Well, I’ve heard of Dubai and I vaguely remember hearing something about ESPN somewhere (please laugh), but now the two have united to form a five-year collaboration to host the richest action sports event in the world.  So if you’ve been thinking about getting serious about action sports now would be a good time to kick it in gear for a chance to not only compete in one of the coolest cities in the world, but also for a chance to win a 2.5 million dollar prize purse, a record for X Games and the action sports industry.

In an article on ESPN, Richard Attias, CEO, DEMC said, "DEMC prides itself on bringing the biggest and best events to the Middle East. Last year we brought sports fans in the region to the Dubai World Cup—the richest horse race in the world and the Dubai Tiger Woods Golf Classic. This year, we are pleased to work with ESPN to bring the richest action sports event to the Middle East."

The competition will be held December 11-13, 2008 in Dubai, UAE. Action filled events at the competition will include Skateboard and BMX street, Skateboard and BMX SuperPark, Moto X Racing, Freestyle and SuperMoto, and (drum roll please) a brand new X Games event that I know very little about, but is well-known in Dubai – ATV Enduro.

Here is a video from the ATVEnduro.com site:

It looks like a lot of fun and I’m interested to learn more about it. If it is in the X Games, I trust that it is just as legitimate and action packed as the rest of the event line-up they have for the Dubai X Games. I’m looking forward to tuning in and check it out.

The 2008 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are quickly approaching and will take place April 11 in Anaheim, California.  There was an enormous amount of big wave rides this year so the competition will be tough. Check out the video below to see the nominees and let us know how you would rank them.

This is the order of nominees in the video:

2008 BIGGEST WAVE NOMINEES

Grant Baker (South Africa)

Cortes Bank (off California)

January 5, 2008

Tyler Fox (California)

Ghost Tree, California

December 4, 2007

Brad Gerlach (California)

Ghost Tree, California

December 4, 2007

Vincent Lartizen (France)

Belharra Reef, France

January 4, 2008

Mike Parsons (California)

Cortes Bank (off California)

January 5, 2008

RIDE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Michael Brennan (Australia)

Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania

January 14, 2008

Carlos Burle (Brazil)

Ghost Tree, California

December 4, 2007

Shane Dorian (Hawaii)

Teahupoo, Tahiti

November 1, 2007

Manoa Drollet (French Polynesia)

Teahupoo, Tahiti

November 1, 2007

Ian Walsh (Hawaii)

Teahupoo, Tahiti

November 1, 2007

What do you think? How would you rank the nominees?

To see the nominees for other awards go to 2008 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

As it turns out for Heikki Sorsa, he will return to Finland with only street credit for the one footed frontside 360 he threw over the 65 footer on the last hit in the Winter X Games 12 Slopestyle competition. According to the judges, the rest of his run simply wasn't clean enough to score him the points he deserved for throwing such a creative trick. Sorsa will go down in Winter X history despite the fact that he only finished 5th overall.

Did you see Heikki Sorsa's one footed frontside 360 in the Winter X Games Slopestyle competition? What'd you think? Check it out below. Do you think he should have scored higher and finished above 5th place?

Men's Slopestyle Finals

1. Andreas Wiig, 92.00

2. Kevin Pearce, 88.33

3. Shaun White, 83.33

4. Eero Ettala, 82.66

5. Heikki Sorsa, 77.00

6. CHas Guldemond, 76.33

7. Mikkel Bang, 68.66

8. Mason Aguirre, 63.66

9. Mathieu Crepel, 43.00

10. Jussi Oksanen, 42.00

Have you ever wanted to make history? Have you ever wanted to be the first to do something? Well, here is your chance. It’s been over a month since Volcom announced it would give away $10,000 to the first surfer to successfully execute and document a ‘kick flip’ and the contest will continue to run until a winner is crowned.  Although there are numerous videos floating around the internet of documented attempts, there has still been no sign of a surfer landing a “proper, above-the-lip” kickflip, as Volcom describes it. 

In order for the kickflip to count, the surfer must launch in the air, flip the board with their front foot, and cleanly land and ride out of the wave.  There is to be no towing, grabs, wakeboards, boogie boards, trays, shoes or dolphin-assistance. Yes, you read that correctly–no dolphin assistance.

It is only a matter of time before Volcom hands over a big check to some lucky surfer who’s been stomping waves, not for the money, but for the feeling that comes with  being the first ever surfer to document a kickflip.  This is an extremely difficult trick, but surfing will always be a sport where limits are pushed. Volcom is simply adding a little extra motivation for surfers all over the world. What are you still doing reading this? Grab your board and start paddling out. It’s time to make history!  

Go to Volcom Kickflip-Off Contest for official rules and entry forms.

Don’t be surprised if you see skiers and snowboarders wearing pink tickets on the slopes this year. Mountain High, Southern California’s closest winter resort, has teamed up with Revlon to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This season, guests at the resort will have the option to upgrade their normal lift tickets to a customized “Pink Ticket” for just $1 more.  Mountain High will match every dollar and the proceeds will go to the Revlon Run/Walk for women, one of the largest events for cancer research. Mountain High hopes to raise over $100,000 this season for the cause and has added a pink terrain on the mountain to further promote and raise awareness for the cause.

It’s really great to see two different sports—skiing and running--come together for one great cause. I’m definitely going to head up to Mountain High for a “Pink Ticket” this winter. 

Here are some links for more information:

Revlon Run/Walk

Mountain High Resort