Coffey shared her “favourite place on Earth” with the two-time Grammy winner who was in Polynesia to perform at the opening ceremony of one of the world’s most spectacular and revered sporting events, the Billabong Pro, Tahiti. Held each August, the Billabong Pro is set against Tahiti’s breathtaking natural backdrop and thousands of fans flock to watch the world’s best surfers try and tame the legendary break; Teahupo’o.

“It was a cool feeling to see how far music can travel. These people knew my music and were singing it back to me. It was really a nice feeling,” said Caillat.

Caillat and Coffey enjoyed ‘ringside’ seats at the tournament, positioned in boats just meters from the waves, and both ocean lovers jumped at the chance to confront another of their fears – swimming face-to-face with sharks in the waters off neighbouring island, Moorea.

The not-to-be-missed video diary can be seen on VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, and billabong.com from January 24.

Chart-topping SoCal singer/songwriter Caillat’s newest album ALL OF YOU has received rave reviews from Billboard, People Magazine, LA Times, and debuted at #1 on iTunes.  The first single “I Do” was a #1 track on iTunes and the current single “Brighter Than the Sun,” is #7 at Hot AC and is featured in the national ad campaigns for Pantene and for ‘The Help.  Caillat is currently on tour (check dates on www.colbiecaillat.com).

Have you always aspired to be a photographer and, like Matt Georges, are a lover of analog photography? Then get your films and cameras ready, because Billabong is offering you the chance to get your best shot on a limited edition tee.

Get inspired by Matt Georges and send us your best shot of what is home for you. Places, friends, families and home might have different meanings from one another but can all convey, there’s no place like it.

The most inspiring picture will be turned into a limited edition photoprint tee part of the winter 12 collection.

Prices
- 1st. One day with Matt Georges to meet him and share his passion for photography, your picture on a limited edition photoprint tee part of the winter 12 collection and a Billabong wardrobe
- 2nd & 3rd. a Billabong wardrobe

How to join the competition?
Log onto http://www.billabong.com/girls/eu/matt-george
and upload your picture on the website. Get fully involved in the creative process by choosing the shape of your shirt, the colour of it and the size of your picture.

The winners will be selected by a jury composed of Matt Georges, Anne Flore Marxer, ‘Le-Monde-est-a-nous’ blogger Marie-Laure Daillut and Billabong professionals.

Now grab your camera and win a chance to see your picture on the next Billabong collection!

About Matt Georges
Born and raised in the French Alps, Matt started taking pictures and printing black and white photos as a hobby at 17. Many skateboarding and snowboarding photos later, Matt has built a solid reputation within the industry.

This analog lover has a true passion for all aspects of photography and spends his time learning new (old) techniques and shooting with different cameras. Billabong is proud to collaborate with such a talented photographer and share his passion for snowboarding and creativity through original and exclusive products. Billabong has released a small collection of t-shirt, fleeces and some outerwear in collaboartion with Matthieu. The prints are all influenced by Matt’s work and include a selection of some snow/lifestyle photographs.

Watch the Billabong x Matt Georges collaboartion video

Christelle Kipping, Billabong Girl Marketing Manager Europe: “We are very proud of Justine’s achievements. She’s a dedicated athelete who works extremely hard, and we believe she has a great career in front of her. We are looking forward to helping her achieve her goals in the coming year on the WCT.”

Watch Justine’s ‘I Surf Because’ clip…

Billabong’s Justine Dupont claims ASP Europe Women’s Open title and qualifies for the first time for the 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour!

Justine Dupont (Lacanau, FRA) 20, claimed her maiden ASP Europe Women’s Open title after a fantastic season through the European events in 2011 which was capped off with another stunning performance in the ASP 6-Star Billabong Girls Azores Islands Pro. The friendly natural-footer who has amazing ability on a longboard as well, surfed the powerful Santa Barbara peaks with style and power showing her potential as one of the world’s best female surfers.

“I feel really great at the moment and it is an honour to win this title. It was one of my goals because I missed out on the Pro Junior title this year so to win this is fantastic. All the French girls were competing this season. Even Pauline (Ado) has done all the contests and really wanted to win this title. I want to thank apart from Pauline, Alizee (Arnaud) and Cannelle (Bulard) who have pushed me higher and higher in each event. The level of surfing was really high and it was difficult in every contest. I also want to thank my new coach, Richard Marsh, who was with me in Pantin and also here in the Azores and his help has been very important to me.”

Justine, who finished equal 5th at the Billabong Azores Island Pro yesterday, has also qualified for the first time for the 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour. With a strong support from her sponsors including Billabong, and her family, Justine has a very bright future in the ranks of professional surf competition.

Congratulations Justine!

Photo: courtesy Billabong. Words by Samantha Edward

Billabong’s Design a Bikini Contest is getting us giddy at SurfGirl HQ, as it’s your chance to become part of iconic swimsuit history. Two-piece swimsuits date as far back as 1600 B.C., but the more modern bikini celebrated its 65th birthday this year thanks to none other than a French car manufacturer, Louis Réard.

So it just goes to show anyone can create the next statement bikini. Why not take a look through our celebrity video hall of fame and unearth some inspiration if you’re thinking of designing your very own two-piece of history.

Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. (1966)

Despite whether we’ve seen the film or not, the promotional shot of this fur bikini has no doubt been imprinted in our minds. Even though she was giving the bikini a good name, we’re not so sure whether fur was a practical choice!

Princess Leia in Star Wars (1983)

Glowing in a gold-clad bikini, it just goes to show sci-fi geeks have got good taste. And how can we forget the moment Ross asked Rachel in Friends to wear this very outfit… brave move!

Halle Berry in Die Another Day  (2002)

With neons making a comeback this season, Halle rocked the Bond girl look in this bright orange halterneck, accessorising with a chunky white belt. Although we would highly recommend NOT using it as a weapon belt!

Myleene Klass in I’m A Celebrity… (2006)

Who could forget our very own British beauty, turning a simple white bikini into a sexy revival in the swimsuit world. The former Hear’Say star stepped got men drooling across the nation.

Don’t forget! The deadline for Billabong’s Design a Bikini Contest is Friday 15th July 2011!

No matter if it’s a sporty-style or sexy halter bikini, with modern or romantic flower prints : let your imagination run wild ! The most creative design will be turned into a limited edition bikini and be part of Billabong’s Summer 2012 collection!

Plus, win a trip to meet the Billabong team of designers in Hossegor, France, receive a complete Billabong Summer wardrobe and get one free-surfing lesson!

Want to participate ? It’s easy!

Go to www.mybillabongbikini.com, download the bikini template, create and upload your personal design and then register for the competition.  A jury panel will review the top 5 selections as voted by the public via Billabong Girl’s European facebook page and choose the winning design. Further details on the contest such as official rules, entry instructions, jury members and prize descriptions will be available on www.mybillabongbikini.com.

About the Billabong and Xtra Life LYCRA fibre 2011 Swimwear Collection

Billabong has collaborated with INVISTA, owner of the Xtra Life LYCRA fibre, for a series of bikinis for the Summer 2011 swimwear range. This line includes 4 different tops and bottoms in 6 different colors that can be mixed and matched to find whatever suits and fits best.

The collaboration also includes a signature bikini designed for professional big wave team rider and 4-time Billabong XXL Big Wave Award winner, Maya Gabeira.

The Xtra Life LYCRA fibre is known to provide a long lasting fit and stands up to the harshest conditions at the beach and while surfing. It also provides an improved resistance to chlorine, sun lotions, and UV rays. More on: www.LYCRA.com.

LYCRA is a trademark of INVISTA

Take a look at what the waves Billabong girls scored on a recent trip to Teahupoo to test the new Surf Series range of surfwear – and test they did! Stay tuned for webisodes from the Billabong Girls Tahiti trip…

What you can Win

Major Prize Winner
The winner will see his original bikini design turned into a limited edition bikini part of the Billabong Second Summer 2012 range. The winner will also win a 2 days trip to Hossegor to meet the Billabong Girls team of designers and a Billabong wardrobe.

Finalists
The 4 finalists will receive a Billabong outfit.

Go here for all contest rules and conditions. Pick your bikini template and start designing! Entries close August 15th at 05:00 pm EST.

How the Winners are Chosen
5 finalists will be voted for by the public through this website until August 15th. People can vote once a day for their favourite bikini. The major prize winner will be selected by a judges panel from Billabong and associates. Meet the members of the jury here.

If there’s one kind of music that sings “SUMMER,” it’s reggae. And one of the music legends we have to thank for that is Bob Marley. That’s why Billabong brings out a small beachwear range to the market that reflects summer, music and also consciousness.

The collection consists of statement shirts with the logo and iconic images of Bob Marley, tank tops, boardshorts and a bikini done in reggae-themed rasta colors red, green, and yellow. They’re all made using recycled and organic fabrics.

Billabong is committed to the development of earth-friendly, innovative products that adhere to the Marley family�s core values:

Equality, authenticity, and sustainability.

Or as Bob might put it: �Make way for the positive day.�

The Billabong x Bob Marley Collection for Girls is available now in selected specialty stores and Billabong Stores across Europe.

Athletes, tastemakers and celebrities that came out to support included Extreme Home Makover’s Ty Pennington, Holly’s World’s Holly Madison, Nikita’s Tiffany Hines, Sean Stewart, Three6Mafia, Men of a Certain Age’s Brittany Curran, Secret Life of the American Teenager’s Grant Ward, Billabong athletes Keala Kennedy, etc.

The runway fashion show lead by Billabong design director Mandy Robinson, paid homage to this year’s charity, the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, with looks inspired by some of Billabong’s favorite artists, Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and Hendrix as well as favorite foxy muses like Uschi Obermaier and Pamela Courson. The styling was reminiscent of this Rock & Roll era with itsy bitsy snake bikinis, crochet dresses, cropped snake skin jackets, exaggerated bell bottoms, fringed hi-waisted shorts, and floor length sheer maxi dresses. Billabong partnered with Invista, maker of Xtra Life LYCRA’ fiber by using their Xtra Life LYCRA’ fabric for the collection.

http://vimeo.com/25233947

The sold out fashion-music-art block party was a blow out with indie gods Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros playing an incredible set and announcing it as their last in the US for the rest of the year, and rising rock & roll star Hanni El Khatib with his sinewy guitar and wry, whiskey-glazed voice killed it on the financial district stage.

As always there was a huge art element to Design for Humanity. Morgan Maassen, who worked with Billabong to shoot their team riders all over the world, created a ‘Soundwaves’ photo exhibit with the photos and video playing on plasma screens from the various shoots. A massive pop-up gallery and art auction, curated by Daniel Chang and AR4T Gallery in Laguna, featured works by over 50 participating artists, including The Clayton Brothers, Jeff Soto, Dave Kinsey, and Tara McPherson. The remaining art will be available on charityfolks.com/designforhumanity for those unable to attend this year’s Design for Humanity to bid on.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation created a one-of a kind guitar installation onsite, with signed instruments that went for auction. 4 Taylor guitars were donated with musicians; Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Natasha Bedingfield, My Morning Jacket, and David Cook all signing them. Additionally, Death Cab for Cutie signed and donated a Yamaha drum head, the Foo Fighters signed and donated a Gibson guitar.

Billabong’s Brand Director Candy Harris said about DHF 2011, “It was an absolutely amazing night, from the runway to the bands and artists. It was a proud moment for Billabong and the Vh1 Save The Music Foundation to see such a huge turn out of support for the event and our effort to keep music education in public schools”.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is thrilled. “We are extremely grateful to Billabong for letting us be a part of this incredible event,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “With their help we are one step closer to achieving our goal of ensuring that no child be deprived of access to a complete education that includes music.”

100% of this year’s ticket sales and proceeds from art show and product collaboration auction sales will be donated to The VH1 Save the Music Foundation (http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/), a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children.

This year’s event is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Skullcandy, Chipotle, Vitamin Water and The VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Billabong British Juniors kicks off at Fistral this weekend and the competition looks to be even more fierce than last year.

The Billabong British Junior Surfing Championships will descend on Newquay, Cornwall the 11th & 12th of June. This years event is being supported by long time sponsor Billabong, Mojo Futuretech, Anns Cottage, Fistral Blu and Calypso. Come down and enjoy the competition, grab yourself some Billabong giveaways that are being fired out from the catapult or just chill at the beach bar while enjoying some Billabong films.

This years competition will be as fierce as ever with one of last year�s stand out�s Liam Murray Strout defending his under 14�s title. Reigning U/18 girls champion Laura Crane will have stiff competition this year from fellow British Team mates Gabrielle Rowe, Tassy Swallows and Jaide Lowe. Max Tucker and Tom Good in their last year of competing in the U/18 age category will be vying to take the crown off last year�s winner Luke Dillon. There will also be strong challenges from Harry Timson and last year�s finalist Jobe Harris.

Sam Carrier Men�s Marketing Manager for Billabong Europe �The Billabong British Juniors is always an exciting event bringing the top UK emerging young talent competing for the coveted British title.�

As always the event will include multiple divisions with there being the under 12s, U/14s, U/16s and U/18 boys along with the girls U/14 and U/18. It will be an enjoyable day with sponsors Billabong, Mojo Future Tech, Anns Cottage, Fistral Blu and Calypso ready to crown the Junior British Champions of 2011, so come down and join in!
For entry forms please contact Surfing GB who will be running the event with Billabong.

About Billabong
http://www.billabong.com.au/blog-post/45/history

Legendary indie band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros will be headlining this year’s event for an unforgettable festival of musicianship and performance. In addition, coming off a HUGE tour with Florence and the Machine and massive success at SXSW, Hanni El Khatib will be performing with his sinewy guitar and wry, whiskey-glazed voice. And opening the night, disco house from New York’s The Hundred In The Hands. Their music is an avant-pop split between the austere and feverish. DJ’s Tina T, Mike Relm and Mark Moreno will be providing jams throughout out the night.

100% of this year’s ticket sales and proceeds from art show and product collaboration auction sales are being donated to The VH1 Save the Music Foundation (http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/), a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children.

This year’s event is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Skullcandy, Chipotle, Vitamin Water and The VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Design For Humanity 2011 event teaser from Billabong Girls on Vimeo.

EVENT FACTS

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Location: Paramount Studios, NY Streets Backlot in Hollywood CA, a 5-acre recreation of the eight distinct areas of the city – Brooklyn, Brownstone, Financial District, Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, SoHo, Upper East Side and Washington Square

Tickets Ticket Price: $30, VIP $99

100% of proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation

TICKETS AVAILBALE NOW AT www.designforhumanity.com

Details MUSIC: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Hanni El Khatib, The Hundred and The Hands – Headliners to perform a live concert. DJ’s Tina T, Mike Relm, and Mark Moreno will perform throughout the night before and after bands play. FASHION: Billabong will feature a high profile catwalk fashion show of limited-edition one of a kind Billabong bikinis and 2012 swimwear preview.

ABOUT BILLABONG

Billabong produces active lifestyle, fashion-forward clothing, accessories and related products designed and distributed to a worldwide customer base. The products are developed in the authentic environment of the surf culture and sold primarily through surf and specialty retail boutiques. Billabong-branded products are tested and improved by the best board sport performers across the globe. Active enthusiasts in every department from marketing and sales, to design and merchandising, bring an unmatched authenticity and unique quality to both the innovative products and related events produced by the Billabong brand. www.billabong.com

ABOUT THE VH! SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education.

www.vh1savethemusic.com