Travelling thousands of kilometres to explore new waves and coastline throughout France, while witnessing some of the most dynamic surfing from around the planet. This was The O’Neill Mission 2008, where Aussie surfer, Julian Wilson, carved up the competition with some outstanding surf action.
The video submission Wilson put together of his highlights of the week, featured endless aerials, 360s, and a new-school rap soundtrack. “I’m so blown away right now,” Julian said. “It’s been such a good week. We have made the best out of all the conditions we faced in France. I want to thank O’Neill for putting on such a good event.” The competitors' videos were judged and Wilson was voted the winner by his fellow surfers, including the likes of Cory Lopez, Jarrad Howse and Michel Bourez. “I’ve been looking up to these guys since I was young,” Julian said. “I was just so excited to be invited to spend the week surfing with them.”
Amph Progression Award
Julian Wilson was also voted the winner of the Amph Progression Award by his peers, winning 2,000Euros for his relentless energy pushing the boundaries of tricks in the surf. In a Mission-first, two surfers found themselves in equal second place. O’Neill Highland Open winner, Adam Robertson, as well as former WCT giant Cory Lopez shared the honours. “It’s been an awesome week,” said Cory. “I was so stoked to come here. And I am so happy for Julian. He has been surfing amazingly all week.”
Adventurous spirit and picturesque surf
The O’Neill Mission 2008 ended its journey through France in Les Landes – travelling several hundred kilometres down the coast from Brittany, where the nine surfers scored an uncrowded secret spot of Les Landes in front of the sand dunes and pine trees, giving it their all on the final day. The award ceremony took place in the campsite in Les Landes in front of all who participated on The Mission, after the surfers had edited their highlights of the week and voted on each video.
Matt Wilson, the O’Neill Mission contest director said, “We got the best waves in France this week. Although the conditions were not always perfect we fully embraced the spirit of adventure over the course of the week.”