Blue skies, offshore winds, and a pumping 4-foot swell welcomed stoked grommets to Halfway Beach today for the third and final stop of the 2008 Rusty Gromfest Series. Over 120 kids from all over Bali (and beyond) came out in force to enjoy a fun day at the beach, win prizes, and develop their competitive skills. With a heat draw bursting at the seams, organizers were eager to start proceedings and sent the first heat into the lineup at 7:30am. Spurred on by their peers, psyched groms waxed their boards furiously, itching to get their rails wet.

Round one kicked off as the Kuta bombie erupted on the horizon, triggering some solid sets which sent the kids into a frenzy. The under 16’s shredded the lengthy left-hander’s from start to finish, throwing fans of spray and committing to critical floaters on the inside section. Gazali Hamzah, Agus Frimanto, and Australian Alex Swadling were the early standouts. Organizers chose to run all the under 16 heats up until the final on the incoming tide to take advantage of the peaking swell and superb conditions.

At midday the tide filled in as the under 14 and under 12 division’s hit the water. The kids tore apart the waves with a great deal of flair, showcasing skills beyond their years. Ediana Putra, Luke Hynd, and Koko Mitsua Antara in particular impressed the judges with a combination of floaters and fin busts.

Rusty team rider and guest judge Marlon Gerber exclaimed, “The waves are flawless and the groms are going off! I’m stoked to see them take over for the day… They’re charging! ”

As the rounds progressed and the midday sun cooked Kuta’s stretch of white sand, competitors and spectators alike witnessed some awesome free surfing going down at the adjacent right-hand bank. Indonesian pro’s Pepen Hendrix and Made Adi Putra ‘Bol’ pulled into some amazing pits that sent?the starry-eyed groms into a wild moshpit of hoots and high-fives.

As the horn blew to signal the under 12 final, a large crowd of onlookers flocked at the water’s edge in anticipation. Koko Mitsua Antara, Kadek Yoga, Luke Hynd, and Komang Arip blew up but it was Koko, the Nusa Dua goofyfoot, who wowed the judges with flowing round-house cutback’s and sick fin-throw snaps. He won convincingly and in doing so also finished the series as overall under 12 champion.

The under 14 division final was a nail-biter, as series leader Ediana Putra battled it out against Ornot, Arya Wijaya, and Abi Azwar Anas. Today Ornot from Sumbawa took out the final with his razor-sharp power-hacks, but it was Lembongan’s Ediana Putra who won the overall U/14 series after a 2nd place finish in Keramas, a win in Canggu, and 2nd place again today at Halfway. Amazingly, Ediana is 12 years old and has been surfing in both divisions.

The under 16 final was a fitting climax following a long day of ripping. Gazali Hamzah, Agus Frimanto, Alex Swadling, and Darmaputra Tonjo paddled out as the setting sun dipped into the horizon. Alex Swadling surfed a smart heat, securing an early lead and consolidating on his score shortly after. He blazed a trail of golden spray down the line as he unleashed a series of tight vertical snaps and sweeping carves, leaving both Gazali and Agus in need of 8 point rides. In the end it was Alex Swadling who took top honors and was crowned the Rusty Gromfest Halfway Champ!

With the absence of series leader One Anwar, and the first round loss of rival Putra Hermawan, Gazali Hamzah took the U/16 ratings lead and was crowned the overall 2008 Rusty Gromfest Series Champion. He has been awarded a chance to compete against the best international junior surfers at the 13th annual Rusty Gromfest held at Lennox Head, Australia in July 2008. He will also be granted wildcard entry into the 6-star ISC Rusty Rumble In Da Jungle event at Sanur in May 2008.

Watch the Video from Gromfest Halfway! Go to:

Gromfest Halfway Results:

Under 16
1. Alex Swading
2. Agus Frimanto
3. Gazali Hamzah
4. Darmaputra Tonjo

Under 14
1. Ornot
2. Ediana Putra
3. Arya Wijaya
4. Abi Azwar Anas

Under 12
1. Koko Mitsua Antara
2. Luke Hynd
3. Komang Arip
4. Kadek Yoga

Overall Gromfest Series Rankings:

Under 16
1. Gazali Hamzah – 5350 points
2. Agus Frimanto – 4583 points
3. Putra Hermawan – 3833 points

Under 14
1. Ediana Putra – 6100 points
2. Arya Wijaya Blerong – 5000 points
3. Ornot – 4175 points

Under 12
1. Koko Mitsua Antara – 5183 points
2. Komang Arif – 4083 points
3. Nyoman Satria ‘Blacky’ – 3833 points

The Nixon Art Mosh is a rotating art installation open for one evening of fun featuring the artwork from local artists, athletes and friends. The November 16th stop will also showcase items from Nixon’s exclusive LTD Collection, featuring watches made from Tony Hawk’s skatedeck as well as the leather jacket from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Featured artists include: Taylor Dunfee, Grant Brittain, Chivo, Dustin Ortiz, Tyler Nelson, Michael Carter, Dave Swift, Rob Machado, Axel Pauporte, Anthony Ghiglia and Randy Laybourne

Entertainment will be provided by DJ Chris Cote. We invite you to join Nixon from 7-11pm for an evening of drinks, appetizers, music and the great art that San Diego has to offer.

Nixon Art Mosh
1037 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101

DamnAm results, pictures and videos at Volcom is posted at Volcom and DamnAm website.

DamnAm rocks.

From the PRESS RELEASE

The first surf series of 2007 – 2008 season began at Medewi Beach. After 3 hours drive early Sunday morning at 4 am, we were blessed with a perfect day for Swordfish. It was sunny day with great 3 feet glassy long waves, with our favorite delicious “nasi bungkus” – traditional lunch from Medewi that wrapped in banana leaf – and whole slew of kids that came down to compete who cheered on their friends and got nuts for Volcom’ giveaways. And here is how the finals went down.

The Groms final was packed with young and new comer kids. They were ripping hard, but the older kids like Abi Azwar Anas and Soleh Mahendra surfed step higher and took the 1st and 2nd place. Yet, the new comers, Gede Ludra and Heri Hervian showed big smiles when they got the 3rd and 4th place … they brought home some cash and Volcom products plus ticket to join the VQS Indo Champ in June 2008!

Ahmad Kamal who dominated the day from the first heat in Junior Division was crowned as the winner. He was on fire and made some impressive scores and took the win. Rounding out the final were Dwi Marnox, Chock and Munawir.

Pro Ams was a war! They had some great set of the day and Volcom boy Muklis Anwar was ripping and finding the best waves. For 2nd and 3rd place there was a battle between Hadi and Bisri, at the end Bisri got a slightly better point.

Good job for all the finalists … you are qualified for the VQS Indo Champ in June 2008!

Thanks to everybody who helped us out to make it happen, all kids, all media, local judges for all the help, friendship and brotherhood, Volcom Indo Team & Riders. Know peace not war…

RESULT
Pro Am
1st Muklis Anwar
2nd Bisri
3rd Hadi
4th Herman

Junior (17 & Under)
1st Ahmad Kamal
2nd Dwi Marnox
3rd Chock
4th Munawir

Groms (14 & Under)
1st Abi Azwar Anas
2nd Soleh Mahendra
3rd Gede Ludra
4th Heri Hervian

Surf Time Magazine—the original Indo surf mag held the 4th annual Surf Time Awards for surfers and skateboarders in Indonesia—voted by Surf Time readers within 1 year. The Surf Awards were on August 10, 2007 at Tubes Club, Poppies 2, Kuta, Bali. While the Skate Awards were in junction with Rusty Game of SKATE in Monas, Jakarta, a day after Indo Independence Day.

Surf Awards
1. Surfer of the Year: Rizal Tanjung
2. Female Surfer of the Year: Fesi Klink
3. Hottest Surfer: Rahtu Suargita
4. Surfer with the Biggest Balls: Mustofa Jeksen
5. Rookie Surfer: One Anwar
6. Best Air: Made Adi Putra (Bol)
7. Best Surf Film: Shades of Bali
8. Best Surf Photographer: Kiki
9. Best Surf Shop: Point Break World
10. Special Award: Tipi Jabrik — CEO Indonesian Surfing Championship (ISC)

Skate Awards
1. Skater of the Year: Pevi
2. Hottest Skater: Indra Kubon
3. Skater with the Biggest Balls: Firman Endo
4. Rookie Skater: Denny TX
5. Best Street Rider: Rino (Padang)
6. Best Flip: Agung HB
7. Best Skate Film: Better Days
8. Best Skate Photographer: Nareen
9. Best Skate Shop: Insect
10. Special Award: BASE (Bali Action Sports Extreme) Skatepark

This + That
*Best Event: Kuta Karnival

More info for the winners, check out Surf Time Magazine October-November 2007 issue or www.surf-time.com

Grind For Life, Inc was founded in 2003, by life-long skateboarder Mike Rogers, after his second battle with sarcoma cancer. Mike’s tumor was located behind his right eye and nasal cavity. He endured a 17 hour surgery a cranial-facial resection with a brain-lift, removal of his eye, cheekbone, and half of the roof of his mouth and some of his teeth. He beat cancer once as a pre-teen, and again 25 years later. Mike beat the odds and is skateboarding competitive again.

To make it clear on how’s Grind For Life works check out their video on their site.

From Red Bull USA site:

The New York City finale of the Red Bull Manny Mania tour provided a perfect opportunity for a group of at-risk youth kids from local non-profit Stoked Mentoring… After all, they wanted a chance to use the photography skills they just picked up in a workshop held in conjunction with Red Bull Illume, a unique action-sports photo exhibit. The results speak a thousand words for themselves, and the kids…

Complete stories and pictures here.

New Issue of Happen Magazine
Happen is a free magazine and their new issue is now out on all major skate/surf shop all around Indonesia. Claim your copy now!

Rusty game of Skate
Disebut salah satu Extreme Sport dikarenakan Skateboarding memiliki tingkat kesulitan dan tingkat resiko kecelakaan atau cedera yang bisa dialami cukup tinggi, sehingga dibutuhkan keahlian khusus, nyali dan keberanian yang luar biasa.

Berbagai kelas, kategori di event kompetisi Skateboarding sudah banyak dilaksanakan di Indonesia, baik didalam jadwal ISA Series maupun dari event skateboarding organizer lainnya dan untuk suatu event skateboarding dengan nama Game Of Skate sudah banyak diselenggarakan dan sudah menjadi bentuk original kompetisi skateboarding.

Sekilas mengenai Game Of Skate, kompetisi ini merupakan permainan Head to Head antara 1 Skater dengan Skater lainya, “Battle of Flat Trick”. Pada prinsipnya game ini sama dengan Game of HORSE dalam permainan bola basket. Skater yang mendapat giliran pertama boleh melakukan triknya, dan apabila trik tersebut landing semua peserta harus mengikuti trik tersebut dan apabila gagal akan mendapatkan huruf. Huruf pertama adalah “S”, yang kedua adalah huruf “K” dan seterusnya, sampai dengan kata “S-K-A-T-E” keluar dan peserta tersebut dinyatakan kalah. Ketika peserta yang pertama memulai lagi, dia mencoba dengan triknya yang lain. Apabila dia berhasil, seluruh proses akan diulang lagi. Akan tetapi jika dia gagal, peserta yang kedua akan mecoba triknya sendiri. Jika dia berhasil, setiap peserta harus mengikuti trik tersebut. Jika gagal, mereka akan mendapatkan “huruf”, dan seterusnya.

Rusty Indonesia menyelenggarakan “RUSTY GAME OF SK8 2007” yang akan diadakan pada hari sabtu tanggal 18 Agustus 2007 di lapangan Monas Jakarta dari jam 9 pagi sampai selesai.

Event ini akan diikuti oleh skateboarding community di seluruh indonesia, seperti dari Jabodetabek, Medan, Padang, Samarinda, Balikpapan, Surabaya, Semarang, Bandung, Malang, Jogja dan juga para rider skateboarding nasional yang disponsori oleh brand brand skateboarding International yang ada di Indonesia, termasuk Reno Pratama dan Pevi Permana dibawah bendera RUSTY Indonesia.

Dihari dan moment yang sama, Surftime Magazine sebagai salah satu media yang sangat mendukung segala kegiatan dan event di dunia Skateboarding di Indonesia, seperti peliputan event kejuaraan, kompetisi atau peliputan profil para skaters, juga ikut andil dalam event ini dengan menyelenggarakan event pemberian penghargaan kepada skateboarder yang berprestasi dengan nama “SURFTIME AWARD 2007”. Event ini juga akan didukung dengan special perform dari Accidental Hero, ICT3RU, Rosemary, Fall Band dan pembagian giveaways dari Rusty.

RUSTY ‘Game of Sk8 2007’ akan menyediakan hadiah kepada 3 kategori pemenang yaitu berupa Cash Money sebesar Rp. 7,5 juta rupiah bagi juara pertama dan 3 buah Handphone persembahan Mobile-8 bagi ketiga juara. So, whatare you waiting for? Join the Game!Its eazy and its gonna be fun! Anyone can play!

RUSTY ‘Game Of Sk8 2007’ diselenggarakan oleh RUSTY Indonesia in Association with ISA, disponsori oleh Fren Mobile-8 dan juga Surftime magazine, Happen, Trax, Provoke, Hai, Jollie, JUICE, Magicwave, Global TV, MTV, OZ Radio Jakarta sebagai media partner.

Untuk Informasi lebih lanjut hubungi Yudi (08121010464), Eka (08113800079) atau Dedot (081343642464) .dotz.

MOD Jewelry Discount
It’s a jewelry company, ok! MOD is giving discounts today at their gallery in Legian street. You can have free drinks as well as discount for today’s only shopping.

Remember when Bobby, Mick, Rob Machado and the Reef crew were here a few months ago? Well, you’ll be seeing what they were up to in this cool new movie.

Come on out to Tubes this Friday night to check it out! Here is the Press Release from Reef in case you haven’t seen it yet. Tell all your friends to come check it out:

Reef Mixed Tape: Bobby Volume 1 Premieresthis Friday in Bali

Kuta Bali the Premiere of Reefs first global surf movie, Reef Mixed Tape: Bobby Volume 1, will be held this Friday, 3rd August 2007 at Tubes Club Bar, in Jl. Poppies II, Legian, Kuta, Bali.

This highly anticipated movie is a tell all story of 2006 ASP Rookie of the Year, Bobby Martinez also featuring Reef team riders Rob Machado, Mick Fanning, Ben Bourgeois, Brad Gerlach, Tonino Benson and many more incredible athletes. This movie also features our own Indonesian surfers including Rizal Tanjung, Betet, Marlon Gerber, Pepen etc.

This is not your standard surf movie. Insane footage is taken to the next level with cutting edge graphics, editing and audio, says Director Pete Santa Maria. This movie really shows how well rounded a surfer Bobby is by taking viewers beyond his contest surfing.

This event will be overflowing with Reef products giveaways and we thank Tubes Club Bar, Surftime Magazine, Bintang Beer and Radio Oz for sponsoring this event.

Check out www.reefmixedtape.com for more info on the movie and call (0361) 762 391 for info on the DVD premier at Tubes Club & Bar.

# # #

About Reef
Reef is one of the premier action sports brands in the world, and exemplifies the cool and casual attitudes of todays youth driven boardsport market. Our brand is defined by the elite class of athletes that represent Reef products, as well as our core consumers who identify with Reefs unique blend of surf, sensuality and irreverent sensibility. At the core of the Reef brand are authentic, stylish, and comfort engineered products that have appealed to the millions of Reef consumers around the world since the company originated in 1984. www.reef.com

About the Company
VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Wrangler, Lee, Riders, Rustler, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Napapijri, Kipling, Nautica, John Varvatos, JanSport, Eastpak, Eagle Creek, Lee Sport and Red Kap.

Tim Hain
tim@isctour.com