COMPS

24 HR COUNTDOWN TO AIR TAHITI NUI VONZIPPER TRIALS AS TEAHUPO’O REARS ITS BEAUTIFUL HEAD
2010 08 16 | Posted in News,

Sunday, August 15th, 2010 (local Tahiti timeline) Billabong Pro, Teahupo’o, Tahiti): Surfers competing in the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials, the precursor to event number 5 on the ASP Men’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro, Tahiti, have been blessed with the ultimate warm-up at the legendary Tahitian break, “Teahupo’o” today.

Waves in the eight-to-10-foot range (3.5 metres) broke throughout the day allowing dozens of international arrivals to practise ahead of tomorrow’s Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials. Organisers are confident the first heat of the prestigious 64-man invitational will begin in similar conditions at 08:00am (local time) tomorrow, Monday 16th August.

Thirty-two internationals including surfers from Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA, South Africa, Brazil and Peru have flown in to compete at Teahupo’o and will fight it out against an additional 32 local invitees for just two wildcard spots into the Billabong Pro, Tahiti main event.

Last minute changes to the trials draw sees the inclusion of Nathan Fletcher (USA), Dylan Longbottom, Michael Hopkins (AUS), Makua Rothman, TJ Barron (HAW) and Fergal Smith (IRE).

Local hero Manoa Drollet, a two-time Air Tahiti Nui trials winner, is the recipient of the third Billabong Pro wildcard and has already been allocated a main event seed where he will face off in the first round against the likes of either world-rated #1 Jordy Smith (ZAF), world rated #2 Taj Burrow (AUS) or world rated #3 Kelly Slater (USA).

Competition is fierce with all invitees regarded as fearless tube riders and lovers of big-waves.

The Billabong Pro, Tahiti is unlike any other event on the ASP Men’s World Tour. Spectators are afforded an unrivalled view from the deep channel that runs beside the intense, shallow reef break and on big days surfers are known to skim through the cheering crowds, water still dripping from them following incredible tube rides.

In excess of 140 media and personnel are accommodated by Air Tahiti Nui and preparations begin many months in advance. The 12-metre, three level tower that houses the ASP’s judges, the Billabong Pro webcast team, commentators and VIP media can only be constructed during calm seas and is built from scratch each year.

Every heat of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui is webcast live with previous Billabong Pro viewing audiences topping more than 1.5 million people. Millions more will be able to watch the 2010 webcast live via FUEL TV (and its network affiliates) in countries as diverse as Portugal, Australia, France and South Africa.

Pascal Luciani of the Fédération Tahitienne de Surf also anticipates the Billabong Pro will be the first international event to utilise the “Honotua”, the submarine communications cable system that connects several islands of French Polynesia via Tahiti to Hawaii, USA.

“We have been working with Mana (Tahiti telecommunications carrier) and OPT (Office des Postes et Telecommunication, Honotua operator) and we expect the Honotua to be fully operational, accommodating for the Billabong Pro, Tahiti’s internet demands like never before,” said Luciani.

The Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials features a nominal first place prize purse of xfp150,000 (approx US$2,000), however, the real glory for the victor is knowing he has overcome an elite field of surfing outlaws to earn his wildcard into the Billabong Pro, Tahiti. And, of course, the satisfaction of knowing he has tamed the mighty Teahupo’o, albeit momentarily …

The Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trails waiting period is 16th – 19th August.

The Billabong Pro, Tahiti runs August 23rd – Sept 3rd, with just four full days of competition required to crown a champion.

Billabong’s award winning production team will again webcast every heat of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti live via: www.billabongpro.com
Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials
2010 Official International Invitee field (updated Sunday Aug 15, 2010)

HAWAII
Jon Florence
Conan Hayes
Bruce Irons
Danny Fuller
Sion Miloski
Kamalei Alexander
Makua Rothman
Ian Walsh
Kalani Chapman
TJ Barron
Hank Gaskell
Clay Marzo

USA
Dane Ward
Nathan Fletcher

AUSTRALIA
Wade Goodall
Ryan Callinan
Laurie Towner
Nick Vasicek
Anthony Walsh
Damien Wills
Ryan Hipwood
Michael Hopkins
Dylan Longbottom

PERU
Alvaro Malpartida
Gabriel Villaran

BRAZIL
Ricardo Do Santos

Puerto Rico
Alejandro Moreda

JAPAN
Takayuki Wakita

FRANCE
Benjamin Sanchis

New Zealand
Blair Stewart

South Africa
Dale Staples

Ireland
Fergal Smith

Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials

Former Champions
2009 Heiarii Williams (PFY)
2008 Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
2007 Manoa Drollet (PFY)
2006 Heiarii Williams (PFY)
2005 Manoa Drollet (PFY)
2004 Heimata Carroll (PFY)
2003 Alain Riou (PFY)
2002 Vetea David (PFY)
2001 Bruce Irons (HAW)

Celebrating 10 years of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti!

US OPEN OF SURFING 2010 HUNTINGTON BEACH CA

DAY 5: THE BIG GUNS ARRIVE AT THE US OPEN OF SURFING

Top seeds advance amongst upsets

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Wednesday, August 4, 2010) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME US Open of Surfing presented by Hurley and Nike 6.0 saw several ASP Dream Tour competitors make early exits in the Round of 96 today at the hands of young talent and international standouts at South Huntington Beach Pier in peaky two-to-four foot (1 metre) surf.
Surfers competing in the ASP PRIME US Open of Surfing are out to clinch their share of the invaluable ratings points on offer towards their ASP World Ranking in an attempt to qualify for the elite ASP Dream Tour.
Willian Cardoso (BRA), 24, current No. 34 on the ASP World Ranking, charged to a come-from-behind victory by catapulting from last to first by blasting the day’s highest single wave score of 9.00 out of 10 before snatching one of the day’s highest heat totals of an impressive 15.50 out of 20, all within the last five minutes of his heat, to eliminate ASP World Title Race No.15, Fred Patacchia (North Shore, HI), 28.
“That was a nerve wracking heat,” Cardoso said. “It’s hard out there with four guys and not very many waves. I was looking for the good ones and got two good scores in the last five minutes. I went from fourth to first, so I’m really happy. To be in surf competitions, you need to know that you can get 15 points in two minutes. You just need the waves.”
Cardoso attributed the heat victory in today’s tricky conditions to the similar surf of offer at his Brazilian training grounds.
“I have a lot of experience in these small conditions,” Cardoso said. “There are lots of small beachbreaks in Brazil. The one thing that is different here is that the water is so cold here in Huntington.”
Granger Larsen (Lahaina, HI), 20, who posted the highest heat total in the Round of 128, returned to form in Round 2 to repeat his performance, nabbing the highest heat total of the Round of 96 as well, a solid two-wave score of 15.83 out of 20.
“I wanted to get a wave right on the bell and was able to get a warm up wave,” Larsen said. “It wasn’t one of my scores, but it helped me build confidence. Then I got that 6 and that 7 and all of a sudden that set came at the end and I got an 8.”
Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17, who is a US Open of Surfing wildcard, jumped out to an early lead in his stacked Round of 96 heat by punting a massive frontside air-reverse on a lefthand ramp breaking into Huntington Beach Pier and was rewarded an impressive 8.60 for the single maneuver. The young Floridian managed to find another solid backup score and maintained the lead to take out the heat victory.
“Pretty much, any time you catch a wave in the beginning of the heat and get an 8 it helps, but I was still pretty nervous,” Geiselman said. “My legs were still shaking because I knew the guys in that heat were so good, but it definitely gave me a little breathing room.”
Geiselman, who is the current ASP North America Pro Junior Series ratings leader, also had his hand in issuing a major upset by defeating his Floridian idol, former ASP World Champion and U.S. Open of Surfing Champion C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, while topping current ASP Dream Tour rookie Blake Thornton (AUS), 25, who advanced in second.
“That was the biggest heat of my life surfing against C.J. (Hobgood) and beating him,” Geiselman said. “Being from Florida, he’s someone that I’ve looked up to. I was just stoked to have a heat with him but I’m really happy to have won it.”
Despite the early elimination of several top seeds today, reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 38, and current ASP World No. 1 Jordy Smith advanced through to the Round of 48 amongst others.
The surfing out in the water wasn’t the only thing going on. Iration and Bedouin Soundclash performed in front of a packed crowd on the live music stage following the end of the day’s surf action. The music lineup for the rest of the week: Thu – Switchfoot preceded by Timmy Curran, Fri – Cobra Starship preceded by Street Drum Corps, Sat – Weezer preceded by Hot Hot Heat. Music starts at 4:30 PM.
The Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro will start tomorrow. Qualifier 1 will begin at 3:00 PM a the BMX Park. Be sure to tune in to the LIVE webcast or come down to check out the high-flying action in person. There will also be Converse Coastal Carnage practice runs going down at the skate bowl.
For more on the US Open of Surfing go to www.usopenofsurfing.com for LIVE webcasts, heats on demand and full event schedule.
For complimentary high-res photos and video downloads log on to http://usopenofsurfing.com/downloads.
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org.
US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 96 Results:?
Heat 1: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 12.80, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.66, Glen Hall (IRL) 10.36, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 9.76?
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.17, Ola Eleogram (HAW) 10.87, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.16, Dean Morrison (AUS) 9.24?
Heat 3: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 11.77, Gabe Kling (USA) 11.50, Tim Boal (FRA) 11.17, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.03?
Heat 4: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 15.50, Leigh Sedley (AUS) 14.23, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.50, Marco Giorgi (URY) 10.26?
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.40, Austin Ware (USA) 12.80, Michael Picon (FRA) 11.10, Eric Geiselman (USA) 9.23?
Heat 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.00, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.97, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.80, Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 6.67?
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.93, Nate Yeomans (USA) 12.90, Marcio Farney (BRA) 8.90, Andy Irons (HAW) 4.00?
Heat 8: Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.16, Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 11.44, Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 10.70, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 10.54?
Heat 9: Jihad Khodr (BRA) 13.47, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 10.50, Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.33, Pablo Paulino (BRA) 3.33?
Heat 10: Evan Geiselman (USA) 14.67, Blake Thornton (AUS) 13.90, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.60, Nat Young (USA) 12.30?
Heat 11: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.74, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.97, Blake Wilson (USA) 11.07, Luke Davis (USA) 7.86?
Heat 12: Nic Muscroft (USA) 11.17, Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.60, Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 10.27, Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 4.36?
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.54, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.70, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 10.40, Alain Riou (PYF) 5.90?
Heat 14: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 15.17, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 12.66, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.60, Ben Dunn (AUS) 7.33?
Heat 15: Heitor Alves (BRA) 15.17, Rob Machado (USA) 6.50, Chris Davidson (AUS) 5.17, Sunny Garcia (HAW) 4.16?
Heat 16: Granger Larsen (HAW) 15.83, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 8.27, Joan Duru (FRA) 7.60, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 6.64?
Heat 17: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.10, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.96, Chris Ward (USA) 8.80, Jack Perry (AUS) 8.70?
Heat 18: Mason Ho (HAW) 14.33, Drew Courtney (AUS) 10.40, Paulo Moura (BRA) 10.27, Roy Powers (HAW) 7.80?

PICK SIX: THURSDAY

What to watch for on day six of the US Open of Surfing

Men’s Round of 96 will finish up, followed by the start of Round of 48. Top-ranked World Tour and Junior surfers battle for the $100,000 first-place-prize. Here’s what to watch for.

1. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 20
Dane Reynolds (USA)
Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
David Weare (ZAF)
Nathan Hedge (AUS)

Dane Reynolds, arguably the most exciting surfer in the world, surfs first thing tomorrow morning. You do not want to miss it.

2. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 23
Brett Simpson (USA)
Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Julian Wilson (AUS)
Andre Silva (BRA)

Local boy Brett Simpson tries to repeat last year’s performance with a US Open victory. Standing in his way are Patrick Gudauskas, Andre Silva and young gun Julian Wilson.

3. Men’s Prime – Round 3 – Heat 2
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Ola Eleogram (HAW)
Gabe Kling (USA)
Willian Cardoso (BRA)

The current top-ranked WT surfer takes on a stacked heat. Ola has been on fire throughout the event and Gabe Kling is fresh off a win at the ASP Prime Trestles Pro.

4. Men’s Prime – Round 3 – Heat 5
Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Evan Geiselman (USA)
Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Mick Fanning (AUS)

The two-time defending World Champ takes on top Junior Evan Geiselman and local WT surfer Tanner Gudauskas.

5. Men’s Prime – Round 3 – Heat 7
Kelly Slater (USA)
Thiago Camarao (BRA)
Rob Machado (USA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)

This is the heat of the event thus far. It doesn’t get much better than Kelly and Rob. WT surfer Ace Buchan and Round 2 standout Thiago Camarao look to take down the legends.

6. Concert Stage – 4-7 PM – Switchfoot preceded by Timmy Curran

The largest free music festival in the world continues Thursday afternoon with music star/ pro surfer Timmy Curran taking the stage at 4 PM, followed by Switchfoot. Come enjoy the free music on the sand at the HB Pier.

Stay tuned for Friday’s Pick Six as Men’s Round 4, Women’s Quarterfinals, Men’s Juniors Quarterfinals and Hurley Pro Trials all get in on the action.

Day-4-Mens-Round-1-Action
DAY 4: MENS ROUND 1 ACTION

ASP Prime event gets underway. Womens Six-Star Quarterfinals decided.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Tuesday, August 3, 2010) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME US Open of Surfing marched through Round 1 of the main event in tricky one-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at South Huntington Beach Pier today and saw ASP Pro Junior Standouts Granger Larsen (Lahaina, HI), 20, and Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18, rise to the top of the impressive field by posting some of the day’s top scores.
Competitors surfing in this year’s US Open of Surfing are out to capitalize on the mass of ratings points on offer towards their ASP World Ranking in an attempt to either solidify their position on or qualify for the 2011 ASP Dream Tour.
Larsen managed to navigate his way through a wave starved heat, but still crushed the day’s highest single-wave score of an impressive 8.93 out of 10 on the way to snagging the highest heat total of Round 1, 14.97 out of 20.
“There were no waves in the beginning of the heat,” Larsen said. “I was just looking for a wave that actually broke and my goal was just to get one turn out the back and do a turn on the inside. Then that magical left came and gave me two turns out the back. I’m stoked to get that last wave at the end and get an 8.97. I obviously really wanted to make that heat. I was pretty happy with it.”
Larsen, who was a standout in his opening ASP Pro Junior heat, hopes that he can use both the US Open Pro Junior and the men’s ASP PRIME main event to build momentum as the rounds progress.
“I feel like the more heats I do out here, the more confident I feel,” Larsen said. “I feel like I’ll do better in every heat, so hopefully it keeps going for me.”
Young, who is the defending ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, relied on a magic small-wave board to advance through today’s soft conditions while posting some of the day’s highest scores and expressed the importance of modified equipment for success at South Huntington Beach Pier today.
“I got two decent waves and my board goes really good out there,” Young said. “That helped a lot. Having a board that goes fast over those flat sections really helped.”
Young, who is still competing on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, is currently sitting in the No. 74 position on the ASP World Ranking and has been focusing his time towards building his seed amongst the world’s finest up-and-comers and is becoming consistently more comfortable competing in ASP PRIME events.
“I feel more comfortable since I’ve been doing them quite a bit this year,” Young said. “It’s nice to be able to do both the Pro Junior and the PRIME event.”
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, who posted the day’s highest scores in yesterday’s early rounds, continued to assert her dominance on her fellow competitors today by unleashing the highest score of Women’s US Open of Surfing, a near perfect 9.00 out of 10 despite the tricky decreasing swell on offer.
“The swell has dropped this morning,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s a bit smaller for the Round of 12, but I was able to get a few high scores. The 9 was one of the bigger waves and it was a bit bowlier and offered two big turns. I just tried to go big on it and I’m happy to move through to the Quarterfinals.”
Fitzgibbons, who is currently rated No. 2 on the ASP Women’s Dream Tour, has been a constant Finalist throughout the season, and is hoping to keep the ball rolling in an attempt to take out this year’s historic $50,000 prize purse for this year’s Women’s US Open of Surfing winner.
“It’s one step closer to the $50,000 for sure,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’d be nice to make a Final here. I haven’t made a Final here at the US Open. Huntington is one of those challenging waves that would be pretty cool to master and with that extra incentive, people are pushing the level.”

Tuesday also saw the start of its free live music festival. Soft Pack and Cold War Kids performed right after the conclusion of the day’s surfing action to a capacity crowd at the live music stage. The music lineup for the week: Wed – Bedouin Soundclash preceded by Iration, Thu – Switchfoot preceded by Timmy Curran, Fri – Cobra Starship preceded by Street Drum Corps, Sat – Weezer preceded by Hot Hot Heat. Music starts at 4:30 PM.

Men’s US Open of Surfing Round of 128 Results:?
Heat 1: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 14.00, Ola Eleogram (HAW) 10.53, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.93, James Taipan Wood (AUS) 7.86?
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.60, Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 11.17, Ian Gentil (HAW) 7.00, Corey Ziems (AUS) 6.60?
Heat 3: Marcio Giorgi (URY) 10.83, Eric Geiselman (USA) 7.16, Brian Toth (PRI) 5.44, Masatoshi Ohno (JPN) 1.93?
Heat 4: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 10.57, Marcio Farney (BRA) 10.10, Shaun Ward (USA) 8.47, Brad Ettinger (USA) 6.97?
Heat 5: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.10, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.27, Torrey Meister (HAW) 9.83, Tom Curren (USA) 9.66?
Heat 6: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 9.90, Pablo Paulino (BRA) 9.43, Kieran Horn (USA) 9.20, Yuri Sodre (BRA) 8.00?
Heat 7: Nat Young (USA) 14.83, Blake Wilson (AUS) 12.67, Jean da Silva (BRA) 11.37, Adam Robertson (AUS) 9.10?
Heat 8: Luke Davis (USA) 13.33, Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 12.83, Rhys Bombaci (AUS) 10.37, T.J. Barron (HAW) 12.83?
Heat 9: Wiggoly Dantas (BRA) 14.93, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 13.57, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 12.50, Joel Centeio (HAW) 10.26?
Heat 10: Oliver Kurtz (USA) 12.50, Sunny Garcia (HAW) 12.04, Jarrad Sullivan (AUS) 9.67, Jayke Sharp (AUS) 6.93?
Heat 11: Granger Larsen (HAW) 14.97, Jack Perry (AUS) 14.60, Tonino Benson (HAW) 10.27, Hodei Collazo (EUK) 8.77?
Heat 12: Paulo Moura (BRA) 12.93, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 9.60, Dane Gudauskas (USA) 9.47, Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 8.70?
Heat 13: Dylan Graves (PRI) 12.36, Mason Ho (HAW) 9.77, John John Florence (HAW) 8.66, Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 7.76?
Heat 14: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 10.84, Diego Rosa (BRA) 8.64, Yujiro Tsuji (JPN) 7.27, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 3.27?
Heat 15: Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 12.16, Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.70, Brent Dorrington (AUS) 7.63, Kai Barger (HAW) 5.43?
Heat 16: Andre Silva (BRA) 12.50, Eneko Acero (EUK) 8.43, Mike Losness (USA) 8.07, Royden Bryson (ZAF) 8.04
Women’s US Open of Surfing Round of 12 Results:?
Heat 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 8.83, Lakey Peterson (USA) 5.73, Chantelle Rautenbach (ZAF) 5.27?
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.77, Laura Enever (AUS) 9.36, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 8.57?
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.17, Justine Dupont (FRA) 8.67, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.06?
Heat 4: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.64, Sarah Baum (ZAF) 10.20, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 7.60

PICK SIX: WEDNESDAY

Day five action

The Men’s heavy hitters take to the water tomorrow, Aug 3. The ASP Prime Round of 96 will begin at 7:30 AM. Expect some great action as top-ranked World Tour surfers battle for the $100,000 first-place-prize. Here’s what to watch for.

1. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 7
Andy Irons (HAW)
Nate Yeomans (USA)
Marcio Farney (BRA)
Cory Lopez (USA)

The three-time World Champ takes on fellow WT competitor Nate Yeomans as well as high-flying Cory Lopez and Brazilian Marcio Farney.

2. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 10
C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Blake Thornton (AUS)
Evan Geiselman (USA)
Nat Young (USA)

Top American Juniors take on Australian Blake Jones and WT staple C.J. Hobgood.

3. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 11
Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Blake Wilson (AUS)
Luke Davis (USA)

Luke Davis has been on a tear throughout the US Open thus far. He looks to keep his streak alive as he goes up against WT surfers, Kekoa and Tanner.

4. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 13
Kelly Slater (USA)
Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Alain Riou (PYF)
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)

Kelly Slater starts his US Open campaign trying to better his 5th place finish from 2009.

5. Men’s Prime – Round 2 – Heat 15
Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heitor Alves (BRA)
Rob Machado (USA)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)

Surfing legends, Rob Machado and Sunny Garcia, face off in a tough Round 2 heat against WT surfer Chris Davidson and Brazilian Heitor Alves.

6. Concert Stage – 4-7 PM – Bedouin Soundclash and Iration

The largest free music festival in the world continues Wednesday afternoon with Iration taking the stage at 4 PM, followed by Bedouin Soundclash. Come enjoy the free music on the sand at the HB Pier.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Pick Six as Men’s Round 2 finishes up Round 3 gets started.

About Hurley
Founded in 1999, Hurley is an authentic “Microphone for Youth” brand rooted in surf, skate, art, music and beach cultures. Driven by creativity and freedom of expression, Hurley develops world-class products for guys, girls and kids, including sportswear, footwear, eyewear, accessories, loungewear, swimwear and wetsuits. A wholly owned, independently run subsidiary of Nike, Inc., Hurley’s corporate headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, CA, with international offices in Tokyo, Sydney, Barcelona and Bali.

http://www.hurley.com/

About Nike 6.0
The Nike 6.0 brand defines innovation and embodies the creativity of youth, united by action. Nike 6.0 delivers footwear and apparel to support the new generation of action sports athletes who are changing the worlds of surf, snow, BMX, moto, wake and freeski. Their unlimited potential and contagious energy deliver the future through performance and lifestyle.
www.nike6.com

About Converse
Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 25 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.

About IMG Sports & Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world’s largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year. More information is available at: www.imgworld.com.

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DREAM TOUR TALENT SHINES AMIDST YOUTH UPRISING AT ASP PRIME 6.0 LOWERS PRO

Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior Action Finishes on Saturday

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 7, 2010 – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME 6.0 Lowers Pro continued to play host to the future of progressive surfing today with several ASP Dream Tour competitors launching their way into the Round of 16 by punting a mind-blowing variety of aerial maneuvers while several up-and-comers continued to showcase committed above-the-lip surfing to decide the Round of 16.

With the influx of the ASP One World Rating, the 6.0 Lowers Pro’s ASP PRIME status attracted 36 ASP Dream Tour competitors and the world’s finest up-and-comers looking to capitalize on the increasingly valuable ratings points on offer towards their global standing.

Jadson Andre continued to flare by continually punting massive air-reverses while logging in the highest heat total of the day in his Round of 24 heat, a 17.70 out of 20, en route to surpassing his personal best result at Lower Trestles by advancing through to the Round of 16.

“I don’t event really know what to say about this wave, it’s one of the best in the world,” Andre said. “Competing here always pushes the level of surfing and everyone’s out there trying to do their best. I’m just stoked to make one more heat. This is the best result of my career at Lowers. Last year I lost first round, so I’m stoked to make it to the Round of 16.”

Andre’s success throughout the rounds has been no easy task, as the goofy-footer has faced a stacked draw of global talent in each of his heats.

“There were more than 30 World Title surfers in this event, so it’s almost like a World Title event,” Andre said. “Then there are guys like Seabass (Sebastian Zietz) too, so the draw is really hard, but I think it helps me improve my surfing.”

Andre, who is currently rated fourth overall on the ASP World Title ratings, is fresh off of his inaugural ASP Dream Tour victory defeating Kelly Slater in front of his Brazilian home crowd and although Andre is still elated with the win, he remains focused on the task at hand at the 6.0 Lowers Pro.

“I’ve already won my first event on tour and it’s my first year and I don’t know what to say, I’m still really happy about that contest,” Andre said. “Now I’m trying to surf better and know that I can’t think about the win in Brazil. I’m just trying to take one heat at a time here at Trestles.”

Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, who has been a standout in each round of 6.0 Lowers Pro competition, continued to flare throughout the firing swell with two convincing heat wins today while advancing to the Round of 16. Davidson detonated one of the highest single wave scores of the day, a massive 9.57 out of 10 with rail-to-rail carves and fins-free blasts on a long Lowers righthander.

“We started with those sets so it was good,” Davidson said. “The boys all sort of got a wave and my first one was good. Then the next one was just on the line, I’m stoked I got it. I’m just happy to keep it going and glad I made it to the last day of the contest.”

Davidson, who is currently rated No. 13 on the ASP World Title ratings, has been focused on his fitness while dialing in his equipment throughout the year and is finding a rhythm as the year progresses.

“I’m starting to feel fitter and I’ve got great boards under my feet at the moment,” Davidson said. “I’ve been getting good boards from my shaper back home and I got a couple of good ones over here for this contest.”

John John Florence (North Shore, HI), 17, unleashed a fury of massive airs and rail gouges to scalp the highest single-wave score of the day, a near-perfect 9.87 out of 10, while taking an impressive heat victory over fellow Hawaiian and three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (Hanalei, HI, 31, who advanced behind Florence in second, and current ASP Dream Tour competitor Tiago Pires (PRT), 30.

“I’m super stoked to make it to the Round of 16,” Florence said. “The waves are just perfect and it’s great to surf against guys like Andy (Irons), who are guys that I’ve looked up to since I was little.”

The young Hawaiian charger was elated to take the heat win over his idol, Irons, and continues to build his confidence while moving into the Round of 16.

“This heat win builds up my confidence so much,” Florence said. “Andy is a three-time World Champ, so I’m so stoked right now. I made the Semifinals at the 5-Star at Pipeline, but this is my best result in a PRIME.”

Also putting in memorable performances today were three-time ASP World Champion, Irons, who advanced through to the Round of 16 behind Florence after a brilliant Round of 48 performance, current ASP Dream Tour rookie Owen Wright (AUS), 20, who posted some of the event’s highest scores, and Alejo Muniz (BRA), 20, who ousted ASP Dream Tour veteran Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 38, with a last-minute score, and ASP Dream Tour No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22.

Tomorrow will see both ASP PRIME 6.0 Lowers Pro and ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior Champions crowned by day’s end. For all of the LIVE action log on to nike6lowerspro.com <http://nike6lowerspro.com> . For more about the Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com.

The 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors.  A special thank you goes out to title sponsor Nike 6.0 and junior title sponsor Oakley, co-sponsors Red Bull and Corralejo Tequila, and media sponsors Surfer (surfermag.com), Surfing (surfingthemag.com) and FUEL TV.

6.0 Lowers Pro Round of 24 Results:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.10, Heitor Alves (BRA) 14.90, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 11.33
Heat 2: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 15.70, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.50, Taylor Knox (USA ) 11.17
Heat 3: Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.80, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.83, Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.27
Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 17.70, Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 16.57, Nate Yeomans (USA) 10.40
Heat 5: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.27, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.44, Blake Thornton (AUS) 12.60
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 16.90, Andy Irons (HAW) 16.67, Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.43
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.43, Joan Duru (FRA) 10.77
Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.33, Gabe Kling (USA) 13.60, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.14

6.0 Lowers Pro Round of 48 Results:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.67, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.43, Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.97, T.J. Barron (HAW) 3.43
Heat 2: Heitor Alves (BRA) 12.58, Nic Muscroft (AUS) 12.17, Nat Young (USA) 10.93, Ben Dunn (AUS) 8.83
Heat 3: Taylor Knox (USA) 16.43, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 14.50, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 13.07, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.80
Heat 4: Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.40, Nate Yeomans (USA) 13.50, Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 11.33, Tim Reyes (USA) 11.27
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.26, Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 14.80, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.70, Eric Geiselman (USA)
Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 16.94, Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.13, Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.33, Dylan Graves (PRI) 13.33
Heat 7: Blake Thornton (AUS) 15.50, John John Florence (HAW) 13.84, Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.70, David Weare (ZAF) 10.00
Heat 8: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.37, Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.33, Dean Morrison (AUS) 5.67, Michael Picon (FRA) 3.67
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) 17.23, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.43, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 13.40, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.07
Heat 10: Cory Lopez (USA) 16.10, Gabe Kling (USA) 14.53, Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 13.36, Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.60
Heat 11: Joan Duru (FRA) 15.13, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 13.77, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.07, Drew Courtney (AUS) 10.97
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.43, Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.34, Wiggoly Dantas (BRA) 12.03, Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.93

GOOD LUCK TO OUR BRO NAT YOUNG HE’S A GROM NO MORE
Sunset Beach, Oahu, HI (Sun. Nov. 29, 2009) – It was tough to spot Santa Cruz teenager Nat Young, 17, in the lineup at Sunset Beach today. Out in the water for round two of the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, Young’s windblown shock of white hair, white surfboard and white contest jersey blended perfectly with the white-caps and spray that ruled the day. It was a tough morning for even the most seasoned Sunset competitors as the eight- to ten-foot surf rapidly declined and competition was halted after only eight heats. But Young was full of smiles, braces gleaming, after a self-confessed clueless performance that saw him advance to round three behind local charger Kekoa Bacalso.
* Nat Young threw caution to the strong wind at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, Hawaii, today, advancing to round 3 – the final 64 surfers. Photo Credit : © ASP/CI/CESTARI via Getty Images Nat Young threw caution to the strong wind at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, Hawaii, today, advancing to round 3 – the final 64 surfers.

It’s not that his surfing doesn’t measure up; Young is a former NSSA champion and won the 2008 O’Neill Coldwater Classic back home at Santa Cruz. He just has zero experience at Sunset Beach, which the champions will tell you is a tough venue to master. Add the world’s top-ranked surfers and the prestige of the $1,000,000 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and it’s obviously an overwhelming scene for a rookie.

“I’m so stoked, it was pretty tough out there,” said Young, after his heat. “I don’t know the wave at all. I just kind of caught a bunch of waves and it worked out.

“It’s definitely hard to find (the waves), especially not being from here and not surfing out there. I have no idea which waves are good. It was a coin toss and I’m stoked I made it.

“The waves here are definitely bigger and trickier than home.”

Young got his start in the event with an O’Neill wildcard and plans to use the opportunity for some uncrowded learning time at a venue that can make and break careers.

“O’Neill gave me a wildcard in this and I’m happy I could get in. I did Haleiwa and I did bad, but it’s been fun. Normally I would be here just free surfing, but to be able to do contests and free surf is pretty nice.”