Layne Beachley will attempt to win her own contest when the Beachley Classic resumes at Manly today - but only after the Commonwealth Bank stepped in at the 11th hour to kick in $60,000 to sponsor the event. It was sure not to be lost on those at Billabong, whom Beachley brushed as her personal sponsor a few years ago on principle. As documented in her new autobiography, she effectively told the surfwear giant to jam it because she didn’t believe it was giving women’s surfing enough recognition. It was something Billabong’s US marketing director Graham Stapelberg took great delight in pointing out after she clinched her seventh world title in 2006. “You so blew it!” he exclaimed.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Tameka Gallien of Novi has always been active. But when she turned 40, she pledged to try a new sport or improve an existing one every year. That’s led to a surprising obsession: skateboarding.
Source: Freep. For the full story, click here.

Seven-times world champion Layne Beachley has anointed defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore as the new face of women’s surfing.
Source: FOX Sports. For the full story, click here.

Billabong South Africa has announced exciting new developments for girls surfing including the first ASP Grade 1 Pro Junior event to be run on the Southern tip of Africa.
Source: Global Surf News. For the full story, click here.

Powered by consistently strong surfing, pro surfer Sofia Mulanovich stands back on top of the Association of Surfing Professionals 2008 Women’s World Championship Tour ratings following her performance at the Beachley Classic. The Beachley Classic, stop number five of eight on the tour where Mulanovich placed third, was held at Manly Beach, Australia from October 9-13, 2008. Click here to read the rest of the article →

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, has officially announced her retirement from full-time competition, effective at the end of the year. Click here to read the rest of the article →

The National Junior selectors of Surfing South Africa ,  Cecil Solomon (convener), Ant Brodowicz, Cyril Nel and Graham Hynes, have announced the names of the surfers who will participate in selection trials which will be used to choose the 2009 South African Junior team which will compete in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships in Ecuador.
Source: Global Surf News. For the full story, click here.

World Champion BMX cyclist Sarah Walker has been confirmed as the Air New Zealand guest speaker for the 2008 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year dinner and awards.
Source: Marlborough Express. For the full story, click here.

There’re lots of new changes happening in Paradise! Paradise Surf Shop, the icon of women’s surfing in Santa Cruz, has a new owner, Anna Macken. “This is an amazing an opportunity for me to continue on in the role of supporting women surfers, while at the same time applying my business background - without having to wear a suit, well a wetsuit is okay - to something I am passionate about. Sally has been a wonderful mentor and friend through the transition,” says Anna.
Source: Surfline.com. For the full story, click here.

The East Coast Wahines have awarded four $500 savings bonds. Competitors filled out questionnaires at the 12th Annual East Coast Wahine Championships, held in August in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The four recipients are currently in elementary, middle, or high school, and are encouraged to use the bonds toward a college education. The bonds were made possible by a contribution from the Julie Ann Foundation- an Alzheimer’s Association improving quality of care for Dementia and Alzheimer patients in eastern North Carolina. Click here to read the rest of the article →