Billabong today announced the launch of its next generation of wetsuit technology – a super-lightweight steamer that has the fit of a second skin. The new SGX, available for  delivery into Australian retail stores on March 18 is significantly lighter when wet than traditional wetsuits.

It is made of durable lightweight material that soaks dramatically less water than conventional wetsuits and its water repellent characteristics minimise resistance when paddling. “The new SGX has all of the qualities a surfer expects in a high performance wetsuit – warmth, comfort and flexibility – but it’s so much lighter and has less resistance,” said Billabong wetsuit designer Scott Boot.

The wetsuit, the only one of its kind on the market, utilises advanced Japanese technology that includes a high-grade, yarn-coated exterior, a specially-knitted carbon-infused jersey and a high-grade foam core to maximise its thermal properties. The lightweight SGX weighs just over 900 grams when dry and only absorbs 268 grams when wet, tipping the scales at a meagre 1.196kg.

It also uses optimum seam positioning to ensure greater flexibility without compromising fit. The new SGX is the next generation of Billabong’s technology-focused wetsuit program and follows last winter’s introduction of the B9 environment-conscious wetsuit made largely from recycled materials.

It will be available in all good Australian surf retail stores on March 18, 2010.

www.billabong.com.sgx

original story via surfersvillage

Quiksilver announced the newest member of its world-class surf team—12-year-old Kanoa Igarashi—putting him among the ranks of surfing’s elite.  Amid the sea of young athletes trying to break into the pro surfing circuit, Igarashi stands out as the most promising that any have seen in a long time.  And with an eye for talent and a roster of the world’s best surfers, no one has been monitoring the influx of talent as closely as Quiksilver.

“Quiksilver is really excited to have Kanoa join the team,” says Chad Wells, Quiksilver’s Surf Team Manager.  “He is a phenomenal athlete at such a young age and has a solid foundation of both air and rail surfing.  Kanoa shows true signs of a world class athlete and his competitive record speaks for itself.”

Among his competitive achievements, Igarashi holds the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) all-time record for 30 wins in one season- an impressive accomplishment for someone of his age.  Through his driving spirit, Igarashi has consistently built an ambitious range of skill, tricks and maneuvers—leaving seasoned pros in awe of his talent.

“I’m really excited about my future and how Quiksilver is going to help me reach my goals,” said Igarashi. “It’s a dream come true.”

original story via quicksilver

Mick Fanning (above)

With the World Tour moving to a “one-world” ranking system, the recent dismissal of head judge Perry Hatchet, and now the announcement of a pro junior tour, the ASP’s definitely been undergoing a metamorphosis this offseason. And while the inner workings of the tour are being tinkered with, some of the surfers are noodling with their own game.

For the last week a crew that includes world champ Mick Fanning, Jordy Smith, Michel Bourez, Sofia Mulanovich, and Sally Fitzgibbons, to name a few, have been posted up in Lennox Head, NSW, for Red Bull’s inaugural “Project Air.” As it’s title would indicate, the first-of-its-kind training camp is solely dedicated to helping hone their above-the-lip prowess.

“I’m psyched, the future of surfing is definitely going to be more about fully, functional aerials and functional air combinations,” said Jordy on the first day.

read more at ESPN