NewsNewshttp://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2010-10-12T19:43:23ZSquarespaceBALI GULF COASTERShttp://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2010/10/12/bali-gulf-coasters.htmlAdministrator2010-10-12T19:18:35Z2010-10-12T19:18:35ZIt all started with an oil spill and a restless Team Rider Austin Magee's desire to get out of town and ride some real waves. Instead of the usual sojourn south to Central America he decided to travel to Indo (Bali in particular) and visit Gulf Coast transplant and friend Michela Partin to ride waves he normally looks at in mags and videos.He jets out in late July and immediately begins rubbing it in just how good it is surfing spots like Uluwatu and taking boat trips to outer surf breaks with big barrels and shallow reefs. Needless to say that got more natives restless and before long another Team Rider Dylan Sims and 3 friends JT,Chris & Dan decided they wanted to experience this adventure firsthand. Their trip started in Sept and is still going to date.

Look for photos to be forthcoming to this site or see for yourself on their facebook site at "Bali Gulf Coasters" if you want up to date photos now.

 

More to come.........   

]]>2nd Annual Billabong Grom Comp Goes Off !!http://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2010/5/23/2nd-annual-billabong-grom-comp-goes-off.htmlAdministrator2010-05-24T01:07:17Z2010-05-24T01:07:17ZPompano Joes Beach Park Miramar Beach Fl.

The 2nd annual Billabong Grom Comp went down in solid waist high surf under sunny skies and crystal clear water. With over 60 competitors ranging in age from 3 to 12  and 5 divisons to run we got crackin.

There was a great turnout in all divisions including our new 6 & under Tiny Groms who took to the surf first. Familiar faces and 1st time groms kept the crowd entertained all day long. Many thanks to all the judges staff and parents for putting in a long day of fun for the kids.

Before the trophy presentation Jeff "Burger" Billabong marketing dude for Florida and emcee Juston Lyons kept the crowd frothing with freebies while the tabulators finished crunching the numbers from the final heats.

With a crowd of Fedora wearing groms watching, the trophies and prizes from Aloha Surf Co & Meyer Skimboards were announced. The Tom Curry Sportmanship Award , a 6.0 Aloha "Bean" Surfboard donated by Global Surf Industries was given to a stunned and stoked George McCaan .

Special Thanks go out to Matt & Vanessa Cassidy co sponsors and owners of Ride On Surf School and Billabong Surf Camps. And we can't forget sponsors Billabong, Dakine, Kilwins and Johnny Rockets for adding treats to the goodie bags.

And the winners are:

6 & under: Ethan Eubanks

8 & under: Dylan Ogle

10 & under: Skylar Babin

12 & under: Lauren Hunter

Open : Grayton Sheinkman

Tom Curry Award: George Mc Caan

Until the next Grom Comp.....

 

Frank Sims / Billabong Destin 

 

Check out the Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrkUZoMOxQk&feature=email

 

 

]]>2010 Billabong Destin Grom Comp Is On !!http://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2010/3/20/2010-billabong-destin-grom-comp-is-on.htmlAdministrator2010-03-20T19:27:57Z2010-03-20T19:27:57ZUpdate: The Grom Comp date has changed to SAt MAY 22nd. Stop by the store to register now and avoid late entry fees.

The date's set for the 1st event of the Billabong Destin Grom Comp 2010 series: Sat May 15th 9:00am @ Pompano Joes Beach Park . Back up dates will be Sun May 16th or the following weekend May 22nd or 23rd. Two new divisions will be added this year due in part to the large turnout in younger ages. This year we will have a Tiny Groms (Ages 6 & under) and we will also have an Open Groms division where competitors will be required to catch waves on their own without assistance. We are encouraging those groms whose skill level has improved to enter the Open division so we can see what you got. Contest entry fee is $15 and you will recieve contest tee and goodie bag. Trophies and Prizes will be awarded for 1st - 4th places in all divisions as well as the Tom Curry Sportsmanship Award. For entry forms and general questions please call Billabong @ 424-3553.

]]>ESA CONTEST SEASON 09 / 10http://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2009/12/1/esa-contest-season-09-10.htmlAdministrator2009-12-01T22:41:04Z2009-12-01T22:41:04ZWell the local ESA North Gulf Florida district has begun it's contest season with 2 events under their belt already. So far both events were held in fun surf at the FWB pier with the 2nd event swell courtesy of Hurricane Ida. Billabong Destin Team riders Dylan Sims and Mike Ingram went over for the competition and performed well. In the 1st Event Dylan Sims pulled a 2nd in the Mens Divison and a 5th in the Open Division with Mike just missing the finals in both. In contest #2 Dylan again did well this time scoring 1st Place in both Mens and Open Divisions. Way to go D. Team Rider Austin Magee remains on the injured reserve list while he heals from a recent knee surgery. Best of luck to Austin on a speedy recovery back to the lineup. Shout out to ESA NGFL District Director Vince Riley for his hard work keeping the local contest scene alive and well. For some contest photos check out page 2 in the gallery. Contest 3 also happened near the FWB PIER in fun but cold conditions in JAN and Billabong Destin was represented by Dylan Sims where he won the Mens Division and 2nd place in Open Mens. With the conclusion of the past 3 events slots for each district are decided and this year the ESA REGIONALS will be held April 17th @ Fort Pierce State Park. Good luck to all the local surfers who are slotted and best of luck to Billabong Destin Team Rider Dylan Sims. For more info check out the local website of ESA NGFL. 

]]>THE EASTERNS AT CAPE HATTERAShttp://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2009/9/29/the-easterns-at-cape-hatteras.htmlAdministrator2009-09-29T22:15:10Z2009-09-29T22:15:10ZCAPE HATTERAS, NC: WE RECENTLY HIT THE ROAD (16 HRS) TO THE CAPE FOR THE ANNUAL ESA "EASTERNS" CHAMPIONSHIPS WHERE THE ENTIRE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE US MEETS TO DECIDE WHOS WHO. AFTER REGIONAL CONTESTS THROUGHOUT THE EAST COAST THOSE FINALISTS ARE CHOSEN FOR THIS CONTEST. BILLABONG DESTIN TEAM RIDER DYLAN SIMS MADE THE CUT AND GOT THE INVITE TO GO. I HAD NOT BEEN BACK TO HATTERAS SINCE 1986 SO I WAS INTERESTED IN MAKING THE TREK. AFTER MINIMAL PERSUASION AND PROMISES TO MY BROTHER WE HIT THE ROAD IN HIS RV PICKING UP DYLAN'S BUDDY JT WHO LIVES IN JAX AND AFTER DRIVING AND MORE DRIVING FINALLY ARRIVE IN THE OUTER BANKS WITH A SWEET 3-4 FT SWELL. WITH LODGING IN PLACE IT WAS TIME TO SURF AND GET DIALED IN FOR THE CONTEST.  

THERE WERE 48 COMPETITORS IN THE JR MEN DIVISION TO START THE EVENT. AFTER THE 1ST ROUND THERE WOULD BE 24 LEFT. DYLAN DID WELL IN CLEAN 2-3 LIGHTHOUSE CONDITONS ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND. WITH 24 LEFT HIS NEXT HEAT SAW THE WIND GO OFFSHORE AND THE WAVES HOLD THEIR FUN SIZE. AGAIN HE ADVANCED EVEN KNOCKING OUT A COUPLE ALL STARS ALONG THE WAY. NOW THERE WOULD BE 12 LEFT WITH HIS NEXT HEAT IN THE MORNING. WITH THE WIND STILL OFFSHORE AND THE WAVES DROPPING IT WAS GOING TO BE A MATTER OF GETTING THE WAVES. WITH 1-2 FT SURF THERE WASN'T MUCH TO WORK WITH BUT THAT IS HOW CONTESTS GO FOR ALL COMPETITORS. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF BACK AND FORTH LEADS IT WAS OVER FOR DYLAN. HE FINISHED EQUAL 9TH NOT A BAD EFFORT FOR A LOCAL KID.

THE TRIP WAS GREAT THE ROAD WAS LONG BUT THE MEMORIES WILL REMAIN!! CHECK OUT THE GALLERY.

      

]]>THE GROM COMP II EVENT RIPPED!http://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2009/9/10/the-grom-comp-ii-event-ripped.htmlAdministrator2009-09-10T15:04:15Z2009-09-10T15:04:15Z

2009 Labor Day Weekend Surf Event!

Wow!! What can we say the Second Billabong Grom Comp of 2009 went off huge in tiny but fun surf for the groms. We had a stellar turnout with 100 kids in the competition doubling the entry from our first event back in May. Groms ranged in age from 2 to 14 with the most competitors in the Super Groms division which represents the 8 & under crew. Many thanks go out to all the volunteers and parents who helped pull this event off . I think everyone involved would agree it was a labor of love . Tiki trophies and prizes were given out to finalists in all divisions. The Tom Curry Sportsmanship award always recieves the best prize with this events being a Sector9 Cosmic Series Longboard. CONGRATS go out to the winners of this event:

Super Groms: Ellen Brown

Mini Groms: Skylar Babin

Groms: Lauren Hunter

Sr. Groms: Matt Wise

Tom Curry Sportsmanship Award: Chris Jones

Special thanks to Co Sponsors Matt & Vanessa Cassidy from Billabong Surf Camps/Ride on Surf School along with there staff and our Team Riders Austin Magee & Dylan Sims. Matt Magera Billabong store mgr, Emcee nutcase Justin Lyons, Judges and Pushers Mike Hardiman, Phillip MacDonald ,Brad McCaan and Mike Sturdivant. Organizational gurus Nancy Babin and my beautiful wife Tina Sims. Also a shout out to all our Sponsors:Billabong, Ride on Surf School, Dakine, Aloha Surf Comany, Meyer Skimboards, Pompano Joes,On The Coast, I Will Design for Food and M publications.

Frank Sims

Billabong Destin

 

 

 

]]>Billabong Grom Comp IIhttp://www.billabongdestin.com/news/2009/7/21/billabong-grom-comp-ii.htmlAdministrator2009-07-21T20:46:48Z2009-07-21T20:46:48Z1st Annual Billabong Grom Comp II Kicks Off September 5th at Pompano Joe’s

Local surfing event offers young surfers a chance to surf competitively.

Billabong Destin and Ride On Surf School are teaming up to host the 1st annual Billabong Grom Comp on Saturday, September 5th at the Pompano Joe’s Beach Park in Miramar Beach from 9:00am-till. The inaugural Billabong Grom Comp is a surfing competition for young surfers ages 12 and under and will include three divisions—Super Groms ages 8 and under, Mini Groms ages 10 and under, and Groms ages 12 and under. No surfing experience is required and surfboards will be provided for participants.

“We are really excited to be able to offer a surf event like this for local kids in our area,” said Frank Sims, owner of Billabong Destin located in Grand Boulevard and Aloha Surf Company in Baytowne Wharf. “The Grom Comp is a fun event that is intended to expose young people to surfing in a safe, family-friendly environment. As a lifelong surfer myself, I remember the thrill of my first days on a board and hope to be able to offer the same exciting experience to the younger generation of surfers.”

Inspired by the Occy Grom Comps that are held in annually in Southern California, the Billabong Grom Comp is all about children having fun. The entry fee is $15 which includes a signature event t-shirt and goodie bag. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to finalists in all three divisions. Parent/Guardian participation is also encouraged and push-in assistance is allowed in all divisions. In case of inclement weather, back up dates for the event are Sunday, September 6th or Monday, September 7th.
“The Billabong Grom Comp is going to be an awesome event,” said Matt Cassidy, founder of Ride On Surf School. “Frank and I are thrilled to contribute to our local surf culture through both our businesses and events such as these—it’ll be a perfect opportunity for local kids to learn how to surf and engage in some friendly competition.”

The 1st Annual Billabong Grom Comp is sponsored by: Billabong Camps, Ride On Surf School, Billabong Destin, Meyer Skimboards, M Public Relations, Global Surf Industries, Destin Health & Fitness Club, On the Coast Magazine, Aloha Surf Company, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, I Will Design for Food, and Surfrider.

To register for the competition or for additional information, please contact Frank Sims at Billabong Destin at 850.424.3553 or Matt Cassidy at Ride On Surf School at 850.582.2593.

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