Tuesday, August 17th 2010 (Tahiti local time): Local surfer, Taumata Puhetini (PFY), has claimed the 2010 Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials in solid six-foot waves at Teahupo’o, overcoming an international invite-only field of 64 to guarantee himself a wildcard into the main event of stop 5 on the ASP Men’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro, Tahiti which begins next Monday, August 23.
 
Puhetini, 23, looked unstoppable in the all-Tahitian final versus fellow local, Tamaroa McComb (PFY), registering one of the highest two-wave combined heat tallies of the event, 18.17 out of a possible perfect 20, to see him claim the most important win of his career.
 
“I have had a lot of time to watch the Billabong Pro contest as a spectator and to watch Manoa reach the final (in 2008) was great. I have spent four hours in the water training every day. Now is my chance, I am ready,” said Puhetini.
 
Both Puhetini and McComb will now join seeded wildcard, Manoa Drollet (PFY) in Round 1 of the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti main event. All three Tahitians are certain to draw the world’s highest rated surfers; world rated no. 1, Jordy Smith (ZAF), world-rated no. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS) and world rated no. 3 Kelly Slater (USA).
 
Drollet, a two-time trials champion and former Billabong Pro, Tahiti finalist (2008) believes McComb and Puhetini are danger-men at Teahupo’o and capable of causing a serious upset to the ASP Men’s Tour world title contenders.
 
Finishing third and fourth today was former two-time Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials winner (2009 & 2006) Heiarii Williams (PFY) and Steve Pierson (PFY), making it a clean sweep for the Tahitians in the semi-finals.
 
Australia’s Anthony Walsh (NSW, AUS) saw his run for glory cut short in the quarterfinals against local Steven Pierson (PFY). Pierson had the Aussie on the ropes early, scoring an excellent opening ride of 9.1 points for a long backhand tube ride which he backed up shortly after with another good score.
 
With just 10 minutes remaining, Walsh required a combination of scores to overtake the Tahitian and managed to answer back with a near-perfect 9.93 for an awesome double-barrel ride to put him within striking distance.
 
However, with time ticking away, Teahupo’o did not cooperate and still requiring a second good scoring wave Walsh, a former wildcard winner, was bundled out in equal 5th place.
 
Laurie Towner (NSW, AUS) had more than the wave drought to contend with in his quarterfinal. Earlier today Towner received medical attention on-site after he head butted the reef during a wipeout in Round 3. He was treated for a gash in his scalp and doctors inserted a stitch in a cut above his right eye.
 
In his quarter final versus McComb, Towner’s right ear copped it next. Towner unsuccessfully negotiated a frothy Teahupo’o tube and during the ensuring wipeout, the fin of his board struck his ear underwater.
 
He was taken to the nearby Marina by jet-ski and then driven to the nearest hospital immediately after the quarterfinal, a little shaken but otherwise okay.
 
At the time of writing, it’s expected Towner will receive a few more stitches.
 
The world’s top rated 45 surfers are expected to land in Tahiti over coming days for the Billabong Pro, Tahiti which begins August 23rd and runs to Sept 3rd. Just four full days of competition are required to crown a champion.
 
Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials
Final Results
FINAL: Taumata Puhetini (PFY) 18.17 def Tamaroa McComb (PFY) 17.27

SEMI FINALS
SF1: Taumata Puhetini (PFY) 16.67 def Heiarii Williams (PFY) 10.80 pts
SF2: Tamaroa McComb (PFY) 12.10 def Steve Pierson (PFY) 9.07 pts
QUARTER FINALS

QF 1: Taumata Puhetini 16.67 (PFY) def Heremoana Lucian (PFY) 6.67 pts
QF2: Heiarii Williams (PFY) 8.87 def Kamalei Alexander (HAW) 1.20 pts
QF3: Steve Pierson (PFY) 16.50 def Anthony Walsh (AUS) 13.43 pts
QF4: Tamaroa McComb (PFY) 13.17 def Laurie Towner (PFY) 7.00 pts

See full results, including scores, at http://www.surf.pf/index.php?menu=34&event=28&choix=1

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT INFO:
General Enquiries, TV newsfeeds:
“JJ” – Billabong Int. Event Media Manager.
Tahiti Mob: +689 232 627
johnathan.jenkins@billabong.com.au
jj@premiummedia.com.au

Complimentary Digital photos (Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials & Billabong Pro):
Steve Robertson
Tahiti Mobile: +689 232 582
steve@surfingaustralia.com  

Note: High resolution images from the event are available to MEDIA OUTLETS from Life’s a Beach Communications – see contact details below

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications

PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Monday, August 16th 2010: Teahupo’o, Tahiti: Mother Nature has flicked the switch at Tahiti’s famed surf break, Teahupo’o, turning on a magical day of surfing for contestants in the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials.
 
Invitees from more than 10 nations battled it out in solid eight-to-ten foot waves one Day 1, hoping for one of just two wildcard spots into the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Aug 23rd – Sept 3rd).
 
Laurie Towner (NSW, AUS) was the day’s top scorer, his two-wave combined heat score of 16.97 seeing the natural foot advance comfortably ahead of Shimpei Hirogushi (JAP) on 9.93, and forcing the elimination of Sion Miloski (HAW) and Dale Staples (ZAF).
 
Towner took a horrifying wipeout during practice yesterday, yet despite the worst fears of onlookers, surfaced unscathed to regather himself and register today’s impressive effort.
 
Kamalei Alexander (HAW) was another standout on Day 1. The Hawaiian showed he was in perfect synch with the Teahupo’o lineup, easily winning both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats with an absolutely committed display of backhand tube riding.
 
Onlookers erupted when Alexander emerged from one of the most critical tube rides of the day, skimming past support boats and fans as they cheered him on.
 
Anthony Walsh (NSW, AUS) registered the event’s first perfect-10 point ride with just ten seconds remaining in his Round 2 clash versus Hawaii’s Hank Gaskell (HAW) and locals Tuhiti HAUMANI and David DANDOIS (PFY).
 
The score catapulted Walsh from last place to first in the dying moments and secured the Australian a place in Round 3.
 
Not all competitors were so fortunate, many suffering the wrath of Teahupo’o has they unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate the hi-speed tubes. Among those to be eliminated today were Billy Kempur (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, AUS), Makua Rothman (HAW) and Nick Vasicek (AUS).
 
With the excellent surf expected to continue, organisers are confident of crowning the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials wildcards tomorrow (Tuesday Aug 17 – Tahiti time).
 
The Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trails waiting period is 16th – 19th August and decides the remaining two wildcard spots into the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti, stop 5 of 10 on the 2010 ASP Men’s World Tour.
 
The Billabong Pro, Tahiti waiting period begins August 23rd and runs to Sept 3rd, with just four full days of competition required to crown a champion.
 
Local hero Manoa Drollet, a two-time Air Tahiti Nui trials winner, is the recipient of the third Billabong Pro, Tahiti wildcard and has already been allocated a main event seed.
 
Billabong’s award winning production team will again webcast every heat of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti live via: www.billabongpro.com <http://www.billabongpro.com>

ENDS>>>

MEDIA CONTACT INFO:
General Enquiries, TV newsfeeds:
“JJ” – Billabong Int. Event Media Manager.
Tahiti Mob: +689 232 627
johnathan.jenkins@billabong.com.au
jj@premiummedia.com.au

Complimentary Digital photos (Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials & Billabong Pro):
Steve Robertson
Tahiti Mobile: +689 232 582
steve@surfingaustralia.com  

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

The country’s top pro junior surfers (20-and-under) will be vying for coveted invitations to compete in the inaugural ASP World Junior Tour when the Billabong Pro Junior event is run at Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape from 1-4 September.

The event is the fourth and final contest on the 2010 ASP Africa Pro Junior Series and the top four surfers in the yearend rankings will be awarded the sought after invitations to take on their peers from around the globe in the quest to be crowned the ASP World Junior Champion in Sydney, Australia in January 2011.

Billabong team rider Shaun Joubert has already clinched the ASP Africa Pro Junior title for 2010 thanks to victories in two of the first three events of the season and the 19 year-old from Mossel Bay is now focused on improving his position on the ASP World Rankings.

Joubert will not be competing at Victoria Bay, leaving Billabong teammate Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), the winner of the Billabong Pro Junior event on KZN’s Dolphin Coast in April, in the box seat for one of the remaining three invitations.

Staples, a previous winner at Vic Bay, has been in stellar form recently, winning the VonZipper Super Heat to earn a wildcard into the ASP World Tour Billabong Pro J-Bay event where he posted impressive performances against superstars Taj Burrow and Bede Durbidge in the opening rounds.

Chad du Toit (Berea, Durban) and Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) currently occupy the third and fourth positions in the rankings with Matt Bromley (Kommetjie) just outside the cutoff point. With each surfer’s best three results counting towards the yearend ranking, Devin Lane (Umhlanga), Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) and Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie) are also within striking range of snagging a top-four spot with victory in the season-ending event.

Along with the prized rankings points, the ASP Grade-1 Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay offers a prize-pool of US $5 000 (approx. R37 500) of which $2 000 goes to the winner.

The Billabong Junior Series also sees the country’s top Under 16, U14 and U12 boys and the Pro Junior (U20) girls in action competing for prize-money and ratings points that count toward the annual Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) titles.

ASP qualifying series campaigner Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) along with Dolphin Coast event winner and Vic Bay local Bianca Buitendag (George) are the standouts for the girls’ title. But this well traveled duo will need all their international experience to stave off the challenges from Tanika Hoffman (Kommetjie) and Billabong team riders Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) and rising star Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay).

Billabong’s Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay), who reached the last four in both Pro Junior and U16 divisions in April, and Benji Brand (Kommetjie), winner of the U16’s on the Dolphin Coast and also a favourite in the U14 division, head a highly competitive field in the U16 boys division.

They will do battle with Dylan Lightfoot (J-Bay), Diran Zakarian (Melkbosstrand), Jarred Veldhuis (Kommetjie), Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh) and Mikey Venter (Warner Beach), amongst a host of other emerging rippers.

Kommetjie friends and rivals Benji Brand and Max Armstrong will go head to head with Slade Prestwich, Matt McGillivray (Port Elizabeth), Steffen Burrows (Strand) and Shane Sykes (Salt Rock) in the U14 division while Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay), Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie), Adin Masencamp (Strand), Donovan Wichmann (Marina Da Gama) and brothers Jake and Max Elkington from Cape Town look the pick of the U12’s.

Billabong Junior Series events also feature a spectacular VonZipper Air Show where the surfer successfully completing the most innovative aerial manoeuvre pockets the winner-takes-all R2 000 prize-purse

Images, results and news from the event will be available daily at www.billabong.com.

The Pro Surf Tour (PST) events in the Billabong Junior Series are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, while the internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International.

Entries for the Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay have officially closed but there is still space for late entries. To enter go to www.aspafrica.com. Entries for the PST events close 14 days before the scheduled dates. Entries can be made at www.billabong.com/girls/za/entries/enter.php for the Pro Junior girls and the U16, U14 and U12 boys’ divisions.

The series is proudly supported by Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and fueled by Monster Energy.

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Brendon Kegel – Media and Communications
Billabong South Africa
Tel: 042 200 2747
Fax: 042 293 2478
Cell: 083 799 0110
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie, 7976 South Africa
Tel / Fax: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Marc Lotz-de Beer from Hout Bay in Cape Town will be travelling to Tasmania for the surf adventure of a lifetime courtesy of Billabong and V Australia. The 26 year old, who owns a small milling company, will be swapping his tools for surfboards as he prepares to head across to Australia’s wild frontier in October this year, in the search for big, empty waves.

Marc was one of hundreds of entrants who submitted their details, along with unique verification number found on every Billabong Exile Jacket to www.exilejacket.com. After being randomly selected into a preliminary 10-person shortlist once the entries closed last week, Marc received the incredible news today that he will be on his way to Tasmania for a surf trip of a lifetime, along with a partner of his choice.

Upon receiving the incredible news, an ecstatic Marc yelled, “I’m totally speechless…I’m actually shaking. This is the most incredible news. I have never won anything before in my life so I’m actually blown away. ”

When asked who he would be taking with him on this once in a lifetime journey, Marc stated, “I’ll be taking my good friend, surf partner and charger, Andrew Preen.”

Together, Marc and Andrew’s prize includes an opportunity to take a boat ride out to Shipsterns Bluff to see it bare its teeth. It is as raw a surfing experience as you could wish for. The wave at the end of the world might not be everyone’s piece of cake, but for the hardcore surfer its one stern test of internal fortitude and offers a chance to be barrelled like you’ve never been barrelled before.  Marc and Andrew, along with the Billabong Crew, will hook up with Tasmania local Jono Mereszka, owner and operator of Coastrider surf academy, who will guide them to the all corners of the island in search of the countless empty setups that litter the unspoilt natural landscape of Tasmania. 

Over one third of the 68,401 square kilometer large Island lies in reserves, national parks and world heritage sites. This relatively unspoiled natural environment typifies Tasmania as a premier surf adventure destination. As long as you’re willing to travel, and up for an adventure, you will undoubtedly find cranking, empty waves in some of the most breathtaking, remote, wild and uninhabited places on Earth.

“What appeals to me most about this trip is the rawness of Tasmania,” claimed Marc. “I love bundu bashing, experiencing different locations and encountering new cultures and people. I’m not a city slicker so the idea of roughing it around the wilderness of Tamsania is my ultimate travel experience.”

Other than Shipsterns there are loads of great waves across the island. The 7-day itinerary will consist of a careful balance between adventure and surfing around the island. For more information on Tasmania visit www.discovertasmania.com.

You can follow the entire surf adventure online at www.billabong.com/za, or on twitter at twitter.com/BillabongSA or facebook – Billabong South Africa.

Ends

Pictured: Marc Lotz-de Beer displays the Billabong Exile Jacket that ultimately won him the surf adventure trip of a lifetime to Tasmania

 
Cape Town (Friday 30 July 2010) – Greg Emslie, South Africa’s highest earning professional surfer, rode to victory in yet another internationally rated event on a Safari Surfboard shaped by master craftsman Spider Murphy when he won the ASP 4-Star rated O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Cape Town on Thursday.

The 33 year-old East Londoner was in scintillating form throughout the event, using the same board to overcome the near gale-force winds and heaving two metre surf on the Cape Peninsula in the earlier rounds and in the milder conditions and well-shaped one metre surf on the final day.

“I’ve been working with Spider for quite a few years now and we’ve probably been experimenting with more different shapes since I retired from the ASP World Tour last year. But I rode my standard shape, the one I’ve got my best results on, throughout this event” Emslie explained.

“Our relationship is more than just the surfboards though,” he continued. “Spider and I speak virtually daily and he’s so knowledgeable he gives me great advice about everything in surfing.”

Emslie was rightfully chuffed to have defeated current world No 1 Jordy Smith in Round 3, saying “I was stoked about that! Jordy has always been respectful of me and now he’s leading the rankings. I really hope he goes on to win the World Title, but I kept the pressure on him and went on to win the heat.”

Emslie really stepped up his performance on the final day, taking out the dangerous Shaun Cansdell (AUS) in the quarters, outpointing Antonio Bortoletto in the semis and then snatched the event title from Dion Atkinson (AUS) with an outstanding ride of 7.83 in the dying seconds of the final.

“The crowd were all supporting me in the final and I was thinking that after Jordy had won in Durban and J-Bay, we’ve got to keep all the trophies at home. So I’m stoked I managed to do that,” Emslie said of his victory.

The win earned Emslie 1 000 points on the ASP World Tour and the ASP Africa rankings and he pocketed US $12 000, taking his career prize-money earnings over the US $626 000 mark.

Despite a shock elimination in Round 3 in Cape Town, fellow Safari Surfboards team rider Royden Bryson has taken the lead in the five-event O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series. The winner of the second event in Scotland a couple of months back, Bryson is marginally ahead of the Aussie trio of Tasmania event winner Stu Kennedy (AUS), Cansdell and Atkinson in the chase for the US $50 000 CWC prize-pool.

“What a great result for Greg in Cape Town,” said legendary surfboard shaper Spider Murphy. “He’s a true professional and pleasure to work with.”

“This result shows that even though he has retired from the World Tour, Greg still has a lot to offer South African surfing and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform as part of the SA Team at the ISA World Surfing Games in Peru later this year.”

Safari Surfboards was established in 1963 and is the exclusive provider of Spider Murphy’s shapes. Contact boards@safarisurf.com for more information.

/ends

Issued on behalf of:
Lonnie Tiegs
Safari Surf
E:  lonnie@safarisurf.com

Compiled & Distributed by:
Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

A star studded line-up of international and local surf stars will be in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening (16 July) for an autograph signing session at the Surf Centre store in Walmer Park.

Surf fans in the Friendly City can meet and mingle with several of the world’s top 45 ranked surfers who are visiting Jeffreys Bay for the Billabong Pro J-Bay as team riders from multinational apparel and accessories brands Hurley, Oakley and O’Neill sign autographs and memorabilia.

Attending the signing session will be:

O’NEILL

Current World No.2 Jordy Smith (Durban) along with Bobby Martinez (USA)

HURLEY

Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA) and PE local Donavan Zoetmulder

OAKLEY

Brazilians Adriano de Souza and Jadson Andre, Australians Tom Whittaker and Adam Melling and South Africans Greg Emslie and Shaun Joubert

The function, which starts at 6pm, also provides Eastern Province Surfing with the opportunity to raise funds for their Junior surfing team, The awesome prizes up for grabs in the raffle include:

O’Neill Psycho 3/2 Wetsuit
Hurley Wetsuit & Accessories
Oakley Fuelcell Sunglasses

For more information contact:

Dave Lipschitz at Surf Centre
C:        082 322 1150
E:        surf@agnet.co.za

Ends

Former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons provides his thoughts on the Billabong Pro J-Bay, the waves at Supertubes, visiting Jeffreys Bay and the pressure of the recently introduced One World Tour Rankings in the third in a series of webisodes uploaded to www.billabongpro.com, the official website of Africa’s most prestigious surfing event.

The 31 year-old Hawaiian, who took a 12 month sabbatical from the ASP World Tour last year, has been one of the standout performers at Supers throughout the last decade, winning the Billabong Pro J-Bay in 2004, and the superb footage amply demonstrates his superior tube-riding skills, powerful bottom turns, slashing cutbacks and vertical off-the-top manoeuvres.

Ranked No. 23 on the ASP World Title Race leaderboard going into J-Bay, Irons explains why he will arrive early to fine-tune his equipment and is frank about needing a good result in the Billabong Pro to ensure he’s in the mix when the ASP World Tour competitors are cut from 45 to 32 after the fifth event in Tahiti in August

The www.billabongpro.com website features heaps of content including background information, news, photos and videos and will provide LIVE coverage of the all the action during the event with multiple camera angles, slow motion replays, up to the second scoring, commentary in English and Portuguese, email messages to the commentators, interactive competitions and video-on-demand highlights of previous heats.

The Billabong Pro J-Bay is scheduled for 15-25 July 2010 at the internationally renowned Supertubes surf break in Jeffreys Bay. It is stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the series of events that determines the annual ASP World Surfing Champion, and the field comprises the world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers along with three wildcards.

The 2010 Billabong Pro J-Bay is proudly supported by Eastern Cape Tourism, Virgin Atlantic, Monster Energy, Vida e Caffe, Corona and Tavcor

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact: Brendon Kegel
Telephone: +27 (0) 42 200 2747
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Compiled and issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

NMMU and UCT successfully defend SA Universities surfing titles at Victoria Bay

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMU)  and the University of Cape Town (UCT) successfully defended the men’s and women’s team titles respectively at the 2010  SA University Surfing Championships which ran from 14-16 June.

Hosted by the NMMU George campus at Victoria Bay for the first time, the event enjoyed good waves on the right-hand point that produced great surfing performances by the competitors from NMMU, Rhodes University , the University of Stellenbosch, KZN University and the University of Cape Town, as well as the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT).

The men’s event was won by Clinton Gravett (NMMU) who relegated defending champion Kyle Beach (UKZN) to the runner-up berth this year with NMMU teammates Gary Muller and Kyle Jacobs placing third and fourth.

Sarah Nicholson (UCT) improved on her third place finish in 2009 to clinch the ladies’ crown ahead of Lisa Auditore (US), Kerry Hodgkinson (UCT) and Jessica Genrich (Rhodes), who finished in that order.

The annual universities surfing championships is presented under the auspices of University Sport SA, which is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). The tournament is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national governing body for the sport.

Billabong was again the main event sponsor.

SA Universities Surfing Championships

Results

Men’s Competition

Teams

1. NMMU
2. UCT
3. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
4. University of Stellenbosch (US)
5. Rhodes University
6. University Kwazulu Natal (UKZN)

Individual

1. Clinton Gravett – NMMU
2. Kyle Beach – UKZN
3. Gary Muller – NMMU
4. Kyle Jacobs – NMMU

Ladies’ Competition

Teams

1. UCT
2. US
3. NMMU
4. CPUT
5. Rhodes University

Individual

1. Sarah Nicholson – UCT
2. Lisa Auditore – US
3. Kerry Hodgkinson – UCT
4. Jessica Genrich – Rhodes

Ends

Media Release Issued on behalf of:

NMMU – Marketing and Corporate relations Department
Hugo Loubser
Sport Manager: NMMU – George Campus
Cell       082 575 1826
Email    Hugo.Loubser@nmmu.ac.za

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications 
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

South African surfing superstar, Jordy Smith, gives his take on the Billabong Pro J-Bay in the second of a series of webisodes now available on www.billabongpro.com, the official website of Africa’s most prestigious surfing event.

Smith, 22, is the current No. 2 on the ASP World Title Race rankings going into the 2010 Billabong Pro J-Bay, which he rates as his favourite event. Having surfed at Supertubes since he was seven years old, the Durbanite knows every nuance of the break and in a recent interview he explains why he loves the wave, the town and the event.

Webisode 2 features spectacular footage of Smith in action during last year’s event and on the 2010 ASP World Tour that has seen him climb the rankings to sit just behind Kelly Slater (USA) after three events.

The www.billabongpro.com website features a host of content such as background information, news, photos and videos and will provide LIVE coverage of the all the action during the event with multiple camera angles, slow motion replays, up to the second scoring, commentary in English and Portuguese, email messages to the commentators, interactive competitions and video-on-demand highlights of previous heats.

The Billabong Pro J-Bay is scheduled for 15-25 July 2010 at the world famous Supertubes surf break in Jeffreys Bay. It is stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the series of events that determines the annual ASP World Surfing Champion, and the field comprises the world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers along with three wildcards.

The 2010 Billabong Pro J-Bay is proudly supported by Eastern Cape Tourism, Virgin Atlantic, Monster Energy, Vida e Caffe, Corona and Tavcor

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact: Brendon Kegel
Telephone: +27 (0) 42 200 2747
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Compiled and issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

 Cape Town, South Africa (17 June 2010) – Sea Point surfer Thomas Catlin will be heading off to Huntington Beach for the Hurley US Open of Surfing in August after winning their unique Win A Trip To California Competition.

Catlin’s efforts to take the prize saw him donning a Tiger Shark suit and surfing freezing Cape waters, wearing a mask and wings while skateboarding along the Sea Point promenade holding a Hurley Bird sign and constructing a Squidman suit which he wore along with pink smoke bombs for added special effects.

His prize sees him win an all-expenses paid trip to the Hurley US Open of Surfing in California, VIP treatment among the 600,000 fans expected at the event, meeting the Hurley International team, touring Hurley/Nike/Converse Action Sports headquarters and finally designing his own Hurley product at 225 Forest.

“I am really, really excited,” said Catlin after the win. “When I heard, I was so stoked that I just started screaming in the parking lot at Buffels Bay… all the heavy locals from Kommetjie were there wondering what was going on, so I told them and they’re all my best friends now! They didn’t recognise me because in all the photos I had a shark’s head and so on… but I remember giving them hot coffee, then running around the parking lot like crazy!”

The competition attracted close on 100 entrants from around South Africa, eventually narrowed down to ten finalists for the last two weeks of the competition. Catlin was judged the winner by an international panel of judges which included Bob Hurley (President and Founder of Hurley), Pat O’Connell (Hurley Sports Marketing Manager), Evan Slater (Former editor of Surfing Magazine and now Digital Content Manager for Hurley International), Jason Haynes (Marketing Manager for Hurley Australia) and Liam Wood (Hurley South Africa Team Manager). 

“The competition was a huge success,” said Liam Wood, “and we were especially happy with the final round. The top ten all stepped it up a level in the last two weeks with unique creative profiles and super interesting blogs. All ten were deserving winners, but from the very beginning Thomas Catlin went all out. Only entering 3 weeks before the end of the first round, Thomas shot through the rankings overnight due to putting a little bit more effort thanks to his costume designs, social networking, and even board shaping!”

The international panel of judges agreed that Catlin’s nail in the coffin was shaping a quad fish (four finned surfboard) with artwork depicting his costumes through the various stages of the event. “I’m going to take the quad with me,” said Catlin, “and I want to give it to one of the pros – hopefully Brett Simpson. He does mad aerials and to see him ride the board would be awesome. I’d love him to bust an air where you can see the underside of the board. I’ll tell him ‘bro, if you break it, snap it, whatever, just go crazy!”

Despite his job being done and the prize secured, Catlin has also vowed to wear his Hurley Tiger Shark suit when he boards the plane headed for California.

The Hurley US Open of surfing runs from August 2^nd to 8^th, and sports the largest purse on the World Qualifying Series with a massive $250,000 total prize money. The first place winner’s cheque of $100,000 is the largest of any event in professional surfing.

Catlin’s profile, along with all of the entries throughout the competition, can be viewed at http://www.hurley.co.za

Ends

Pictured: Thomas Catlin’s hand-shaped quad showing the Hurley Tiger Shark, Hurley Bird and Squidman

Photo: Thomas Catlin

NB: High resolution version of this image is available rights free to Media outlets

Issued on behalf of:

Hurley South Africa
Liam Wood
Hurley Team Manager
liam@hurley.co.za
Tel: 021 426 5212

Compiled by:
Craig Ritchie
craigjritchie@gmail.com
Tel: 079 493 6533