La Graviere delivered heaving three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) lefts and rights today for opening day of competition at the Quiksilver Pro France.

Event No. 8 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Quiksilver Pro France saw the world’s best surfers do battle in the shifting beachbreaks of Southwest France, completing Round 1 and the opening three heats of Round 2 before day’s end.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion (2007 and 2009) and defending Quiksilver Pro France winner, scored a sensational 9.37 out of a possible 10 for an incredible forehand barrel to take the victory in the dying moments of his Round 1 heat.

“It was a wild end to that heat,” Fanning said. “Brett (Simpson) surfed great. He started with an 8 and got a 7 to take the lead and he was really looking in form. He pushed me deep really deep at the end, but I saw the wave had double up and had to put the rocket boots on when I stood up. It had a great line and I was stoked to make it out.”

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Surfers in Santa Cruz County generally don’t need much in the way of persuasion to get into the water. But next week, the producers of an upcoming film are counting on surfers to come out to Pleasure Point in big numbers.

Walden Media, which is producing a film based on the life of the late Santa Cruz surfing icon Jay Moriarity, is planning to shoot a key scene in the film Oct. 13 and 14 at Pleasure Point. It is a re-enactment of the paddle-out that took place as a memorial to Moriarity shortly after he died during a free-diving accident in the summer of 2001.

The film’s producers need about 1,000 extras to come out with wetsuits and surfboards to re-create the paddle-out. The scene will be shot from both the air and the ground.

The producers are asking each participant to commit to eight hours on the set both days, in the interests of continuity, with a check-in time of around 6:30 a.m. No stand-up paddle boards will be allowed to be part of the shoot.

Extras will not be paid, but lunch will be served and there will be several raffle prizes given away to those who participate.

The yet-to-be-titled film will star Gerard Butler and Jonny Weston and will be directed by Curtis Hanson for a late 2012 release. It will tell the story of the relationship between Moriarity and his mentor Frosty Hesson, as well as Moriarity’s efforts at becoming the youngest surfer to ever tackle Mavericks.

Anyone interested in taking part in the paddle-out should contact the extras producer at 831management@gmail.com.

JAY MORIARITY MOVIE PADDLE-OUT
WHAT: Walden Media, producer of a film based on the life of the late Santa Cruz surfing icon Jay Moriarity, seeks 1,000 surfers for a key scene.
WHEN: Oct. 13 and 14 at Pleasure Point.
WHY: To re-enact the paddle-out that took place as a memorial to Moriarity shortly after he died in 2001.
INFORMATION: 1,000 extras with wetsuits and surfboards to re-create the paddle-out.
PERKS: Expect eight hours on the set both days with a check-in time of 6:30 a.m. Extras will not be paid, but lunch will be served and there will be raffle prizes.
CONTACT: 831management@gmail.com.

see original post @ mercurynews

Hawaii will soon become the first state in the U.S. to call surfing an official high school sport.Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state education officials said Monday that riding the waves will join the likes of football, basketball, volleyball and swimming as a state-sanctioned prep sport in public schools, starting as early as spring 2013.

“It’s quite clear, when you think of Hawaii, you think of surfing,” Abercrombie said with a scenic backdrop of sunbathers and surfers along Waikiki beach behind him. The news conference was held near the statue of island icon Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medal swimmer known as the father of modern surfing.

“Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing. From Duke Kahanamoku to the thousands of residents and visitors who surf both recreationally and competitively, the sport is rooted in our culture and way of life,” the governor said.

The Aloha State is known for its world-class surf breaks and competitions. It is home to many pro surfers and has produced several world champions including Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, who this summer became the youngest world champion at 18.

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