Wave of Success!

Rip Curl Europe’s flagship Pro store in Newquay launched the UK’s first ever national ‘Wetsuit Amnesty’ this past weekend during a jam packed in-store event which presented the brands global commitment to protecting the environment. Alongside a busy day of live music, recycling, competitions and Rip Curl pro team signings, a very special Search WCT event announcement was made by 2007 world champion and current world Title challenger, Australian Mick Fanning (27) via a video feed from Bells Beach Australia direct to Newquay.
Signalling the start of summer in the UK with glorious May Bank Holiday sunshine and pumping 8ft surf the Wetsuit Amnesty began early on Saturday morning with people arriving at the Newquay Pro store as soon as it’s doors were opened, eager to exchange their old wetsuits for recycled Project Resurrection flip-flops. Commenting on the event Rip Curl UK Marketing Manager James Hendy said, “The number of wetsuits that have been collected in-store today has been phenomenal, it’s been fantastic to offer people the chance to walk out with the finished recycled product on their feet. As a company we (Rip Curl) are committed to sustainable products, producing the largest range of ecological products in the surf sports industry and it’s great that everyone can become actively involved with the benefits of recycling waste.”
As the live music and team signings wrapped up, speculation was rising among the event guests as to the whereabouts of the next Rip Curl WCT Search event which had been previously held in Reunion Island, Mexico, Chile and Indonesia. Using the in-store TV screens 2007 world surfing champion, and current world title challenger, Mick Fanning made the global announcement directly to Newquay from Bells Beach Australia saying “The spirit of The Search is about finding the best waves in the world, which in turn is all about discovery and freedom and we’re stoked that Rip Curl has the opportunity to take the world’s best surfers on this journey through the event. I'm stoked to announce its official, for the first time The Search will be coming to Europe!” As with all WCT Search events, held in previous years, the exact dream break will be revealed just days before the event takes place at the end of October (19th-28th October 2009) this year, but speculation began in-store to possible destinations throughout Europe that could handle the arrival of the worlds top surfers. When quizzed whether the World Championship Tour surf event would take place in the UK, specifically Newquay, James Hendy commented “In the spirit of the Search we never release the final destination until just before the event so you will have to keep an eye on the Rip Curl website for the latest updates.”
Rip Curl’s celebrations continued onto the after-party held at Newquay’s Koola Bar with a packed audience of surfers and party-goers who enjoyed the UK premier of Rip Curl film Rubber Soul 2 and partied long into the night.
For more information on Project Resurrection, Rip Curl Planet Foundation, and The Search WCT event visit www.ripcurl.com