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Quiksilver Pro calls the third, consecutive lay day this morning.

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Quiksilver Pro

 

 

 

 

 

SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Friday, March 2, 2012); SURFING siblings Owen and Tyler Wright (Lennox Head, NSW, Aus) are on course to surf their way into the history books as the first brother and sister to win am ASP World Title event at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros at Snapper Rocks.

The pair have already created history as the first brother and sister to compete on the ASP world tour at the same time.

Last years runner-up Tyler advanced into the semifinals of the Roxy Pro with fellow Australians Stephanie Gilmore. Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enever after eliminating world champion Carissa Moore (Haw).

Wright’s combined total of 18.03 outpointed Moore’s 13.47 to advance the 17-year-old to the semi-finals, where she’ll surf off against compatriot Enever.

Twenty-two year-old Owen, progressed to the quarterfinals with an impressive 16.20 (out of a possible 20) in his do-or-die round-five heat against Tahiti surfer Michael Bourez, who scored 15.43.

It sets up a quarterfinal rematch with Brazil’s Adriano De Souza.

Poor wind conditions and non-existent surf have forced event organizers to call the third, consecutive lay day this morning.

World no.2 Joel Parkinson said the break has been great after such an intense start to the season.  The former two-time event champion will take on rival Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the quarter finals when competition resumes in the ASP men’s World Title event.

Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30am tomorrow to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.  Competition is expected to recommence this weekend.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
Mandy McKinnon: Email: mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com
M. +61 (0) 417 079941

UPCOMING QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
QF 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)

UPCOMING ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Laura Enever (AUS)
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro, surf contest, surfing, Surfside Sports, waves | No Comments »

Quiksilver Pro Round 4 and 5 Highlights

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Quiksilver Pro

Quiksilver Pro Round 4 and 5 Highlights

GOLD COAST, Feb 28 – The world’s best surfers blasted through another marathon day at the Gold Coast’s Snapper Rocks as the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover completed 16 heats, determining the men’s Quarterfinalists and women’s Semifinalists before day’s end. The opening stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast has seen four, consecutive days of action with event organizers making the most of the swell on offer.

Home town favourite Joel Parkinson (AUS) has scored the first perfect 10 of the Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover to reach the quarter final of the ASP men’s world surfing championship event on the Gold Coast. Not even the lashing pain of a bluebottle sting could distract him as he grabbed the 10-point wave with five minutes remaining to leave fellow Queenslander Julian Wilson no hope of catching him.

Parkinson comes up against Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the quarter final in what could be a lively meeting – earlier in the day Smith relegated Parkinson to round five as the South African advanced with the win into the quarter finals. At their previous meeting at Snapper Rocks in 2011 the South African eliminated Parkinson from the event in round five.

The other quarterfinal heats pit Gold Coaster Josh Kerr against the red hot Kelly Slater, (USA). Owen Wright (Aus) against Brazil’s Adriano De Souza and Taj Burrow (Aus) against fellow Aussie Adrian Buchan (Aus).

Earlier in round four Australian Taj Burrow (17.34) confirmed his strong title aspirations with a convincing victory against Adrian Buchan (AUS – 12.33) and Julian Wilson (AUS – 9.33) to advance directly into the Quiksilver Pro quarterfinals in on-shore 3 – 4ft waves at Snapper Rocks today. Burrow was forced to change a broken board late in the heat, but already had the heat victory secure with wave scores of 9.27 and 8.07 locked in. Burrow’s trainer Johnny Gannon ran the replacement board up to the Snapper Rocks keyhole with just four minutes remaining.

Eleven-time world champion KELLY SLATER (USA) used his 14.00 heat tally to join Burrow in the quarterfinals with a round three win over HEITOR ALVES iBRA – 12.13) and MICHEL BOUREZ (PYF- 11.10). The 40 year-old Floridian overcame a shaky start and changed to a shorter board with more fins after his first wave in the round four heat of the ASP men’s World Tour event. Slater said he got caught off guard for the early morning heat and felt all three surfers in the heat were out of rhythm.

Brazil’s Adriano de Souza (15.37) also advanced to the quarterfinals relegating Wright (15.13) and Kerr (9.00) into the elimination round. De Souza said wave selection was key in the tricky conditions. All competitors who finished 2ndand 3rdwill surf in two-man elimination Round 5 heats for a spot in the quarterfinals, while all the winners advanced.

A call will be made at 7AM tomorrow morning as to whether competition will resume at Snapper Rocks.

UPCOMING QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
HEAT 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
HEAT 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
HEAT 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 5 RESULTS:
HEAT 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.20 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.43
HEAT 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.44 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.84
HEAT 3: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.00 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.06
HEAT 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.03 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.27

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 4 RESULTS:
HEAT 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 15.37, Owen Wright (AUS) 15.134, Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.00
HEAT 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.00, Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.13, Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.10
HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.44, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.30, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.04
HEAT 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.34, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.33, Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.33

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Grom surfing, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Kelly Slater, News, Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro, surf contest, surfing, Surfside Sports, Taj Burrow, waves | No Comments »

Quiksilver Pro Round 3 Highlights

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Quiksilver Pro Round 3 Highlights from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Monday, 27 February, 2012) – The Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, the opening stop on the 2012 Men’s and Women’s ASP World Championship Tours, ran for the third consecutive day at Snapper Rocks today, and the world’s best surfers collectively lifted the high-performance levels today in two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, 2012 ASP Top 34 sophomore, found form in his Round 3 heat against Adam Melling (AUS), 26, posting the highest heat total of the day, an 18.57 out of a possible 20. On his third different board in as many heats, it appears that the young natural-footer has dialed in his equipment moving forward.

“I lost in this round last year in a close one against Taj (Burrow) and went on to lose a bit early in the next few events so I was nervous before that one,” Wilson said. “I did want to make a statement. In my first two heats I wasn’t myself – it didn’t feel like it was coming together for me. Then in that heat I felt a lot better, felt solid on my board and good to get some high scores.”

Wilson will take on Adrian Buchan (AUS), 29, and Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, in Round 4 of competition.

Miguel Pupo (BRA), 20, caused the biggest upset of the event thus far by eliminating perennial event favourite and two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 30. Pupo put pressure on Fanning early in the heat by posting a 7.60 (out of a possible 10), and the local Queenslander was unable to recover from a slow start.

“I just tried to find good waves because it’s pretty tough out there,” Pupo said. “I had to win that one, to be on tour you have to beat the big boys. Mick (Fanning) surfs so good. He’s got a couple of ASP World Titles and I knew that it would be a tough one. I tried my best.”

Pupo faces Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 24, in Round 4 when competition resumes.

Owen Wright (AUS), 22, opened the day with an exciting match-up against compatriot Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 23. The pair of goofy-footers gave the crowd a sensational display of backhand surfing at Snapper Rocks, with Wright getting the better of the exchange by a mere 0.40.

“That was our first man-on-man heat on the world tour,” Wright said. “I was really nervous before the heat, but once I got out there I felt comfortable. I knew he was going to get an 8-point-ride, and I knew I could answer straight back. We went wave for wave, score for score, there was nothing much in that heat. We were paddling in and none of us knew who won and I was just happy that one of us was going through to the next round.”

Wright will battle Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, and Adriano de Souza (BRA), XX, when competition resumes

Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion and defending Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, once again put on a dominant performance at Snapper Rocks over Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30. Slater’s signature searing forehand carves saw him earn two scores in the excellent range to easily advance to Round 4.

“I could see that Freddy’s (Patacchia) game plan was to sit and wait for those open faced waves,” Slater said. “I just wanted to get moving. There are a few sneaky ones that don’t look good at the peak, but grow down the point. At the start I fell on a couple of good ones, and either one of those could have been a good score. Then I got into a couple of good ones and got some scores, and Freddy never really got into it. Everyone always makes a big deal about weather I’m going to keep going on. When I’m going to quit I’ll tell everybody, how about that?”

Slater will take on Michel Bourez (PYF), 26, and Heitor Alves (BRA), 29, in Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

Adriano De Souza (BRA), 25, used his experience in his seventh appearance at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast to take the Round 3 win over ASP World Championship Tour rookie Kolohe Andino (USA), 17.

“It was a tough heat for sure,” De Souza said. “I respect Kolohe (Andino) a lot, he’s only 17-years-old, but he can do a lot of damage out there. I’m feeling good and trying to concentrate on myself, I came here 10 days early and really know the wave out there, and I think my experience from 7 years on tour helped me in that heat. I was trying defend my position in the top 5 and he’s trying to do well in his first event, it was a good heat.”

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:

HEAT 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.90 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.50

HEAT 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.50 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 14.90

HEAT 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.07 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.74

HEAT 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.36 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.83

HEAT 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) 15.07 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.84

HEAT 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.36 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.40

HEAT 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.50 def. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 12.27

HEAT 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.67 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. 11.17

HEAT 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.83 def. Raoni Monterio (BRA) 12.20

HEAT 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.57 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 15.63

HEAT 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.03 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.60

HEAT 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.20 def. Travis Logie (AUS) 13.16

UPCOMING QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:

HEAT 1: Owen Wright (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Adriano De Souza (BRA)

HEAT 2: Michel Bourez (PYF), Heitor Alves (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA)

HEAT 3: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF)

HEAT 4: Julian Wilson (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS) Taj Burrow (AUS)

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Kelly Slater, Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro, surf contest, surfing, Surfside Sports, waves | No Comments »

Quiksilver Pro Day 2 Round 2 Highlights

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

 

Quiksilver Pro Day 2 Round 2 Highlights from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Sunday, 26 February, 2012) – The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, the opening stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, was back on today with the elimination Round 2 completed in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) conditions at Snapper Rocks.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 24, came flying out of the gates in his this afternoon, scoring an 8.33 (out of a possible 10) and a 9.10 on his opening two waves. Smith surfed smooth and fast to eliminate veteran powerbroker Taylor Knox (USA), 40.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, 2011 ASP World Runner-Up, was back to winning form today after a shock Round 1 loss at his home break yesterday. Parkinson eliminated trials’ winner and runner-up to the 2011 ASP World Junior Title Garrett Parkes (AUS), 20, in a one-sided affair.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, and Dane Reynolds (USA), 26, had the Sunday Snapper crowd on their feet in their epic Round 2 clash this morning. Both surfers unleashed big aerials and monster carves, but it was Burrow who was able to find the lengthier waves and link his turns together to advance to Round 3.

Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, 2012 ASP Top 34 rookie, won his first ASP World Championship Tour heat at the Quiksilver Pro today over highly-touted fellow rookie Gabriel Medina (BRA), 18. Nicol qualified for the elite ASP World Championship Tour during last year’s mid-year rotation (as did Medina), but was forced to give up his spot due to an ankle injury

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, snuck through a tight heat against Jadson Andre (BRA), 21. Flores and Andre both pulled into multiple tubes but failed to find exits, until Flores threaded a classic behind-the-rock barrel to score an 8.17 (out of a possible 10) and take the win.

Kolohe Andino (USA), 17, battled fellow Californian Brett Simpson (USA), 27, in the final heat of the day, with young Andino taking a first win in his highly-anticipated ASP World Championship Tour debut. Andino showed rookie nerves, falling and catching the wrong waves at the start, but managed to pull it together and lock in some impressive scores in the back half of the heat.

Event organisers will reconvene at 6:30am to access conditions for a possible 7:30am start.

For more information, log onto aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:

HEAT 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.36 def. Garrett Parkes (AUS) 6.43

HEAT 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 18.10 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 16.06

HEAT 3: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 13.13 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.53

HEAT 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.06 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 13.73

HEAT 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.43 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 12.33

HEAT 6: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.30 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.03

HEAT 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.60 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 10.53

HEAT 8: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.86 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.33

HEAT 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.67 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.07

HEAT 10: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 14.00 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 13.84

HEAT 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.53 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.73

HEAT 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.33 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 13.87

UPCOMING QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

HEAT 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)

HEAT 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)

HEAT 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)

HEAT 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)

HEAT 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)

HEAT 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)

HEAT 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)

HEAT 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)

HEAT 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Raoni Monterio (BRA)

HEAT 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)

HEAT 11: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)

HEAT 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (AUS)

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Kelly Slater, Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro, surf contest, surfing, Surfside Sports, Taj Burrow, waves | No Comments »

Quiksilver Pro Day 1 Round 1 Highlights

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

Quiksilver Pro Day 1 Round 1 Highlights from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Saturday, 25 February, 2012): World No.2 Joel Parkinson (Aus), wildcard Dane Reynolds (USA) and Brazilian wonderboy Gabriel Medina are facing Round Two elimination, but the Kelly Slater (USA) super-show continued on the opening day of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover.Snapper Rocks turned on a dredging 3-4ft swell on the outgoing tide when the men hit the water following Round One of the Roxy Pro and they didn’t disappoint with a spectacular show.

Slater (USA), 40, the 11-times ASP Men’s World Champion left little doubt a 12th World Title was easily achievable with a barrel-riding master class to lock in the day’s highest score of 18.80 for an easy win against Moskova Trials winner Australian Garrett Parkes (12.73) and highly-touted US rookie Kolohe Andino (10.60).

Slater locked in two nuggets scoring 8.93 and 9.87 to bring the big Snapper Rocks crowd alive. The recently turned 40 year-old said his nine-point ride lined up perfectly.

Adam Melling (AUS) was the giant killer on the first day relegating World No.2 Joel Parkinson (AUS) and dangerous wildcard Dane Reynolds (AUS) to a Round Two elimination heat.

In a tight and high quality heat, Melling (15.70), edged out Parkinson (15.43) and Reynolds (14.87), but the Lennox Head surfer admitted to some nerves after letting Parkinson take a potentially heat-winning wave in the dying stages.

Parkinson will meet Parkes in their elimination heat and Reynolds with take on Taj Burrow (WA) in his round two match-ups.

Burrow was relegated to round two by an inform Fred Pattachia (Haw) who used better positioning in the tricky line-up to advance with ease into round three. Pattachia who entered the event as a replacement surfer for fellow Hawaiina Dusty Payne said it was a bittersweet situation.
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> Rookie young gun Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, is also the facing the prospect of an elimination heat after losing to fellow countryman and Tour veteran Raoni Manteiro, 29. Manteiro prevailed with a score of 11.63 ahead of Australian rookie Yadin Nicol (10.37) and Medina (9.60).

Manteiro, who made his debut on the Tour in 2004, was happy to get one over his young rival.

World No.5 Adriano de Souza (BRA), 25, opened the Quiksilver Pro with a tidy victory scoring 13.83 to defeat Taylor Knox (10.66) and Pipe Masters champion Kieren Perrow (7.00).

Event organisers will reconvene at 6:30am to access conditions for a possible 7:30am start with another promising swell forecast for Day Two.

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Posted in ASP World Tour, competition, Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro | No Comments »

Billabong Pro J-Bay will change its status for 2012 from an ASP World Tour event to a 6-Star rated tournament

Friday, February 24th, 2012

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

Friday 24 February 2012

 

Billabong Pro J-Bay

6-Star rated ASP event

Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Second week July, 2012

 

Change of status for Billabong Pro J-Bay provides huge opportunities for South African surfers

 

Today’s announcement that the Billabong Pro J-Bay will change its status for 2012 from an ASP World Tour event to a 6-Star rated tournament, the highest ranking in the ASP Star category, provides scores of South Africa’s top surfers with the opportunity to compete at the iconic surf break of Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay for the first time since 1998 and to earn heaps of ASP ranking points and prize-money in their home waters.

 

In its official statement today, Billabong said: “The change in event status follows a broader review in which we are seeking to identify cost savings throughout the business. By retaining an event at Jeffreys Bay, it now provides two qualifying events back to back in the South African region. The move to an ASP 6-Star also opens the event up to South Africa’s aspiring pro surfers for the first time in nearly 15 years and ensures continuity of the event for the local businesses in Jeffreys Bay.”

 

While the ASP is understandably disappointed that the 2012 ASP World Tour will now be decided over 10 instead of 11 events, they are supportive of Billabong’s decision.

 

“We agreed as a Board that whilst very regrettable, the commercial realities are such that a pragmatic approach by ASP at this time seemed sensible,” Richard Grellman, ASP Executive Chairman, said. “Billabong have been long-time supporters of professional surfing and still sponsor three of the ten World Championship Tour events and we look forward to our deep relationship with them continuing.”

 

The 6-Star Billabong Pro J-Bay will be run in the second week of July, immediately after the Prime rated event in Ballito, and offers a prize-purse of US $155 000 (approx. R1.2 million) with the winner pocketing close to R200 000 and a significant 3 500 rankings points.

 

The proximity of the two events will attract the world’s best surfers to South African shores in July and the opportunity to ride the legendary waves at Supertubes along with just a couple of other competitors in the line-up will be a major drawcard.

 

A change in the qualifying criteria for the 2013 ASP World Tour, which now restricts the top surfers to only including three World Tour results amongst their eight counting scores in the ASP World Rankings, means that everyone needs to compete in Prime and Star rated events to ensure that they are in contention to qualify for next year’s top flight.

 

While a couple of the world’s superstars may elect to miss the South African leg, South Africa’s own Jordy Smith will be determined to complete a hat trick of victories in the event and Billabong team riders Joel Parkinson and Taj Burrow, both previous J-Bay champions, will be keen to rack up another victory there

 

Add the exciting and exceptionally talented crop of rising stars like two-time ASP World Tour event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA), recently crowned ASP Rookie of the Year Julian Wilson (AUS), Hawaiian tube-riding phenom John John Florence and teenage Californian standout Kolohe Andino and the hordes of spectators who descend on Jeffreys Bay every year will still be treated to a festival of world-class surfing performances.

 

However the major advantage that the change of status provides for South African surfing comes in the increase in numbers of local participants. A 6-Star rated event can have a larger field than the 36 the ASP World Tour format allows, enabling literally dozens of local surfers to compete against the world’s top exponents in the country’s best waves.

 

This provides aspiring South African stars such as Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), both already standouts at Supertubes, with the opportunity to impress while earning points and prize-money in familiar surroundings. Meanwhile scores of South Africa’s budding contest surfers and the many local surfers based in Jeffreys Bay will be able to compete against, and meet and mingle with, their heroes while being exposed to the latest manoeuvres and cutting edge equipment.

 

The world renowned waves of Supertubes and the attendance of the world’s most exciting surf stars will continue to draw the attention of the world’s media to Jeffreys Bay and the increased number of competitors, and their entourages, will ensure that accommodation and businesses in the town will be operating at full capacity during the contest period.

 

All in all, the 2012 Billabong Pro J-Bay promises to be an event to remember.

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Posted in ASP Press Release, Billabong, Billabong Pro, surf contest | No Comments »

Quiksilver Pro Day1 – Moskova Trials Highlights

Friday, February 24th, 2012

 

Quiksilver Pro Day1 – Moskova Trials Highlights from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast (Friday, February 24th) Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay, NSW) has won the final Quiksilver Pro event wildcard and will now face up against 11 time world and defending event champion, Kelly Slater (USA) after taking out the Moskova Trials today in stormy 2-3ft waves at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s Gold Coast.

20 year-old Parkes narrowly defeated Christobal De Col (Per) with a total tally of 12.75 (out of a possible twenty).

Parkes now faces the daunting task of taking on surfing’s greatest ever competitor in Slater as well as highly touted Californian world tour rookie, Kolohe Andino (USA) in one of the toughest heats of round 1.

However Parkes said he hadn’t yet dwelt on the monumental task ahead but was looking forward to the challenge.

A more experienced Parkes will be out to improve upon his 2010 defeat by Taj Burrow (Aus) at the Quiksilver Pro.

In the Moskova Women’s Trials current ASP Australasian junior champion Philippa Anderson (Merewether, NSW) will get to see her dream come true when she goes up against world and defending event champion Carissa Moore in round 1 of the Roxy Pro.

The 20 year-old proved successful in her third attempt at qualifying for the Roxy Pro – a career highlight for the Merewether surfer who dominated the final to finish with heat total of 15.75 out of twenty. Al three of her opponents were left requiring a two wave combination score on the final siren.

Organisers are optimistic of commencing competition in the season-opening ASP World Title events tomorrow with a favourable swell outlook at Snapper Rocks.

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Posted in Pro Surfing, quiksilver, Quiksilver Pro, surf contest, waves, WQS Surfing | No Comments »

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH: FINAL MEDINA DEFEATS PARKINSON

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011


Gabriel Medina Scalps Second Elite Win at Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco; Joel Parkinson Runner-Up.

OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Monday, November 7, 2011) – Brazil’s teenage surfing sensation Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, and newcomer to the elite ASP Top 34 after the September rotation, has already scalped his second elite tour win today, claiming the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco over an on-fire Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Qld, AUS), 30, in pulsing three-to-four foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Ocean Beach.

Event No. 10 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco suffered no shortage of action this week with sporting icon Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), 39, claiming a historic 11th ASP World Title before the ascension of the young Brazilian on the final day of competition.

Medina, who joined the ASP Top 34 after the midyear rotation, has been in amazing form thus far, winning two events after competing in just four as an official member of the 2011 roster. The highly-touted Brazilian wasted little time in his Final campaign against Parkinson, belting a 7.50 and a 9.00, both out of 10, in the opening minutes with critical backhand blasts and controlled the heat throughout its entirety

Medina’s run on the Final day of competition was nothing short of amazing, as he took the day’s highest heat total of 17.33, out of 20, while defeating freshly crowned 11-Time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 39, and Taylor Knox (USA), 40, before topping the Stylish Australian in the Final.

Medina who has developed his English by spending extended time in both Australia and the USA this year said it was a dream come true.

Parkinson quietly navigated through the opening rounds of competition, but lit up the high-performance beach break conditions on the final day, threading several technical barrels and unloading his patented carves en route to the Final, but was unable to put a stop to Medina and finished runner-up overall.  Parkinson said Medina is the sports next big superstar, comparing the prodigy talent to that of Slater’s.

Taylor Knox (USA), 40, was impressive in the powerful beach break conditions on offer at Ocean Beach, besting high-flying Brazilian Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, veteran Australian Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, Qld, AUS), 34, and Bede Durbidge (Gold Coast, Qld AUS), 28, to match his season-best result of an equal 3rd place finish after he fell to Medina in the Semifinals

Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, 2011 ASP Dream Tour rookie, matched his best result of the year today, cracking the Semifinals for the third time this season. The young South American blitzed an in-form Brett Simpson (USA), 26, in the Quarterfinals before going down to Parkinson in the Semifinals despite vaulting some solid aerials

Slater fought hard in his Quarterfinals matchup against young Brazilian Gabriel Medina, but was unable to find the score needed to advance out of the heat and is now changing his focus towards the final stop on the ASP World Tour at the iconic Banzai Pipeline. Slater who finished equal fifth overall said a win would have been nice, but he had done what he had come to do and that was to claim the 2011 ASP World Title.

Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco highlights can be found at www.live.ripcurl.com

The next and final stop on the 2011 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pipe Masters, which unfolds from December 8 through 20, 2011

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Gabriel Medina, Joel Parkinson, Pro Surfing, Rip Curl, surf contest, video | No Comments »

Kelly Slater Wins His 11th World Title

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Kelly Slater Wins 11th World Title … Again @ Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco

OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Sunday, November 6, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has officially claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title today, clinching the year-long pursuit with his advancement in to the Quarterfinals of the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.

In tricky three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves, Slater got the best of young Brazilians Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, and Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, in his non-elimination Round 4 heat to advance directly through to the Quarterfinals and secure an unprecedented 11th ASP World Title. The combined ages of his two opponents, Medina, 17, and Pupo, 19, less than Slater age of 39, which is indicative of his of his incredible ability to surf through generations.

Initially anointed the 2011 world champ on Nov. 2, two days later the Association of Surfing Professionals  (ASP), the governing body of the sport, realized that there was an  error in their computations and that Slater still had to win one more heat to secure the title. Ironically, it was Slater who brought the mistake to the attention of ASP World Tour Director Renato Hickle.

Slater who celebrated his heat win with a deep, almost impossible barrel after the siren, said that he was relieved when he first disclosed that he had not won the world title and joked that maybe Andy Irons (Haw) had a hand in it.

 

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Kelly Slater, Pro Surfing, Rip Curl | No Comments »

BILLABONG PRO J-BAY : Event underway as Supertubes produces the goods on Day 1

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Billabong Pro J-Bay 2010
Stop No 4 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
15-25 July 2010
www.billabongpro.com

BILLABONG PRO J-BAY : Top seeds star in pumping surf on Day 1

The top four seeds in the Billabong Pro J-Bay 2010 progressed directly to Round 3 after winning their opening encounters in what will go down as one of the best opening days of competition at Jeffreys Bay with pumping 2 to 2.5 metre waves peeling down the internationally acclaimed point at Supertubes.

Current World No. 1 and 9 x ASP World Champ Kelly Slater (USA), 2007 event winner Taj Burrow (AUS), reigning ASP World Champ Mick Fanning (AUS) and South Africa’s Jordy Smith took full advantage of the pristine conditions to produce a master-class in high performance surfing, carving powerful top to bottom turn combinations and ducking into and emerging from deep tubes.

It was Fanning who was the top scorer on the day, posting rides of 8.83 and 7.87 (out of 10) to amass a total of 16.70 (out of 20) and leave his opponents, wildcard Sean Holmes (Cape Town) and Roy Powers (HAW), in a combination situation where they could not overtake Fanning with one ride and needed to improve on both their best two scores.

“This year, you have to take every heat seriously,” Fanning said. “There are so many threats and even the rookies can do damage. I feel like I’ve been surfing well all year and I’m just focusing on every heat, and hopefully that takes me to a solid result.”

Bobby Martinez (USA), ranked No. 6 coming into the event, racked up the second best heat total of 16.37 and led the charge of the goofy-foot surfers (those riding with their right foot in front) who included Round 1 heat winners Frederick Patacchia (HAW) and Australians Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan and the highly impressive rookie Owen Wright who fully justified the hype surrounding his debut on the ASP Dream Tour with phenomenal tube-riding and beyond vertical backhand turns.

The day got underway with local Jeffreys Bay standout Dale Staples clinching the coveted third and final wildcard by winning the VonZipper Superheat, defeating fellow St Francis Bay surfer Ryan Payne and international stars Heath Joske (AUS), who narrowly missed out on the opportunity to take on the world’s best surfers by finishing second, and fourth placed Keanu Asing (HAW).

Former 3 x ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) recorded a heat-winning performance in his first heat at Supertubes for two years after taking a sabbatical in 2009 and Dane Reynolds (USA) produced his trademark mind-blowing progressive manoeuvres while rookie ASP World Tour campaigners Nate Yeomans (USA) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS), both goofy-footers, were deserving Round 1 heat winners.

“J-Bay is a special place for me,” Irons said. “I’ve had some of the best results of my career here and I’ve also had some of the hardest losses. To come back here after taking last year off and to get such amazing surf for Day 1 is a great feeling.”

It was not a good day for the wildcards though with Staples, Holmes and ASP Africa Pro Junior Champion Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) losing out to Burrow, Fanning and Slater respectively. Joubert and Staples were then eliminated from Africa’s most prestigious surfing event when they lost to Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) in the first two heats of Round 2 ,which were run at the end of today’s action The pair finished equal 33rd overall in the US $400 000 (approx R3 Million) event with earnings of $5 500 each.

The first heat when competition resumes pits wildcard Sean Holmes against current World No. 4 Jadson Andre (BRA), the winner of the last ASP World Tour event in his home country. The Capetonian has cut a swathe through the tops seeds in the Billabong Pro J-Bay on several occasions in the past, including twice reaching the quarterfinals, and will be confident of progressing to Round 3 again this year.

The call on when to resume competition will be made by contest director Mike Parsons at 7am on Friday. The prediction by Surfline, the official surf forecasters for the Billabong Pro J-Bay, is that dropping, but very contestable, surf will prevail on Friday along with favorable conditions.

All the action from the opening day of the Billabong Pro J-Bay can be viewed at www.billabongpro.com and also on your mobile phone at www.asptogo.com or download the iPhone application ASP ToGo from www.apple/iphone/ . Live and highlights footage is available on the channels of Fuel TV.

The 2010 Billabong Pro J-Bay has a waiting period that runs from 15-25 July and is proudly supported by Eastern Cape Tourism, Virgin Atlantic, Monster Energy, Vida e Caffe, Corona and Tavcor

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Adam Melling (AUS) 12.17, Taylor Knox (USA) 10.80, Luke Munro (AUS) 10.17
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.77, Jay Thompson (AUS) 10.56, Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.24
Heat 3: Nate Yeomans (USA) 15.83, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.74, Luke Stedman (AUS) 11.43
Heat 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.30, Marco Polo (BRA) 12.97, Daniel Ross (AUS) 12.10
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 16.43, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.37, Blake Thornton (AUS) 7.60
Heat 6: Tiago Pires (PRT) 15.23, Tim Reyes (USA) 13.27, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.07
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.37, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.90, Tom Whitaker (USA) 10.57
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.93, Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.40, Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 12.37
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.20, Dale Staples (ZAF) 13.34, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.83
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.70, Sean Holmes (ZAF) 10.27, Roy Powers (HAW) 8.33
Heat 11: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.60, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.60, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.17
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.60, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.34, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.27
Heat 13: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.53, Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.76, Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.43
Heat 14: Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.17, Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.86, Brett Simpson (USA) 11.63
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.87, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.50, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.77
Heat 16: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.56, Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.93, Drew Courtney (AUS) 7.73

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.70 def. Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 9.44
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.17 def. Dale Staples (ZAF) 14.67

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Remaining Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)
Heat 4: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 5: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 6: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Blake Thornton (AUS)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Marco Polo (BRA)
Heat 8: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 9: Roy Powers (HAW) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 12: Daniel Ross (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 13: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 14: Luke Munro (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 15: Pat Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Pictured: Mick Fanning (Tweed Heads, NSW, AUS), current and 2X ASP World Champion advanced directly into Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay after defeating Sean Holmes (ZAF) and Roy Powers (HAW) with the highest score of the opening round today.
Image Credit: © ASP/ Kelly Cestari

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Posted in ASP World Tour, Billabong Pro, competition, J Bay, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Pro Surfing, South Africa, surf contest, surfing, Taj Burrow, waves | 48 Comments »

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