“This was the heaviest thing that has ever happened to me,” said professional surfer Greg Emslie after an encounter with a massive white shark at Queensbury Bay yesterday – Sat 22 May.

An idyllic surf at the Eastern Cape point break, with fellow professional surfer Rosy Hodge, came very close to ending in tragedy, with Emslie being relentlessly circled and buzzed by a great white, and Rosy almost paddling straight into the danger zone.

“The whole thing must have taken about three to four minutes, but it felt like absolute ages,”said Greg. “I had plenty of time to size it up, and it was probably about four metres in length. It was like right out of the water. Both fins out, just staring at me. We had full eye contact for most of the time as well, just fully sussing each other out the whole time.”

East London is well-known for shark encounters and attacks, and there was an attack a few weeks ago down the road at Port Alfred. While this didn’t lead into an attack, it was enough to rattle the two surfers properly. “I was just thinking, this is it,” said Greg. “I’m going to get hit. It kept on coming at me, while I sat with my feet up on my board.”

Rosy had just caught a wave and had ridden it in. When she started paddling back out, she had no idea what was going on. as Rosy recalls, “Then Greg started shouting and I thought, ‘Oh cool, he’s claiming my wave.’” Rosy continued to paddle. “Earlier in the day we had had some dolphins around and when I saw the two fins I thought there were two dolphins by Greg. As I got close I saw that it was a gaint shark, showing it’s dorsal and tail fin, and I realised that Greg was in serious trouble.”

Seabase International announces they are to distribute the Surfer’s Skin range of sunscreens in Europe Developed in New Zealand to overcome the severe UV conditions experienced by surfers, the Surfers Skin range of waterproof sunscreens has been widely accepted throughout New Zealand in all outdoor pursuits where it’s waterproof, sweat-proof and non-sting qualities have been praised. The development company, Skin Alive, also produces a range of sunscreen for Golfers and Snowboarders and skiers with all products accepted for a huge range of other activities and its qualities become well known.    Claiming a 30+ SPF factor, (Factor 50 is only 0.5% more effective) and at least two hours of waterproof protection and Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection, Surfers Skin is perfect for any conditions likely to be experienced anywhere in Europe.   “We consistently get UV ratings of 15 out of 15 – extreme conditions with very short burn times in our New Zealand summers. Surfers Skin, with its high protection factor, ease of application, and safety factors will be the choice of all surfers – just as it has been in New Zealand for years” says Seabase International Director Murray Steward. “We are proud to offer it under our 100% Quality 100% Waterproof sign-off in Europe – it perfectly fits our quality image as we strive to offer total and complete satisfaction in both product and service to the surf industry”. Surfers Skin has paid close attention to safety issues with the product line containing no Parabens or nanoparticles. Rich in nature’s new wonder material, Manuka Honey, and aloe vera, Surfers skin is particularly safe to use for children and its sweat-proof formula doesn’t run easily to sting young eyes. Safe for all skin types.

The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 792) offered by Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) recognizing World Champion Surfer Kelly Slater for winning the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Bell Championship and for his numerous other victories and contributions to the sport of surfing. Sixty House Members in all cosponsored the Kelly Slater Resolution.

“Slater has worked hard to master a sport that so many have tried but so few have actually been able to conquer,” said Congressman Posey who represents Slater’s home town of Cocoa Beach, FL. “His world championship record is impressive and is certainly worthy of recognition.”

“Kelly Slater’s skill and achievements have earned him many fans in Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing,” said Congresswoman Mazie Hirono. “Two decades after winning his first professional surf contest, we in the islands are proud of our part-time resident as he continues to add to his string of successes out on the waves.”

Florida’s first surfing champion, Robert Kelly Slater, was born in Cocoa Beach where he learned to surf with his brothers. In 1992, Slater was the youngest surfer to win the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship and, in 2008, he became the oldest to win that title. Slater is also the first surfer ever to be awarded two perfect scores under the ASP two wave scoring system and is a six time winner of the Billabong Pipeline Masters for the top forty-five ranked surfers by the ASP. In 2007, Slater started the Kelly Slater Foundation to raise awareness and support for environmental and social issues.

Slater’s other accomplishments include:

• He is a six-time winner of Billabong Pipeline Masters.
• Slater won five consecutive Association of Surfing Professionals titles.
• He is a two time winner of the Triple Crown of Surfing.
• Slater currently has 42 World Championship Tour victories.
• He also holds a record 9 Association of Surfing Professionals World Championships.
• Slater is surfing’s all-time leader in career event wins.
• In 2002 Slater was inducted into Surfers Hall of Fame.

Nearly 40% of all east cost surfing occurs in Florida and despite tough economic times, the surf industry remains resilient showing $7.22 Billion in sales in 2008 and considerable growth over the past few years according to research performed by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association(SIMA). Cocoa Beach, FL is home to many surf shops including Ron Jon’s flag ship store, which was recently named one of the 25 Best Independent Retailers by Business Week and employs 500 people with $50 million in revenue.