Microphones on the Competitors in Heats!
At the Lowers event, they introduced an added layer to the webcast: microphones on the competitors in heats!! Here’s a sample of what’s provided by this spectacular addition that has revolutionized the webcast-user experience:

[audio: http://www.jetcityorange.com/SoundFiles/WeatherPark_08sep07.mp3]

Going Greek
Kelly Slater was supposed to surf at the Nike Lowers Pro, but he was a no-show. Apparently he was busy with other things, namely meeting the Dalai Lama and signing on as a team rider for Daphne’s California Greek. Yes, the food chain.

Gucci Buys Volcom
Well, not exactly. PPR, a French company who owns brands including Puma, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, and Gucci, purchased the surf brand last week for $607.5 million. According to the LA Times, “Richard Woolcott, Volcom’s chief executive, called PPR the ‘perfect partner.’”

Most Expensive Trophy Ever
In previous years, the gold spike trophy (symbolic of the railroad spikes of Lower Trestles) for the Lowers Pro have been plated in gold. This year the first-place trophy is solid gold….worth $30,000. Here are a few options for what the winner may choose to do with the spike:

Wilko Makes Friends

Garcia/Flores Fight Repercussions
Months after the Sunny/Flores debacle at Burleigh, the ASP Rules and Disciplinary Committee has ruled that Jeremy Flores will get a $5,000 fine for his part in the incident. He was permitted to surf in the Quiksilver Gold Coast Pro in March, but was injured. Garcia was immediately suspeneded from the 4-star Burton Toyota Pro and received a $10,000 fine and six-month suspension. Garcia will still be able to surf the Triple Crown next December. The Australian legal system is also coming after Garcia. According to Surfersvillage, he “will return to Australia to defend assault claims stemming from an alleged surf-rage incident. Garcia’s lawyer Chris Nyst says his client denies any wrongdoing over an altercation at a Gold Coast pro-surfing event in February, and will co-operate with police. ‘I can confirm Queensland police have contacted me today to advise a warrant has been issued for my client Sunny Garcia …’ Mr Nyst said in a statement.