Ocean Driven - The big wave surfing life of Chris Bertish

Ocean Driven is a gripping and unforgettable true story about perseverance that guides viewers of all ages to believe in and follow their dreams. 

When South African Chris Bertish won the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational in 2010, he conquered the largest surf in paddle-in competition history. Now Bertish is riding an even bigger wave as the subject of this exciting full-length film.

Ocean Driven chronicles South African Chris Bertish’s 30-year development into a fearless and highly skilled waterman. It centers around the growth, struggles and unique environments that have shaped this nearly supernatural ocean pioneer. In 2010, minutes after nearly drowning, Bertish won the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational in the largest waves in competition history. Legendary surfers and ocean specialists were interviewed for the film, which features footage from Bertish’s global odyssey, leading to the record-setting Mavericks competition and beyond.

Find out what it takes to become a fearless and highly skilled waterman. Discover why South Africa breeds exceptional big wave surfers, and take an authentic big wave odyssey around the globe. From South Africa and Morocco to Hawaii, Easter Island, Fiji and more.

www.oceandrivenfilm.com

“Ocean Driven-The Chris Bertish Story” is planned to launch at the Toronto Film festival, in Canada in October 2013.

Steven Pierson Wins ASP 3-Star Pantin Classic Galicia Pro : ASP World Tour

PLAYA DE PANTIN, Galicia/Spain (Saturday, August 31, 2013) – The wave factory of Pantin produced clean 2-3 foot surf again today to complete the ASP 3-Star Pantin Classic Galicia Pro that crowned Steven Pierson (PYF), 29, the 2013 event champion. Surfers competed in no less than four heats including the final, an exciting 35mn bout punctuated by the Polynesian’s victory.

Steven Pierson was in lethal form today in Pantin, posting an incredible four 9+ scores on his way to his maiden ASP Qualifying event win. His powerful and fast backhand surfing was unmatched today and Pierson conquered the Galician crown.

“I’m so stoked to win here, I love Pantin, the landscapes are amazing and the waves are fun,” an ecstatic Pierson said. “It’s a good little left like home, except the water’s freezing! I think Michel Bourez and Alain Riou both got second here and I believe I’m the first Tahitian to win in Pantin so it makes it extra special!”

Connor Baxter battles back to take the win in the long distance | Waterman League

Connor Baxter (Starboard) battles back on the last leg of the challenging long distance race, to edge ahead of Kai Lenny (Naish) to take the win here in the long distance course of the AC Open, Stop #7 on the 2013 Stand Up World Series. Strong wins, strong tides and tumultuous ocean conditions set the scene for a radical long distance course today at the AC Open, that took center stage at the America’s Cup here in San Francisco. The start was cheered on by the Red Bull Youth squads here for their all important America’s Cup Youth event, as the World’s best powered off the start.

Connor Baxter kept reserve in the tank so that a small stumble around the final buoy by 2012 World Champion Kai Lenny allowed him to slip ahead and power over the finish line first. A well deserved victory for the young Champion from Maui who has been on an unbeatable streak over the past 6 months. Watch the highlights to be posted by the morning right here at www.watermanleague.com in the video section.

While this is a confidence booster for Connor, tomorrow’s Sprint Racing will be the next challenge, as he hopes to claim another clean sweep here at Stop 7 of the 2013 Stand Up World Series. This will not be an easy feat, given Kai Lenny’s grit and determination and the caliber of athletes here at the AC Open in San Francisco, so stay tuned and watch the action live as it unfolds right here at: http://watermanleague.com/events/2013-san-francisco-americas-cup  More; Connor Baxter battles back to take the win in the long distance | Waterman League

Clipper Race - Clipper Race Departs London Today

Today the world’s largest fleet of matched ocean racing yachts will begin its 40,000-mile circumnavigation in the world’s longest ocean race.

The twelve 70-foot state-of-the-art yachts will lock out of St Katharine Docks four at a time, mustering around Shadwell, before parading down the River Thames from Tower Bridge to the Thames Estuary.

Free entry to the Race Village at St Katharine Docks, is now open daily (1000-1900), with boat tours, competitions, a big screen, live music, DJs, drummers, dancers, international cuisine, and more.

The departure and Parade of Sail will be streamed live online. Click here for further details.

Legendary British sailor, Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said:

“It is wonderful to see these gutsy people set off on one of the greatest adventures left on the planet.

“Departing from the iconic British capital London in the shadow of Tower Bridge is something really special for the crews and skippers who have been building up to this moment for months.

“To see them return to London as accomplished circumnavigators in 11 months’ time will be a special moment.”

German, Australian and US teams flash some speed ahead of Red Bull Youth America’s Cup / America’s Cup

The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup team from Germany, All in Racing, flashed some brilliant speed on Saturday, posting the fastest time at the Speed Trials, ahead of the start of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

Each team had two runs down the course, with Objective Australian posting the time to beat in an early first run in near-perfect conditions. It appeared as if that time, 40.70 seconds, would stand. But the German All in Racing, in its second run, with two men ‘riding the bull’ in the back stern scoop to lift the bows out of the water, streaked across the finish line just .06 seconds ahead, to take the win in a photo finish.

Qatar Team top the Speed Cat podium « UIM XCAT World Series Powerboat Racing

The Qatar Team held their nerve to once again emerge as the speed kings of the UIM Skydive Dubai World Series on Lake Maggiore today.

Taking on the rest of the field in the thrilling, head-to-head Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run which is contested on a straight 1km course, the team of Mohammed Al Nasr and Abdulrahman Al Nasr staved off some tough opposition, defeating Fazza in the penultimate round before getting the better of Team Westerlund in the final.

This was the Qatar Team’s second successive Speed Cat victory, having topped the podium in the last round of the Series in Dubai in March. Speaking after the final, Al Nasr said: “I am very happy to come first again and especially here in Italy because this is the first time we are racing here in Europe.

H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series » Shane Tops Coeur d’Alene Qualifiers

Wind and water conditions interrupted the Friday qualifying session for the Diamond Cup on North Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene, but not soon enough for Jon Zimmerman and the 9 Fox Plumbing presents Team RedDOT powered by Les Schwab.

Photo by Chris Denslow -H1

Zimmerman was the fifth boat to enter the two mile race course for a qualifying attempt, but lost a blade off the propeller before completing a lap.  The vibration created by the broken prop cause severe damage to the race boat, causing the team to withdraw from the event.