ROUND 1 OF THE BILLABONG PRO JBAY UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 11, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 5 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, has commenced in clean three to four foot (one metre plus) conditions today.

Official Round 1 Billabong Pro action hit the water at 10am local time with Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (ZAF) contesting the first heat of the day.

"Wind permitting we're hoping to run as many heats as possible today," Contest Director Mike Parsons said. "We think we can get pretty deep in the round, maybe as many as 14 heats if the favorable winds stick around."

Three Von Zipper Trials heats ran prior to main event with the winner of each four-man battle earning main event berths. South Africans Shaun Payne, Damien Fahrenfort and Warwick Wright advanced.

"I'm very stoked to be in the main event," Payne said. "I'm just going to give it my all and see how it goes. I'm keen to see just surf against the guys, watch them and maybe learn something as well."

The addition of three local wildcards ups the tally to seven South African surfers competing in the Billabong Pro.

The event is being webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (ZAF)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Fredrick Pattachia (HAW), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Taj Burrow (AUS), CJ Hobgood (USA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Shaun Payne (ZAF)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Warwick Wright (ZAF)
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Ricky Bassnett (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Voctor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)