Word is that the 2010 Rip Curl Search event will be out here.

“Team Awesome”, post win. Robo, Jack Pez, me, J Hawk.

{Bargain art!! Photography hasn’t become a hobby of mine, but this is one of my most arty pieces. I like to call this one ‘Sleeping Man With Hand On Balls And A Bit Of Garbage’.}

- Mushy