Thursday, 17th May

Kia ora Surfers

Winter is really kicking in with associated gale force WSW-SW winds hitting hard tomorrow, snow to low levels and massive low period SW wind swells really hitting the cold hard fact home! Winter also equals long flat spells on the NE coast drilling home the need to travel somewhere warm with spitting perfection! Give Pete from Island Holidays a bell to track down the best options for such perfection! Clock in with the surf report's homepage for the latest on ya local!

John John Florence has won the 2012 Billabong Pro Rio early this morning, beating Joel Parkinson in the final. Florence now sits ranked sixth in the world, while Parkinson has taken over the top spot on the ASP World Tour ratings. Check out the video highlights.

Sally Fitzgibbons has won the Billabong Women's Rio Pro over Coco Ho by a score of 14.10 to 14.03 in peaky 1-3ft waves at Barra da Tijuca, Rio. The two Kiwi surfers Sarah and Paige placed 13th at the event knocked out early in the second round. The next stop on the 2012 ASP Women's World Championship Tour is the Roxy Pro Biarritz from July 10th.

Island Holidays are giving away an insane surf trip! You can WIN return flights ex Auckland, return airport-resort transfers, 7 nights garden bure accommodation at Ha'atafu Beach Resort in Tonga, daily breakfasts and dinners. The value of this trip is almost $1,300- all you have to do is email them to put yourself in the draw!

Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doug Young - Pacific Surfari Surf School