‘Sign on San Diego’ is reporting that Koby Abberton is claiming innocence in a Hawaiian court. Koby is charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from the March 8th fight outside Restaurant Epic in Honolulu’s Chinatown. This could earn him a maximum sentence of a year’s imprisonment. I can’t understand why, after saying he was innocent, the court didn’t just let him go… I mean, didn’t they believe him? Oh, that’s right, he already has a conviction for lying to police in 2006… yep, that’d do it. Koby will return to Hawaii for a trial by jury on August 13th. Check the full article here.

Although I’m Victorian, I have known about Kirra Surf for as long as I can remember. I’ve visited the store a number of times over the years which is why I thought that this news would be relevant to a lot of readers - Billabong, which is situated behind the Kirra Surf shop, has purchased the store. You can check out the full story over at the Gold Coast Bulletin here - but basically the store is moving to a bigger location and the existing site is going to become part of Billabong’s HQ.

In a move predicted in the last issue of Australian Surf Business, ACP is getting rid of iconic surf titles, Waves and Tracks. They are trading the two titles to Wolseley Media for their Rolling Stone magazine. You can read the full article here. I think the most amazing thing about the article though is that in the year to April, Tracks had brought in $2.9 million and Waves $2.15 million (despite rumors that Waves were only selling 3,000 of the 30,000 magazines they print) for ACP! Why is this incredible? Well, it certainly gives a sense of proportion to what we do here at POP - I might need to hit up the Waves guys for a loan…

Okay, I know we’re about 4 days late on this but for those that haven’t heard… Brazillian wildcard, Bruno Santos has won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti. He beat out the usual suspects during earlier rounds to take on the local wildcard Manoa Drollet in the final. Check out the above video for some highlights from day 8 of the contest and check below the cut for the official text from the Billabong site on Santos’ win.

More »

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up that our circulation page is now %100 up to date with the stockists of Issue 9. If the store is on the map, they got sent a box of magazines last week, so if you’re trying to track down a copy check here for the closest store.

If you missed the Boost SurfSho contest this year, then don’t stress because it’s airing this Saturday (May 17th) at 11:30am on channel 9. If you’re like me, and have given up on Australian TV due to the constant Idol/Dance/CSI/Rove/Home-Away-from-Neighbors programing, you would be looking forward to this original programing. Plus, it has Taj Burrows and Mick Fanning in it, which I’d take over some nob on Big Brother any day.

ESS have helped us put on 2 showings of our new film and proved themselves to be awesome dudes. Basiclly, we think they deserve your money, and what better way to give them your money when your getting shit for cheap. Starting May 7th ESS are having a 10-50% off everything sale! It ends Sunday (the 10th) so make sure you get in there before it’s too late.

Sorry if this is old. I found a new website called Idiom Life and I read it there. Anyway I guess Damien Hobgood took a heavy beating at Teahupoo a couple weeks ago. He got some broken bones out of it. Damo blogged about it on his website which is a pretty unique thing in surfing I think. I know Damo was in good form at the Bells after parties with some of the lads so I hope he gets better soon.