TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 19, 2009) - Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, has taken out the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, defeating fellow Finalist Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, in clean three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at Teahupoo.
Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti survived a marathon waiting period, culminating on the second-to-last available day in improving conditions that peaked for a climactic Final.
Martinez surfed a near-flawless heat, opening up with an impressive 8.73 out of a possible 10 before putting his opponent in a combination situation with a Houdini-esque 9.73 out of a possible 10. Netting the highest heat total of the event, an 18.46 out of a possible 20, Martinez claimed his second Billabong Pro Tahiti and fourth elite tour win, establishing himself as one of the premier tube-riders in the world.
�I feel great and a bit emotional,� Martinez said. �I feel wonderful. I waited for the good ones out there and just got lucky. There weren�t too many waves and I was lucky enough to get a couple of good ones and not fall. Things just seemed to work out for me today. I really don�t know what to say. It feels really special.�
The form surfer of the event, Martinez surfed the majority of his heats on borrowed equipment, having broken most of his surfboards early in the waiting period.
�I actually borrowed a board from Alain Riou (local Tahitian surfer),� Martinez said. �He rides Darren Handley shapes and the board was the same dimensions and pretty much the same board I ride. It was great to find that as yesterday, I was a bit skeptical about today in terms of the conditions and my equipment, but everything worked out perfectly.�
Martinez, who is without a major sponsor at the moment, has rocketed himself from 19th to 7th on the ASP World Tour ratings with today�s win, putting him in excellent position for the remainder of the year.
�I�m not thinking about money right now, but rather I�m thinking about the feelings I have,� Martinez said. �I didn�t start surfing to make money. I started for me, and to win today, you cannot put a price on the feelings I have. I�m really going to let it sink it and enjoy it. It�s a great result, but it�s a long year and anything can happen. Joel (Parkinson) has a great lead, and now that this event is over, my focus goes to the next one.�
Burrow�s efforts in the Final were nothing short of spectacular, collecting an 8.17, a 7.93 and a 7.33, but they were not enough to overtake the Martinez stranglehold on the event.
�I definitely had fun but it was tricky against Bobby (Martinez),� Burrow said. �He had a dream heat. The conditions looked pretty good for your forehand because the judges like seeing you pump on your forehand in the barrel. On your backhand, you just have to park it in the pit and you can�t do much, but Bobby did everything he had to out there and deserved the win. I still had a fun Final, but hard to enjoy out there because I was in a combination situation the whole time.�
Burrow now moves into the No. 2 position on the ASP World Tour ratings, setting the Western Australian up well as he eyes up the next events.
�I�ve had two keepers in terms of results and I�m hungry,� Burrow said. �I�m still kicking and I�m looking to win. The next few events, I feel really strong at and I�m going to do whatever it takes to win. I�m stoked to get a result at Teahupoo, I haven�t done well here in a few years so it sets me up really well for the rest of the year.�
Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, former ASP World No. 39, was the �Cinderella Story� at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Having failed to advance through a heat in the opening two events of the season, the Basque Country�s first ever ASP World Tour competitor stormed past Californian sensation Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, former event winner Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, Australian veteran Tom Whitaker, 29, and reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, en route to a Semifinals berth.
"I�ve had a tough draw throughout the event, but that�s what has kept me motivated,� Aranburu said. �Coming up against the best guys out there, you need to lift your ability. Beating Kelly (Slater) for me is one of the biggest achievements I�ve ever had. I�ve been looking up to him for so long, and just being on tour with him is an honor. To beat him is a major achievement for me."
The career-best result was halted at the hands of eventual winner Martinez during one of the most exciting heats of the event. Despite coming up short to Martinez (15.23 to the Californian�s 17.17), Aranburu�s equal 3rd place finish boosts the European to 19th on the ASP World Tour ratings.
�Bobby (Martinez) is one of the best out there,� Aranburu said. �I had one good one, but he got two good ones, and that was it. It�s my best result ever and I am stoked. I have lots of confidence going into the next events. I just want to go home and train and try new boards for Brazil and J-Bay. The biggest thing for me is to know that if I can do it once, I can do it twice.�
Michael Campbell (AUS), 35, opened his final day affair with a close win over fellow ASP Dream Tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA), 38, in the Quarterfinals, but the goofy-footer�s precision forehand approach wasn�t enough to overtake a rampaging Burrow in the Semifinals.
�It felt like I was a bit out of rhythm in the Semifinal,� Campbell said. �I wasn�t able to capitalize on the waves I got and Taj (Burrow) posted a couple of really strong scores mid-heat that left me wanting.�
Although falling short of a Finals berth, the journeyman competitor�s equal 3rd place finish boosts him from 29th to 16th on the ASP World Tour ratings.
"This is going to do a lot for my cause,� Campbell said. �I�ve had average results this year and last year too, so a third is pretty special for me. All of the heats have been hard and sometimes the luck goes your way. I�ve had a bit of luck this time around, but I�ve also spent some time here and I know it pretty well. Stoked to get a result and looking forward to the next one."
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, suffered an unfortunate Round 3 loss at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, but after two event wins to open the season up, the Gold Coaster remains the frontrunner on this year�s ASP World Tour ratings.
The next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil from June 27 to July 5, 2009.
Highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui will be available via www.billabongpro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI FINAL RESULTS:
1 � Bobby Martinez (USA) 18.46
2 � Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.10
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.86 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 10.00
SF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) 17.17 def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 15.23
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.33 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.06
QF 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.84 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 10.17
QF 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.93 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67
QF 4: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 11.66 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.66
REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.17 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 10.16
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.57 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.67
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.56 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.16
Heat 8: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 9.43 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 9.40
CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 � Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3000 points
2 � Taj Burrow (AUS) 2318 points
3 � Mick Fanning (AUS) 2208 points
4 � C.J. Hobgood (USA) 2196 points
5 � Adriano de Souza (BRA) 2174 points
6 � Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2076 points
7 � Bobby Martinez (USA) 2025 points
8 � Tom Whitaker (AUS) 1932 points
9 � Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 1886 points
10 � Kieren Perrow (AUS) 1742 points
10 � Taylor Knox (USA) 1742 points
10 � Damien Hobgood (USA) 1742 points
Why wear a wetsuit in the first place?
Water is not mens natural environment and since we can not breathe underwater a jump into the sea is always also a bit of a jump into the unknown. Of course fear is not the reason to wear a wetsuit, there are many much better reasons, but a wetsuit will also give you some comfort.
So what are the main three reasons why should you wear a wetsuit? I will list them here and then we will take a look at each one of them in more depth. 1. Wetsuit will keep you warm. 2. Wetsuit will give you extra protection. 3. Wetsuit will improve your buoyancy.
1) Protection against hypothermia. There are times when water is so cold that no one in their sound mind would enter it without a wetsuit. So wetsuits are great because the allow us to surf, swim, dive etc.. in the sea at temperatures that we would normally not be able to. But it is not just about the really cold water. Since water is 25 times more heat-conducting than air you lose your body heat much faster when you are in the sea. So even in warmer weather and water you can get hypothermia if you stay in too long without a wetsuit.
How does the wetsuit keep you warm? A thin layer of water comes between your body and the wetsuit. Body heats it and the wetsuit prevents the heat from escaping further, hence you have an insulation layer. Because neoprene contains many bubbles the air in them also acts as great insulation. This of course only works if fresh cold water doesn't constantly flush your wetsuit. So your wetsuits should be tight fitting, snug. I suggest you also check this wetsuits guide. Actualley here are a few links that I suggest:
- the most comprehensive wetsuit guide on the web: http://www.wetsuitmegastore.com/wetsuit/58-wetsuits-guide.html
- water temperature guide and chart for wetsuits - http://www.wetsuitmegastore.com/wetsuit/6-wetsuit-temperature-guide-and-chart.html
- more wetsuit info - http://360guide.info/wetsuits.
2) Wetsuits as protection. I covered protection against cold but wetsuits also act as protection against physical damage. The soft, rubbery neoprene will dampen the blows if you hit a rock, coral or your own or somebody else's equipment. For instance in surfing really shallow reef, if you are not 100% confident that you will make it, wear a wetsuit and save some skin.
3) And finally there is buoyancy. I already mentioned that neoprene is full of air filled bubbles, so wearing a wetsuit will help you float better. Here I would like to warm you that before you take on any water sports you need to know how to swim - swim good! Wetsuit is not a life vest.
And this is why it is hard for me to imagine what the water sports world would be like without wetsuits.
So what are the main three reasons why should you wear a wetsuit? I will list them here and then we will take a look at each one of them in more depth. 1. Wetsuit will keep you warm. 2. Wetsuit will give you extra protection. 3. Wetsuit will improve your buoyancy.
1) Protection against hypothermia. There are times when water is so cold that no one in their sound mind would enter it without a wetsuit. So wetsuits are great because the allow us to surf, swim, dive etc.. in the sea at temperatures that we would normally not be able to. But it is not just about the really cold water. Since water is 25 times more heat-conducting than air you lose your body heat much faster when you are in the sea. So even in warmer weather and water you can get hypothermia if you stay in too long without a wetsuit.
How does the wetsuit keep you warm? A thin layer of water comes between your body and the wetsuit. Body heats it and the wetsuit prevents the heat from escaping further, hence you have an insulation layer. Because neoprene contains many bubbles the air in them also acts as great insulation. This of course only works if fresh cold water doesn't constantly flush your wetsuit. So your wetsuits should be tight fitting, snug. I suggest you also check this wetsuits guide. Actualley here are a few links that I suggest:
- the most comprehensive wetsuit guide on the web: http://www.wetsuitmegastore.com/wetsuit/58-wetsuits-guide.html
- water temperature guide and chart for wetsuits - http://www.wetsuitmegastore.com/wetsuit/6-wetsuit-temperature-guide-and-chart.html
- more wetsuit info - http://360guide.info/wetsuits.
2) Wetsuits as protection. I covered protection against cold but wetsuits also act as protection against physical damage. The soft, rubbery neoprene will dampen the blows if you hit a rock, coral or your own or somebody else's equipment. For instance in surfing really shallow reef, if you are not 100% confident that you will make it, wear a wetsuit and save some skin.
3) And finally there is buoyancy. I already mentioned that neoprene is full of air filled bubbles, so wearing a wetsuit will help you float better. Here I would like to warm you that before you take on any water sports you need to know how to swim - swim good! Wetsuit is not a life vest.
And this is why it is hard for me to imagine what the water sports world would be like without wetsuits.
Wetsuits used in Pro Surfing
We wanted to do a shorter post about the wetsuits that are used in pro surfing. Not all ASP WCT tour locations require pro surfers to wear a wetsuit. Some are really warm and surfers can only wear boardshorts. Performace wise - this is the best since no wetsuits means no restricitons for the surfers. On the other hand there are surf spots and world tour locations that require a full wetsuit, sometimes even a thicker on liek a 4/3 wetsuit.
So what kind of wetsuits do pro surfers wear?
First of all - they are basically the same wetsuits that you can buy in the surf shop. If they have special the very best of the very best shapers hand made input driven surfboard that you can not get your hands on even in your dreams (at least until the pro models comes out lol) the wetsuits are pretty much the ordinary stuff that is available on the shelves. Of course the op of the line model.
What do pro surfers look for in their wetsuits?
Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! This is the first and the most important wetsuit feature. You know that wetsuits that are the most flexible are usually not the ones that last the longest. Since getting new wetsuits is not an issue for pro surfers :)... it's all about flexibility.
Flexibility of the wetsuit means how stretchy it is and how much does it hinder the surfer when he performs his maneuvers.
Wetsuit thickness and warmth only comes second. Of course most of the pro surfers are sponsored and among there sponsors are also wetsuit companies. So they wear and promote wetsuits from their sponsor. And they can also give feedback and input when it comes to development of new wetsuit models.
So what kind of wetsuits do pro surfers wear?
First of all - they are basically the same wetsuits that you can buy in the surf shop. If they have special the very best of the very best shapers hand made input driven surfboard that you can not get your hands on even in your dreams (at least until the pro models comes out lol) the wetsuits are pretty much the ordinary stuff that is available on the shelves. Of course the op of the line model.
What do pro surfers look for in their wetsuits?
Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! This is the first and the most important wetsuit feature. You know that wetsuits that are the most flexible are usually not the ones that last the longest. Since getting new wetsuits is not an issue for pro surfers :)... it's all about flexibility.
Flexibility of the wetsuit means how stretchy it is and how much does it hinder the surfer when he performs his maneuvers.
Wetsuit thickness and warmth only comes second. Of course most of the pro surfers are sponsored and among there sponsors are also wetsuit companies. So they wear and promote wetsuits from their sponsor. And they can also give feedback and input when it comes to development of new wetsuit models.
Quiksilver Pro Opening Day
DURANBAH BEACH, Australia (Saturday, February 28, 2009) � The opening day of the 2009 ASP World Tour season got underway this morning, with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG completing Round 1 in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Duranbah Beach.
Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast opted to mobilize from the primary site of Snapper Rocks to nearby Duranbah Beach this morning to take advantage of the increased wave heights on offer, and despite conditions being challenging at times, the world�s best surfers delivered an explosive opening day of competition.
Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion, took to experimenting with his equipment during Round 1, opting to ride an unconventional self-shaped, 5�4� round-tail quad en route to victory over Dayyan Neve (AUS), 30, and Daniel Wills (AUS), 33.
"I am surfing a little 5�4" - a board I made actually � a pretty drastic change to what I normally ride but the tail is very similar,� Slater said. �This is the step I wanted to take when I went [to shorter boards] last year from 6�1" to 5�10" and I thought I was kind of stopping there but we�ll see. 5�4" is too short and I might end up with a 5�6" or a 5�7"."
Historically candid about his intentions to compete full-time on the ASP World Tour, Slater has since committed to his interest in acquiring a 10th world crown, albeit with guarded apprehension.
"It looks good on paper but honestly I am not that consumed about it,� Slater said. �The only time I talk about is when people ask me. It�s just a nice round number, double digits, and it�s rare for people to get that in sports so it will be nice to make it."
Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, gained entry into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as a wildcard, and went on to cause one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating current ASP World No. 2 Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, and Mikael Picon (FRA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.
"I had a little bit of pressure before that heat,� Wilson said. �I was anxious to get out there and get it done. But when I walked down before my heat, I saw my friends and family so I kind of relaxed and then went out there and got a couple of waves and made it. I haven�t made it passed the third round so I am really fired up to getting pass that round. I�ll probably get Kelly (Slater) in the third round so I�ll see what happens."
Riding a fluorescent pink surfboard to raise awareness about breast cancer, Wilson�s progressive approach saw him execute a number of technical aerials and fin-free maneuvers before breaking his equipment in half during the latter stages of the heat.
�I just didn�t want Bede to get another wave so I took and tried a big air, snapped my board on the landing,� Wilson said. �It�s okay because I have a backup, but that was a really good board.�
Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, current ASP World No. 5, punctuated an otherwise mediocre-scoring day of competition with some scintillating backhand exhibitions, netting the highest heat total of the day, a 17.50 out of a possible 20, to defeat ASP Dream Tour sophomore Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and twin brother, former ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 5, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.
�Obviously it was fun for me,� Hobgood said. �A lot of the waves came towards me, but C.J. and I were stoked because no one loses and it gives us a chance to loosen up a bit and not care as much. D�Bah is like Huntington where you paddle out there and it seems like all the waves are running away from you. I was lucky. I was in position for a lot of the sets.�
Once a perennial Top 10 finisher, Hobgood has seen recent seasons marred by injury. Now healthy and back to 100%, the Floridian goofy-footer will look to rebound in 2009.
�I haven�t been injured in a while so it feels really good,� Hobgood said. �I�ve been spending a lot of time in the water and on my boards. It�s good, I feel really comfortable.�
Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, took top honors for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookies today, netting the event�s highest single-wave score of a 9.33 out of a possible 10 to defeat Chris Davidson (AUS) and Kai Otton (AUS), 29.
�He [Chris Davidson] came out guns blazing,� Bacalso said. �I kept getting the first waves and he would get the second a smoke me on the exchange. I had my back against the fence and knew I had to bring out something special. I thought about Round 2 and did not want to be surfing in it, that�s everyone�s worst nightmare.�
Bacalso led fellow 2009 ASP World Tour rookies Tim Boal (FRA), 25, and Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, in Round 1 victories. All surfers will advance directly to Round 3.
Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, caused another massive upset today, defeating heavily-touted local Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and veteran power surfer Taylor Knox (USA), 37, in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
"Surfing at home in front of the local crowd is just amazing," Thompson said. "When you are a bit tired, you automatically get back out there with the support of the fans. It definitely makes a big difference."
An ASP Dream Tour rookie in 2008, Thompson failed to requalify for the ASP World Tour this season, but entered into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as an alternate for the injured Luke Stedman (AUS), 32, who is out with broken toes.
"The position of being the replacement surfer does take a lot of pressure off me,� Thompson said. �I had such a terrible year last year and had a few criticisms and a few injuries but you see a lot of rookies in that position and they fall off first year and they come back hungrier so that�s the path for me hopefully. If I don�t get in all the events, it still is experience for 2010 so that�s why I will take it. But if there is a chance to surf a lot of events, I am going to surf hard and requalify through the ASP World Tour."
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au
The event will incorporate the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour.
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.67, Dustin Barca 11.87, Dean Morrison (AUS) 9.70
Heat 2: Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.00, Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.00, Roy Powers (HAW) 7.27
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.83, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.37, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 8.76
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.80, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00, Drew Courtney (AUS) 8.57
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.67, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.30, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.27
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.50, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.83, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 4.93
Heat 7: Jay Thompson (AUS) 13.67, Taylor Knox (USA) 12.67, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.17, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.00, Daniel Wills (AUS) 10.67
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.10, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.73, Mikael Picon (FRA) 9.06
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.50, Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.23, Corey Ziems (AUS) 8.80
Heat 11: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.84, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.94, Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.06
Heat 12: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.66, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 8.67, Chris Ward (USA) 8.50
Heat 13: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 17.33, Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.84, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.83
Heat 14: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 15.33, Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.90, Tim Reyes (USA) 9.57
Heat 15: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.50, Gabe Kling (USA) 11.07, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.60
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.60, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 9.61, David Weare (ZAF) 9.34
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast opted to mobilize from the primary site of Snapper Rocks to nearby Duranbah Beach this morning to take advantage of the increased wave heights on offer, and despite conditions being challenging at times, the world�s best surfers delivered an explosive opening day of competition.
Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion, took to experimenting with his equipment during Round 1, opting to ride an unconventional self-shaped, 5�4� round-tail quad en route to victory over Dayyan Neve (AUS), 30, and Daniel Wills (AUS), 33.
"I am surfing a little 5�4" - a board I made actually � a pretty drastic change to what I normally ride but the tail is very similar,� Slater said. �This is the step I wanted to take when I went [to shorter boards] last year from 6�1" to 5�10" and I thought I was kind of stopping there but we�ll see. 5�4" is too short and I might end up with a 5�6" or a 5�7"."
Historically candid about his intentions to compete full-time on the ASP World Tour, Slater has since committed to his interest in acquiring a 10th world crown, albeit with guarded apprehension.
"It looks good on paper but honestly I am not that consumed about it,� Slater said. �The only time I talk about is when people ask me. It�s just a nice round number, double digits, and it�s rare for people to get that in sports so it will be nice to make it."
Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, gained entry into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as a wildcard, and went on to cause one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating current ASP World No. 2 Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, and Mikael Picon (FRA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.
"I had a little bit of pressure before that heat,� Wilson said. �I was anxious to get out there and get it done. But when I walked down before my heat, I saw my friends and family so I kind of relaxed and then went out there and got a couple of waves and made it. I haven�t made it passed the third round so I am really fired up to getting pass that round. I�ll probably get Kelly (Slater) in the third round so I�ll see what happens."
Riding a fluorescent pink surfboard to raise awareness about breast cancer, Wilson�s progressive approach saw him execute a number of technical aerials and fin-free maneuvers before breaking his equipment in half during the latter stages of the heat.
�I just didn�t want Bede to get another wave so I took and tried a big air, snapped my board on the landing,� Wilson said. �It�s okay because I have a backup, but that was a really good board.�
Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, current ASP World No. 5, punctuated an otherwise mediocre-scoring day of competition with some scintillating backhand exhibitions, netting the highest heat total of the day, a 17.50 out of a possible 20, to defeat ASP Dream Tour sophomore Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and twin brother, former ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 5, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.
�Obviously it was fun for me,� Hobgood said. �A lot of the waves came towards me, but C.J. and I were stoked because no one loses and it gives us a chance to loosen up a bit and not care as much. D�Bah is like Huntington where you paddle out there and it seems like all the waves are running away from you. I was lucky. I was in position for a lot of the sets.�
Once a perennial Top 10 finisher, Hobgood has seen recent seasons marred by injury. Now healthy and back to 100%, the Floridian goofy-footer will look to rebound in 2009.
�I haven�t been injured in a while so it feels really good,� Hobgood said. �I�ve been spending a lot of time in the water and on my boards. It�s good, I feel really comfortable.�
Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, took top honors for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookies today, netting the event�s highest single-wave score of a 9.33 out of a possible 10 to defeat Chris Davidson (AUS) and Kai Otton (AUS), 29.
�He [Chris Davidson] came out guns blazing,� Bacalso said. �I kept getting the first waves and he would get the second a smoke me on the exchange. I had my back against the fence and knew I had to bring out something special. I thought about Round 2 and did not want to be surfing in it, that�s everyone�s worst nightmare.�
Bacalso led fellow 2009 ASP World Tour rookies Tim Boal (FRA), 25, and Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, in Round 1 victories. All surfers will advance directly to Round 3.
Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, caused another massive upset today, defeating heavily-touted local Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and veteran power surfer Taylor Knox (USA), 37, in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
"Surfing at home in front of the local crowd is just amazing," Thompson said. "When you are a bit tired, you automatically get back out there with the support of the fans. It definitely makes a big difference."
An ASP Dream Tour rookie in 2008, Thompson failed to requalify for the ASP World Tour this season, but entered into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as an alternate for the injured Luke Stedman (AUS), 32, who is out with broken toes.
"The position of being the replacement surfer does take a lot of pressure off me,� Thompson said. �I had such a terrible year last year and had a few criticisms and a few injuries but you see a lot of rookies in that position and they fall off first year and they come back hungrier so that�s the path for me hopefully. If I don�t get in all the events, it still is experience for 2010 so that�s why I will take it. But if there is a chance to surf a lot of events, I am going to surf hard and requalify through the ASP World Tour."
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au
The event will incorporate the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour.
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.67, Dustin Barca 11.87, Dean Morrison (AUS) 9.70
Heat 2: Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.00, Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.00, Roy Powers (HAW) 7.27
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.83, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.37, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 8.76
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.80, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00, Drew Courtney (AUS) 8.57
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.67, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.30, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.27
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.50, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.83, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 4.93
Heat 7: Jay Thompson (AUS) 13.67, Taylor Knox (USA) 12.67, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.17, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.00, Daniel Wills (AUS) 10.67
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.10, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.73, Mikael Picon (FRA) 9.06
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.50, Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.23, Corey Ziems (AUS) 8.80
Heat 11: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.84, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.94, Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.06
Heat 12: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.66, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 8.67, Chris Ward (USA) 8.50
Heat 13: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 17.33, Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.84, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.83
Heat 14: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 15.33, Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.90, Tim Reyes (USA) 9.57
Heat 15: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.50, Gabe Kling (USA) 11.07, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.60
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.60, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 9.61, David Weare (ZAF) 9.34
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
2009 ASP World Tour of Surfing Schedule
2009 ASP World Tour Schedule:
Stop No. 1: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2009)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Apr. 7 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 9 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 4: Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Jun. 27 � Jly. 5, 2009)
Stop No. 5: Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (Jly. 9 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 6: Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Sept. 11 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 7: Quiksilver Pro France (Sept. 23 � Oct. 4, 2009)
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct. 5 � 17, 2009)
Stop No. 9: Rip Curl Pro Search �Somewhere� (Oct. 19 � 28, 2009)
Stop No. 10: Billabong Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 1: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2009)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Apr. 7 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 9 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 4: Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Jun. 27 � Jly. 5, 2009)
Stop No. 5: Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (Jly. 9 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 6: Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Sept. 11 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 7: Quiksilver Pro France (Sept. 23 � Oct. 4, 2009)
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct. 5 � 17, 2009)
Stop No. 9: Rip Curl Pro Search �Somewhere� (Oct. 19 � 28, 2009)
Stop No. 10: Billabong Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8 � 20, 2009)
2009 ASP World Tour wil start in one month
The 2009 ASP World Tour is set to commence in just over a month, and the ASP Top 45 is looking set and shaping up to be one of the most explosive the world has ever seen.
Nine-times ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 36, will be back to hunt down ASP World Title No. 10, but standing in his way will be the best of the best.
Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, and fellow top seeds Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, will lead the rest of the ASP Top 45 in their respective bids to put a stop to the Slater juggernaut.
The official withdrawals of the Irons brothers and the acceptance of replacement surfers are in place, and the 2009 ASP Top 45 are finally locked in.
Roy Powers (HAW), 27, will be replacing Bruce Irons (HAW), 29, who finished No. 20 on last season�s ASP World Tour but will be retiring from full-time competition in 2009. Despite the withdrawal from the Dream Tour, Irons will pursue wildcard entries into events.
Michael Campbell (AUS), 34, former ASP World No. 2, will replace former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), 30, on the 2009 ASP World Tour. Irons the elder will be taking 2009 to recuperate and has been awarded the ASP Wildcard for the 2010 ASP World Tour.
�Andy Irons requested and was granted an ASP Tour wildcard for 2010,� Wayne �Rabbit� Bartholomew, ASP President, said. �Andy cited personal reasons for not participating in the full tour in 2009, however he may participate in certain pet events as an event wildcard. All stakeholders, being the surfers, the Events Council and ASP Management, were supportive of Andy�s request, and the ASP Board of Directors ratified this arrangement officially.�
�Andy will be sorely missed in 2009 and we look forward to him contending again from 2010,� Bartholomew said. �Each year, three tour wildcards are issued, they are for injury, they are sometimes granted to next in line WQS and they are also granted to former ASP World Champions or someone held in high esteem.�
This year�s ASP Top 45 will see the addition of eight new faces in rookies Nathaniel Curran (USA), 24, Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, Tim Boal (FRA), 25, Dustin Barca (HAW), 26, Drew Courtney (AUS), 29, and Marlon Lipke (DEU), 24. Over 10 separate surfing nations will be represented in 2009, making this season�s ASP World Tour one of the most diverse on record
Replacements for the 2009 ASP World Tour will be Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 23, Ben Bourgeois (USA), 28, and Yadin Nicol (AUS), 23, respectively.
Comprehensive athlete profiles for the ASP Top 45 are now available via www.aspworldtour.com
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will kickstart the 2009 ASP World Tour at Snapper Rocks on Australia�s Gold Coast. The waiting period for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast runs from February 28 through March 11, 2009.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
2009 ASP World Tour Schedule:
Stop No. 1: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2009)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Apr. 7 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 9 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 4: Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Jun. 27 � Jly. 5, 2009)
Stop No. 5: Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (Jly. 9 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 6: Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Sept. 11 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 7: Quiksilver Pro France (Sept. 23 � Oct. 4, 2009)
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct. 5 � 17, 2009)
Stop No. 9: Rip Curl Pro Search �Somewhere� (Oct. 19 � 28, 2009)
Stop No. 10: Billabong Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8 � 20, 2009)
Nine-times ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 36, will be back to hunt down ASP World Title No. 10, but standing in his way will be the best of the best.
Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, and fellow top seeds Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, will lead the rest of the ASP Top 45 in their respective bids to put a stop to the Slater juggernaut.
The official withdrawals of the Irons brothers and the acceptance of replacement surfers are in place, and the 2009 ASP Top 45 are finally locked in.
Roy Powers (HAW), 27, will be replacing Bruce Irons (HAW), 29, who finished No. 20 on last season�s ASP World Tour but will be retiring from full-time competition in 2009. Despite the withdrawal from the Dream Tour, Irons will pursue wildcard entries into events.
Michael Campbell (AUS), 34, former ASP World No. 2, will replace former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), 30, on the 2009 ASP World Tour. Irons the elder will be taking 2009 to recuperate and has been awarded the ASP Wildcard for the 2010 ASP World Tour.
�Andy Irons requested and was granted an ASP Tour wildcard for 2010,� Wayne �Rabbit� Bartholomew, ASP President, said. �Andy cited personal reasons for not participating in the full tour in 2009, however he may participate in certain pet events as an event wildcard. All stakeholders, being the surfers, the Events Council and ASP Management, were supportive of Andy�s request, and the ASP Board of Directors ratified this arrangement officially.�
�Andy will be sorely missed in 2009 and we look forward to him contending again from 2010,� Bartholomew said. �Each year, three tour wildcards are issued, they are for injury, they are sometimes granted to next in line WQS and they are also granted to former ASP World Champions or someone held in high esteem.�
This year�s ASP Top 45 will see the addition of eight new faces in rookies Nathaniel Curran (USA), 24, Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, Tim Boal (FRA), 25, Dustin Barca (HAW), 26, Drew Courtney (AUS), 29, and Marlon Lipke (DEU), 24. Over 10 separate surfing nations will be represented in 2009, making this season�s ASP World Tour one of the most diverse on record
Replacements for the 2009 ASP World Tour will be Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 23, Ben Bourgeois (USA), 28, and Yadin Nicol (AUS), 23, respectively.
Comprehensive athlete profiles for the ASP Top 45 are now available via www.aspworldtour.com
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will kickstart the 2009 ASP World Tour at Snapper Rocks on Australia�s Gold Coast. The waiting period for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast runs from February 28 through March 11, 2009.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
2009 ASP World Tour Schedule:
Stop No. 1: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2009)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Apr. 7 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 9 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 4: Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Jun. 27 � Jly. 5, 2009)
Stop No. 5: Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (Jly. 9 � 19, 2009)
Stop No. 6: Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Sept. 11 � 20, 2009)
Stop No. 7: Quiksilver Pro France (Sept. 23 � Oct. 4, 2009)
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct. 5 � 17, 2009)
Stop No. 9: Rip Curl Pro Search �Somewhere� (Oct. 19 � 28, 2009)
Stop No. 10: Billabong Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8 � 20, 2009)
2009 ASP Women's World Tour
The best female surfers in the world are locked in and the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour looks to be one for the record books.
Eleven ASP Women�s World Titles will be represented over four competitors in reigning two-time ASP Women�s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, former seven-time ASP Women�s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, 2004 ASP Women�s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, and returning 2005 ASP Women�s World Champion and 2009 ASP Dream Tour wildcard Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25.
�After a three-tier process including surfer, ASP technical committee and ASP Board votes, Chelsea Hedges has been ed as the 2009 ASP Wildcard,� Brooke Farris, ASP Women�s World Tour Manager, said. �The former ASP Women�s World Champion will bring experience, a solid backhand attack and a baby to the 2009 ASP Dream Tour. After finishing 8th in 2007, Chelsea took a year off to give birth to her daughter Mieka. With her undeniable talent and past results, Hedges was a strong ion.�
Despite announcing 2008 as her last season as a full-time member of the ASP Women�s World Tour, Beachley will also return to competition for events.
�Announcing her retirement from full-time ASP World Tour competition last October, Layne Beachley will be using her ASP World No. 4 seed to surf at some of her favorite Dream Tour locations,� Farris said. �Hunting her 30th career win, I suspect we will see Layne surfing at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and her own event the Beachley Classic at Manly.�
In addition to the slew of returning champions, the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour will also boast the arrival of a new guard in women�s surfing, led by 2008 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18.
�With five fresh new faces onboard, the line-up for the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour is incredibly exciting,� Farris said. �It will be interesting to see how quickly the rookies adapt to life on the ASP Dream Tour and who will really try to shake two-time ASP Women�s World Champion Steph Gilmore off the podium.�
Fitzgibbons will be joined by fellow newcomers Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 18, and Coco Ho (HAW), 17.
Next season�s ASP Women�s World Tour will be comprised of eight Australians, three Hawaiians, three Brazilians, one Peruvian, one South African and one New Zealander, and will take the ASP Top 17 to Australia, Brazil, Peru, �Somewhere� and Hawaii over eight events.
The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will kickstart the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour at Snapper Rocks on Australia�s Gold Coast. The waiting period for the Roxy Pro Gold Coast runs from February 28 through March 11, 2009.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Surfers:
1 � Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 � Silvana Lima (BRA)
3 � Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
4 � Layne Beachley (AUS)
5 � Amee Donohoe (AUS)
6 � Samantha Cornish (AUS)
7 � Melanie Bartels (HAW)
8 � Rebecca Woods (AUS)
9 � Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
10 � Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
11 � Chelsea Hedges (AUS)*
12 � Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
13 � Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
14 � Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
15 � Paige Hareb (NZL)
16 � Alana Blanchard (HAW)
17 � Coco Ho (HAW)
* ASP Wildcard
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Replacements:
1 � Megan Abubo (HAW)
2 � Laurina McGrath (AUS)
3 � Nicola Atherton (AUS)
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Schedule:
Stop No. 1: Roxy Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2008)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Women�s Pro pres. by Ford New Fiesta (Apr. 8 � 13, 2008)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Girls Pro Rio (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 4: Beachley Classic (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 5: Movistar Mancora Peru Classic pres. by Rip Curl (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 6: Rip Curl Search Somewhere (Oct. 26 � 30, 2008)
Stop No. 7: Roxy Pro Sunset Beach (Nov. 25 � Dec. 6, 2008)*
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8 � 20, 2008)
* Tentative
Eleven ASP Women�s World Titles will be represented over four competitors in reigning two-time ASP Women�s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, former seven-time ASP Women�s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, 2004 ASP Women�s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, and returning 2005 ASP Women�s World Champion and 2009 ASP Dream Tour wildcard Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25.
�After a three-tier process including surfer, ASP technical committee and ASP Board votes, Chelsea Hedges has been ed as the 2009 ASP Wildcard,� Brooke Farris, ASP Women�s World Tour Manager, said. �The former ASP Women�s World Champion will bring experience, a solid backhand attack and a baby to the 2009 ASP Dream Tour. After finishing 8th in 2007, Chelsea took a year off to give birth to her daughter Mieka. With her undeniable talent and past results, Hedges was a strong ion.�
Despite announcing 2008 as her last season as a full-time member of the ASP Women�s World Tour, Beachley will also return to competition for events.
�Announcing her retirement from full-time ASP World Tour competition last October, Layne Beachley will be using her ASP World No. 4 seed to surf at some of her favorite Dream Tour locations,� Farris said. �Hunting her 30th career win, I suspect we will see Layne surfing at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and her own event the Beachley Classic at Manly.�
In addition to the slew of returning champions, the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour will also boast the arrival of a new guard in women�s surfing, led by 2008 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18.
�With five fresh new faces onboard, the line-up for the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour is incredibly exciting,� Farris said. �It will be interesting to see how quickly the rookies adapt to life on the ASP Dream Tour and who will really try to shake two-time ASP Women�s World Champion Steph Gilmore off the podium.�
Fitzgibbons will be joined by fellow newcomers Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 18, and Coco Ho (HAW), 17.
Next season�s ASP Women�s World Tour will be comprised of eight Australians, three Hawaiians, three Brazilians, one Peruvian, one South African and one New Zealander, and will take the ASP Top 17 to Australia, Brazil, Peru, �Somewhere� and Hawaii over eight events.
The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will kickstart the 2009 ASP Women�s World Tour at Snapper Rocks on Australia�s Gold Coast. The waiting period for the Roxy Pro Gold Coast runs from February 28 through March 11, 2009.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Surfers:
1 � Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 � Silvana Lima (BRA)
3 � Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
4 � Layne Beachley (AUS)
5 � Amee Donohoe (AUS)
6 � Samantha Cornish (AUS)
7 � Melanie Bartels (HAW)
8 � Rebecca Woods (AUS)
9 � Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
10 � Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
11 � Chelsea Hedges (AUS)*
12 � Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
13 � Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
14 � Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
15 � Paige Hareb (NZL)
16 � Alana Blanchard (HAW)
17 � Coco Ho (HAW)
* ASP Wildcard
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Replacements:
1 � Megan Abubo (HAW)
2 � Laurina McGrath (AUS)
3 � Nicola Atherton (AUS)
2009 ASP Women�s World Tour Schedule:
Stop No. 1: Roxy Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 � Mar. 11, 2008)
Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Women�s Pro pres. by Ford New Fiesta (Apr. 8 � 13, 2008)
Stop No. 3: Billabong Girls Pro Rio (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 4: Beachley Classic (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 5: Movistar Mancora Peru Classic pres. by Rip Curl (Dates to be Confirmed)
Stop No. 6: Rip Curl Search Somewhere (Oct. 26 � 30, 2008)
Stop No. 7: Roxy Pro Sunset Beach (Nov. 25 � Dec. 6, 2008)*
Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8 � 20, 2008)
* Tentative
2009 ASP World Tour
Below is the current top 45 seed list and the ASP replacements for the 2009 ASP World Tour.
3 Taj Burrow (AUS)
4 Joel Parkinson (AUS)
5 C.J. Hobgood (USA)
6 Adrian Buchan (AUS)
7 Adriano de Souza (BRA)
8 Mick Fanning (AUS)
9 Bobby Martinez (USA)
10 Jeremy Flores (FRA)
11 Luke Stedman (AUS)
12 Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
13 Chris Ward (USA)
14 Kai Otton (AUS)
15 Tim Reyes (USA)
16 Tom Whitaker (AUS)
17 Kieren Perrow (AUS)
18 Dayyan Neve (AUS)
19 Mikael Picon (FRA)
20 Dane Reynolds (USA)
21 Taylor Knox (USA)
22 Damien Hobgood (USA)
23 Heitor Alves (BRA)
24 Jordy Smith (ZAF)
25 Ben Dunn (AUS)
26 Roy Powers (HAW)
27 Dean Morrison (AUS)
28 Mick Campbell (AUS)
29 Nathaniel Curran (USA)
30 Chris Davidson (AUS)
31 Michel Bourez (PYF)
32 Gabe Kling (USA)
33 Jihad Khodr (BRA)
34 David Weare (ZAF)
35 Josh Kerr (AUS)
36 Nic Muscroft (HAW)
37 Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
38 Greg Emslie (ZAF)
39 Tim Boal (FRA)
40 Dustin Barca (HAW)
41 Tiago Pires (POR)
42 Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
43 Drew Courtney (AUS)
44 Marlon Lipke (GER)
45 Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
2009 ASP World Tour Top 45 Seed List
1 Kelly Slater (USA)
2 Bede Durbidge (AUS)3 Taj Burrow (AUS)
4 Joel Parkinson (AUS)
5 C.J. Hobgood (USA)
6 Adrian Buchan (AUS)
7 Adriano de Souza (BRA)
8 Mick Fanning (AUS)
9 Bobby Martinez (USA)
10 Jeremy Flores (FRA)
11 Luke Stedman (AUS)
12 Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
13 Chris Ward (USA)
14 Kai Otton (AUS)
15 Tim Reyes (USA)
16 Tom Whitaker (AUS)
17 Kieren Perrow (AUS)
18 Dayyan Neve (AUS)
19 Mikael Picon (FRA)
20 Dane Reynolds (USA)
21 Taylor Knox (USA)
22 Damien Hobgood (USA)
23 Heitor Alves (BRA)
24 Jordy Smith (ZAF)
25 Ben Dunn (AUS)
26 Roy Powers (HAW)
27 Dean Morrison (AUS)
28 Mick Campbell (AUS)
29 Nathaniel Curran (USA)
30 Chris Davidson (AUS)
31 Michel Bourez (PYF)
32 Gabe Kling (USA)
33 Jihad Khodr (BRA)
34 David Weare (ZAF)
35 Josh Kerr (AUS)
36 Nic Muscroft (HAW)
37 Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
38 Greg Emslie (ZAF)
39 Tim Boal (FRA)
40 Dustin Barca (HAW)
41 Tiago Pires (POR)
42 Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
43 Drew Courtney (AUS)
44 Marlon Lipke (GER)
45 Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
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