Introducing Aaron Pierce-Surf Photographer

We were recently introduced to Aaron Pierce, a Kiwi in self imposed exile, living on Ireland's West Coast, whilst looking for some images of Aileens. Aaron has been producing some amazing pictures from the area, some of which we're stoked to feature on the Northcore Website.

“I get a huge kick out of photography, especially when the surf is big. I have a huge passion for Aileens in Ireland." says Aaron

As for his future plans, “I plan to take a few of the boys out to a couple of big wave spots I've found and try them out. I also want to photograph the biggest wave in the world ever to be surfed, hopefully this will happen next winter now that we know what to expect, things are going to get freaky next winter so watch this space....”

From more on Aaron's work click onto our photographers page or visit his website www.liquid-storm.com

ISA world junior surfing championships have started

The 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Hossegor and Seignosse began on Sat 24th May.

Despite some flight disruptions, the delegations from the 28 competing countries have arrived safely in France. For some nations, the journey was long and tiring - up to 40 hours for the Australians - and plenty of teams are still waiting for their boards, which went missing en route.

Altogether, some 290 surfers under the age of 18 – a record - have come together on the coast of south-west France, to see battle commence in this major event on the international surfing scene.

All the continents will be represented in France this year, with the great surfing nations, including Australia, Brazil, the United States, South Africa and Hawaii., Rubbing shoulders with them are a number of emerging surfing countries, such as Israel, Barbados, Canada and Germany, which is sending a full team for the first time, and even Senegal, making its debut in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

This United Nations of junior surfing will be one of the highlights of surfing year. I love to attend the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. It’s our surfing way of showing the world that peaceful coexistence is a very reachable goal” said exhausted but excited International Surfing Association President, Fernando Aguerre.

Two of the Northcore sponsored Junior riders, Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears, are competing in the comp. We'll be bringing you updates on the event here (which is postponed today) or to follow the UK teams progress log onto http://www.isaworldchamp.com/

British Junior Surf Team for ISA World Junior Champs announced

This weekend saw a host of dedicated 14-18 year olds congregate at Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, to participate in an intensive training session in preparation for one of the most prestigious surf contests of their lives.

Twelve UK youngsters including Northcore team riders Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears have been honoured to be selected by the British Surfing Association for the British Junior Surfing Team for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships which take place in the South West of France from the 24th May–1st June.

The event will see junior athletes under the age of 18 coming from every continent on the planet and the British team will join more than 30 other countries including the surf ‘power brokers’ such as Australia, USA, South Africa, and Hawaii along side emerging nations including Israel, Morocco, Costa Rica.

Unlike standard professional events, the surfers will compete in national team format. This format is unique in world surfing and the surfers will be competing solely for the honour of receiving a gold, silver, bronze or copper medal and representing their nation.

Head coach Barrie Hall said, “To be selected for the team for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships is one of the highlights of these young surfers’ careers thus far and illustrates their talent and dedication to the sport.

This event is the equivalent of the surfing Olympics and our young British athletes will be pushed to their very max, to drive themselves to the absolute top of their game to represent their nation on this prestigious global platform.

Northcore want to wish Lewis and Kathleen all the very best for personal and team success at the event.

Pic: Lucia Griggi

Burma cyclone appeal

The Disaster Emergency committee are the organisation who co-ordinates disaster relief funds through to recognised charities, who are allowed access to and are working in Burma to assist with the massive human tragedy there.

Their website is: http://www.dec.org.uk/

Its a triple for the Northcore team riders at the 2008 English Nationals

It was a storming weekend at the English National surf competition for three of the Northcore team. With fantastic results for both Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears taking 1^st place in the U18 boys and girls categories. Not only that, Lewis was awarded the Dave Gent Memorial Trophy for the best-placed junior surfer from Newquay.

Grishka Roberts, who tests Northcore's surfboards, was also honoured by being awarded the Randall Davies Memorial Trophy for the best overall performance by a Newquay surfer.

With 23 divisions and close to 300 entrants, the Headworx English Nationals is one of the biggest surfing competitions in Europe. This year it was also one of the busiest, with Saturday alone seeing 40 hours of heats contested simultaneously on four peaks.

“We had a really busy day on Saturday but luckily the surf was brilliant for a competition; everybody was really happy with yesterday’s surf,” said Contest Director Ester Spears.

In winning their events both Lewis and Kathleen have earned the right to represent England in the European Junior Surfing Championships which will be held in Morocco in November.

Lewis Clinton said of the event, “I'm super happy that I have won, its quite a big event to win! The surf conditions were not great but I suppose I just managed to pick up a couple of waves and it worked out for me! I'm just stoked that I have won but also winning the Dave Gent memorial trophy, was a real privilege for me, it put the icing on the cake”

Kath Spears, said of the weekend " It was amazing to win the english, at the beginning of the year it was one of main aims and I'm stoked to have acheived it. The comp was really well run and the waves were pretty average so it was a bit of a test! Thanks to all my sponsors and every one who has helped me do this."

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!

Pictures:Ester Spears/Les Clinton

English Nationals kick off at Watergate Bay

Contest director Ester Spears has called an 8am start for this morning to maximise on the incoming swell for the English Nationals, which is forecast to be between 3 and 5 feet with light variable winds. With no fewer than 25 Headworx English Titles to be decided by Monday night. Both our Northcore Junior team riders, Kathleen Spears and Lewis Clinton are competing so we'll keep you posted on their results. Good luck guys