AN EPIC YEAR NEARS ITS CLIMAX IN THE BILLABONG XXL BIG WAVE AWARDS;

2010 EVENT WINDOW ENDS MARCH 19, AWARDS CEREMONY SET FOR APRIL 23

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – (March 3, 2010) – Reports of an expanding El Nino weather condition built expectations last year of a spectacular big wave season to come.  And, remarkably, the oceans of the world have responded on cue, delivering an almost endless procession of epic swells and superlative rides by the world’s best big wave riders.  With only two weeks left before the annual event window closes for the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy, the visual evidence is widespread and conclusive – this was the greatest winter of big wave surfing ever experienced.

To date, over 1000 still and video images have been entered into the Tenth Annual Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards, where they may be viewed at the event website at www.BillabongXXL.com.  The event window runs through the vernal equinox (the end of the Northern Hemisphere winter on March 19).  The gala invitation-only Billabong XXL Awards show will take place April 23 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California and features over $130,000 in prize money.  The event will be televised on the ESPN Networks starting May 18, 2010.

By far the biggest theme in this year’s event has been a dramatic push by the sport’s elite to resist the the advantage of tow-surfing’s jet powered assist and return to the roots of the sport – paddling into the biggest waves possible using arm power and bravery alone.  The trend has intertwined with a spectacular run of El Nino-fueled swells which have allowed an unprecedented number of one-day big wave paddle events to run worldwide, including the Billabong Pico Alto in July, the Nelscott Reef Classic in October, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau in December, the Maverick’s Surf Contest in mid-February and the Todos Santos Big Wave Event just last weekend.

The Billabong XXL Awards include the biggest and best waves ridden all over the world over the course of an entire year, encompassing those caught during surf contests and those rides which happen in the middle of nowhere – provided there is photographic proof.  And this year (for the first time ever in the XXL’s ten years of existence) the vast bulk of the entries are in the Monster Paddle division.  And not only do the entries come from the known-paddle arenas such as Hawaii’s Waimea Bay, Maverick’s in California and Todos Santos, Mexico, they are coming from places which were not long ago considered only possible with a jet ski, including Jaws on Maui, the Cortes Bank 100 miles off California and an assortment of rare outer reefs along Oahu’s North Shore.  No matter when or where, this year surfing’s elite have been “armed” and ready for action.

“Anybody who has paddled and towed into big waves will tell you that paddling in is the ultimate challenge, there’s no other feeling or experience like that,” said Greg Long of San Clemente, California, who has won more XXL categories than any other surfer.  “Personal watercraft came in and sort of revolutionized the sport there for a couple of years and introduced a whole new aspect to the sport.  But right now, everybody’s focus I think has really gone back to paddling into waves and pushing the limits of what’s actually doable.

“With the advancements in forecasting technology, our understanding of the waves, physically what we’re capable of enduring when we wipeout, and then our equipment — the whole limit of what is possible has just been elevated to new heights,” said Long.  “I still think we’re yet to find where any of those limits are.”

To see an assortment of the latest entries in all the key event categories including Monster Paddle, Monster Tube, Biggest Wave and Ride of the Year, visit www.BillabongXXL.com.

For an array of Ride of the Year clips which you can view or embed on your own website, see

www.YouTube.com/surfnews.

And while you’re at it, join the Billabong XXL Facebook fan site at http://www.facebook.com/GLOBALBIGWAVEAWARDS.

The Tenth Annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are presented by Monster Energy.  Surfline is the official surf forecaster, Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and Honda Aquatrax the official watercraft.  The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine and Air Tahiti Nui.

Media outlets requiring additional materials for longer-form coverage of the paddle push in big wave surfing or any other aspects of the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards may request additional high-resolution images and HD video.

***********************

PRESS CONTACT

Bill Sharp  

surfnewsed@aol.com

949-548-6740

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Friday 5 March, 2010) – South Africa’s Jordy Smith finished runner-up to Taj Burrow (AUS) in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover at Snapper Rocks in Australia today, posting the best result of his blossoming career as a professional surfer and starting his third year on the ASP World Tour ranked No. 2 in the world.

Smith, who went on a giant-killing spree at the event, eliminating former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, and ASP No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) yesterday before comprehensively defeating fellow new-school ripper and nemesis Dane Reynolds (USA) for the first time in today’s semifinal to reach his first final.

“It’s my first Final so I’m pretty stoked,” Smith said. “It’s unfortunate that the waves went kind of dead in our heat there, but we tried our best. It’s been a great event though and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Long touted as a potential ASP World Champion, Smith has steadily improved his ranking, finishing his rookie year No. 25 before ending 2009 rated No. 11, and on the evidence of this event’s performance the powerful natural-footer is certainly an ASP World Title contender in 2010.

“I just feel a lot more comfortable with myself this season,” Smith said. “I’m having a lot more fun with my surfing and everything seems to be coming together for me. I’m amped with a Runner-Up finish here and hope I can keep the momentum up for the rest of the season.”

Burrow, who has secured victories in the previous two events he entered (Pipeline in December and Burleigh Heads in February), has been in sensational form over the past three months and used all of his experience to overcome Smith in the deteriorating one metre waves, despite the South African leading for the first half of the 40 minute final.

“I didn’t feel like I surfed my best in the Final,” Burrow said. “I kind of just did what it took to win. I just waited for the best waves, did a couple nice turns – nothing too wild. I’d rather have taken Jordy’s approach – catch lots of waves and just let loose. That’s kind of my strategy normally. Being a bit more patient and selective than usual definitely paid off. But I knew Jordy could unleash and get the big score any moment.”

The 31 year-old from Western Australia burst onto the world stage in 1997 when he qualified for the ASP World Tour but famously turned the opportunity down as he was too young. He made his debut in 1998 and went on to finish runner-up for the title the next year, a ranking he repeated in 2007. With a total of seven Top 5 finishes in his 12 years on the tour, Burrow will look to continue the momentum in 2010 as he hunts down his first ASP World Title.

“What can I say? I don’t know,” Burrow said. “I surprised myself really. Obviously, Pipe was the biggest event I could ever win. I was just overwhelmed. I felt like retiring after that event. I just couldn’t believe it, and didn’t think it could get any better. I guess I’ve taken the confidence from it and worked on some good boards. Burleigh Heads was a good warm-up. I felt good that there as well – there are fun little rights, and then here, I took a while to get rolling, but I just built up momentum. I felt great out there and here I am on the podium again – it just feels unbelievable.”

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast was the first event in ASP history where all four semifinalists had failed to win their opening heats in the traditional World Tour format. Only 22% of all events using three-man heats in Round 1 have been won by a surfer having to contest Round 2.

Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, looked the form surfer of the event yesterday, defeating defending event winner Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, with an impressive 19.20 out of a possible 20. However, the young Californian was unable to find a rhythm in today’s challenging conditions, bowing out of the event with an Equal 3rd at the hands of Smith.

“I felt pretty good yesterday and it felt like my equipment was finally working,” Reynolds said. “Even though the conditions weren’t as good today, I thought I could catch an average wave and surf it well enough to get a good score, but that didn’t happen. When the other guy gets a good roll going, it’s hard to come back – or it is for me anyway.”

Bobby Martinez (USA), 27, matched his best result on the Gold Coast today, collecting an Equal 3rd (his first came in 2006), but the sole goofy-footer in today’s event was clearly upset about the deteriorated conditions.

“It’s disappointing to finish when it’s windy like this,” Martinez said. “We all want to surf when it’s glassy, and I’m disappointed that we have to finish today. I did my best to mix it up out there, but it’s very challenging out there on your backhand today.”

Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover can be found via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.57
2 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.56

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.67 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.00
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.30 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 8.96

ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):

1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 10000 pts
2 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8000 pts
3 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 6500 pts
3 – Dane Reynolds (USA) 6500 pts
5 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5250 pts
5 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5250 pts
5 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5250 pts
5 – Kai Otton (AUS) 5250 pts

Ends

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department. To register please visit http://www.aspworldtour.com/2010/pressroom.asp or contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com.
________________________________________

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.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

About ASP:

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Thursday 4 March, 2010) – Jordy Smith completed one of the best days of his burgeoning career by ousting former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and current World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS), two of the biggest names in competitive surfing, from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover and move into the semifinals at the first stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour.

There were upsets galore as the remaining 16 surfers in Round 4 of the event strutted their stuff in the outstanding 1 – 1.5 metre waves peeling down the point at Snapper Rocks, Queensland, with Smith and fellow new-school progressive ripper Dane Reynolds (USA) leading what appears to be a changing of the guard as they charged past the established campaigners and into what will be a fiercely contested semifinal encounter.

Smith led throughout against Slater, utilising his repertoire of radical fins-free manoeuvres, seemingly effortless floaters and deep tube rides to rack up 16.10 points out of 20, leaving the former two-time event champion needing a near perfect 9.10 points out of 10 when the heat ended.

“He is the king of our sport so just being out there surfing in a heat with him, I said to my manager earlier, ‘I don’t even care if I lose,’” Smith said of his first man-on-man clash with Slater. “You don’t get many opportunities to surf against Kelly, and also I guess it’s another good birthday present for my Mom. It was her birthday yesterday, so just make it through a couple heats is pretty cool.”

Smith went on to defeat Durbidge in their quarterfinal match-up, using a similar approach of smart heat tactics and committed surfing to overcome the in form Gold Coast local who had posted the highest heat total of the event to date, 19.30, in his Round 3 victory.

Smith will be hoping that his semifinal with Reynolds, who treated the spectators to an awesome display of surfing in ousting crowd favourite and defending champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) with 19.20 points in the quarters, will be a case of third time lucky and that he can advance to his first final at the top level of competitive surfing.

In his previous two semifinals he lost to eventual event winner Taj Burrow (AUS) as a wildcard at Jeffreys Bay in 2006 and was defeated by Parkinson, who also went on to win, at Bells Beach last Easter.

The other semi will see ASP World No. 4 Burrow up against Bobby Martinez (USA) after the pair defeated Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Kai Otten (AUS), who had eliminated reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) in Round 4, in their respective quarterfinals.

Running in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the ASP Top 17 completed the opening four heats of Round 3 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning three-time ASP World Champion, and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, current ASP World No. 5, dominated the mid-day action, with the youngster announcing herself as a legitimate ASP Women’s World Title contender.

South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge (East London) was not in action today and will take on former ASP Women’s Wold Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS) in Heat 6 of Round 3 when the event recommences.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start (11.30pm today (Thursday), SA Time).

All the action from Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by Land Rover and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 4 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.86 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.50
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.53 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 10.60
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 16.06 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.43
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.76 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.57
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.44 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.23
Heat 6: Dane Reynolds (USA) 12.63 def. Daniel Ross (AUS) 10.33
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.97 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.17
Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.10 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.17

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.70 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.40
QF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) 16.66 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 10.64
QF 3: Dane Reynolds (USA) 19.20 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.47
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.10 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.77

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:

SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
SF 2: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.17 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 3.97
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.33 def. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 14.84
Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 14.60 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.08
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.03

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST REMAINING ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 7: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (HAW)
Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)

Ends

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

——————————————————————————–

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.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

About ASP:

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Cape Town will be rocked by the Pro-X Extreme Games this weekend as dozens of the country’s most extreme athletes go ballistic in custom built arenas alongside a red-hot line-up of live acts and DJ’s blasting the airwaves at Zone 7, just North of the city.

Featuring the top local and several international exponents of FMX, BMX, Skateboarding (Halfpipe & Street), Wakeboarding, Supercross and MTB Trials, the mega-event runs the qualification rounds on Saturday with the finals and awards presentation on Sunday.

Amongst many others, the likes of “Sick Nick” De Wit will be throwing his weight around on the FMX track; Anthony Raynard and Wyatt Avis will be tearing up the Supercross; Devon Nassif and Nick Burton-Moore in the Wakepool; and from foreign shores, Kyle Forte and John Skvarla from the USA.  

The action in the arenas will be non-stop between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, with a lunchtime break for give-aways from the host of sponsors and the Loaded Model Search, before the entertainment gets underway.

Showcasing the talents of The Little Kings, Hog Higgidy Hog, Van Coke Kartel, Haezer, Grave Danger, Lapse, Ashtray Electric, Blush & Bass, Trailerpark Celebrities and more, Pro-X Live will continue until at least 2am!

The gates re-open at 10am on Sunday and after the usual lunchtime activities, the best of the best will proceed to blow minds as they take to their respective arenas and vie for the 2010 Pro-X titles, prestige and cash in the finals.

The awards ceremony is set for 7.30pm, with more give-aways and general tomfoolery, before another bout of musical treats as the whole celebration ends with a BANG!

Tickets are available from Vida e Caffes or online at Webtickets and options range from R200 for the full weekend including the Pro-X Live entertainment, R150 for the Sunday or R450 for VIP status that enables you to spend time with the riders. There are student, children, family and group discounts available.

The venue is Zone 7, just North of Blouberg on the road to Malmesbury (N7) near the West Coast Show Ranch (see map below) and the organisers have arranged camping facilities at nearby Zonnekus Holiday Resort for those amped to stay for the entire weekend.

The Pro-X Extreme Games is brought to you by Recked Industries with the entertainment provided by Complete Events.

Further information on the event of the summer can be found at www.pro-x.co.za or the Facebook group Pro-X Summer Series.

Ends

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

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday 3 March, 2010) – South African surfing ace Jordy Smith has set up a highly anticipated clash against former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) after another scintillating performance in Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour.

Arguably the greatest assembly of surfing talent revelled in excellent 1 to 1.5 metre hollow waves at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s Gold Coast on Wednesday, with Smith in devastating form, posting scores of 8.0 and 7.23 as he weaved his way into and out of the dredging tubes, gouging powerful bottom turns and punting his trademark aerial manoeuvres.

His 15.23 point heat tally was sufficient to give Smith victory over Tiago Pires (POR) and set up a last 16 encounter with Slater, who racked up 15.37 points in dispatching compatriot Pat Gudauskas to move into Round 4. This will be the 22 year-old Durbanite’s first man-on-man heat against the Slater, 38, who many consider the best surfer of all time and with whom Smith shares a birthday – February 11.

Smith is the last South African in the event following the elimination of Travis Logie, 30, at the hands of Aussie veteran Kieren Perrow in Round 2. After an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance in Round 1, Smith bounced back with the highest score of the day, 17.86 out of 20, when defeating Brazilian Marco Polo in Round 2.

The Smith vs. Slater match will come in Heat 8 of Round 4 when the event recommences.

Others standouts still in contention for the event crown and the early lead on the ASP World Tour ratings include World No. 3 Bede Durbidge, who surfed a nearly flawless heat to record a heat tally of 19.30 out of 20 today; fellow Aussies Mick Fanning, the reigning and two-time world champion, and defending event champion Joel Parkinson, along with Adriano de Souza (BRA), Bobby Martinez (USA), who ousted Andy Irons (HAW) and Fredrick Patacchia, the last Hawaiian left in the event.

Meanwhile Rosanne Hodge has advanced to Round 3 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, stop No. 1 of nine on the ASP Women’s World Tour, which is running in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. Hodge also faces a former World Champion in Chelsea Hedges (AUS) when the women next take to the surf.

Fellow East Londoner Nikita Robb, competing in her first event on the ASP Women’s World Tour, was relegated to Round 2 following a third place finish in her opening encounter. Robb was subsequently eliminated from the event when she again placed third behind 2004 World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Bruna Schmitz (BRA).

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start (11.30pm today (Wednesday), SA Time).

All the action from Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by Land Rover and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.00 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.46
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.10 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 13.70
Heat 3: Chris Davidson (AUS) 11.00 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 9.27
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.84 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 6.67
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.16 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 11.26
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.73 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 13.40
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.97 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.60
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.74 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 10.43
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.63 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.20
Heat 10: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.17 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.64
Heat 11: Daniel Ross (AUS) 13.54 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.00
Heat 12: Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.57 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.23
Heat 13: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 19.30 def. Luke Munro (AUS) 7.37
Heat 14: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.06 def. Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.43
Heat 15: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.37 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.56
Heat 16: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.23 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.77

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 2: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 6: Daniel Ross (AUS) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
Heat 3: Paige Hareb (NZL) vs. Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 7: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (HAW)
Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)

Ends

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

________________________________________

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.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

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Saturday, February 27, 2010) – Durbanites Jordy Smith and Travis Logie finished second in their respective heats on the opening day of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, and will contest cutthroat, sudden-death heats in Round 2 when competition resumes.

Competing in tricky 1 – 1.5 metre waves at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, Australia earlier today, Logie finished behind Adrian Buchan (AUS) and ahead of 2001 ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (USA) in a tightly contested, all goofy-foot (ride with right foot in front) heat.

Smith, ranked No. 11 going into the event, briefly held the lead in his opening encounter but ultimately had to settle for the runner-up berth behind rookie Dusty Payne (HAW) with Drew Courtney (AUS) in third place.

Smith faces another rookie in Marco Polo (BRA) in a man-on-man match-up in Round 2 while Logie comes up against veteran Kieran Perrow (AUS) in his bid to stay in contention in the US$450 000 (approx. 3.4 million) event.

Former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, demonstrated that he is fully focused on capturing an unprecedented 10th world title by posting both the highest scoring single wave of the day – 9.27 out of 10 – for a deep tube ride, and the highest two-wave heat total – 17.77 out of 20 – which left his opponents Ben Dunn (AUS) and Polo combo’d and needing to improve on both their counting scores.

The top seeds dominated proceedings today with five of the top six winning their first round heats and advancing directly to Round 3. Reigning and two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning, 2009 ASP World Tour runner-up Joel Parkinson, No. 3 Bede Durbidge (all Gold Coast locals), No. 5 Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Slater all posted victories.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start (11.30pm on Saturday, SA Time).

When Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition resumes, first up will be current ASP World No. 4 Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, against wildcard Garrett Parkes (AUS), 18, in the opening heat of the man-on-man elimination Round 2.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by Land Rover features the world’s best surfers from February 27 through March 10, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of 9 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, will run in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. East Londoners Rosanne Hodge, in her fourth year at the highest level, and Nikita Robb, who is making her debut, will fly the South African flag on the women’s tour this year.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Brett Simpson (USA) 10.67, Dane Reynolds (USA) 6.70, Roy Powers (HAW) 6.24
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.67, Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.23, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 7.97
Heat 3: Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.26, Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.70, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 11.94
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.30, Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.36, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.26
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.77, Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.50, Marco Polo (BRA) 7.34
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.90, Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.47, Blake Thornton (AUS) 8.86
Heat 7: Chris Davidson (AUS) 12.50, Taj Burrow (AUS) 9.13, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 6.64
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.36, Kai Otton (AUS) 11.53, Garrett Parkes (AUS) 10.77
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.17, Blake Ainsworth (AUS) 9.73, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 6.23
Heat 10: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.57, Mick Campbell (AUS) 14.40, Craig Anderson (AUS) 6.16
Heat 11: Dusty Payne (HAW) 11.60, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.10, Drew Courtney (AUS) 4.76
Heat 12: Taylor Knox (USA) 14.83, Luke Stedman (AUS) 10.56, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 8.23
Heat 13: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.80, Jay Thompson (AUS) 10.66, Andy Irons (HAW) 5.83
Heat 14: Luke Munro (AUS) 12.73, Daniel Ross (AUS) 11.27, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.40
Heat 15: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.10, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.53, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.57
Heat 16: Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.94, Adam Melling (AUS) 11.30, Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.17

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Garrett Parkes (AUS)
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Blake Ainsworth (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Craig Anderson (USA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 5: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Blake Thornton (AUS)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Marco Polo (BRA)
Heat 7: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 9: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Nathan Yeomans (USA)
Heat 11: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 12: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 13: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 14: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 15: Roy Powers (HAW) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 16: Drew Courtney (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS)

Ends

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

________________________________________

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.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

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Friday, February 26, 2010) – South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge clinched the Most Improved Female Surfer award as the world’s best surfers assembled at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia on Thursday evening for the ASP World Champions’ Crowning, a gala event and the premiere evening in professional surfing.

Hodge qualified for her fourth consecutive season on the ASP Women’s World Tour by finishing 2009 ranked No. 9, the first time the 22 year-old East Londoner has earned a place in the world’s top 10.

Taking top honours for the evening were Gold Coast duo Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, being officially crowned ASP World Champion and ASP Women’s World Champion respectively.

Kelly Slater (USA), 38, former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 6, was present to graciously present Fanning with his ASP World Title trophy.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, and Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, were honored as 2009 ASP World Runner-Up and ASP Women’s World Runner-Up respectively, and both gave heartfelt speeches, acknowledging the progression of the sport and the dynamic changes that will be activated this season.

Harley Ingleby (AUS), 26, secured his inaugural ASP World Longboard Title while Jennifer Smith (USA), 23, attained her second ASP Women’s World Longboard Title.

Maxime Huscenot (REU), 17, and Laura Enever (AUS), 18, were honored as ASP World Junior Champions, and usher in the next generation of sporting super talents.

Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, received ASP Most Improved Awards, while Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 24, and Coco Ho (HAW), 18, were awarded ASP Rookie of the Year titles.

Ho was honoured a second time, taking out the 2009 ASP Women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS), while Dan Ross (AUS), 27, was honoured at the 2009 ASP WQS No. 1.

Kieren Perrow (AUS), 33, current ASP World No. 13, was honoured with the ASP Peter Whitaker Award (named after the late ASP CEO) for his immeasurable contribution to the sport of surfing. Perrow was an integral voice in the enhancements to the 2010 ASP World Tour.

Layne Beachley (AUS), 37, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion, was honoured with ASP Life Membership last night, and despite not being able to attend, kindly provided a video acceptance from Vancouver where she is attending the Winter Olympics.

The world’s best surfers will kick off the 2010 tour this week at Snapper Rocks for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover and the Roxy Pro.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

ASP World Champion: Mick Fanning (AUS)
ASP Women’s World Champion: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
ASP World Longboard Champion: Harley Ingleby (AUS)
ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion: Jennifer Smith (AUS)
ASP World Junior Champion: Maxime Huscenot (REU)
ASP Women’s World Junior Champion: Laura Enever (AUS)ASP World Runner-Up: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
ASP Women’s World Runner-Up: Silvana Lima (BRA)
ASP World Tour Most Improved: Dane Reynolds (USA)
ASP Women’s World Tour Most Improved: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year: Coco Ho (HAW)ASP WQS No. 1: Dan Ross (AUS)
ASP Women’s WQS No. 1: Coco Ho (AUS)
ASP Peter Whitaker Award: Kieren Perrow (AUS)
ASP Life Membership: Layne Beachley (AUS)

Ends

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com
________________________________________

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.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

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, February 23, 2010) – The world’s best female surfers have converged onto the wave-laden Mecca of Coolangatta for the opening event of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast from February 27 through March 10, 2010.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Roxy Pro Champion, is the surfer to watch heading into the opening event of the year. A two-time event champion at Snapper Rocks, claiming the first as a wildcard in 2005 and her second last season sparking her third ASP Women’s World Title run, Gilmore’s years of experience at the venue and unmatched rapport with the breaks makes her the most dangerous surfer in the event.

“Growing up on the Gold Coast, there is no shortage of quality waves to surf and people to look up to,” Gilmore said. “Definitely, a familiarity with the waves here is a big advantage when it comes to competition. That said, I haven’t been surfing much in the off-season, so I can’t say that I’m too familiar with the banks at the moment. However, that time off really keeps me hungry to get back out there and push myself.”

Holding ASP records as the youngest ASP Women’s World Champion ever (at 18 in 2007) as well as the only surfer to ever attain three ASP Women’s World Titles from three attempts, Gilmore has single-handedly ushered in a new dynasty of professional women’s surfing, yet remains humble when approaching the upcoming season.

“I think I have experienced the range of what surfers can feel in this position,” Gilmore said. “I’ve been the rookie going for the title, I’ve been the surfer with the target on my back and now I don’t really worry about it. It feels refreshing to have experienced that because once you survive it, you don’t have to be scared of it anymore.”

With an influx of talent onto the ASP Women’s World Tour over the past five years, high-performance barriers are being broken on a nearly daily basis, something the young Australian sees as a point of focus in the coming season.

“I definitely feel like I can become more progressive and innovative,” Gilmore said. “I also feel like the ASP Judging Criteria reflects and rewards progressive surfing more and more and that contests are becoming a forum for the best surfing on the planet. Certainly the new girls on tour, Coco (Ho) and Sally (Fitzgibbons) and Carissa (Moore) all put a lot of innovation into their surfing. Silvana (Lima) has always been progressive, and all the girls are really stepping up this year. It’s an exciting time for the ASP Women’s World Tour.”

Gilmore will face ASP Women’s World Tour sophomore Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 19, and the winner of the Roxy Pro Trials in the opening round of competition.

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will feature the world’s best female surfers from February 27 through March 10, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via www.roxypro.com.au

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, featuring the ASP Top 45, will run in conjunction with the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, and in addition to being webcast LIVE, the men will be broadcast LIVE on FUEL TV in Australia.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

High-res image available for complimentary download at: (Copy/Paste URL)

http://www.aspworldtour.com/photos/RGC09/gilmore4682roxygc09kirstin_n.jpg

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), TBA
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS)

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Dane Reynolds (USA), Roy Powers (HAW), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT), Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Marco Polo (BRA)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), Blake Thornton (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), TBA
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), TBA
Heat 10: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Mick Campbell (AUS), TBA
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Drew Courtney (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 12: Taylor Knox (USA), Luke Stedman (AUS), Nathan Yeomans (USA)
Heat 13: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 14: Kieren Perrow (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 15: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA), Adam Melling (AUS)

——————————————————————————–

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

EVENT MEDIA

Jake White
email: jake@surfingaustralia.com
AUS mobile: + 61 (0) 422 987 069

TV NEWS FEEDS and WEB CLIPS: TV News Feeds will be available via Network Nine on each day of competition. The broadcast quality feeds will also be available on-line for download via an FTP link. Satellite feeds will be delivered worldwide on key competition days.

Mandy McKinnon
email: mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com
AUS mobile: + 61 (0) 417 079941

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

——————————————————————————–

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Monday, February 22, 2010) – The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, will commence its waiting period this weekend, ushering in the greatest assemblage of surfing talent in history with 15 ASP World Titles being represented amongst the 48-man draw.

Kelly Slater (USA), 38, former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 6, will return to the singlet this season, challenging for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title against the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves. Coming away with an ASP Dream Tour win in Brazil last season, Slater made a mid-year challenge for the crown, yet fell short of the Australian onslaught.

“I never found myself in the right mind frame to deal with the pressure of a tenth title and find the excitement and purpose for what I was doing for more than a few heats last year,” Slater said. “Brazil worked out but all the close heats went the other guy’s way and I just made a lot of mind decisions and not surfing from the gut and real feelings. I’m comfortable with 9 (ASP World Titles), but yeah, 10 has a certain allure to it.”

The iconic natural-footer opened up the 2009 season on self-shaped, experimental designs that yielded mixed results. The ripple effect it caused, however, echoed throughout the remainder of the year, with the world’s best surfers altering their respective equipment and collectively applying a more radical approach to their surfing.

“I love designing and experimenting,” Slater said. “I love music. I love using the artistic brain and challenging myself and the way things are accepted around us. There is no shortage of things to do, only time and focus to do them. Last year was a radical change for my boards and surprising to a lot of people. I’m sure some of those changes are here to stay and will be on my equipment. I’m still working it out now.”

Slater will face current ASP World No. 22, Ben Dunn (AUS), 24, and 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie, Marco Polo (BRA), 28, in the opening round of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

Owen Wright (AUS), 20, 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie, is one man who slashed holes in Slater’s ASP World Title campaign last season, besting the Floridian as a wildcard on two separate occasions – in Bells Beach and Portugal. With a full arsenal of progressive aerials and high-performance turns, and a devastating competitive record, Wright enters the 2010 ASP World Tour season as one of the most closely watched rookies in history.

“I would love to perform well in my heats and make the cut offs by the end of the year,” Wright said. “I’ve been surfing heaps and going right as much as possible. The swell has been pumping which is sick!”

Wright will take on current ASP World No. 15, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 28, and fellow 2010 ASP World Tour rookie, Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 24, in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

Slater and Wright will take on the world’s best surfers including reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, 2009 ASP World Runner-Up Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, progressive innovators Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, amongst others.

Rounding out the 48-man draw at Snapper Rocks will be wildcards Garrett Parkes (AUS), 18, and Craig Anderson (AUS), 21, as well we the winner of the 16-man Trials, to be held Friday.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by Land Rover will feature the world’s best surfers from February 27 through March 10, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

High-res image available for complimentary download at: (Copy/Paste URL)

http://www.aspworldtour.com/photos/QGC08/slater147quik08GCsr_n.jpg

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Dane Reynolds (USA), Roy Powers (HAW), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT), Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Marco Polo (BRA)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), Blake Thornton (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), TBA
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), TBA
Heat 10: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Mick Campbell (AUS), TBA
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Drew Courtney (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 12: Taylor Knox (USA), Luke Stedman (AUS), Nathan Yeomans (USA)
Heat 13: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 14: Kieren Perrow (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 15: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA), Adam Melling (AUS)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), TBA
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS)

——————————————————————————–

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

EVENT MEDIA
Jake White
email: jake@surfingaustralia.com
AUS mobile: + 61 (0) 422 987 069

TV NEWS FEEDS and WEB CLIPS: TV News Feeds will be available via Network Nine on each day of competition. The broadcast quality feeds will also be available on-line for download via an FTP link. Satellite feeds will be delivered worldwide on key competition days.

Mandy McKinnon
email: mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com
AUS mobile: + 61 (0) 417 079941
Digital Photographs:

High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

——————————————————————————–

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 February, 2010 : – - In a significant moment for South African Surfing, Billabong has announced the resigning of three of SA’s top junior surfers onto their Pro Junior Team. Dale Staples, Matt Bromley and Shaun Joubert have all resigned contracts with Billabong thus ensuring their respective positions on the fabled Billabong Surf Team for another few seasons to come.

Shaun Joubert (18), who hails from Mossel Bay in the Eastern Cape has been heralded as a contest and freesurfing freak. His 3rd place in the U16 divsion of the ISA World Surfing Games, multiple Billabong Junior Series Titles, as well as multiple SA Championship wins all bear testament to his calculated, polished approach.

Yet Shauns’ freesurfing is where he also excels and his highly acclaimed section in Billabong’s latest international film, Still Filthy, as well as numeorus magazine cover spreads and video sections have gained Shaun both local and international respect and one of the worlds top up and coming junior surfers.

After recently completing matric and having just returned from a magazine surf trip to Morrocco, Shaun now heads off to Australia to compete in the Australian Pro Junior Tour as well as a select number of World Qualifying Series events.

On top of his competetive schedule, Shaun has alo been invited to attend the Billabong International Pro Junior Camp in Hawaii later this year, after which he returns to South Africa to compete in the Pro Junior Tour as well as secure a place in the the Von Zipper wildcard trials for a spot in on one of the most antcipated W.C.T events of the year; The Billabong Pro J-Bay.

“I’m really happy to resign with Billabong,” said Shaun. “I hope together we can reach the top and achieve great things on the way there.”

When asked what his objectives looking forward were, “My main goals for the year are to win South Africa’s pro junior tour, and gain as many WQS points as possible – aiming to at least end in the top 80.” answered Shaun.

Long time friend and equal charger, Dale Staples (19) who resides in the picturesque town of St.Francis Bay is arguably one of the most naturally gifted surfers to come through the SA Junior Ranks. An incredibly stylish, clean boosting, barrel-master, Dale has the full repertoire and natural-born talent to really turn heads in international competitive and free surfing circles.

Dales numerous competitive accolades are as well established as his free surfing ability and include the Rip Curl International Grom Search Champion title, the inaugural Billabong Challenge Champion as well as multiple Billabong Junior series wins.

Perhaps his most acclaimed competitive success came this past year when Dale ploughed his way past some of the best Junior Surfers in the world to claim 3rd place in the Billabong Junior Series event in the cooking barreling waves of Keramas in Bali.

Like Shaun, Dale now heads to Australia to ply his trade in the highly competitive Australian Pro Junior Series. He then returns to South Africa to compete in the local Pro Junior Series as well as Battle it out in the Von Zipper Wildcard Trails for a spot in the highly anticipated Billabong Pro J-Bay W.C.T event in July this year.

“I’m amped to secure my future with Billabong again” said Dale. “Apart from the incredible privilege of surfing with such amazing surfers, I’ve always loved the Billabong Brand, particularly the product so I’m stoked to know I’ll be wearing Billabong clothing for the next couple years”

Local Big Wave charger and Barrel Master, Matt Bromley (18) completes this illustrious Billabong Junior Surf Team. The Capetonian Charger from Kommetjie, like Shaun, has also just completed school, although his age belies his credibility as one of Cape Town’s most prominent big wave, cold water barrel riders.

Matt has also established a highly successful competitive track record and has managed to notch up a O&E U16 International Rampage Championship win, has consistently found himself in multiple Billabong Junior Series Finals, is the reigning 2X SA u18 Champion and is the former South African Surfing Team Captain. Yet it is perhaps in the big cold dredging barrels of Cape Town, where Matthew truly excels.

Amongst the local underground big wave crew in Cape Town, Matt has gained huge respect for constantly charging in solid surf. His groundbreaking session at Dungeons late last year in macking 15-25 ft surf at the famed big wave reef break off Hout Bay, has cemented his reputation as a legitimate up and coming big wave charger, in much the same mould as current big wave team rider, Grant Twiggy Baker.

“I’m super psyched to have Billabong behind me this year once again” said a frothing Matt. “I’m going to be focusing on building my profile big time this year in the photo and contest departments in local waters.” With regards to surfing big waves Matt claims, “I’m getting into the big wave scene, and so I am organizing a training program to give me confidence in the bigger stuff and lift my performance in the contests.”

Matthew has also not disregarded his academic ambitions claiming, “All this will be combined with a bit of UNISA studying to keep my mind working and focused”

Billabong Team Manager, Ryan Payne was delighted with the announcement, stating, “All of us here at Billabong are genuinely stoked to re-sign Shaun, Dale and Matt to the team. Collectively, they have a 25 year representation with the Billabong brand and they are true ambassadors to the sport and company.

Each of them bring something unique and special to the party, whether it’s Shaun’s contest savvy, Dale’s free surfing ability, or Matthew’s big wave feats, they all have matured into great surfers, in and out of their strengths. I’m very excited to be working with all three of them to ensure their true potential shines through.”