Seea - Seeababes

Seeababes score at The Philippine Wahine Classic

2015-11-09T14:48:00-08:00

Taylor with all ten toes over the nose, wearing the Tofino in Blue Tide. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Landlocked people may see all waves as the same — water crashing into the sand. But surfers read the language of the ocean’s energy cresting into A-Frame peaks, outstretched points, quick reefs and barreling tubes of water. Look at the more than 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines and it’s easy to envision the potential for surf-able waves at any time of year. That’s what happened to couple Carla (formerly Rowland, now Zamora) and Ian Zamora, who arrived to the Philippines for a two-week trip in 2011, but ended up extending their stay for a month to surf the long, California-like peelers in 80 degree water.

Carla now lives in San Juan, La Union for half of the year during the winter season. San Juan is dubbed the “surfing capital” of Northern Luzon island and one of the more tourist-friendly surfing communities because its amenities and close proximity to Manila. To nurture the local women’s community, Carla started the annual Philippine Wahine Classic Event that unites surfers from established communities with the local line up. This event takes place on the opposite coast from her home, in Baler, Aurora. Baler's coconut tree-laden terrain faces the Western Pacific Ocean and has a handful of very different, quality waves within a short driving radius.

Last month, Seeababes Taylor Nelson and Rosie Jaffurs traveled to the third annual Wahine Classic Event in Baler to explore the different types of waves and landscapes with fellow California travelers Taylor Bruynzeel and Sophia Sarlo.

Taylor Nelson wears the Tofino in Blue Tide. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Rosie Jaffurs in the Tofino in Geo Gold Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taylor Nelson wears the Tofino in Blue Tide. Photo by Ian Zamora.

In the middle of a hairflip, Taylor Nelson wears the Tofino in Blue Tide. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taylor Nelson was mentored by Carla at Malibu, and said it was a dream come true for her to finally experience Carla’s home away from home in the Philippines. “We were sharing meals with people and getting to know husbands and wives. They weren’t shy asking about what it was like living in California,” Taylor said of dinner conversation with Carla’s Filipino neighbors. “One of my favorite things was to talk about food. I am a vegetarian and two of them were baffled by me.”

Surfing in the Philippines is a relatively new thing. One of the most famous waves, Cloud 9 on Siargo Island is said to have been discovered in late 1980s. When you grow up surfing Malibu, and then Oahu, Hawaii, Taylor Nelson has had her share of being snaked by guys paddling around her. It's no wonder that the beginner stoke energy of the Philippines was a refreshing change. “There’s such a competitive chauvinist vibe in California, U.S., Australia and developed surfing communities. The Filipino culture of loving and being open really transcends in the water. It would be pumping and everyone was stoked. That was the coolest thing about the Philippines,” Taylor said.

Carla added, “What I love most about having a life in the Philippines is the simplicity of it. In the States, it is so easy to get caught up in the rat race. In the Philippines, I am reminded to be content in the moment, with what I have, and whom I have around me."

Poverty is rampant in the Philippines, with many coastal residents living in shanty houses that are often destroyed in Category 1 storms. For this trip, Carla partnered with Waves for Water, in which the California surfers brought clean water filters to a local school affected by a recent typhoon.

"There are so many things to love about the Philippines if you are willing to spend some time getting to know it. While the country could be much cleaner, I absolutely love the climate and ocean temperatures," Carla said. "The welcoming mabuhay approach from Filipinos is something you don’t feel in the States. Even when I am surfing with a relatively crowded lineup, the energy and attitude of that lineup is generally that of joy and togetherness.”

And from the looks of these waves they scored, there's plenty to be happy about. Special thanks to Carla Rowland and Ian Zamora for their hospitality on this trip!

All photos by Ian Zamora and Brendan Simmons.

Organizer of the event, Carla Rowland-Zamora. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Carla with all ten toes over the nose. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Carla's soul arch. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taylor Nelson in her happy place going right. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taking a break between the waves. From left to right, Taylor Bruynzeel in the Tofino in Geo Gold, Taylor Nelson in the Capitola Bikini in Geo Gold and Rosie Jaffurs in the Zuma in Burgundy. Photo by Ian Zamora.

From left to right, Taylor Bruynzeel in the Tofino in Geo Gold and Taylor Nelson in the Capitola Bikini in Geo Gold. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Checking out the local scenery. From left to right, Taylor Nelson in the Capitola Bikini in Geo Gold, Rosie Jaffurs in the Zuma in Burgundy and Taylor Bruynzeel in the Tofino in Geo Gold. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taylor Nelson with her longboard. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Taylor Bruynzeel in the Tofino in Geo Gold and Taylor Nelson in the Capitola Bikini in Geo Gold. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Hanging around the house. Rosie in the Capitola Bikini in Blue Tide and Taylor in the SanO in Coral. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Off to find waves. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

Rosie in the Leucadia Top in Black Iris and Capitola Bottom in Dot Dot Dot. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

Taylor in the SanO in Coral. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

Taylor in the Tofino in Blue Tide. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

One of the local surfers gets a sweet nose ride. Photo by Ian Zamora.

Fresh catch for lunch. Photo by Ian Zamora.

The crew in a local eatery in Baler. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

On their Waves for Water mission delivering water filters to a local school. Photo by Brendan Simmons.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH SURF TRAVEL?

Malibu does its Magic at the 2015 MSA Classic Invitational

2015-09-17T14:11:00-07:00

Makala Smith at Malibu doing its Malibu thing. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

When do you ever get Malibu this good all to yourself and three friends at a time? Last weekend, the typically thick line-up at First Point became an empty stage for the solo wave dancers competing at the 2015 MSA Classic Invitational. For anyone who's surfed Malibu's magical point at its best (with the worst of crowds), open space like this is basically flying through the blue skies and fluffy clouds of heaven. The fun waves rolled on all weekend, plus warm water, plus scorching hot weather. Find us under the umbrella shade between heats.

Congrats to the Seeababes who placed in the events: Makala Smith: 3rd in the Women's Logger Pro, Karina Rozunko: 1st in Junior Women, Mele Saili: 2nd in Women 20-34, and Taylor Nelson: 3rd in Women 20-34.

Big thank you and shakas to Erin Ashley for organizing the Women's Logger Pro Event and assembling some of the best lady longboarders around to play together!

All photos by Luki O'Keefe.

Makala Smith got one all the way to the inside, against the backdrop of the pier. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Karina Rozunko in the foreground, watching the contest from the top of the stairs. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Mele Saili drops in. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Mele Saili on the nose. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Erin Ashley, aka Worm and the mastermind organizer of the Women's Logger Invitational. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Queen of Malibu, Kassia Meador. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Leah Dawson's soul arch. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Mele Saili in the Tofino. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

One of the guys gets a mini barrel. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

First place winner of the Women's Logger Pro, Lindsey Steinriede-Engle on the wave, Mele Saili paddling out. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Karina Rozunko ducks into it. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Frankie Seely in the back and Lindsay Steinriede-Engle in the front. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Because it wouldn't be Malibu without party waves. Pals Kassia Meador in the front with Jen Smith right behind her. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

Bobbing and weaving. Kassia Meador and Jen Smith. Photo by Luki O'Keefe.

How early you think they got there for this prime parking space? Luki O'Keefe and Karina Rozunko hang out at the van.

Worm Dreams Big: A Tribute to the Benevolent Bad-asses of the Women’s Longboarding Community from SeaLevelTV on Vimeo.

MORE SURF FESTIVALS:

Together is Better: Deus 9 Ft and Single Festival Bali by Leah Dawson

2015-06-11T20:03:00-07:00

Leah Dawson leans in. Photo by @Hatsumisurf.

It was an honor for Seeababes Leah Dawson, Lola Mignot and Karina Rozunko to be invited (Kassia Meador was in charge of the list) to the annual Deus Ex Machina 9 ft and Single Festival, held in Canggu, Bali. The retro board-lovers gathering is always an impressive display of classic meets modern surfing, and a lot more cheers and high fives than paddle battles. Leah, on extended vacation on the surfer's paradise, shares her play by play of the event.

By Leah Dawson

"Bali Bagus", we say, exclaiming that Bali is so very good. Since the ‘70s, Bali has been a sought after tourist destination due to its tropical island setting, and it's well intact culture. You smile at a Balinese, and they smile even bigger right back at you.

Yet those who have traveled here in the past, even five years ago, may shed a tear upon returning to this land that has become another fallen victim to overpopulation and a massive onset of foreign money. This once pristine island has become a concrete jungle ridden with plastic. Through the trash (that seems to have nowhere to go) there is still an incredible culture held intact by the Balinese people. They take pride in tradition. On the busy streets, shops after shops offer incredible art works of all kinds, wood furniture, blown glass, and tapestries galore. There's a budding industry because the outside world can't seem to get enough of the culture and their creations.

This is my third time here in Bali, returning here for the surf, as normal for most of my worldly explorations. For 50 years, Bali has been an explored surf destination known for its powerful, perfect waves. I got an invite to compete in last year's inaugural ladies jam at the Deus 9ft and Single event, held in Canggu at the end of each May.

From left, Karina Rozunko, Kassia Meador, Leah Dawson at the Deus Bali event. Photo by @mirza_n_s

After having the time of my life last year at the event, I was keen to return, especially when Kassia Meador, in charge of the invite list, invited two of my favorite rising stars, Seeababes Lola Mignot and Karina Rozunko. After sharing waves with these two in Australia earlier this year, I was stoked to hear they would be amongst the six girls to show off what we love in front of all the boys at the Single Fin event.

I arrived to Bali after a two week adventure through Japan, shaking hands and throwing as many cheesy peace signs and huge grins as I could. For the first four days of my Bali return, I was curled up in bed with a gnarly fever and internal infection. Praying I'd feel like myself by the time the event began, I finally woke up day of with my usual energy, normal temperature, and one excited outlook for the day and how it may play itself.

The event day was pumping, at least for big heavy logs. It's no easy task wrangling a 20+lb board in overhead (at times bumpy) surf, yet us girls pumped each other up as we watched the men's semi finals. Our pre-heat was maybe just as entertaining.

Lola Mignot drops in, with Leah Dawson on the inside. Photo by Annie B at Surfing Tribe, Seea's first dealer in New Zealand!

We all suited up together (an hour before the heat), shared our wax, showed each other stretch moves, that turned into dance moves, laughed and giggled like a clan of young school girls. One wouldn't know that we were all competing against each other, because we all were there to celebrate together and entertain the beach, not to compete.

When we hit the water, the whole beach was watching, a crowd filled with women too. We all swapped waves. I wanted the biggest ones, so I sat way outside and waited patiently as I watched the girls do rounds and rounds of dancing on the fast, tricky medium waves.

It took every ounce of my physicality and mental strength to stay aboard on my first set wave. Riding a 9'5 log out there felt like a bull gone wild, so I heard my moms never changing advice, "slow down". I did my best to matrix the time, to move smoothly amongst the powerful fast wave.

Midway through the heat I realized my fin was a bit loose, perhaps why the first few waves felt tricky. Kassia and I shared a wave, but my late drop sent me squirming and swimming after my board. I finally reached it 50 yards up into the fresh rain, dirty river mouth, my wax from that point out was pointless, my board felt like a slip n’ slide.

Karina Rozunko in Bali. Photo by @mirza_n_s

Lola Mignot wearing the Tofino in Geo Gold. Photo by @mirza_n_s.

When our hour of power was finished, we came in for supermodel documentary hour, as numerous photographers and fans all wanted their photos of all the dancing beauties. We hugged and laughed, and everyone on the beach could hear and feel our stoke.

I then geared up in my lucky Zuma suit again for the event I'd been waiting for, the Under 9ft and Single, in which I had made the semis against the boys last year, and it was my goal to make the final this year. I also made a goal to shape my own board to surf with, for I couldn't imagine a more complete experience.

My whole life I grew up playing coed sports, yet this event has been the only time I've competed in surfing with men, and it lit a fire in my pants so to speak, to make a statement, that a girl can surf differently, yet in her own way, just as good as a guy. So for the last year, I've been working on my single fin shortboard skills, and finally shaped my first board; a 6'7 weird thing with one fin :)

Leah Dawson wearing the Zuma in Black Stripe, with her first self-shaped board. Photo by @Hatsumisurf.

I made it through my first heat of eight, achieving my goal of making the finals, on my own board. I waited my turn with all the boys, and the biggest wave came when I was up. I coached myself down the take off, and my back foot came off the board at the bottom of the wave. With all my might I got my foot back on, pressed as hard as I could into a bottom turn, which catapulted me perfectly into position for the first barrel of my boards life. I thought it was a close out at first, but a doggy door appeared, I exited, yet in the time space bending, I realized I was too far forward on my board just as the lip landed on the tail, exploding me into the air. Ohhhh, so close I thought.

The rest of the heat was a dream, as I watched my favorite single fin surfers to their justice, making sweet love to the Canggu waves. I did my best to be as smooth as a lady could be on my remaining waves. I came to the beach to find some happy faces, all stoked that I had held my own in the field of men. I was humbled and grateful for the opportunity to dance among them. I ended up getting third place, to Harrison Roach and Tyler Warren, two surfers who I always look to for quality inspiration. My goal achieved, I couldn't have been happier, as I satisfied my soul amongst the boys, knowing that the board I made actually worked a bit.

Leah Dawson riding "Smoothie" in Bali, her first self-shaped board. Photo by @mirza_n_s.

The entire experience was magical and triumphant, as I was just grateful to be feeling better than the 20% I had been feeling up to the day before the event.

I felt blessed to be amongst a group of women surfers who absolutely love riding waves because it makes their soul feel good. If anything, that's what we inspired to the crowd, and what will show as the media and videos continue to release about the event. There's an irresistible camaraderie between female surfers. We are community rather than competitors. In surfing as in life. Together is better.

#canggu #deus9ftandsingle

A photo posted by itoiyoshitaka (@yoshitakaitoi) on May 31, 2015 at 10:57pm PDT

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Small Waves, Big Fun at the Malibu Surf Classic

2013-09-10T10:50:00-07:00

A Seea family photo in the VW tent.

It was a gorgeous sunny day in Malibu last Friday for the Malibu Surf Classic Women's Logger Open event, presented by Seea and Bing Surfboards. The water was refreshingly warm enough to surf in a bikini (under their jerseys) and the Seea crew camped out under a cluster of umbrellas to cheer on the competing ladies.

Even though the waves were micro-size, all the participants made the best of it and impressed us with their quick cross-stepping on the white ripples. Thanks to everyone who came out to support and congratulations to Lola Mignot (read all about her in the next post, here) for placing Third in the finals of the Women's Logger Open!

funtemplates VW tent and our spot on the sand at famous Malibu Surfrider Beach.

Amy Lowry and Jenayl Peters before their heat.

Shakas from Makala Smith.

And they are off!

We stayed cool in the hot sun under umbrellas.

We got to meet Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, the real live Gidget! Kathy's dad wrote the 1959 movie, "Gidget" based on her diary about hanging out at the Malibu pier and learning to surf with the guys.

Surfboard shaper extraordinare and musician, Ashley Lloyd showed us her band merch stored in an awesome vintage suitcase.

The rad hat pack. From left, Bing Surfboards' Margaret Yao Calvani; Ashley Lloyd and Amanda Chinchelli.

Go Lola! Just before the finals.

Lola wearing the Tourmaline under her jersey for her heat in the finals.

Congrats to all the ladies who made the finals and to first place winner Jen Smith who took home prizes of a Seea neoprene suit and a Bing Dharma surfboard!

Hang out with Seea at the MSA Classic Invitational in Malibu

2013-09-04T11:32:00-07:00

Come see the fancy footwork of the world's top women longboard surfers relishing the rarity of having the First Point wave at Malibu all to themselves. This Friday, Seea and Bing Surfboards proudly present the Women's Logger Open at the MSA Classic Invitational. The event is the only one of its kind for professional/elite women in California this year and a chance to see some of the most stylish wave dancers live with your own eyes.

Who: Seea, Bing Surfboards, Malibu Surfing Association
What: Women's Logger Open
Where: Malibu Surfrider Beach, 23050 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu
When: Friday, September 6

Look for Seea's blue VW tent on the beach and say hello!