LONGBOARD STARS TRY TO ADD TO THEIR WORLD TITLE COLLECTIONS AT OXBOW PRO

ANGLET, France (Fri., May 4, 2007) – The Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship continues today with a host of the stars of the sport competing in a bid to add to their collection of world titles.

The championship winner will be crowned the Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International Mens World Champion for 2007.

The man that holds that title currently, defending event champion Josh Constable (AUS) will feature in the early heats this morning, and is primed for a big event.

"I suppose there is a bit of pressure being the current world champion, but I'm not feeling it too much," said Constable. "I'm feeling strong and confident and enjoying the French beachbreaks."

Constable will face up against 17-year-old wild card Harrison Roach (AUS) in a classic David and Goliath clash.

Following Constable's clash, most of all the tournaments favourites will be surfing back-to-back in what promises to be an incredible day of red hot longboarding.

Two-time world champion Colin McPhillips (USA) will also be in the water taking on Roger Barrros (BRA). McPhillips injured his knee last week, but such is the importance of the event that he is surfing through the pain barrier to try and secure his third world title.

Speaking of world champs, the next heat after McPhillips will feature the 1996 champion Bonga Perkins (HAW). Perkins is one of the leaders of the strong Hawaiian contingent over here in France, entrusted by the elders back in the Pacific to uphold the integrity and respect of Hawaiian surf culture, from which the art of longboarding derives.

Organisers are aiming to finish all of the Round 3 heats today and then make a decision on Round 4 later in the day. The Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championships are scheduled to finish on Sunday May 6, with a new world champion raising the trophy and taking home the $US10,000 winner's cheque. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Round 3 match ups
Heat 7: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs Carlos Bahia
Heat 8: Josh Constable (AUS) vs Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 9: Ned Snow (HAW) vs Jackson Close (AUS)
Heat 10: Colin McPhillips (USA) vs Roger Barros (BRA)
Heat 11: Bonga Perkins (USA) Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 12: Jonas Lima (BRA) vs Eduardo Bage (BRA)
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Bryce Young (AUS)
Heat 14: Romain Maurin (FRA) vs Tom Lloy (USA)
Heat 15: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Kai Sallas (HAW)
Heat 16: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA) vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN)