Date of Birth: May 30, 1984

Best Known For: Finding the background

Local Spot: HB Pier

My Crew: Wife Danielle, DSC crew

Board of Choice: 6'2” x 18.65” x 2.3” Maurice Gyenes (DS Surfboards)

Dream Wave: One that barrels from start to finish

My Top Five Bands:

1.) Thrice 2.) As I Lay Dying 3.) Underoath 4.) August Burns Red 5.) Phil Wickham

Our weekly web show at Hurley HQ. This week: Brad Ettinger and Jason Vanzant.

A week of non-stop swell with Simpo, Brad, Dunphy and crew. Video: Tom Aiello

Photos and highlights from Team Hurley's respectable performance at the Katin Pro-Am. Photos: Michael Lallande Video: Tom Aiello

Another winter photo gallery with Brett Simpson and Brad Ettinger. All Photos: Michael Lallande

Got some great waves during this last week in Southern California

The surf has been pretty non-stop since I've been home from Hawaii. For this last one, I got the car ready the night before because I knew in the morning I would be half awake.

We woke up at 4am and were on the road by 5. The tide was really high in the morning but there was still a few good waves. Once the tide started dropping out around 11 it really started to turn on. We had about an hour of good waves before the northwest wind started howling. Definitely worth the mission.--Brad Ettinger

Michael Lallande follows Simpson, Nicol and Ettinger on the latest West Coast swell.

Brad Ettinger lets one fly at OTW. Video: Tom Aiello

A whirlwind week for the Hurley Ohana. All Photos: Michael Lallande

If you don't write things down on the North Shore, it's easy for the details to get away from you. And a lot has happened since our own Joel Centeio's big win at Haleiwa. We have a new women's world champion (Congrats on No. 3, Steph.) We had Rell Sunn's Menehune event this weekend (good on ya, Kaulana and Elijah.) We had a solid swell hit the Outer Reefs and Waimea on Wednesday (welcome back, Aamion.) We winced as Dillon Perillo took a board to the eye, got five stitches, but is back in the water a few days later. And we've welcomed the arrival of Phantom Man, Damien "Dom" Wills to the seven-mile miracle. Fortunately, we have Michael Lallande and Tom Aiello on hand to document all this action, and there's been plenty. Next up: Joel looks to continue his winning streak at Sunset. Brett looks to end his stellar competitive season on a high note. And Dom is looking for anything — and we mean anything — to pull into. Until then, enjoy the latest batch of images from Lallande and stay tuned for more Waves of the Day from the Hurley Ohana.

Finding the openings in HB. Video: Tom Aiello

A Mentawais photo gallery before and after the devastating earthquake. Photos: Riley Cooney

It doesn't hit you until it really hits you: In the Mentawais, you're surfing in a seismic hotbed. And if the past few years haven't been proof enough, the recent 7.6 temblor on Sept. 30 confirms it once again.

Bob Hurley and a crew of friends of family were anchored just off Macaronis — relaxing in between sessions — when the quake hit. They heard a rumble, felt a shake and realized it wasn't just a cleanup set or a thunderhead. And while they enjoyed a memorable trip up until that point, the rest was a blur. Rushed through Padang, dodging all the collapsed buildings and wreckage. Sirens and panic. And eventually finding a way home.

But the difference for traveling surfers is, they actually have a home to go to. Many of the locals in Padang and the surrounding area have lost everything. Homes, friends, family members. These are the same people who help keep the Mentawais charter machinery in motion. Who are an important part of the two decades of surf imagery that's fueled our dreams and the industry itself.

Fortunately, many in the surf industry realize this and are doing everything they can. Many organizations are currently administering aid, food and assistance to Indonesia's hardest hit areas. Surf Aid International, Red Cross, Last Mile Operations...the list goes on.

In an effort to do our part, Hurley and its H2O division is holding a benefit event this Wednesday, October 14, at the "A" Restaurant in Newport Beach.

Here are the details according to Bob:

"The evening is informal and kicks off at 6PM. No RSVP or tickets required. No silent auction, but donations received with gratitude.....We will have a tip jar for Surf Aid on the bar and gladly accept cash and checks........please bring your friends and your smile. Please make checks out to Surf Aid.

This recent quake was severe and tragic.......Wednesday Nite is another great chance for our industry to give back to the victims of the quake and the wonderful people of Padang and the Mentawai Islands."

Where:
“A” Restaurant
3334 W. Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, Ca. 92663
(Intersection of PCH and the 55)

PH: 949-650-6505
6 PM Wed. October 14th

If you can't make it, be sure to go to http://www.surfaidinternational.org donate to the cause.