Top Richards Bay surfer Vaughan Weyer (17) has signed a sponsorship deal with surfwear brand Lizzard International.

Born and raised in Richards Bay (Zululand, South Africa), Weyer is one of the most naturally talented and underrated surfers to have come out of the area for quite some time. His powerful new school surfing approach has been shaped by the cyclone swells and punchy beach breaks that define his local surf spot, Alkantstrand.

Commenting on the deal, Lizzard team manager Gavin Roberts said “Richards Bay surfing seems to be going through a resurgence with Vaughan pushing the envelope hardest, we’re stoked to have him on our team as he is known for his big airs and fluid style. The association with Vaughan is also sure to increase awareness of the Lizzard brand in the Zululand area”.

Weyer will be competing in many of the upcoming junior events this summer while still also focusing on completing his school studies. “I’m stoked and appreciate the opportunity to have signed with Lizzard, I look forward to a long and prosperous association with the company”.

About Lizzard: Established in 1991, Lizzard is a clothing, accessories and footwear brand with roots in authentic surf culture. From offices in Durban (South Africa) and Burleigh Heads (Australia), products are distributed to 27 countries globally. Lizzard supports independent and core retailers. Lizzardsurf.net showcases the latest ranges, making it easy to find product and locate the nearest stores or distributors around the world. Locally, Lizzard is available at Fun to Wear stores in the Richards Bay area.

more info check out lizzardsurf.net

Nixon is pleased to announce Dusty Payne as the newest addition to the Nixon Surf Team. Keeping in true Nixon tradition, new riders are only added after a majority vote by the current Nixon Surf Team; a policy that has existed for all of the brands 11 year history.

Hailing from Lahaina, HI, and currently rated 10 in the World Qualifying Series (WQS), Payne is the youngest member of Nixon’s Surf Team and was the first rider added to the team in over two years. In addition to his many recent accomplishments, including runner up at the 2008 Triple Crown of Surfing, winning the Kustom Air Challenge and the Oakley Junior Pro, Payne has been an integral part of the Nixon family for the past two years at the pro team level.

States Nixon Marketing Manager, Mike Murciano, “Dusty is a strong believer in the Nixon motto of ‘team designed, custom built’.  He continues to infuse his sense of style into Nixon products and has shown his commitment and love for the brand over and over again. I am excited to have a great friend, as well as one of the best surfers in the world, join our team.”

Currently Payne is on track to make a push for the 2010 WCT and has been diligently filming for Taylor Steele’s new film, Modern Collective.

Payne joins current Nixon Surf Team riders Bruce Irons, Andy Irons, Josh Kerr, Rob Machado, Dean Morrison, Chris, Keith & Dan Malloy and Claire Bevilacqua.

Welcome to the team Dusty!

press release from NIXON

Yallingup, Western Australia — Western Australian based surf accessory company Creatures of Leisure, are pleased to announce a resolution of the recently reported dispute between Taj’s management company, and themselves. Taj will continue to ride for Creatures of Leisure until at least 2010 which marks the expiry date of the most recent 4 year agreement between the two parties.

Creatures of Leisure has sponsored Taj for the past 16 years which encompasses his entire professional career, partnering with him since he was 14. In May 2009 Taj’s management company, TB Endorsements, issued a statement that it would no longer perform its sponsorship obligations for the final 10 month period of the existing sponsorship agreement with Creatures of Leisure.

“It appears that there was pressure being brought to bear on Taj and his management by a third party”, a Creatures spokesperson stated. “We would have been willing to work with Taj’s management if possible to facilitate an early release, however there were no surfers of a similar caliber available, the Creatures International catalogue had already been distributed and there were tens of thousands of Taj’s signature grips in stock, in production and on the water to over 20 distributors around the world – it was simply not commercially possible to release Taj from his contractual obligations at such short notice.”

“The decision to hold Taj’s management company to the contract, which is now legally binding, was necessary for reasons we believe they were unaware of.” “It was unfortunate the way in which the issue was initially reported in the media, suggesting that Creatures was suing Taj directly for not having a logo or similar on his board – that was totally incorrect.”

www.creatures.com.au