Surfing: a rookie hits the ground running

Portrait Tim Boal

Summer 2009

Tim Boal is only the fourth French surfer ever to reach the lofty heights of the prestigious ASP World Tour: in 2009, he attacks the tour of the world's 45 best surfers for the first time after qualifying last year at the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) with a series of strong appearances, especially his victory at the Rip Curl Pro Zarautz. The stylish natural footer has begun his first ASP year ranking 17th at the first two contests showing strong nerves at his heats.

Extreme Climbing: Beat Kammerlander conquers an impossible face

"Principal Hope" March 2009

After exhaustive months-long preparations, Austrian climber Beat Kammerlander (50) has achieved the first "clean" ascent of his own extreme route "Principal Hope" located at the Bürs Plate in Vorarlberg, Austria. The rock has the texture of ingrain wallpaper yet Beat "free climbed" the 40-meter vertical face relying only on "clean" protection, i.e. cams and stoppers. "Principle Hope" ranks as one of the hardest naturally protected climbs in the world.