Nikki steps up

Phillip Island's Nikki Van Dijk has been turning heads in the water with her clinical attack of waves at home and on international shores for many years. She's been winning junior contests and stepped up to challenge the big names at the Rip Curl Pro for the past four years, and that was before she even turned 18.

This year, Nikki made history, becoming the first Victorian female to qualify for the world tour, after taking out the ASP 6-Star Pantin Classic Galacia Pro in Spain.
It must have been an emotional moment, having missed out on making the 2013 world tour by just three ranking spots last year.
Check out Nikki surfing Spain below and that moment (she's the natural-footer in the fluro green suit and white rashy).

Go back a few months, and Nikki was turning heads at Bells Beach, winning her Round One heat over world number one Tyler Wright and Malia Manuel, and defeating 5-time world champ Steph Gilmore in Round 3; eventually bowing out to New Zealand's Paige Hareb in round four.
There's a lot of discussion going on in surfing circles right now about the place of wildcards in pro surfing competition.
I think wildcards add extra excitement for the fans, are an opportunity for rising stars to step up and challenge the pros and if world tour competitors can freely enter lesser rated events, then I think the wildcard system should stay.

Check out what Nikki had to say following the excitement of the Rip Curl Pro in my interview for Pulse Television.

Congratulating Nikki Van Dijk after the Rip Curl Pro at Easter.

Last year, I stole a few minutes once again with Nikki after Easter before she headed back to the Island. She let me in on why she loves competing, where she feels her surfing's at, and how much Bells means to her.

Keep an eye out for Nikki's name, and her younger brother Joe Van Dijk who's also killing it in junior competition.

On board with Miss Method

If you’re into action sports, or dying to get out there and give them a go – then you’ve got to get on board with Miss Method.

Miss Method is all about progression, style and having fun through sports.

In the past, action sports and their industries – especially skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding have been extremely male-dominated.

I travelled across Melbourne and Australia skating; competing in inline skating, snowboarded and competed round the world, and am coming up to my 7^th summer in the surf.

As a girl it can be intimidating getting out there, giving new things a go, and losing those inhibitions of being a beginner, and caring about “who’s watching”, or how you look.

Things are changing though – more and more girls are getting into, and getting really good at action sports. Sports like roller derby, snowboarding, surfing, standup paddle boarding, mountain biking… and heaps more. You might not see them all that much in the media – but I’m seeing HEAPS more out in the line-up, and on the hill.

The motivator for me has always been that I’d rather be doing something – than sitting on the sidelines watching; it is just WAY more fun.

Erin Height and Ali Deane are behind the new video trick tip series
Miss Method.

We created Miss Method – complete with sequences, descriptions, tips, video trick tips, gear reviews, advice, athlete interviews and Q & A’s as a fun introduction to action sports and a portal for learning new things, stepping up, and progressing.

Miss Method dishes up the know-how on:

-trying new things

-learning and improving your technique

-facing your fears

-taking calculated risks

-learning new tricks

-ripping in the park

-crossing over your board sports

-getting fitter, stronger and more flexible

-being healthy and happy

Progression's the best feeling, and personal achievement is measured by how much stoke you feel - so get ready to get out there, step it up and have some fun!

Check in with Miss Method regularly to get the latest tips and tricks as well as exclusive female athlete interviews! And if you've got any questions or want some advice - hit us up!

See you out there!

Ali and Erin x

Pushing the limits in Geelong

Some top names in the world of triathlon decended on Geelong over the weekend for the third annual USM Events Long course, Olympic distance and the UTI elite sprint distance events, all under the Geelong Multisport banner.

Two-time Olympian and two-time world champ Emma Moffatt, London Olympian Emma Jackson and international challengers competed alongside a contingent of young triathletes looking to make an impact in 2013, the first year out from the Olympics.

The event on Geelong’s waterfront was blessed with perfect weather and buzzing with excitement from fans who cheered their friends on from the sidelines.

I was stoked to catch the action and excitement of the sprint events, and get some insight into the game of tactics and the mental focus required when racing at these distances.

Geelong’s Peter Kerr crossed the line third in the men’s, and claimed the 2013 Australian championship title.

I caught up with the women’s champ New Zealander Sophie Corbidge and newly crowned 2013 Australian champion Grace Musgrove who placed second, and you couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces.

Check out my interview with Grace from the finish line - it was her first elite open tri!

Keep your eye out for her and other Aussie champs challenging at upcoming events this year. If you get the chance, head down to a triathlon sometime to check out all the excitement of multi-sport racing.

Catching up with Parko

2012 was Parko’s year. He took out the final stop the prestigious Pipeline Masters in memory of Andy Irons, over fellow Queenslander Josh Kerr. With Kelly out in the semi’s, Parko paddled out for the final already the world champ.

His consistency continued from the early rounds, and barrel after barrel he got deep and gained the scores he needed.

For Parko, the two-time junior world champ and four-time world tour runner-up, taking the mantle from Slater and the pinnacle in competition surfing, it was clear how much it meant to him.

“Thanks to Andy for pushing those things in. It really felt like he was a part of it out there… he’ll always be a part of it.

“It feels amazing. Thanks Kelly, I’m honoured to accept this from you.”

I was lucky enough to catch up with Joel a week out from stop #2 on the circuit, the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, earlier in the year. We spoke about summer, his preparations, the prestige around ringing the Bell and his hopes for the year ahead.

5-foot Cathedral was the perfect setting.

Check out the interview here: 

And keep an eye out for the world champ this year, when things kick off at the Quiky Pro on the Gold Coast, March 2-15.