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Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa
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The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (32°06'25''E to 32°56'46''E. and 26°51'26''S to 28°29'07''S) is a World Heritage Site. There are few comparable protected coastlines within the tropics as pristine as St. Lucia's. The Park is one of the outstanding natural wetland sites of Africa. It lies on a tropical-subtropical interface with a wide range of terrestrial, wetland, estuarine lake, coastal and marine environments, which are scenically beautiful and basically unmodified by people. These include coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands, critical habitat for a range of species from Africa's sea, wetlands and savannas. The interaction of these environments with major floods and coastal storms in the Park's transitional location have resulted in exceptional species diversity and ongoing speciation.
Geographical Location
The park is on the east coast of South Africa 150 miles (mi) north of Durban, in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, stretching from the Mozambique border south almost 220 kilometers (km), 1 to 24 km wide, with a 155km x 5km parallel marine strip. It lies between 32°06'25''E to 32°56'46''E. and 26°51'26''S to 28°29'07''S.
Date and History of Establishment
The Park has legal protection under the following acts:
- 1935:Sea-Shore Act No.21; and the Water Act No.54 of 1956;
- 1974:Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance No.15, (refers to National Park, St. Lucia Game Reserve and St. Lucia Park, False Bay Park, Sodwana Bay);
- 1984:Forest Act No.122 (refers to Cape Vidal State Forest, Eastern Shores State Forest, Maphelane Nature Reserve, Nyalazi State Forest and Sodwana State Forest);
- 1986:Ramsar sites: the St. Lucia System, the Tongaland turtle beaches & coral reefs (155,500 hectares (ha));
- 1988:Sea Fishery Act No.12 (refers to St. Lucia Marine Reserve and Maputaland Marine Reserve);
- 1989:Environment Conservation Act No.73;
- 1991:Ramsar sites: Lake Sibayi and the Lake Kosi System. Total area within the Park: 174,232 ha.
- 1992:Kwazulu Nature Conservation Act No.29 (refers to the Coastal Forest Reserve and Lake Sibayi Freshwater Reserve);
- 1997:KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act No.9.
A coastal complex of 13 protected areas. The total area is 239,566 ha; the marine areas total 84,020 ha.
- False Bay Park: 2,247 ha
- Sodwana Bay National Park: 1,155 ha
- St. Lucia Game Reserve 36,826 ha
- St. Lucia Park: 12,545 ha
- Cape Vidal State Forest: 11,313 ha
- Eastern Shores State Forest: 12,873 ha
- Mapelane Nature Reserve: 1,103 ha
- Nyalazi State Forest: 1,367 ha
- Sodwana State Forest: 47,127 ha
- St. Lucia Marine Reserve: 44,280 ha
- Maputaland Marine Reserve: 39,740 ha
- Lake Sibayi Freshwater Reserve: 7,218 ha
- Coastal Forest Reserve: 21,772 ha
Land Tenure
Province of KwaZulu-Natal. Administered by the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service.
Below sea level to 172 meters (m) in the Ntambama and ~170m Maphelane dunes.
Physical Features
The Park comprises two geomorphic units: coastal plain and continental shelf. The coastal plain is the southernmost end of the Mozambique coastal plain. It encloses the lagoon-like lakes of one of the major estuarine systems of Africa. These are separated from the sea by high forested barrier dunes of wind-blown sand. To its northwest are the low Lubombo mountains in the adjacent Mkusi Game Reserve. The surficial geology within the site is a complex of terrestrial and marine sediments. The uppermost, the Cretacean St. Lucia formation, is very rich in marine fossils which are exposed on the west coasts of False Bay and Lake St. Lucia. Stratified Quaternary marine deposits related to marine transgression and regression have resulted in a series of prominent north-south oriented sandy dune ridges. The soils are largely infertile wind-redistributed grey and red sands over mudstone and clay pans. Riverbanks are alluvial; swamps have gley soils.
The coastal dunes along the eastern edge of the coastal plain are unique for the height, variety and extent of their forest cover. Along the intertidal and infratidal coast, the coastline has long sandy beaches between reefs of beach rock. The dunes were formed over the past 25,000 years, and consist of superimposed sedimentary strata of different ages. They range between 50 and 170 m high, the highest mapped being the Ntambama dune (172 m). They contain good deposits of ore.
Two types of coastal lake systems have formed behind the coastal dunes: estuarine (Lake St. Lucia and Lake Kosi) and freshwater (Lake Sibayi, Lake Bhangazi North, Lake Bhangazi South, Lake Mgobezeleni). The St. Lucia estuarine system covers 36,826 ha. The lake, though varying with flood levels, is 13km x 35km long and is connected with the sea through a 15 km channel. The depth of the water averages less than a meter and is predominantly saline. It has consistently become shallower during the past century. Only the uppermost section and the mouths of the feeder rivers are fresh water when inputs are high. Dry season evaporation is high and causes the inner reaches of the lake to become hypersaline. The biota adjusts to the fluctuations in salinity. Lake Sibayi is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa. Lake Kosi is a complex of four tidal lakes, estuary and swamps.
The lake is supplied by five rivers, most of their catchments lying outside the boundaries of the Park. North to south these are the Mkuse, Mzizene, Hluhluwe, Nyalazi and Mpate. The Mfolozi and Msunduze rivers in the south enter the sea together close to the mouth of Lake St. Lucia. The largest rivers, the Mkuze and Mfolozi, have little of their alluvial lower reaches in the Park. The rivers are seasonal, flowing during the wet summer months and reduced to isolated pools and seepage through bed sediments in winter. High sediment loads from the Mkusi river which drains the Lubombo mountains have filled its arm of the lake to form meandering distributaries, levees and pans with swamp and riverine forest.
The narrow, 2 to 4 km wide continental shelf is protected by reserves further north and, being warmed by the silt-free Agulhas current, has the southernmost coral reefs on the east African coast - almost the only reefs in South Africa. These parallel the coast for 155 km south from the Mozambique border at 8 to 35 m deep. Seven submarine canyons formed by palaeo-river outlets capture the silt brought by the Agulhas current and permit deep oceanic water and biota associated with it to reach near to the shore.
The area lies between tropical and subtropical zones with warm, moist summers and mild dry winters. The Agulhas current warms the coast. The mean annual temperature exceeds 21°C. There is an east-west climatic gradient with the coast being moist with high precipitation and the inland area moderately dry. Rainfall in the Park is temporally and spatially highly variable. At the coast it varies from 1200 to 1300 millimeters (mm) per annum with 60% of the rain falling in summer (November to March). Evaporation rates are high and there is occasional large-scale flooding. The prevailing winds parallel the coast.
The Park, lying on the interface between tropical and sub-tropical biota with varied geomorphic and climatic conditions, supports an exceptional ecological and biological diversity, especially of wetlands. The distribution of the vegetation is largely determined by topography, moisture regimes and edaphic conditions. The system is almost pristine and still functions well. It is a rich mosaic of savanna grassland, thickets and woodlands; grasslands: low-lying, hygrophilous and floodplain; sedge swamps, freshwater reed and papyrus swamps; riverine woodlands, swamp forests and forested dunes; the lake with its uniquely variable salinity regime;, underwater macrophyte beds, saline reed swamps, salt marshes and mangroves; rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons.
The Park is at the southernmost end of the Maputaland Centre of Endemism which extends from the Limpopo to the St. Lucia estuaries, east of the Lubombo mountains. It is one of two foci of high endemism in the Tongaland-Pondoland Regional Mosaic of White. The flora is diverse, having 152 families, 734 genera and 2173 species. Within the Park 98% (2173 species) of the Maputaland Centre species, approximately 9% of the flora of South Africa and 31% of the flora of KwaZulu-Natal, have been recorded in the Park. 32 species are listed in the South Africa Red Data Book for Plants and 8 species are contained in CITES appendices. 6 species are endemic to KwaZulu-Natal and 3 species are known only from the Park.
In the Maputaland Centre at least 168 species and subspecies are considered endemic or near-endemic. Of these, 44 (27%) are found in the Park. The following species are of phytogeographic interest: Helichrysopsis septentrionale (Maputaland endemic), four regional endemic genera (Brachychloa, Ephippiocarpa, Helichrysopsis and Inhambanella), Restio zuluensis, an endemic, Wolffiella welwitschii, a recently discovered endemic, the smallest flowering plant in southern Africa and Thalassodendron ciliatum, the only marine flowering plant found on the south African coastline. A new small grassland aloe with affinities to Aloe parviflora awaits description. It is endemic to the park and confined to the Eastern Shores area. Kalanchoe luciae lucia, described recently, is also endemic to the Park. 136 species are at their southern limit and there are some notable disjunct distributions.
The wetlands of this unique estuarine system include freshwater Phragmites australis - Cyperus papyrus swamp which covers approximately 7,000 ha in the Park, forming the largest protected wetland in South Africa; saline reed swamp on alluvium and islands in Lake St Lucia, dominated by Phragmites mauritianus; sedge swamp, mainly in the Mfabeni swamp, characterized by Eleocharis limosa; salt marsh dominated by Sporobolus virginicus, Paspalum vaginatum with Juncus kraussii (ncema, commercially used by local people), and nutrient-rich submerged macrophyte beds on saline lake-bed soils.
Grassland types include hydrophilous grassland on sandy riverine soils dominated by Acroceras macrum and Ischaemum arcuatum; high-lying grasslands on sand, a diverse fire-subclimax community, palm-veld with Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata, another fire-subclimax community; Echinochloa floodplain grassland; and low-lying grasslands on clay.
Open woodlands include mixed Acacia/broad-leaved woodland (Hyphaene coriacea and Ziziphus mucronata) and mixed Acacia woodland (Acacia nigrescens, A.gerrardii, A.tortilis, A.nilotica) which provide grazing and browsing for herbivores. Closed woodlands are found on low-lying drainage lines and older alluvial soils, especially along the Mkuze and Msunduzi rivers. They include riverine woodland (Ficus sycomorus, Acacia xanthophloea); mixed Acacia closed woodland (A.tortilis, A.nilotica); broad-leaved woodland (Combretum molle, Zizphus mucronata) and Terminalia sericea -Strychnos woodland and scrub. Thickets of mixed microphyllous and broad-leaved woodland subject to salt spray and wind occur on seaward-facing dune slopes (Eugenia, Brachylaena, Euclea, Diosporos and Mimusops species).
Forest types include swamp forest, rare in South Africa, covering 3,095 ha (64% of the South African total) dominated by Ficus tricopoda, hygrophilous forest and Barringtonia forest. (B. racemosa). These occur on organic soils in hypo-saline drainage lines and marshes around freshwater lakes usually flooded with slow-flowing water after rains; mangroves, dominated by Bruguieria gymnorrhiza and Avicennia marina; the uniquely well developed coastal dune forest (Mimusops caffra, Grewia occidentalis, Psychotria capensis) which can reach 30 m high and has a dense shrub layer with many lianas; sand forest on relict dunes of highly-leached sands (Newtonia hildebrandtii, Cleistanthus schlechteri); and coastal lowland forest growing to 30 m high on highly leached sands (Strychnos decussata, S.gerrardii); also plantations of Pinus elliottii.
In the marine flora, 325 seaweeds have been recorded in the Park, nearly 78% of the total seaweeds of the Kwazulu-Natal coastline. A new species, Cellophycus condominius, and a parasitic red alga, Calocopsis smithenae, have recently been found; also beds of kelp Ecklonia biruncinata, deep in submarine canyons.
The outstanding diversity of habitats, terrestrial, wetland, coastal and aquatic, supports a wide variety of animal species, some at the northern and many at the southern limit of their range. The fringing coral reefs are among the southernmost in the world. The lakes, swamps and shallows comprise the most productive estuarine prawn nursery and marine nursery on the South African coast.
There are 97 species of terrestrial mammals in the Park including the internationally threatened black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis minor (13 in the Eastern Shores and 95 in the adjoining Mkusi Game Reserve), and 150 white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum. The Park has the largest single populations in South Africa of hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius (about 700), red duiker Cephalophus natalensis natalensis and southern reedbuck Redunca arudinum, also the largest publicly protected populations in KwaZulu-Natal of thicktailed bushbaby Otolemur crassicaudatus, samango monkey Cercopithecus mitis, sidestriped jackal Canis autoists, banded mongoose Mungus mungo, brown hyaena, Hyaena brunnea, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus, Tonga red squirrel Paraxerus palliatus tongensis, cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus and fourtoed elephant shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus
The Park is also the only protected area in KwaZulu-Natal known to have populations of two shrew species, the lesser red musk Crocidura hirta and greater dwarf shrew Suncus lixus; eight species of bat: Eygptian fruit Rousettus aegyptiacus, Geoffroy's horseshoe, Rhinolophus clivosus, shorteared trident, Cloeotis percivalli, butterfly Chalinolobus variegatus, Schlieffen's Nycticeius schleiffeni, lesser woolly Kerivoula lanosa, Ansorge's freetailed, Tadarida ansorgei, Angola freetailed T.condylura; also sidestriped jackal and two species of gerbil, bushveld Tatera leucogaster and highveld T.brantsii. The Park also contains populations of five species endemic to South Africa: Hottentot golden mole Amblysomus hottentotus, hairy slitfaced bet Nycterus hispida, Natal red hare Pronolagus crassicaudatus, Tonga red squirrel and red duiker.
All 32 marine mammal species are both internationally threatened and listed in CITES appendices. Populations of bottlenose Tursiops truncatus, humpback Sousa plumbea and spinner Stenella longirostris dolphins live in Park waters. Winter migrations of humpback whale Megoptera novaangliae and southern right whale Eubalaena australis can be seen.
Terrestrial invertebrates in the Park are known to be numerous and diverse, supporting much of the conspicuous fauna. There are 196 species of butterflies (49% of Kwazulu-Natal species), 52 species of dragonflies (23% of South African species), 139 species of dung-beetles, 27 species of hole-nesting wasps, 64 species of biting flies (64% of South African tabanids), 58 species of chafer beetles (cetonids) and 41 species of land snails.
The herpetofauna is rich: 50 amphibians and 109 reptiles: and one crocodile, 12 species of Chelonidae, 53 snakes and 42 lizards and chameleons, including Bouton's coral rag skink Cryptoblepharus boutoni africanus, found only here in South Africa. The Mozambique shovelsnout snake and three South African endemics: two burrowing skinks, the striped Stelotes vestigifer and Fitzsimon's S. Fitzsimonsi and Setaro's dwarf chameleon Bradypodion setaroi, are found only in the coastal dune system. The Park is the main South African breeding ground for loggerhead Caretta caretta, and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea, with estimated populations of 2,500 and 750 females respectively. Non-breeding green turtles Chelonia mydas are also resident and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea turtles visit the coast. The population of Nile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus of approximately 1500 animals over 2 m long is one of the largest in Africa, The Park contains populations of 5 amphibians endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, 2 being nationally threatened, and 6 internationally and 20 nationally threatened reptile species; 16 listed in CITES appendices.
Marine and estuarine invertebrates are far the most important group of aquatic invertebrates. The coral-inhabited reefs of the park include 129 species and are particularly important for their conservation and scientific value. Within the Park 43 scleractinian (hard coral) and 10 alcyonacean (soft coral) genera, 14 sponges, 4 tunicates, 812 species of marine and estuarine mollusks (72% of Kwazulu-Natal coastal species), including the giant clams Tricdaca maxima and T.squamosa, and 198 species of Crustacea have been recorded.
The ichthyofauna includes nearly 85% of the reef fish species endemic to the west Indian Ocean region (399 species) including several commercially important endemics such as the slinger Charysoblephous puniceus. 991 species have been recorded. including summer aggregations of ragged-toothed shark Tiburon odontaspis and whale shark Rhynchodon typus. The 212 estuarine species include the large Zambezi shark Carcharhinus leucas. The fresh water fish fauna comprises 55 species including 6 internationally threatened and 16 nationally threatened species. The Park encloses the largest estuarine prawn nursery area in South Africa.
The very diverse avifauna numbers 521 species which is 60% of the South African total, approximately 200 of which are water birds for which the Park is an important refuge. The 339 breeding species include 23 of the 97 migrant species. There are four species endemic to South Africa and 47 endemic or nearly endemic to the region. The Park is an important breeding area for the pinkbacked pelican Pelecanus rufescens, white pelican P. onocrotalus, African fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer, Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia, goliath heron Ardea goliath, rufous-bellied heron Butorides rufiventris, yellowbilled stork Mycteria ibis, pygmy goose Nettapus auritus, collared pratincole Glareola pratincola and greyrumped swallow Pseudohirondo griseopyga. The Park is also habitat for major South African populations of greater and lesser flamingo Phoenicoepterus ruber, and P.minor, osprey Pandion haliaetus, Neergaard's sunbird Nectarinia bifasciata, Woodward's batis Batis fratrum, Natal nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis, blackrumped button-quail Turnix hottentotta, black coucal Centropus bengalensis and shorttailed pipit Anthus brachyurus. 62 species are listed in the South African Red Data Book and 73 species are listed in CITES appendices.
Cultural Heritage
The first evidence of human occupation of the Park dates from the Early Stone Age. Three occupation sites of the Acheulian culture (between 500,000 and a million years B.P.) have been found in the Park. People of Middle and Late Stone Age cultures may have inhabited the Maputaland area probably for as long as 110,000 years. The Maputaland plain which includes the area of the Park was widely settled by agriculturists in the early and late Iron Ages (250-1840 AD). Shell middens on the coast testify to extensive use of black mussels (Perna perna) for food. These early agriculturists probably occupied coastal sites as early as 1600 years ago, cutting fields in and living in the forest.
Due to the prevalence of malaria and the cattle disease trypanosomiasis, carried by the tsetse fly Glossina, extensive areas of what is now the park were uninhabited. Small scattered settlements of the Sokhulu people were present between Sodwana and the St. Lucia estuary, evidenced by several traditional burial sites. These people smelted bog iron, felling trees to produce charcoal for their smelters. The effects of their agriculture and iron-smelting may have modified habitats by increasing sub-climax grassland in the place of forest, creating favorable habitat for grazing species.
The name St. Lucia was first applied by Portugese navigators in 1576. Little is known about the nature of human settlements until the early nineteenth century. Maputaland was then occupied from the north by two culturally distinct groups: Nguni-speaking people in the south and Tembe-Thonga people in the north. Both subsequently came under Zulu domination. A tribal wildlife sanctuary was established in the mid 19th century within the present adjacent Mkusi Game Reserve area. Concern about the destruction of wildlife after annexation in 1884 led to demarcation of game sanctuaries in 1895 and later. These are the oldest extant game reserves in Africa and are now part of the Park. There was a little settlement along the coast and in 1956 the State Department of Forestry planted 5,000 ha in the Eastern Shores State Forest, mainly of Pinus elliottii and species of eucalyptus, but these were phased out in 1991 because of their low economic value.
Local Human Population
Except in the Coastal Forest Reserve the Park is not inhabited. Within this, there are six small private townships (Enkovukeni, Kwa Dapha, Mqobella, Mbila, Shazibe, and Hlabezimhlophe) with a combined total population of approximately 200 families. There are also the private villages of Makakatana and St. Lucia Estuary which are enclaves within the Park, but are not part of it. Nearly 500 local people enter the Park for the limited use of natural products and there is a two-week grass and reed gathering period in June by some 1,500 people a day. A progressive neighbor-relations policy fosters good relations with communities who live near the Park. This ensures that communities derive direct benefits from the protected area such as free access and business and employment opportunities.
Visitors and Visitor Facilities
Approximately one million visitors enter the Park each year from nine entrance points. The Park can accommodate 5,736 persons per night in chalets and camping facilities. 2000 beds are also provided privately in St. Lucia Estuary village and on privately owned game-ranches next to the Park. Visitor access is controlled and managed by the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service or through concessions. Recreational access is via wilderness trails, guided walks, vehicle and boat tours and a network of roads for viewing game. Access to and diving on the coral reefs is controlled through diving concessionaires. A crocodile breeding center at St. Lucia is the interpretive center for the region.
Non-consumptive use of the area is encouraged. Activities include game-viewing, bird-watching, turtle viewing, camping, caravanning, accommodation in chalets and bush-camps, day-walks and overnight hiking, also religious activities (mass baptism). To control tourism there are three ecotourism use-zones: a zone of low intensity use in the wilderness core of the Park where access is by foot except for staff; a moderate use zone where visitors can view wildlife from vehicles and from scattered camps and hides; and high intensity use zones where, at seven development nodes there are roads, interpretative and educational displays, guided walks, accommodation and other facilities.
Scientific Research and Facilities
There have been five major successful conservation programs in the Park: of the black rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, sea turtle beaches, crocodile breeding and the re-establishment of locally extinct species. There are also programs on the control of alien species, the management of ungulate populations, rehabilitation of clear-felled forest in the Eastern Shores and controlled fire management. All these programs benefit from research and monitoring. The research and monitoring records of the environment, biota, and Park management are extensive. Records are updated annually or more often as needed. They are in the form of several computerized databases, reports and publications and a geographical information system. Main facilities are located at St. Lucia, the Pietermaritzburg head office, the Oceanographic Research Institute and elsewhere.
Conservation Value
The natural systems protected within the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park are unique for their biophysical diversity and for the hydrological and ecological processes of Lake St. Lucia. There are few comparable pristine protected coastlines within the tropics. And the Park's concentrations on a tropical-subtropical interface of a range of grassland, swamp, estuarine lake, coastal dune forest and marine environments, scenically beautiful and substantially unmodified by people, form one of the most outstanding natural sites in Africa. The Park is not under serious threat and is large and diverse enough to survive as a natural area. Four sites have been designated under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance: the St. Lucia System, the turtle beaches/coral reefs of Tongaland adjacent to the Park to the south (1986), Lake Sibayi and the Lake Kosi System (1991). These total 213,732 ha of which 174,232 ha are within the Park and comprise 73% of its area.
The coasts of the Park are spectacular and are known for superlative natural spectacles: the night-time nesting and later hatching of leatherback and loggerhead turtles, the migrations of whales, dolphins and whale sharks offshore; aggregations of feeding flamingos of up to 50,000 birds, and impressive displays of pelicans, waders and other waterfowl, the basking and nesting sites of the Nile crocodile and large concentrations of ungulates. The leatherback and loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, the black rhinoceros thickets and woodlands, the species-rich dry sand forest and bushland and the very diverse mosaic of wetlands are all of global importance. The Park also has sites of significance for understanding the evolutionary history of the earth following the break-up of Gondwanaland. These are the upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks on the western shore of Lake St. Lucia and False Bay, rich in well-preserved fossils of marine origin, including giant ammonites and inoceramids and other bivalves. More than a hundred different species of fossils have been recorded.
The Park is located in a different biogeographic region from other World Heritage sites in southern Africa (Lake Malawi National Park in Malawi, Mana Pools and Victoria Falls National Parks in Zimbabwe and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia) and it represents a quite different range of biodiversity. Lake St. Lucia with its fluctuating salinity and adapted biota also contrasts with other coastal lagoons in Africa, the salinity rising to seawater levels in times of drought where other coastal lagoons have less varied ranges of salinity.
Conservation Management
Management of the Park at the provincial level is by the Board of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service (KNNCS) working with the provincial administration in accordance with national and provincial legislation. There is potential for future trans-frontier development with Mozambique and the establishment of buffer Biosphere Reserves to the west. Existing land uses in the region of the Park consist of formal and informal agriculture and forestry, nature conservation, mining and ecotourism which is a significant industry. A strategy to provide a development framework and policy guidelines for the development of the region in which the Park is sited is being compiled by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial authorities. The Kwazulu-Natal provincial government, with the governments of Mozambique and Swaziland, is also undertaking a multi-stakeholder planning initiative for the Richards Bay-Maputo corridor area (the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative) to protect catchments and promote further agriculture and tourism in the area. There are threats from infestation by alien plants and to the hydrology of the wetland systems. To counter them three programs have been started: the removal of exotic tree plantations, the removal of alien plant infestations from important water-producing catchment areas (part of a nationally funded program), and the re-establishment of the natural hydrological regime by the allocation of water for Lake St. Lucia.
An integrated planning and development process by the state Nature Conservation Service (KNNCS) involving various sectors and stakeholders is undertaken to ensure that land-use planning decisions are complementary and environmentally sustainable. KNNCS with funding from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa, has set up a comprehensive community conservation program for the whole of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park to develop a sustainable relationship within the protected area and to integrate conservation with sustainable development programs. The following management plans have been compiled by KNNCS: Master Plan for the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, St. Lucia Marine Reserve Management Plan and Mkuzi Game Reserve Management Plan. Management plans for seven other component areas are also in preparation: for False Bay, Western Shores, Lake and islands, Eastern Shores, Tewate Wilderness Area, Sodwana Bay and the Maputaland Marine Reserve.
Management Constraints
The most serious threat is from alien invasive plants, although the area currently affected is limited. Principal threats are caused by Chromolaena odorata, Psidium guajava, Pereckia acuelata and Melia azedarach. Under the management programs to eliminate infestations from the Park, the Plant Protection Research Institute has identified and established a range of biological control agents. Two potential threats could also affect the integrity of the ecology of the Park: land-use changes related to the closure of the St. Lucia estuary mouth by sedimentation, and the reduction in the supply of critical resources. This threat comes from the transformation of the upper portion of the Mfolozi Swamps by agriculture. The spread of commercial gillnetting in the lake is no longer controlled and recently poachers have also been reported to be overexploiting the resources of False Bay. More than twenty species, including abalone, crayfish and prawns are at risk.
A proposal to dredge-mine heavy mineral ores in the dune forest, was opposed by conservationists, led to an environmental impact assessment and then to a decision ratified by the Cabinet in March 1996 to ban industrial development in the area. It also led to nomination of the Park as a World Heritage site. Another potential threat is from offshore leakage from oil tankers which may pollute the marine and estuarine environments although arrangements exist along the coastline for managing oil spills. Finally there have been several land claims by impoverished communities. These areas include the Eastern Shores State Forest, Cape Vidal State Forest and Sodwana State Forest. No solution has yet been reached but the matter is before the Land Claims Court.
There is a total of 674 permanent staff and part-time employees, located at seven administrative centres, three management outposts and two research stations. Staff implement wildlife management programs, manage visitor facilities, environmental awareness programs and conduct research and monitoring projects. The responsibility for administering the Park lies with the Chief Conservator.
KNNCS headquarters administers 103 protected areas totaling 7,682,72 square kilometers (km2). It is a semi-autonomous and non-profit organization, 60% funded by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature. Under the former Natal Parks Board, the staff, now 4300 strong, earned R429,942 in the financial year 1997-98. The balance is from fees, accommodation charges, sale of curios and other sources of income.
IUCN Management Category
- Wildlife Refuge. Ramsar site
- Natural World Heritage Site, inscribed 1999. Natural Criteria ii, iii, iv
Further Reading
- KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service (1998). Nomination proposal for The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park to be listed as a World Heritage site. Submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (contains a thematic bibliography of over 100 references).
- Taylor, R.,(1991). The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Natal Parks Board / Parke Davis.
Disclaimer: This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.
CitationM, U. (2014). Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/51cbedeb7896bb431f694b91
2 Comments
Harald lewis wrote: 08-02-2012 22:50:00
Great encyclopedia i must say I am going to visit this beautiful island Saint Lucia with my wife next monday we got a plan through " http://www.stlucia.cc". we will definitely visit Wetland Park after reading so much about this
Peter Howard wrote: 02-02-2011 20:16:36
Readers may want to visit the African Natural Heritage website to view a selection of images and map of the iSimangaliso /Greater St Lucia wetland park world heritage site, and follow links to Google Earth and other relevant web resources: http://www.africannaturalheritage.org/St-Lucia-iSimangaliso-wetland-park-South-Africa.html


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Smart Growth Planning Topics
Smart growth concentrates new development and redevelopment in areas that have existing or planned infrastructure to avoid sprawl. Smart growth is sustainable and is characterized by compact, transit-oriented, bicycle-friendly land use, with neighborhood schools, walkable streets, mixed-use development and a wide range of housing choices. Its purpose is to conserve valuable natural resources through the efficient use of land, water and air; create a sense of community and place; expand transportation, employment, and housing choices; distribute the costs and benefits of development in an equitable manner; and promote public health.
Smart Growth has four straightforward goals:
- Support existing communities by targeting resources to support development in areas where infrastructure exists;
- Save our most valuable natural resources before they are forever lost;
- Save taxpayers from the high cost of building infrastructure to serve development that has spread far from our traditional population centers; and
- Provide Marylanders with a high quality of life, whether they choose to live in a rural community, suburb, small town, or city.
Since 1992 the State of Maryland has adopted a variety of Smart Growth laws and policies. Many of these laws and policies have been administered by the Maryland Department of Planning.
Reinvest Maryland Toolbox
Ever wonder what federal and state resources you might tap for your upcoming project, but don't know where to start? More than 100 programs support infill, redevelopment and revitalization in Maryland. How to find the best ones to support your work? The Maryland Department of Planning developed the Reinvest Maryland Toolbox as a searchable, online resource to point you to the right programs.

subset: commoncrawl


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GamesBeat 2014 is VentureBeat's sixth annual event on disruption in the video game market. The event gathers top execs, investors, analysts, and entrepreneurs from the hottest companies to explore the gaming industry's latest trends and newest monetization opportunities.
This year's theme is "Total World Domination." Gaming is competing on the world stage to become the dominant medium for entertainment. Will it succeed? And will the game business be dominated by blockbusters across all platforms — consoles, PCs, mobile, and online — or will diversity thrive as indies stay strong?
We'll explore these ideas and more at our must-attend, very efficient two-day event with the movers and shakers of gaming.
Vice President of Games
Signia Venture Partners
Entertainment Software Association
Managing Director
Mayfield Fund
Board Director
Unity Technologies, Syntertainment
General Partner
President & Chief Executive Officer
Head of Corporate development & Licensing
Executive Vice President & Co-founder
Head of Games Business Development
IDG Ventures
Senior Vice President, Maxis
Electronic Arts
Chief Operating Officer
President Interactive Ventures & Games
Executive Producer, The Sims 4
Electronic Arts
SVP of Sales
Creative Director
President and CEO
Founder & Executive Creative Director
Engine Co. No. 4
Managing Director
Mavent Partners
Co-founder and CEO
Managing Director
Wedbush Securities
Founder & CEO
Managing Director
Crossover Technologies
Thomson Reuters
Senior Reporter
CNET News
Senior Analyst
Corum Group
Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer
President, CEO & Member
Telltale Games
Cowen & Company
Co-Founder and CEO
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Lead Writer, GamesBeat
Editor-in-Chief of GamesBeat
Magid Advisors
COO & Executive Director
Super Evil Megacorp
Game Journalist And Executive In Charge, Publisher Relations
Softonic USA
IT's A SECRET, LLC
CEO & Co-founder
Pixelberry Studios
Chief Revenue Officer, co-founder
Forgame US
VP of Games
IGN Entertainment
Partner, Strategic Investment Office
iGaming Capital
Co-CEO and Chief Strategy Officer
Game Insight
Senior Manager, Developer Relations
CEO and Co-Founder
Co-founder and Product Owner
Studio Head of North America
Creative Director
Sony Online Entertainment
Co-founder & CEO
VP, Games Publishing
Venture Partner
F50 Venture
Senior Strategist
Niko Partners
VP Business Development
VP Mobile Product
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Head of Com2us USA
Com2us USA, Inc
CoFounder & Chief Creative Officer
Pocket Gems
Head of Business Development, Gaming
President of Publishing
Glu Mobile
Managing Director
TransLink Capital
Senior Director, Content & Technology
Nvidia Corporation
Chief Operating Officer
Visionary Works, LLC.
Ruby Seven Studios
eSports Commentator and Legal and Business Manager
Hi-Rez Studios
GM, Games
Director of Business Development
VP Partnerships & Strategy
Head of Business Development & Business Operations
Former App Store Marketing Manager
Former Apple Employee
Tangible Play
Co-Founder & CEO
Co-Founder & CEO
CEO & Co-Founder
Managing Director
Head of Business Development
VP of Product Marketing
Technology Evangelist
Epic Games Inc
Turtle Entertainment America
Developer & Community Relations
Hit Detection
Head of Business Development
8:00 am - 8:45 am
Registration & continental breakfast
8:45 am - 9:00 am
General opening remarks: Total world domination
Speakers: Dean Takahashi (VentureBeat), Dan Hsu (VentureBeat)
read more »
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Fireside Chat: How EA is navigating big industry transitions (with EA)
Speaker: Andrew Wilson (EA)
Moderator: Mike Vorhaus (Magid Associates)
read more »
9:30 am - 9:50 am
Fireside Chat: Making strategic partnerships successful (with Nexon)
Speaker: Owen Mahoney (Nexon)
Moderator: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
9:50 am - 10:10 am
Fireside Chat: The future of game platforms and indie gaming (with Unity Technologies)
Speaker: David Helgason (Unity Technologies)
Moderator: Malathi Nayak (Thomson Reuters)
read more »
10:10 am - 10:30 am
Fireside Chat: What GODUS has taught me about game design and monetization (with 22cans)
Speaker: Peter Molyneux (22cans)
Moderator: Geoff Keighley (Spike TV)
read more »
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Morning Break
11:00 am - 11:20 am
Fireside Chat: Hollywood IP: From the big screen to mobile devices (with Lionsgate and Kabam)
Speakers: Peter Levin (Lionsgate), Chris Petrovic (Kabam)
Moderator: Michael Pachter (Wedbush Securities)
read more »
11:20 am - 11:40 am
Fireside Chat: Mobile momentum and Google Play (with Google Play)
Speaker: Bob Meese (Google Play)
Moderator: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
11:40 am - 12:00 pm
Fireside Chat: Who's winning the console war? Who's winning gaming? (with Unity Technologies and Syntertainment)
Speaker: John Riccitiello (Unity Technologies and Syntertainment)
Moderator: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
12:00 pm - 12:20 pm
The Global Village - How mobile games cross borders -- or fail to (with Flurry)
Speaker: Simon Khalaf (Flurry)
read more »
12:20 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch hosted by TapSense
read more »
1:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Fireside Chat: Playing with life: A conversation with Lucy Bradshaw and Rachel Franklin of EA
Speakers: Lucy Bradshaw (Electronic Arts), Rachel Franklin (Electronic Arts)
Moderator: Tal Blevins (IGN Entertainment)
read more »
1:50 pm - 2:10 pm
Fireside Chat: Investing in a global game industry (with Signia Venture Partners)
Speaker: Rick Thompson (Signia Venture Partners)
Moderator: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
2:10 pm - 2:30 pm
Fireside Chat: The big challenges of being a global industry (with the Entertainment Software Association)
Speaker: Mike Gallagher (Entertainment Software Association)
Moderator: Dan Hsu (GamesBeat)
read more »
2:30 pm - 2:40 pm
Transition to Breakouts
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm
Breakout Session: Social Casino: The real money reality
Moderator: Melissa Blau (iGaming Capital)
Panelists: Michael Carpenter (Ruby Seven Studios), Monty Kerr (Playstudios), Maytal Ginzburg Olsha (Zynga), Ilya Nikolayev (InAppFuel)
read more »
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm
Breakout Session: Where game technology is going?
Moderator: William O'Neal (Softonic USA)
Panelists: James Iliff (Survios), Pramod Sharma (Tangible Play), Rev Lebaredian (Nvidia), Andy Hess (Epic Games)
read more »
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm
Breakout Session: The Evolution and Future of Monetization in Games
Moderator: Japheth Dillman (YetiZen)
Panelists: Ash Kumar (Tapsense), Jason Morse (Criteo), Victor Milligan (Nexage), Zach Phillips (Upsight)
read more »
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm
Breakout Session: Partnering with Asian giants: How to ride on their shoulders without getting trampled
Moderator: Jay Eum (Translink Capital)
Panelists: James Zhang (Spellgun), Mikihiro Yasuda (DeNA), Aditya Rathnam (Kamcord), Taehoon Kim (nWay)
read more »
3:40 pm - 4:10 pm
Afternoon Break
4:10 pm - 4:30 pm
Fireside Chat: Uncovering the next billion dollar opportunity (with Mayfield Fund and Super Evil Megacorp)
Speakers: Tim Chang (Mayfield Fund), Kristian Segerstrale (Super Evil Megacorp)
Moderator: Martin Rae (Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences)
read more »
4:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Fireside Chat: Building enduring franchises in a hits driven business (with Zynga)
Speaker: Clive Downie (Zynga)
Moderator: Ian Sherr (CNET News)
read more »
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm
Fireside Chat: What is Amazon doing in games? (with Amazon Games)
Speaker: Mike Frazzini (Amazon Games)
Moderator: Dan Hsu (GamesBeat)
read more »
5:10 pm - 5:25 pm
Closing Remarks
Speaker: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
5:25 pm - 6:45 pm
Opening Reception
8:00 am - 8:50 am
Continental breakfast
read more »
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Opening remarks
Speaker: Dean Takahashi (VentureBeat)
read more »
9:00 am - 9:20 am
Fireside Chat: Providing a total solution for monetization (with Tapjoy)
Speaker: Steve Wadsworth (Tapjoy)
Moderator: Malathi Nayak (Thomson Reuters)
read more »
9:20 am - 9:40 am
Fireside Chat: Why China has become the hottest game market (with iDreamSky)
Speaker: Jeff Lyndon (iDreamSky)
Moderator: Michele Maguire (Niko Partners)
read more »
9:40 am - 10:00 am
Fireside Chat: Zigging when the others zag (with Benchmark Capital)
Speaker: Mitch Lasky (Benchmark)
Moderator: Eric Goldberg (Crossover Technologies)
read more »
10:00 am - 10:20 am
Critical hits and near misses (with Wooga)
Speaker: Jens Begemann (Wooga)
read more »
10:20 am - 10:40 am
Fireside Chat: Storytelling in games: From vision to reality (with IDG Ventures & Telltale Games)
Speakers: Phil Sanderson (IDG Ventures), Dan Connors (Telltale Games)
read more »
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Morning Break & Quick Connect
Moderator: Cameron Merriman (VentureBeat)
read more »
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Breakout Session: Adapting customer acquisition strategies in a rapidly changing world
Moderator: Michael Chang (Mavent Partners)
Panelists: Chris Akhavan (Glu Mobile), Christine Lee (Chartboost ), Andrew Green (TinyCo), Konstantin Dieterle (AppLift)
read more »
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Breakout Session: How e-sports have already arrived
Moderator: Jeff Grubb (VentureBeat)
Panelists: Brian Grayson (Hi-Rez Studios), Justin Wong (Twitch), Han Park (Turtle Entertainment America), Mark Donovan (Xfire)
read more »
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Breakout Session: Taking games into the West
Moderator: Jeff Hilbert (DDM)
Panelists: Anatoly Ropotov (Game Insight), Roy Liu (Forgame US), Casey Lee (Com2Us USA), AJ Redmer (Gumi)
read more »
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
1:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Fireside Chat: Insights from the world's largest game company (with Tencent)
Speaker: Dan Brody (Tencent)
Moderator: Dean Takahashi (GamesBeat)
read more »
1:50 pm - 2:10 pm
Fireside Chat: Why live-streaming and social video is transforming game discovery, purchase decisions, consumption and community around your game (with Twitch)
Speaker: Kym Nelson (Twitch)
Moderator: Geoff Keighley (Spike TV)
read more »
2:10 pm - 2:30 pm
Fireside Chat: Mobile gaming's all-stars - Making the cut to play the big leagues (with SGN)
Speaker: Chris DeWolfe (SGN)
Moderator: Doug Creutz (Cowen & Co)
read more »
2:30 pm - 2:50 pm
Fireside Chat: Data science: The newest weapon in the arsenal of mobile monetization
Speakers: Rob Weber (NativeX), Will Harbin (Kixeye)
read more »
2:50 pm - 3:20 pm
Afternoon Break
3:20 pm - 4:20 pm
Who's Got Game Innovation Showdown
Speakers: Michael Chang (Mavent Partners), Eric Goldberg (Crossover Technologies), Sana Choudary (YetiZen), Ann Burkett (F50 Venture)
Moderator: Dan Hsu (GamesBeat)
read more »
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm
Fireside Chat: Made in China, played worldwide (with FunPlus)
Speaker: Andy Zhong (FunPlus)
Moderator: Mike Vorhaus (Magid Associates)
read more »
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm
Smelling smoke: Knowing the warning signs of trouble inside your studio (with Engine Co. No. 4)
Speaker: Evan Hirsch (Engine Co. No. 4)
read more »
5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Closing remarks & Who's Got Game Innovation Showdown winner announced
Speakers: Dean Takahashi (VentureBeat), Dan Hsu (VentureBeat)
read more »
5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Closing Reception
Moderator: Dan Hsu (GamesBeat)
read more »
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Official GamesBeat after-party (hosted by YetiZen, inMobi and Startapp)
read more »
Sign up now to receive an invitation to the official GamesBeat 2014 after-party. GamesBeat 2014 is less than a week away. YetiZen, inMobi, Startapp and GamesBeat are pleased to announce a co-hosted VIP after-party where gaming executives can mingle at the Ferrari Showcase room on September 16. After the GamesBeat reception ends, the party will continue. Yetizen has pulled together the event for game industry executives power mingling with industry insiders and thought leaders, surrounded by exotic supercars.
Guests will arrive via limo bus and enter on a red carpet, with photographers on hand to snap their photos. Live jazz will be performed by the legendary Bay Area orchestral composer Robby Elfman in celebration of the pre-release of his upcoming album.
Ram's Gate a local vineyard known for its award-winning Pinot Noir, will be hosting a wine tasting. The executive mingle will take place on the gorgeous Ferrari showcase property in Marin, overlooking the stunning bay. Next year's Ferrari lineup will be on display, and guests will be allowed to take photos with these new 2015 models. Limo buses will wait to ferry guests to and from the conference just outside of the Parc 55 Wyndham hotel.
To attend this incredible event, be sure to request an invite here!
Now in it's sixth year, the GamesBeat "Who's Got Game" Innovation Showdown is back! We're looking for companies – from young startups to more established players – with the freshest ideas and most disruptive technologies in gaming.
This year your opportunity to showcase your product/service in front of 600+ business and gaming execs, leaders, venture capitalists, investors, and press.
Finalists will have five minutes to showcase their innovative gaming technologies live at GamesBeat. Our team of judges – made up of gaming industry experts and venture capitalists will provide feedback on the products/services presented and determine the winner based on the following criteria: freshness, innovation, and potential for business success. Judges include:
The Showdown winners will be announced onstage at GamesBeat and will receive GamesBeat/VentureBeat coverage, introductions to investors and/or relevant potential customers in our network, and other prizes to be announced.
Finalists include:
Chobolabs — Chobolabs is bringing competitive shooters to mobile, the largest gaming platform ever. Comprised of serial entrepreneurs, gaming veterans, and former pro-gamers, the Chobolabs team has previously worked on mobile games that went on to gross more than $100M in revenue. Investors include Innovation Endeavors, Maurice Werdegar, XG Ventures, and others.
GameLock revolutionizes retailing by enabling gamers to lock-in a guaranteed resale when they buy, and pay only the spread between purchase and resale price. GameLock lowers the cost of gaming, and eliminates the hassle, effort and uncertainly of reselling; and with GameLock, publishers participate and profit in the secondary market.
Hellogamers — Hellogamers is a marketplace that connects gamers with sponsors and provides tools to manage sponsorships from beginning to end. It gives every gamer the opportunity to be discovered and make a living through gaming while giving brands access to one of the most engaged consumer audiences in the world.
IntuGine — IntuGine Technologies presents you Nimble, a tiny and flexible ring shaped device designed to magically transform 15 ft in front of the computer into a highly accurate interactive space (sub-mm accuracy within 1 m and sub-cm within 5 m). Just plug in our USB sensor in the computer, get the nimble in your finger and leave the rest on our software. The product comes with three nimble rings, a USB sensor and a software.
Nudge — LIVE OPS solution for Mobile Games. Nudge enables you to track CORE users in real-time and recognize opportunities on the spot to engage them instantly and maximize LTV through continuous optimization. Boost CORE users by creating special quests and giving rewards. Hack Monetization with personalized offers and flash sales.
PlayFab — PlayFab provides comprehensive cloud-based tools and services for building and managing live "games-as-services" – virtually all games, nowadays. PlayFab addresses the needs of all developers, from small indies to big publishers, allowing them to focus on creating great games – rather than reinventing the technology needed to succeed in today's crowded market.
The Tap Lab — The Tap Lab, creator of Tiny Tycoons and Bigfoot Hunter, is a mobile gaming studio based in Cambridge, MA. The studio creates location-based as well as augmented and virtual reality games that take full advantage of the mobile platform, bringing entirely new experiences to players.
GamesBeat University is a parallel track during this years GamesBeat event perfect for game industry professionals to learn the recipes for success in a series of short hands-on talks. Executives from the top studios and companies will unveil tips and tricks that can help games developers build successful games and businesses. Find the full agenda for GamesBeat University here.
While the main track covers high-level, strategic discussions, GamesBeat University presentations are meant to be actionable and useful stories for game developers and entrepreneurs, and will showcase concrete solutions to common challenges.Topics may cover all aspects of making games successful, including but not limited to:
One of our identified speakers is Michael Ehrenberg, consultant and former marketing manager at Apple. He will talk about what it takes to get noticed by Apple and how to position your game so it can be considered for being featured in the App Store — a critical step in helping your game stand out among the million-plus apps already in the market. Ehrenberg will offer tips based on his own experiences pitching Apple and later working on the inside.
If you are interested in speaking, please submit an application here. We recommend applying early as we book speakers on an on-going basis.
Enter the GamesBeat Nest, a brand new space at GamesBeat that spotlights a select number of emerging companies that are truly disrupting gaming.
Companies in the the Nest get:
Interested? We've got a very limited number of spaces available at a steeply discounted sponsorship rate. Email email@example.com for full information.
Parc 55 (A Hilton Hotel)
55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco, CA 94102
We have secured a discounted room rate of $219/per night for GamesBeat attendees at the Cartwright Hotel. To make a reservation, please call (415) 421-2865 and reference GamesBeat or VentureBeat. The deadline to book is August 14th. We also have a discounted room rate of $399/per night at the Parc 55. The cut off date for making reservations is approaching: August 13th. Reservations can be made by calling 888-228-1952 and asking for the GamesBeat 2014 Room Block.
Valet parking is $10.00 for the first hour and $8.00 for each additional hour thereafter. Parking garages around the area include, Fifth and Mission Garage, Downtown Center Garage, California Parking Garage and Ellis/O'Farrell Parking Garage.
From SFO: Follow 101 North and merge onto Interstate 80. Take the Seventh Street exit. Merge right to Bryant Street. Turn left on Fifth Street. Cross Market Street. Fifth Street becomes Cyril Magnin. The Wyndham Parc 55 Union Square Hotel's carriage entrance is on the left side of Cyril Magnin.


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September 5, 2011
Adam Silverstein
After the game each week Inside the Gators will take a closer look at the football team by awarding them either a thumbs up or a thumbs down to either specific players, coaches, positions or areas of the team. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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Café Vienna / Michala Petri
1 Super Audio CD / OUR Recordings / 2009-10-27Works: Mauro Giuliani: Gran Duetto Concertante, for flute (or violin) & guitar in A major, Op. 52; Ferdinando Carulli: Fantasy on an English air, Op. 102; Joseph Küffner: Potpourri sur des airs nationa...
Performers: Hannibal, Lars; Petri, Michala
OUR Recordings wishes to congratulate recorder virtuoso Michala Petri on her 40th year as performing artists. Together with long-time duo partner, guitarist Lars Hannibal, Michala...continue...
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Child of the Prophecy (予言の子, Yogen no Ko) is a title originally conceived by the Great Toad Sage. He foretold that the Child of the Prophecy would be a student of Jiraiya that would bring a great revolution to the world of the ninja. Jiraiya's actions would determine if this revolution would be for the world's salvation or the world's destruction. Jiraiya believed, at different times, that the following characters could be the Child of the Prophecy:
While in Amegakure after the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya met Nagato, a boy with that possessed the Rinnegan. Because the fabled Sage of the Six Paths, a figure who was said to have saved the world in the distant past, also possessed the Rinnegan, Jiraiya believed that Nagato was the Child of the Prophecy. He trained Nagato and encouraged him to find peace for the world.
When he returned to Konoha, Jiraiya acquired his own genin team. Because of the natural genius of one of its members, Minato, Jiraiya suggested to Minato that he could be the Child of the Prophecy and took him as an apprentice. Minato still remembered this decades later and, during the Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha, formed his own conclusion regarding the prophecy. He believed that Tobi would bring destruction to the world, and that his son, Naruto, would save the world from Tobi. Because of this, Minato chose to seal the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox into Naruto to help him face this great challenge.
Sixteen years later, Jiraiya returned to Amegakure to investigate Akatsuki, a criminal organization seeking the world's destruction. When he discovered that Nagato was the leader of Akatsuki, Jiraiya, still believing Nagato to be the Child of the Prophecy, tried to kill him before he could bring about his prophesied revolution. He failed, but as he died he came to the same conclusion as Minato: that Naruto, a boy he had been training for the last two-and-a-half-years, was the Child of the Prophecy. The choice he had to make was whether or not he should give up. Choosing not to, Jiraiya revived himself through sheer will long enough to send clues about how to defeat Nagato, the supposed world's destruction, to Naruto.
At the conclusion of the invasion of Pain, wherein Nagato gave his life to help Naruto achieve peace, as the Great Toad Sage watched on, he realised that both he and Jiraiya had been wrong and that the "Child of the Prophecy" did not refer to a single individual, but to both Nagato and Naruto who were trying to save the world.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War when Naruto released the rest of the tailed beasts from Tobi's control, Kurama remembered the final words of the Sage of the Sixth Paths about an individual who would reunite the tailed beasts and put them on the right path. Kurama stated that this person was Naruto and the rest of the beasts agreed.
- Each of the individuals whom at one time were thought to be the Child of Prophecy were also regarded as the "Saviour of this World".


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In these books, children can indulge their interest in Japanese anime and manga. The sub-genres of Shoujo and Fantasy manga are also addressed.
These books include dozens of fun, hands-on lessons demonstrating how to draw heads, eyes, expressions, hairstyles, the basic body, hands, shoes, good and bad guys, goofy characters, magical villians, princesses, mermaids, fairies, robots, and more.
Each dazzling spread is easy to follow and fun to look at. The text is clear, and the instructions go
Christopher Hart is the world's
Author — Chrisopher Hart.
Paperback, 64 pages.
see also ...
™ Kids Draw is a trademark.


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Click here to subscribe to Beyond Blue.
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When does reciting scripture become a symptom of neurosis? Or praying the rosary an unhealthy compulsion? Not until I had the Book of Psalms practically memorized as a young girl did I learn that words and acts of faith can morph […]
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Browse Games
Gears of War 3 Xbox 360 User Review
2 Reviews
User Reviews (2)
Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360) - 2 reviews
Super Gamer Dude
Xbox 360
The Gears of War trilogy is perhaps one of the most visually recognizable third person shooters in video games today. From the chainsaw bayonet to the gravel voiced brute squad that makes up the male leads, Gears of War is a dystopian apocalypse at its finest, and despite complaints about the consistent presence of chest high walls, the game has a huge following among players. In Gears of War 3 players step back into the worn combat boots of Marcus Fenix, the gruff, grizzled hero that's out to save the world one barrage of bullets at a time.
What's The Story?
With Gears of War 3, things have spiraled completely out of control. The last human city fell a year and a half ago, and to make matters worse there's something brewing in the depths of the planet; something that can only mean more bad business for what's left of humanity. It's up to Marcus to lead what's left of his Delta Squad to key places to destroy the threats and try to rescue the chances for humanity by putting down whatever threats he and his team come across. By the end of the game though, players will have to put their trigger fingers to work to make sure that the world survives.
The end of the epic trilogy has taken what the previous two games did well and made them that much better. The controls are organic, and allow players to tuck, roll, run, dodge, strafe and reload all at speeds that make everything move at the pace of the player. Previous problems, such as the intelligence of the team's AI, or difficulty in aiming at what players really want to target have been mostly repaired, and overall the game flows better than either of the previous two installments, while keeping the same feeling of pedal to the metal action and teeth rattling violence that's made the series so popular for so long.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Gears of War 3, like the rest of the series, has all the things that can make a really enjoyable action game. However, there are some things that players will need to put on their blinders for in order to keep the suspension of disbelief. Players can't question the plot, or the logic of the world, for instance. While there aren't as many holes in it as there are in the enemy, there are some logic gaps. As many reviewers have said though, the game more than makes up for its shortcomings with great action and lovely scenery, along with enough twists and turns to keep players shooting and snarling as they go through wave after wave of enemies.
Gears of War 3, just as the previous games have done, has set the standard in the genre. With the conclusion of the trilogy though, players need to wring all the enjoyment they can out of the last chapter; there probably isn't going to be another one after it.
Super Gamer Dude
Xbox 360
Marcus Fenix, Delta Squad leader is back with his team of COG soldiers and this time they have to fight for their lives to try and save the remnants of the human race from old threats, and new ones that come from within the planet itself. The campaign within the game is set over five acts, split into smaller chapters, and the controls have been kept pretty much like they were in Gears of War 2 so fans of the previous game should have no problems settling in.
Gears of War 3 also has a split screen option so you can play with a friend and for the first time you can now go with a team of four players. You also get the option to play other skins, so you are not always limited to playing Marcus Fenix. The game also has new abilities by which you are able to tag opponents, the only problem with this is that it is of little use in single co-op mode and is more use in the multiplayer campaigns when playing in teams.
Overall this third installment is way better than its previous two counterparts and the story overall, which I will not spoil, adds to the overall flavor and gameplay. This is a gem of a game and has won multiple awards from numerous top gaming sites. The gameplay can last for around 10-12 hours but the online play will last a lot longer than this.
The graphic background to the action is stunning and the designers have paid great attention to detail with each campaign. All in all Gears of War 3 has leveled the series with what is truly a peach of a game, it is way up there with the top games on the Xbox 360.


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About Us
For over a decade we've been cutting through the frustration of under-performing technology and poor service, delivering the power of the web to any organization that needs it.
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February 2, 2015 Uncategorized No Comments
Greetings netizens, I'm Campy and I want you to take time with me to talk about the downfall of gaming known by the name of pre-orders. But Campy you say, pre-orders are amazing. They give us the opportunity to secure a copy of


text: Select Year 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 BlogContent 2011 2010 All Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec July Colorado Adult Learning Symposium Regis University hosting the first Colorado Adult Learning Symposium July 29; Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia will be the guest speaker July 17, 2013 May Academic and Artistic Aachievement Celebrating academic and artistic achievement at Regis University May 08, 2013 February Simon Tweddell Presentation 'Nationalized Health Care – Would it work in the U.S.?' topic of presentation at Regis University by senior lecturer from England's Bradford University February 18, 2013 January Stories from Wartime Stories from Wartime – Iraq and Afghanistan topic of Jan. 29 presentation at Regis University January 29, 2013 Anne Kelly Wins National Award for Excellence in Leadership Anne Kelly, RN, was selected for the 2012 Award for Excellence in Leadership - Generalist by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. January 03, 2013 Catherine Witt Receives National Nursing Leadership Award Catherine Witt has won the National Association of Neonatal Nurses 2012 Leadership Award. January 03, 2013 Jagan Gudur Jagan Gudur named Chief Information Officer at Regis University January 03, 2013


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Coast Guard Personnel Service Center
Officer Personnel Management Division
Officer Boards, Promotions, and Separations Branch CG PSC (opm-1)
Separations Section
The Officer Separations Section handles all of the following:
Temporary Separation
Officer Medical Waivers
Officer Orthodontic Waivers
Medical Delays of Separation
Release from Separation Active Duty
Retired Recall - See the Retired Recall Page
1. I see the term 'separations' used throughout the web pages and in documents. What does it mean? A separation in the context of this office is the act of terminating your service as an officer in the Active Duty Coast Guard. There are various types of separation including resigning a commission, retirement, releasing reserve officers on Active Duty (RELAD), and discharge from the service.
2. Where are my separation orders? Your separation orders are drafted from two different elements by your Servicing Personnel Office (SPO). The first is an entry on the Direct Access airport terminal at your command which will have the TONO. The second is a separation authorization which will have the date of separation, reason for separation, and any clause for your orders. The separation authorization is accessible by your Servicing Personnel Office and they are normally emailed to the member upon approval of the separation by CG PSC (OPM). If your business email address is up to date in Direct Access, your orders should be emailed to you immediately upon processing. To view orders issued to you within Direct Access, see the help section on "My Peoplesoft Orders" on the PPC Website
3. How long does it take to process a resignation/retirement request? It can take 30-60 days to process a separation request. Factors that lengthen the process are special/unique requests, improperly completed separation requests, workload of the assignment officers and impact on the assignment process. We work to complete the requests as quickly as possible.
4. Should I fax, mail or FEDEX my resignation request? If the request is time critical, it should be faxed to OPM-1F at (703) 872-6429. There is no need to use FEDEX if the fax is operating properly. If tracking is a concern, use registered first class mail. All separation requests should have the command endorsement and any other necessary endorsements faxed/mailed along with it. Personnel in an office at Ballston Common Mall or at CGHQ should Guard Mail the request to CG PSC (opm-1F). Requests/endorsements may be scanned and emailed to the separations section.
5. What is the process for approving resignations/retirements? When CG PSC (opm-1) receives a resignation or retirement request, it is processed in the following manner:
a. OPM-1 reviews Direct Access to determine if the
member has any obligated service remaining and is eligible for what they are
requesting. It is also checked for Command endorsement and the member is
contacted if there are procedural mistakes.
b. The applicable detailer and Chief of Officer Assignments review the request, determine service impact, and make necessary adjustments to the assignment shopping lists.
c. The package is returned to the Chief of the Boards, Promotions, & Separations Branch and a separation date is assigned based on feedback from the Separations Section, the Assignments Branch, and Command Endorsements.
d. The Separation Sections makes appropriate entries in Direct Access issuing orders.
6. What are frequent mistakes in retirement/resignation letters? Here are some of the most frequent problems that we encounter:
a. No
command endorsement attached.
b. For resignations, no reason given for resigning or incomplete reasons. If there is a particular date requested that is critical, include the reasons why.
c. Requests not signed or dated by the member.
d. Submitting amendments to separations without reference to the original separation request or separation orders.
e. Not submitted in the format outlined in the Military Separations COMDTINST M1000.4, Chapter 1
7. My Commanding Officer just endorsed my separation request by signing next to the "Thru:" line. How is this interpreted by CG PSC? CG PSC would view this a favorable endorsement for the content of the letter without comment or qualification.
8. Can I submit a separation request without a command endorsement directly to CG PSC? No, all initial requests and amendments require command endorsement.
9. I am slated for mandatory retirement. Why would I request a voluntary retirement in lieu of a mandatory one and how do I do it? Those members slated for mandatory separation may request a voluntary separation instead. What this will do is change the code listed on the DD 214 to reflect voluntarily leaving the service. If you are slated for mandatory separation and desire this be listed as voluntary, you can email the separations section and changes will be made. If you desire this AND an earlier separation date, you need to route a request for retirement on the new date through your chain of command to CG PSC (opm-1). Requesting voluntary in lieu of mandatory separation generally does not apply if you are separating instead of going through some disciplinary action. There will be no harm to retirement benefits for doing this, but if you are facing discharge, requesting a voluntary separation in lieu of a mandatory one will cause you to lose any separation/severance benefits.
10. Could I request a voluntary separation if I am facing mandatory discharge? In cases of resignation in lieu of board action or court martial, you cannot. You could in cases like nonselection for promotion but would have to give up severance/separation pay.
11. Why are retirements scheduled at the beginning of the month? 5 U.S.C 8301 requires that retirements that are not covered by some other statute are to be executed on the first day of the month. Retirement situations that are not required to be at the beginning of the month are disability retirements and resuming retirement after a recall to active duty.
1. I'm an Academy graduate who has completed my five years of Active Duty service and desire to resign my commission. How come I have to take a Reserve Commission even though I don't want one to finish my eight years of obligation? Eight Years - I thought it was five? 10 U.S.C 651 states that any person entering military service will serve a period of six to eight years as set by the Secretary, either on Active Duty or in a part of the Reserves for the remainder of the obligation. 14 U.S.C 182 outlines obligated service for Academy graduates as five years of Active Duty with a total obligation of six to eight years. The Commandant, as delegated by the Secretary, has set the full obligation out to eight years per chapter four of the Recruiting Manual. This means that to resign at the five year point, an Academy graduate would have to take a commission in the USCG Reserve for the remaining obligation. The officer does not have to request a Selective Reserve Commission and can request one in the Individual Ready Reserve (non-drilling component).
2. What are my obligations for flight school? Flight school obligation was five years for those who were selected before and up to 01 Aug 1999. Selection for flight school between 01 Aug 1999 and 30 Oct 2000 incurred six years. Selection after 30 Oct 2000 incurred eight years service.
3. Can I pay back tuition assistance to eliminate the obligation? Voluntary separation requests are not approved if the member has a tuition assistance obligation. A system to pay back the money would need approval of the Tuition Assistance program manager prior to requesting separation.
1. I have made a request in my resignation letter to go into the reserves. What's next? Your request will be forwarded to the Reserve Personnel Management Division CG PSC (rpm) who will review your options and make a determination as to what is available for you. Your separation orders will contain a clause that advises you to contact CG PSC (rpm) to discuss your options.
2. I want to change my mind about my Reserve intentions that I submitted in my resignation to CG PSC (opm). Is my initial choice binding? No. You may latter change your mind until you accept some form of reserve commission. You should contact CG PSC (rpm) if ASAP after your resignation has been approved letting them know of your modified intentions.
Reservists on Extended Active Duty (EAD)
1. I have a question about my EAD contract. Who handles that? EAD contracts are handled by the Promotions Section of CG PSC (opm-1).
2. I do not desire Reserve Extension or Integration. Is there anything I have to do? If you do not desire reserve extension or integration from a separations aspect, there is no action required on your part. Orders will be cut for your release from active duty 3-4 months before the scheduled date.
3. Can I get my orders earlier than 3-4 months before the scheduled Active Duty Termination Date? Submit a request via email to the Separations Section (no command endorsement is required). Separation orders will not normally be issued earlier than 6 months before the RELAD date.
4. I haven't received my separation orders. Does this mean I have been involuntarily extended on active duty? You would receive more formal notification if that happened rather than the absence of orders. If you have not received it, please email the Separations Section since it is most likely an administrative oversight.
5. I have signed a new EAD contract and my Separation Orders have not been cancelled. What do I need to do? Email the Separations Section and we will ensure they are cancelled or flagged. There is a possibility that the new contract has been signed but not processed at CG PSC.
1. I see CG PSC (opm) handles waivers for officer programs. Who should I contact in CG PSC about this? CG PSC (opm) facilitates and approves the request. Commissioned Officers may contact the Separations Section for an updated status. For those applying to OCS or other commissioning program, you should contact the appropriate POC in Coast Guard Recruiting Command.
Under Construction


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Vendetta Online
Vendetta Online Screenshot Pack
Vendetta Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), set in space.
Vendetta Online v1.8.224 Client
Real-time combat MMO with action taking place in a single Universe, where thousands of players can fit.
In this game, thousands of people can play together, at the same time, in a single, persistent universe. You will be able to take on the form of spaceship pilots within this universe, flying to and fro between space stations and other locations in the galaxy.


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You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"With our long address, we had to utilize the professional review to get everything on the address label. With their adjustments, everything fits and looks great!"
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Lookin' good so far, I really like the texture used for the grass.
just a little something I started working on to give me a break from the other map I'm working on.
I've always been much more of a sci-fi rather than fantasy geek, and I wanted to do something like mapping out a military base themed on Mechwarrior and Halo.
so here is what I've put together so far, it isn't nearly finished yet, but I thought I'd put it up and get some feedback.
The Pelicans I got from deviantart, a guy called TroopaKoopa put it together from in game screen shots.
here's his link here: http://troopakoopa.deviantart.com/ar...%3AMR-FUD&qo=2
I picked up other graphics and things from google images
I'd like to hear what everyone thinks
Lookin' good so far, I really like the texture used for the grass.
My Finished Maps | My Challenge Maps | Ghoraja Juun, my largely stagnated campaign setting.
Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Thanks SG!
I'm actually thinking about maybe setting this up as a VT or battlemap...the only thing though is that I haven't had any experience with typical rules or methods of play in any kind of rpg game...(except maybe Diablo a long time ago)
The only game I can really think of in the way of tactical and strategy games would be Risk...which could maybe work if modified a little bit
does anyone have any pointers or advice for setting up rules for a game?
It is looking good! Some nice textures you have there.
Small suggestions: The little green hexagons on the north wall look a little too 'clean' (they're unshadowed as well). Not sure what you're using to make the map but it might be worth putting a drop shadow / inner shadow so they integrate better with the wall. Some of the elements have a black outline and others don't (e.g. the wall and the hexagons) which lessens the effect of an integrated whole.
Not sure if the ship on the left is meant to be in the air or on the ground - you can suggest either by using a drop shadow and playing with the distance it is away from the ship.
For rules at battles on this scale you might want to take a look at 'At Close Quarters' by BITS which is for Traveller but could easily be repurposed for your needs.
I believe there allready is a drop shadow from the airborne ship - but its to far away from the ship so it seems disconnected. Move it back slightly under the ship and lighten it some more to show distance ... otherwise looking good - maybe the buildings could use some patina/dirt/scorch marks
regs tilt
:: My art on Deviant Art :: My work Catapult ::
:: Finished Maps :: WIP Breakwater - Gungnerhafn -Battle City :: Competion maps - A Ghastly Rest ::
:: FREE Tiles - Compasses :: Other Taking a commision - Copyright & Creative Commons ::
Works under CC licence unless mentioned otherwise
yeah, there is a drop shadow...I was wondering if it was too far away*fixed*
also finished the north enclosure and towers...not sure what I am going to put into it yet...probably either a weapons testing field or some kind of excavation area...they perhaps just found some kind of artifact...
when I planned it out it was supposed to be more like some kind of enclosure for wild-life testing, we'll see
@tilt: yeah, I have some ideas for weathering the buildings, and the terrain will show some action too.
I saw "Echo Base," and I was thinking of the rebel base on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, but this is a nice work. I can see a use for this in one of my sci-fi or Mutants & Masterminds campaigns.
John Grigsby
Gaming Operations Director, CoastCon 37
Member-at-Large, CoastCon 37
Currently using Dundjinni, Photoshop CS3, and MapTool
Unless otherwise stated, any work I post here can be freely used and distributed provided credit is given to me as the originator. If you find it useful or make modifications, I'd love to hear about it.
latest work...
still a lot more work to be done of course...but I like how things are generally turning out
I had a lot of fun making the machines too, I think they turned out pretty well for the scale.
I'm not all too happy with the base ground and road textures yet...I'm still working on layering things up, but it's 4 AM, and I need a break, so I thought I'd call it a morning and upload the latest work
Looking great! The base is really starting to take shape, now.
John Grigsby
Gaming Operations Director, CoastCon 37
Member-at-Large, CoastCon 37
Currently using Dundjinni, Photoshop CS3, and MapTool
Unless otherwise stated, any work I post here can be freely used and distributed provided credit is given to me as the originator. If you find it useful or make modifications, I'd love to hear about it.
thanks whtknt!


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See All Contributors »
Former USC PG Jones inks with Iowa State | News | Football | Cyclone Fanatic
Twitter: @ChrisMWilliams
Facebook: Cyclone Fanatic
So, is this good?
Oh this is good.
Self-Proclaimed Smartest and Goodest Looking Poster on Cyclone Fanatic 4 years running*
*Fitzy not included
Great news. Though I wish he was eligable first semester next year.
This takes some of the pressure off Naz and Morris having to put in 40 minutes a game. Though my hopes are they are good enough to do just that.
Sweet. Only 5'7" but must be freakishly athletic.
MJD will save our running game! Oh wait...
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/MarkHanrahan20
Check out my blog
and tune into "Extra Innings" Thursdays at 6pm on 1460kxno
Originally Posted by cyclonez7
Sweet. Only 5'7" but must be freakishly athletic.
Hopefully crazy quick. Wear the defense out and open up shooters. I like it. Though I wonder how many times he will get posted up due to missmatches.
He got divorced, switched sports, AND has college eligibility remaining? Awesome!!!
Originally Posted by SuperTrooper
He got divorced, switched sports, AND has college eligibility remaining? Awesome!!!
His wife wasn't hot enough.
Basketball Recruiting - Maurice Jones - Player Profiles - ESPN
Maurice Jones - Yahoo! Sports
how happy should I be about this
Self proclaimed 2012 CF Newcomer of the Year
So he will be practicing with the team this year? Or just the spring semester?
Originally Posted by CLONECONES
how happy should I be about this
A solid 8. Jones will come in and start unless Monte Morris is crazy good. He stabilizes the back-court and gives the young guards more time to grow. Turns next year's team from an NIT team to a border-line NCAA team IMO.
Also Jones becomes the shortest player in MBB history at 5-7. Ties Don Ferguson (who played in 1950) for that distinction.
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Enforce the rules of the game while wearing this Referee Shirt and Hat for Adults. The shirt, which fits most chest sizes up to 42, features black and white stripes design, a black collar and a short zipper in front. The cap is black with some white piping. A referee, or ref, is the official who acts as judge and arbitrator in a variety of sports. The ref's word is law on the field. In football, there are many referees and each holds a title based on his responsibility during the game such as line judge, side judge and field judge. Basketball, volleyball, boxing and even Quidditch all have referees. In other sports, officials may go by other names. Baseball and field hockey has umpires and ice hockey has officials. Put on this outfit and tell everyone to play ball. Whistle and pants sold separately
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Zac Kerin #67
The Latest: Early 2013 Schedule Analysis: Part One — 7/5/2013
The Chippewas open their 2013 slate on August 31 in The Big House, trying to get back to a bowl game for a second consecutive year. Here's a look at their first six games.[details]


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Above: Bobby Martinez's post heat tirade that saw him get kicked off the ASP World Tour for the remainder of the year…
Quiksilver Pro New York: Wednesday Wrap Up
The rain continues to fall, literally pouring on this multi million-dollar surf contest…
But with only a short window of hurricane swell to run the entire event, the show must go on. And today, despite the blustery wind and ice-cold sideways rain, what a show it was. Through all the the showers and constantly changing conditions, there were moments of brilliant surfing. And as always, plenty of drama.
Bobby Martinez started it all with a banger of a post heat interview after a great performance against Bede Durbidge, so heated and controversial that for the first time in ASP history, he's been disqualified from the contest for his words.
"I don't want to be part of this dumb, want to be f–king tennis tour. How the f–k are 100 guys not even competing on the world tour ahead of us in the world rankings? Come on, bullshit, that's why I'm not going to these contests anymore. This is my last one. I don't give a f—k."
Except, after those remarks, that would turn out to be his final ASP heat, his swan song if you will, and the general consensus is that was the way Bobby always intended to go out. On fire.
And the controversy didn't stop there.
Cory Lopez, in need of a result to solidify a position for the back half of the year was subject to a close loss at the hands of Kieren Perrow. Many, including Kelly Slater, felt the score for his last wave came up undercooked. Per the Ten Time Champ's twitter…
"I'd like to see em replay C-Lo's/Kieren's two waves side by side. I think result was off. Kieren looked indecisive and not transitioning."
Either way, we won't be seeing Cory on the WT for the rest of 2011 – and he's not the only one who fell today in dire need of a result.
Gabe Kling and Adam Melling also suffered tough losses that knocked them off tour – though both are entirely capable of rejoining the ranks to start 2012 with a big result or two at Prime events in the coming months thanks to the newly created mid year change up.
Aside from all that today saw plenty of great surfing as well, especially in the first four heats of the third round when the sun peeked out and surf cleaned up. At that point, Taj Burrow went mad, fin ditching his way to 17 plus points in peaky surf suited perfectly to his style. He's looking sharp.
"How mad did he go out there?" said a frothing Paul Fisher after Taj's performance as he juggled a handful of cold Coor's lights. "I love this! Everyone's heads are down even after they win heats and I'm just frothing. NY is so sick. I love this place! Who cares if it's raining? Why is everyone bummed?"
With bigger and cleaner Katia swell forthcoming and barrels in the forecast – no one around here will be bummed much longer. Stay tuned. –Zander Morton
Above: Day two highlights from the 2011 Quiksilver Pro New York.
ASP Press Release And Quiksilver Pro New York Day 2 Results
LONG BEACH, Long Island, NY (Sept. 7, 2011) – The Quiksilver Pro New York supported by Vitaminwater continued for the second consecutive day at Long Beach in Long Island, New York and saw the completion of Round 2 as well as the first four heats of Round 3.
The domination of high seeds today brought an end to the run of New York hometown hero Balaram Stack, 20, who has drawn massive crowds each day of competition. He lost to Australia's Mick Fanning in Round 2 early this-morning.
Stop No. 6 of 11 on the ASP World Title Series, the Quiksilver Pro New York marks the final event before the mid-year rotation and offers up the richest prize purse in surfing history of US$1,000,000. Hurricane Katia continued to deliver increasing surf of up to six feet (2 meters) throughout the day, with higher surf forecast for tomorrow.
Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, current No. 4 on the ASP World Title Series, vigorously attacked the Long Beach lefthanders on his backhand and belted the day's highest single-wave score of 9.20 while netting the top heat-total of 17.93 (out of 20), in Round 2 before taking his Round 3 heat. "I'm really happy with my performance today," De Souza said. "My first heat was better for sure, I got the 9 and the 8, but I tried to get in rhythm in Round 3 and I hope I can keep going and get a good result in here. My house is really similar to these waves in New York and I feel at home out in these conditions."
De Souza, who defeated Travis Logie (ZAF), 33, in Round 2 before topping Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 25, in Round 3, kept his ASP World Title campaign alive with today's effort and is hunting a strong result in New York to regain the No. 1 position on the ASP World Title Rankings. "I'm stoked to make my heats today," De Souza said. "We had tough conditions and I knew for me that if I fell in that heat I would be out of the World Title Race. I'm happy to make it and hope I can keep my rhythm for the rest of the event. I'm looking forward to the no-loser's Round 4 and hopefully I can keep going in this event."
Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, put on an amazing aerial performance on his forehand in Round 3 compliments of the side-shore winds blowing into the Long Beach right-handers and lofted a 17.10 heat-total while eliminating Adam Melling (AUS), 26, from competition.
"It's pretty good out there," Burrow said. "Us natural footers that like to do airs rub our hands together when wind's like that. I did that big alley-oop on that first wave and I stacked it, but when I was through air I felt the board sticking to my feet. I knew that heat was going to be fun. I wasn't aware of his (Adam Melling's) position on the rankings, but I'm thinking about the money. I'm trying not to, but it's there in the back of my head."
Melling, current No. 35 on the ASP World Ranking, will not make the mid-year rotation for Trestles, but could possibly appear as an alternate in the remainder of the ASP World Title events.
Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion, rebounded after a Round 1 loss yesterday, making a change in his equipment to dispatch of dangerous local wildcard Balaram Stack (USA), 20, with a dominant performance. "It's always hard when you lose that first round, you've got to go back and pick up the pieces and go again," Fanning said. "Wildcards are difficult because they're usually locals and they know spot. I tried to get moving early and keep moving. The tide was dropping out and I just tried to get them in early. My board yesterday wasn't working to well, so I went back to my normal shortboard that I've been riding all year."
Brett Simpson (USA), 26, got the best of a series of exchanges over ASP Dream Tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA), 40, in their Round 2 match-up. Knox, current No. 30 on the ASP World Ranking, will wait on the results of the surfers ranked behind him who are still alive in the Quiksilver Pro New York to see if he maintains his position among the ASP Top 34 entering Trestles.
"We all knew coming into this event that Taylor (Knox) needed to do something and I am coming off momentum from Teahupo'o," Simpson said. "He's been a mentor and friend since I started on tour last year. He's inspired all of us. It's just the way it goes. I was anxious. I knew there was a lot on the line for him and I want to climb the rankings too." Simpson will face off against ASP Dream Tour rookie Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, in Round 3.
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, who was a standout at Teahupo'o, maintained his form in the beachbreak conditions on offer at the Quiksilver Pro New York, eliminating fellow European and close friend Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, in a hard-fought Round 3 battle.
"I didn't like surfing against Tiago, I want him on tour," Flores said. "He's my friend, but I want to do well here, I want to make heats, but I wanted to see him do well here because I knew he needed a result. I couldn't find any really good waves. The guys in the heats before had fun waves with great walls and mine were fat or wide. I guess my wave choice was bad, but I made it."
Bobby Martinez (USA), 29, was disqualified from the event due to an unprofessional outburst after winning his Round 2 heat. Martinez would have met world No.1 Kelly Slater in Round 3. Slater now advances directly to Round 4. Further details are available at www.aspworldtour.com.
When competition resumes, the event's highest heat scorer to date – Josh Kerr, 27, (AUS) – will be against Raoni Monteiro (BRA), 29, in Heat 5 of Round 3.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.
Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro New York will be available via quiksilverpro.com
Official forecasters for the Quiksilver Pro New York are calling for Solid SE swell from Hurricane Katia expected during the second half of the week before fading headed into the weekend.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.20 def. Balaram Stack (USA) 7.06
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.07 def. Asher Nolan (USA) 11.33
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.10 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.00
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.06 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.73
Heat 5: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.10 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.27
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.13 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 10.00
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 17.93 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.40
Heat 8: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 12.50
Heat 9: Adam Melling (AUS) 15.70 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.97
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.50 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 12.43
Heat 11: Brett Simpson (USA) 12.93 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 11.20
Heat 12: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.93 def. Daniel Ross (AUS) 8.83
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.10 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 12.87
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.60 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.67
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.60 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.73
Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.17 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 7.93
Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Bobby Martinez *Will not be surfed. Martinez disqualified from competition.
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 8: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 9: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 10: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 12: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)