Cypress Mountain

It was all hands on deck last Tuesday and Wednesday, as key VANOC officials together with representatives from the Canadian Snowsports Association (CSSA) and Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) reviewed the developments at Cypress Mountain.

Cypress Mountain, the to-be-site of Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing
competitions in 2010, is located in North Vancouver and will be the only snow sport venue in the greater Vancouver area.

Basically, they have finished constructing the mogul and aerial courses ontime and on budget. The final grading of the courses should be finished intwo weeks. The snow making and lighting will be completed next summer. Work for the three Snowboard disciplines is just starting. While a lot remains to be done, the situation is totally under control by VANOC and the team at Cypress.

British Surf Team Announced

With surfing growing massively year-on-year as a mainstream UK sport, 2006 could see our country’s surf team consolidate Britain’s presence as a key surfing nation at the World Surfing Games on California’s Huntingdon Beach. On Friday 8th September the British Surfing Association announced the names of the Freespirit British Surf team members who have earned the prestigious places representing the country in the event which is widely regarded as surfing’s equivalent to the Olympic Games.

The International Surfing Association’s World Surfing Games will take place at Huntington Beach, California from October 14th – 22nd and over 350 competitors from 35 nations will be entering. British hopes are high as a result of an extremely credible 10th placing in Ecuador in the 2004 games, and those selected represent the cream of UK surfing talent.

Left - Right. Johnny Fryer, Sam Lamiroy, Alan Stokes, Ben Skinner, Mark Harris

Open: Alan Stokes, Mark Harris, Johnny Fryer, Sam Lamiroy
Women: Bethan Mason, Robyn Davies
Bodyboard: Damien Prisk, Bjorn Storey
Women’s Bodyboard: Gemma Harris
Longboard:Ben Skinner

The British Surfing Association Official Website http://www.britsurf.co.uk/britishteam/britishteam.htm

Jesus Surf Classic

The weekend of 9th -10th September saw the 14th running of the Jesus Surf Classic at Croyde Bay, North Devon. After an anxious wait , Sunday lunch time saw the arrival at last of the swell needed for the competition to begin.

3 out of the 8 planned finals were held in 2-3 feet of clean surf late Sunday afternoon. The Junior ladies was won by Gwen Spurlock from Wales. The Youth division was again closely contested, with Braunton's Alex Baker, who came 3rd in 2005, taking away the prize this year. The longboards certainly made the most of the good conditions with local Ashley Braunton coming out on top.

The five remaining surf competition categories, Open surfing, Junior surfing (U18 ), Cadet surfing ( U16 ), Masters surfing ( Over 35's ) and Ladies surfing have been carried over until October 14-15 at Croyde Bay. This replaces the Bude Surf Classic, also run by Christian Surfers UK, which had just been cancelled.

Obviously for organisers, Christian Surfers UK and competitors alike, the lack of swell was frustrating. However, there was a great spirit amongst the 150 competitors who had arrived with their families and friends for the weekend. The weather was glorious and the majority of competitors and spectators chilled around together at the contest site on Saturday, watching movies on the big plasma screen in the marquee, enjoying a BBQ, and watching or competing in the skate contest.Games had been organised to provide entertainment, including a team volley ball competition and paddle races during the afternoon.

Check out the Christian Surfers website http://www.christiansurfers.co.uk

Time Inc. puts Transworld Media up for sale

September 12, 2006

Time Inc. plans to put the Parenting Group and most of its Time4 Media magazines up for sale today -- kicking off much-anticipated but previously uncertain asset dispositions by the country's biggest magazine publisher.

One of the Time4 Media businesses for sale is TransWorld Media (TW Skateboarding, TW Snowboarding, TW Surf, TW Motocross, Ride BMX, Quad).

Time Inc sent a statement to their employees today, stating that: “Time Inc. is focusing its energy, resources and investment on our largest and most profitable brands, brands that have demonstrated an ability to draw large audiences in print and digital form.”

In all there are 18 print titles for sale. 440 employees work at the Time4 Media titles involved and another 120 work at The Parenting Group.

Read the full article here; http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=111808