Stephanie Gilmore Aims for Hat Trick at Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Tuesday, March 31, 2009) – The 2009 Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford New Fiesta will showcase the ASP Top 17 at Victoria’s historic Bells Beach from April 8 – 13, 2009.

Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach could once again prove a pivotal point in the season, with reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, looking for her third consecutive win at the iconic break.

“The last two years, my result at Bells has proved to be a defining moment in the year,” Gilmore said. “Because we head into a five-month break straight after Bells, it seems only right to hit the break with a win and an energized, confident mindset.”

In addition to potentially being a vital result in the young natural-footer’s 2009 campaign, the prestige and history of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach offer competitors something extra special to strive for.

“It’s the longest running ASP event and it’s just such an authentic surf event in one of the most spectacular arenas in the history of surfing,” Gilmore said. “When it’s on, it’s such a beautiful yet challenging wave. It always seems to have a nice, raw aura about it, which is absolutely magnified when competing in a heat.”

Despite her impressive track record at Bells, Gilmore is wary of her competition and realizes a swath of the world’s best female surfers will stand in her way of another victory.

“Sofia (Mulanovich) always seems to do well here,” Gilmore said. “Layne (Beachley) is coming out of retirement to join us at the Rip Curl Pro, so she’s definitely a threat too.”

Gilmore will take on 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, and the Trials Winner in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro.

In addition to the young Gold Coaster, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, will return to the singlet for the Rip Curl Women’s Pro and will be joined by the rest of the ASP Top 17.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), TBA
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW)
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

MELBOURNE, Australia (Monday, March 30, 2009) – Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 25, one of seven European surfers on the 2009 Dream Tour, sends news from Melbourne in Australia where he will attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix before heading to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach pres. by Snickers, stop No. 2 of 10 of this year’s ASP World Tour. Boal, who started his rookie campaign with a promising equal 17th place at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast a month ago in Australia, was the second best European surfer in the event behind Jeremy Flores’s (FRA) equal 9th finish and showed he had the skills to score big against veterans Freddie Patacchia (Oahu, HAW) and Mick Campbell (New South Wales, AUS) in Round 1 before going down to Top 10 member Adrian Buchan (New South Wales, AUS) in Round 3. Find out what Boal has in mind…

“I had a good time at the first event on the Gold Coast. It was a positive first experience and an okay result. I surfed well for my first heat then had a bad strategy in Round 3 but I still managed to get good scores. This was actually my main goal for the start of the tour, I wanted to see if I could get some 7, 8 or 9 point rides at this level and if the judges liked my surfing. In both Round 1 and Round 3, I managed to get these scores so I am okay with that result. I made a few stupid mistakes in Round 3 against Adrian (Buchan) then he got the wave of the day and surfed it well so I was a bit disappointed of course.

I was very impressed with the level and Dane (Reynolds) and Joel (Parkinson) were really up there. I think I learnt a lot during this first event as a member of the ASP Top 45 and I know I did quite a few mistakes I am sure I will not do again. But on the other hand I had not competed since September and I had trouble getting back to it 100% for the first event. But I am pretty confident for the next events.

Then I went to Tahiti for a break and to surf some good waves. It was my second time in French Polynesia but the first time I came I remember not getting any waves and it was ten years ago. This time was epic, it is probably the best place I have ever been to. We got some great waves and surfed a lot of different locations. There were a lot of French surfers there and we had a great time. We got to surf Teahupoo and Michel (Bourez) was just amazing. I’ve never seen the event there and I don’t how good are the rest of the guys on tour at Teahupoo but I don’t see how much better you can surf that wave than the way Michel does. We trained a lot, had a few photo shoots and enjoyed a couple of weeks.

I am now in Melbourne where I am going to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix then I will head straight to Bells Beach to get ready for the event. I am really looking forward to surfing in the event there. My main goal now is to focus back on the upcoming event and get into the usual discipline and rhythm. I know when I am doing everything I should to do well at an event so I am focusing on it at the moment. I had a bit of physical training as well in Tahiti and I have some excellent boards so it feels like everything is going well for me.”

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, March 29, 2009) – Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 29, led the American charge at the inaugural O’Neill Coldwater Classic Tasmania when he finished second overall behind event winner and fellow ASP World Tour campaigner Jordy Smith (Newport Beach, CA), 21, at the first Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event of the year. ASP WQS standout Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, kicked off his 2009 campaign in stellar form, finishing in third place at the exotic cold-water locale.

The ASP WQS acts as a qualifier for the ASP World Tour, and Hobgood is now rated eighth overall on The Grind after surfing in just one event. The top 15 surfers at year’s end advance on to the ASP Dream Tour and since Hobgood is currently an ASP World Tour surfer, if he were to earn a qualifying spot via the ASP WQS and requalify via the ASP World Tour as well, the next seed would advance on to the coveted series due to his double-qualification.

After two injury-plagued years on the ASP World Tour, East Coast talent Damien Hobgood is back in his usual form in 2009. Damien hopped over to Australia’s island in between the Australian leg of the ASP World Tour and donated a Final berth in the wilds of Tasmania after his impressive start at the Quiksilver Pro. Hobgood fell just short of the event victory against Smith in the Final.

“I was hoping to dedicate that trophy to the Marrawah pub,” Hobgood said said. “I had needed to step it up. I just didn’t do it. It was hard for me. Sometimes I was really hanging on with my toes so hard. It’s a little bit more bumpy out there than it looks for sure.”

Although Hobgood’s goal was to win the event, he enjoyed competing at the first of five O’Neill Cold Water Classic destinations.

“Thank you to O’Neill for thinking out of the box,” Hobgood said, “And thank you to all the people in Marrawah who have been so welcoming and so open.”

Gudauskas picked up where he left off last year and finished third at the first ASP 6-Star event of 2009 in the cranking Tasmanian surf against some of the world’s finest competitors. Patrick defeated surfers such as former ASP World Tour surfer Jay Thompson (Burleigh Heads, AUS), 25, amongst other top international talents on his way to the notable result and now finds himself rated 11th overall on the ASP WQS after competing in only one event.

Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, also grabbed his fair share of the valuable ratings points at the right hand Tasmanian slab. The talented regular-footer earned an impressive fifth place finish in the event and is now rated seventh overall on the ASP WQS ratings.

American surfers are back on The Grind this week and will tackle the ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River in Western Australia. The event runs from March 30-April 5, 2009.

Mike Losness Wins Vans Pier Classic, Dillon Perillo Takes Ezekiel Pro Junior

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, March 29, 2009) – Mike Losness (San Clemente, CA), 28, claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Vans Pier Classic pres. by Jack’s Surfboards today over fellow finalists Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 18, who won the Ezekiel pro Junior and finished in second in the men’s event, Hank Gaskell (Hana, HI), 22, and Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 21, in windy two-to-four foot (1 metre) conditions at South Huntington Beach Pier this afternoon.

All surfers competing in the Vans Pier Classic were looking to better their seed towards qualification for the ASP World Tour and ASP Pro Junior surfers were out to kick 2009 off on a good note at their season opener. ASP North American Pro Junior Series competitors look to finish in the top five on the series to qualify for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

Losness jumped out to an early lead in the Vans Pier Classic Final by dropping an impressive 8.5 out of 10 on his first wave with several crushing backside blasts on a right-hand Huntington wall. He eventually put the nail in the coffin over his fellow finalists when he dropped a back up score of 7.65 out of 10, solidifying the win.

“It was tough to hear out there and I could kind of hear that I had the 8.5,” Losness said. “I knew I needed another good score though because all of the other guys have been surfing so well throughout the entire event. It seemed like Dillon (Perillo) was getting an 8 on every wave, so I knew I needed another score.”

The explosive goofy-footer felt the key to his success at the Vans Pier Classic was partially due his relaxed approach to surfing in the event.

“The waves were not amazing all week, they were kind of small, but still contestableand still fun,” Losness said. “I came up to this event not expecting too much, I had the goal of making the Quarterfinals and once I made that I figured anything after this is good. It’s cool once you set goals for yourself like that, if you don’t tell yourself that you have to win the event, for me, once I set my goal, I usually do better because I’m happy with myself and I can go from there.”

Perillo was in domineering form throughout the event’s entirety and tore his way through to both the ASP WQS and ASP Pro Junior Finals. The up-and-coming Californian made his progressive finsfree turns and airreverses seem effortless throughout the five-day contest and claimed the Ezekiel Pro Junior and finished runner-up in the Vans Pier Classic. The Ezekiel Pro Junior win sees Perillo atop the ASP North America Pro Junior Series ratings for 2009.

“I’m so stoked to have won the first contest,” Perillo said. “Every heat I just tried to stay focused and do the same thing and I had three heats back-to-back. I just had fun and tried to not get too tired.”

Despite surfing seven heats on the final day of competition, Perillo gave the ASP WQS Final his all and ran out of gas while attempting to overtake eventual Vans Pier Classic champion, Losness.

“Mike pretty much blew us out of the water,” Perillo said. “I was trying to win, but then I was just trying to get second. I was so exhausted, I tried my hardest, but every time I went to do a turn my feet kept slipping.”

Luke Davis (Capo Beach, CA), 16, finished in third overall in the first Final appearance of his ASP Pro Junior Series career alongside Perillo, Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), 16, who finished second and Spencer Regan (Santa Barbara, CA), 19. The young Californian’s surfing has significantly matured over the off-season, making Davis a standout throughout the Ezekiel Pro Junior’s entirety.

“I’m super stoked to make the Final in the first event,” Davis said. “The waves picked up today and it’s good to be able to start the year off strong.”Vans Pier Classic Final:

1 – Mike Losness (USA) 16.15

2 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 13.10

3 – Hank Gaskell (HAW) 12.75

4 – Eric Geiselman (USA) 12.75

Vans Pier Classic Semifinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 1: Eric Geiselman (USA) 16.00, Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.00, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.25, Jason Shibata (HAW) 7.80

Heat 2: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 16.75, Mike Losness (USA) 13.50, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 13.40, Cody Thompson (USA) 6.40

Vans Pier Classic Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 1: Jason Shibata (HAW) 13.90, Dillon Perillo (USA) 13.35, Matt King (USA) 10.60, Michael Dunphy (USA) 9.75

Heat 2: Andrew Doheny (USA) 14.20, Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.60, Noi Kaulukukui (USA) 13.50, Matt Keenan (USA) 9.15

Heat 3: Hank Gaskell (USA) 16.40, Cody Thompson (USA) 13.35, Travis Beckmann (USA) John John Florence (HAW) 8.75

Heat 4: Dege O’Connell (HAW) 18.10, Mike Losness (USA) 17.35, Nathan Carrol (HAW) 12.50, Shaun Ward (USA) 11.00

Ezekiel Pro Junior Final:

1 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 17.80

2 – Andrew Doheny (USA) 14.35

3 – Luke Davis (USA) 12.75

4 – Spencer Regan (USA) 12.75

Ezekiel Pro Junior Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 1: Luke Davis (USA) 16.50, Spencer Regan (USA) 13.10, Brent Reilly (USA) 12.20, Hunter Heverly (USA) 5.25

Heat 2: Dillon Perillo (USA) 16.00, Andrew Doheny (USA) 11.25, Chase Brady (USA) 10.50, Michael Dunphy (USA) 7.40

Ezekiel Pro Junior Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 1: Luke Davis (USA) 12.75, Brent Reilly (USA) 11.50, Dane Zaun (USA) 9.75, Doug Van Mierlo (USA) 6.10

Heat 2: Spencer Regan (USA) 15.10, Hunter Heverly (USA) 13.25, Phillip Goold (USA) 12.65, Christian Saenz (USA) 8.75

Heat 3: Chase Brady (USA) 14.25, Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.40, Gabe Garcia (USA) 9.25, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 8.75

Heat 4: Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.05, Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.50, Matt Pagan (USA) 11.20, Jared Thorne (USA) 6.55

Ezekiel Pro Junior Round of 32 Results: (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 5: Andrew Doheny (USA) 16.00, Jared Thorne (USA) 11.25, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 9.25, Rob Kelly (USA)

Heat 6: Gabe Garcia (USA) 14.75, Matt Pagan (USA) 11.00, Trevor Saunders (USA) 9.60, Conrad Carr (USA) 7.55

Heat 7: Dillon Perillo (USA) 17.10, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 10.00, Kekoa Cazimero (HAW) 9.15, Riley Metcalf (USA) 6.40

Heat 8: Michael Dunphy (USA) 14.90, Chase Brady (USA) 10.05, Nick Rupp (USA) 8.45, Matt Meola (HAW) 5.85

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Saturday, March 28, 2009) Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Pro Junior Surfers Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 18, Cody Thompson (Jacksonville, FL), 19, and John John Florence (North Shore, HI), 16, were the form surfers in Round 5 of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Vans Pier Classic pres. by Jacks Surfboards today. The up-and-coming rippers jaw-dropping maneuvers will force reigning Vans Pier Classic Champion Shaun Ward (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, to be on point to defend his title as the event progresses into the Quarterfinals.

All surfers competing in the Vans Pier Classic are looking to improve upon their ASP WQS seed, helping them qualify for the coveted ASP World Tour. The top 15 surfers at the end of each season advance on to the prestigious tour, earning a chance to claim the ASP World Title.

Perillo continued to set the level of ASP WQS competition again today when combined his smooth style with technical, above-the-lip surfing to convincingly win another tough heat over standout competitors such as Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 21, who advanced into the Quarterfinals in second behind the Californian.

Its high tide now and it seems like the swell is dying because its a little inconsistent, Perillo said. I just sat off of the pier and made sure to get the set waves, because when somebody else gets the set waves and you dont, youre not going to make it. That first one lined up good and I got a good score, so Im psyched.

The Malibu native is motivated to compete against progressive athletes such as Geiselman and looks up to the young Floridians innovative approach to surfing.

Erics really innovative and I look up to him, hes a really good surfer, Perillo said. I want to surf like him and try airs sometimes.

Hawaiian Prodigy John John Florence issued the upset of the day when he overthrew former event champion and local standout Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 27, en route to his Quarterfinals berth. The young regular-footer is making the tough transition from the powerful North Shore surf hes familiar with to the softer Huntington Beach peaks seem effortless.

Its tough to surf against someone like Micah (Byrne) out here, Florence said. The waves at home (Hawaii) are so much more powerful, even when its this size, it pushes you more, but I like coming here because its a challenge. Its amazing to watch the local guys that surf waves like these so well, its fun to watch.

Florence picked off two right-handers breaking off of the famed pier that offered up the impressive scoring potential needed to defeat the local champ.

There are two peaks, one by the pier and one south, and its kind of hard, Florence said. There are some good ones by the pier and the ones in the middle are kind of mushy, but there are more waves so its hard to choose between the two. Luckily I got two fun rights off of the pier.

Cody Thompson (Jacksonville, FL), 19, who was a standout in yesterdays contest, continued to crush the competition in his Round 5 heat when he blasted one of the events highest single wave scores of a near-perfect 9.50 out of 10 by unleashing several committed frontside cracks on a right-hand wall and finished the wave with a smooth air-reverse.

Im usually more nervous in the first couple rounds and once I get a few scores in the earlier rounds I start to feel a little bit better and the pressure goes out the door a little bit, Thompson said. I was still really nervous because the waves are lully and you only get one or two shots out there. I only had one that lined up and it ended up being a good one.

Defending event champion Shaun Ward jumped out to an early lead in his Round 5 heat and confidently surfed his way through to the Quarterfinals, moving one step closer to a repeat Vans Pier Classic title. The Huntington Beach local is now the only former champion remaining in the event after Byrne was eliminated earlier in the day.

I saw what happened to Micah (Byrne), it seemed like he was sitting too far out the back, Ward said. All of the guys that were surfing a little more inside were catching more waves, so that was my strategy in my heat, to catch a couple of quick waves to get on the board.

The talented regular-footer is ready to tackle the flurry of up-and-coming junior talent that have been turning heads throughout the ASP WQS events entirety. Ward knows that defending the title against the next generation will be no easy task.

I think theyre on the opposite side of the draw and hopefully we will get to surf against each other because that means were in the Final, Ward said. I still have to make it through a few more heats and those kids are ripping. Ive been watching them and I know who they are.

There was no shortage of action in the Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jacks Surfboards today either. The young competitors are hungry to kick off their ASP Pro Junior campaigns on a positive note at the first event on the 2009 calendar.

ASP North America Pro Junior Series surfers all battle for one of five positions on the series to earn their chance to qualify for the coveted Billabong ASP World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen, Australia each year. Top five surfers earn the chance to take the title of ASP World Junior Champion

Spencer Regan (Santa Barbara, CA), 19, issued the upset of the Ezekiel Pro Junior when he eliminated reigning ASP North America Pro Junior Champion Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, in Round 4 by posting an impressive 16.15 out of 20 heat total on his way to Round 5.

Im super psyched because it was really slow out there and I was able to get two really good rights in the first eight minutes, Regan said. Ive been training really hard because this is my last year in the juniors so I really wanted to get a good start.

Vans Pier Classic pres. by Jacks Surfboards Round of 32 Results:
Heat 1: Dillon Perillo (USA) 16.75, Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.25, Tommy OBrien (USA) 9.60, Ryan Briggs (USA) 6.65
Heat 2: Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.00, Noi Kaulukukui (USA) 11.75, Dane Johnson (USA) 7.75, Matt Johnson (USA) 7.60
Heat 3: Matt Keenan (USA) 12.00, Matt King (USA) 11.75, Nick Rupp (USA) 8.00, Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 7.25
Heat 4: Andrew Doheny (USA) 10.75, Jason Shibata (HAW) 10.60, Luke Davis (USA) 10.15, Liam McNamara (HAW) 0.00
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50, Dege OConnell (HAW) 11.10, Sean Marceron (USA) 10.20, Micah Byrne (USA) 9.50
Heat 6: Cody Thompson (USA) 14.10, Nathan Carroll (HAW) 13.75, Dane Ward (USA) 13.50, Tom Rezvan (USA) 9.10
Heat 7: Shaun Ward (USA) 14.50, Hank Gaskell (USA) 7.60, Peter Mel (USA) 7.50, Bud Freitas (USA) 4.60
Heat 8: Mike Losness (USA) 14.75, Travis Beckmann (USA) 11.65, Justin McBride (USA) 9.60, Keli Everett (HAW) 6.10

Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jacks Surfboards Round of 32 Results:
Heat 1: Doug Van Mierlo (USA) 13.80, Hunter Heverly (USA) 12.65, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 12.20, Cody Thompson (USA) 6.55
Heat 2: Brent Reilly (USA) 15.65, Phillip Goold (USA) 15.15, Alex Smith (HAW) 8.30, Taylor Brothers (USA) 7.75
Heat 3: Christian Saenz (USA) 14.50, Luke Davis (USA) 10.75, Tyler Newton (HAW) 9.90, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 8.75
Heat 4: Spencer Regan (USA) 16.15, Dane Zaun (USA) 11.75, Kyle Kennelly (USA) 2.50, Cory Arrambide (USA) 1.40

Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jacks Surfboards Round of 48 Results:
Heat 1: Oliver Kurtz (USA) 12.60, Alex Smith (HAW) 11.00, Victor Done (USA) 10.35, Taylor Thorne (USA) 7.00
Heat 2: Taylor Brothers (USA) 9.75, Doug Van Mierlo (USA) 9.15, Nick Suhadolnik (USA) 7.95, Ford Archbold (USA) 6.10
Heat 3: Tyler Newton (HAW) 15.85, Dane Zaun (USA) 10.50, Sean Poynter (USA) 6.00, Shaw Kobayashi (USA) 2.65
Heat 4: Spencer Regan (USA) 14.90, Christian Saenz (USA) 12.90, Eli Viszolay (USA) 12.10, Nathan Florence (HAW) 5.15
Heat 5: Rob Kelly (USA) 12.00, Conrad Carr (USA) 10.90, Makai McNamara (HAW) 10.25, Colton Larsen (USA) 8.50
Heat 6: Gabe Garcia (USA) 13.05, Jared Thorne (USA) 10.55, Derek Peters (USA) 9.85, Brett Barley (USA) 9.75
Heat 7: Dege OConnell (HAW) 16.05, Matt Meola (HAW) 14.75, Colin Dwyer (USA) 14.60, Mike McCabe (USA) 12.75
Heat 8: Chase Brady (USA) 13.00, Riley Metcalf (USA) 8.75, Tanner Deprin (USA) 8.00, John John Florence (HAW) 5.90

Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jacks Surfboards Round of 64 Results:
Heat 5: Colton Larson (USA) 13.75, Derek Peters (USA) 10.15, Keto Burns (USA) 7.00, Icaro Ronchi (BRA) 4.00
Heat 6: Jared Thorne (USA) 15.60, Conrad Carr (USA) 11.50, Adam Lambert (USA) 10.00, Tyler Stanaland (USA) 5.50
Heat 7: Matt Meola (HAW) 9.25, Tanner Deprin (USA) 8.25, Brad Hagglund (USA) 7.90, Jeffrey Lukasik (USA) 7.00
Heat 8: Chase Brady (USA) 10.40, Colin Dwyer (USA) 8.15, Billy Olsen (USA) 5.75, Zack Humphreys (USA) 4.30

Local Champions Look Hungry to Defend Vans Pier Classic Title

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Friday, March 27, 2009) – The top seeds hit the water today in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards in peaky two-to-three foot (1 metre) conditions at South Huntington Beach Pier. The day’s action saw former Vans Pier Classic champions and local favorites Shaun Ward (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, and Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 27, battle through their opening heats in an attempt to keep the title in Surf City.

All surfers competing in the Vans Pier Classic are looking to better their seed on the ASP WQS in an attempt to qualify for the prestigious ASP Dream Tour. The top 15 seeds at year’s end advance on to the coveted tour where they earn the chance to battle for the title of ASP World Champion.

Ward got off to a slow start in his heat and was pushed down to third place, which would have eliminated him from competition, crushing his chances of a repeat Vans Pier Classic crown. The defending event champion battled back though, earning two impressive scores in the latter half of the heat to advance through to Round 5.

“I was caught in between the peaks and I couldn’t find a wave,” Ward said. “I couldn’t find the right peak. I started to waste all of my energy and go on ones that were only alright.”

The Huntington Beach local talked about using his familiarity of the often-infamous beach break conditions in order to advance through his heat.

“Surfing Huntington, you have to create your own speed, because the wave has no speed,” Ward said. “Sometimes you have to work at it just to keep going on the wave, otherwise you’re just doing round houses.”

Byrne, who won the Vans Pier Classic in 2007, also made a last-minute advancement into Round 5. The former event champ clinched the score needed in the dying minutes of his heat to keep his hopes of a second Vans Pier Classic title alive.

“I didn’t know what score I needed,” Byrne said. “I got a medium sized wave and my turns were kind of just cut backs. I wasn’t sure if I got the score or not and would not have been surprised either way. I knew it was close. It was a scramble-fest and I’m glad it’s over. My legs were burning and you get so nervous because you know you need the score.”

Although Byrne is a local surfer, the numerous events held at Huntington Pier allow outsiders to become familiar with the tricky conditions. The regular-footer expressed the importance of acclimating to the unique waves on offer at South Huntington Beach Pier in order to achieve success at the beach break.

“You get used to this place quick because everyone surfs here a million times,” Byrne said. “It’s definitely good for guys that live north or south of us to come here a day early to adjust to the conditions.”

Nick Rupp (Ocean Isle Beach, NC), 16, who has been a dark horse in the event thus far, donated an impressive performance today when he posted a heat win over Hawaiian talent Jason Shibata (Oahu, HI), who advanced in second, and Floridian standout Asher Nolan (Jacksonville, FL), 30, in his Round 4 heat. Although Shibata jumped out to an early lead with a 9-point-ride, Rupp smashed an impressive heat total of 16.15 to take out the win.

“With two minutes to go Jason (Shibata) only needed a 3-point-score, so I tried to go sit on him,” Rupp said. “I saw a wave and started paddling as hard as I could and I thought Asher (Nolan) was going to go on the right and he ended up going left, so I took the right and it ended up being a good one.”

In addition to today’s Vans Pier Classic action, the opening round of the Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jack’s Surfboards hit the water this afternoon with the Round of 72. Today’s action saw the Ezekiel Pro Junior complete Round 1 and the first four heats of Round 2.

Tyler Newton (Kauai, HI), 18, kicked off his Ezekiel Pro Junior campaign in impressive fashion when he matched the event’s highest single wave score of 9.60 out of 10 by linking several huge frontside turns on a Huntington right-hander. The Hawaiian finished the wave off with a clean air-reverse to claim the score. His impressive 17.60 out of 20 heat total saw him advance easily into the Round of 64.

“That wave felt good,” Newton said. “Sometimes the waves just come to you out there and it’s a lot of luck. I’m happy to get off to a good start in the juniors because I’m focusing on the junior this year and hope to go to worlds, because that’s the spot.”

Dillon Perillo has Explosive Season Opener at Vans Pier Classic

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Thursday, March 26, 2009) – Day two of the Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards saw Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 18, dominate his Round 3 heat in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star event today in peaky two-to-three foot (1 metre) conditions at South Huntington Beach Pier by smashing the event’s top scores.

The ASP WQS acts as a gateway for the prestigious ASP World Tour, with the series’ top 15 surfers qualifying for the coveted tour the following year.

Perillo crushed the event’s highest scores when he unleashed several finsfree turns on a bowly righthander, earning the event’s top single wave score of a near-perfect 9.60 out of 10. The impressive ride was tacked on to his first excellent score of a 8.35 out of 10, easily posting the highest heat total of the Vans Pier Classic so far with a 17.85 out of 20.

“I got a few lined up waves that went all the way in,” Perillo said. “The wind was kind of weird so I safety-turned it and I kept sliding out, it was fun. There are fun, contestable waves out there, it wasn’t bad. I’ve been surfing these conditions for the last few months, so I’m used to it.”

Perillo, who spent a month surfing and competing in Australia in January, feels the stacked Australian competition has helped him improve his competitive prowess for the 2009 season.

“It was a little harder competing over there because all of the kids are so good,” Perillo said. “It gave me a sneak preview of the rest of the year and helped me step my game up.”

The Malibu local missed qualification for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships by only one position last year and now Perillo is even hungrier to make a statement during this year’s ASP Pro Junior season. Although the ASP Pro Junior division is Perillo’s primary focus, he’s also looking to establish a solid international seed on the ASP WQS.

“I’m doing all of the juniors in the region and going to Portugal to do a 6-Star and hopefully will do a few other 6-Star contests to get some points,” Perillo said. “Last year was weird because I couldn’t get into that last contest and didn’t end up qualifying for World Juniors, so this year I definitely want to win.”

Cody Thompson (Jacksonville, FL), 19, claimed a come-from-behind Round 3 victory when he launched from last place to first in the remaining minutes of his heat. Although Thompson got off to a slow start, he eventually blasted two massive scores to attain the event’s second-highest heat total of 17.00 out of 20 to claim the exciting win.

“I was watching it and I wanted to go by myself and do my own thing, but I wasn’t getting any waves,” Thompson said. “There was that one peak that everyone had to sit on and battle each other for. It’s kind of inconsistent and it’s usually more spread out than this, so I was having trouble with that, but once I figured out where the peak was I was able to get a few waves at the end.”

The Floridian cracked the second 9-point-ride of the event on his last wave by unleashing huge, committed turns to solidify the win.

“That one 9 was just a perfect little right and I knew I needed something big,” Thompson said. “I didn’t want to just get the score that I needed, I wanted to try and blow up because I knew everyone was close, so it worked out.”

Brandon Guilmette (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, was also one to watch in Round 3 of the Vans Pier Classic. The Huntington Beach local utilized his knowledge of the tricky pier conditions to convincingly advance into Round 4 of competition by posting a solid heat total of 15.25 out of 20.

“It’s fun out there, it’s a little messed up and junky but there are some fun waves out there,” Guilmette said. “I got that one left that was a really good one, and that was my 8.5.”

Guilmette, who is the Huley Team Manager, has to balance his approach to competition between helping his team riders and being a competitor himself.

“Yea, it’s weird, because it’s my job, but I just try and go out there and have fun and mix it up with the boys,” Guilmette said. “I always like surfing in these events because it’s at home and my friends and family are watching so I still want to do well.”

Tomorrow’s action will see Round 4 of the Vans Pier Classic hit the water at 8am. Following men’s competition will be the opening round of the Ezekiel Pro Junior pres. by Jack’s Surfboards as well as the first four heats of Round 2.

Beven Leads Inform European Contingent in O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Tasmania

CAPBRETON, France (Thursday, March 26, 2009) – Europe’s top ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) soldiers are currently competing in the first ASP WQS 6-Star rated event of the year, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Tasmania, and with three days only remaining in the waiting period, things will soon heat-up for the remaining six representatives still in contention for the crown.

Patrick Beven (Biarritz, FRA), 29, a veteran on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), easily won his first encounter against ASP World Tour rookie Nic Muscroft (AUS) and top junior surfer Tonino Benson (HAW), the Frenchman advancing with a promising 16.07 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) to secure his Round 3 berth ahead of former Dream Tour member Cory Lopez (Florida, USA). Beven, who has been training on the Gold Coast of Australia with ASP Top 45 Europeans Miky Picon (Capbreton, FRA), Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) and Jeremy Flores (New Caledonia, FRA), netted two good scores during his battle in the cold conditions including an excellent 9.00 point ride to open his 2009 campaign.
Gony Zubizarreta (Vigo, ESP), 23, who suffered an injury at the end of the 2008 ASP season after achieving his best performances on tour ever, was another inform European to advance through to Round 3 of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic. Zubizarreta, who got back to competition in January in Florida, ended up winning his first heat in the event with a solid 15.34 point heat score (out of a possible 20) including an 8.17 point ride. The young Spaniard from Western Spain will face Dream Tour member Josh Kerr (Gold Coast, AUS), and former elite surfer Jay Thompson (Gold Coast, AUS) and Cory Lopez (USA) when competition resumes.

Apart from these two stellar performers, Canarian ripper Jonathan Gonzalez (Tenerife, CNY) as well as ASP Top 45 member Basque Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK) and French “grinders” Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA) and Hugo Savalli (REU) managed to qualify for Round 3 of the ASP WQS 6-Star event.

Savalli, who achieved his career best result in the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime O’Neill Cold Water Classic Scotland in 2008 where he placed 3rd, will now face Australian Luke Dorrington (Gold Coast, AUS) and Masatoshi Ohno (JPN) along with Duru for a spot in Round 4, the 3-man heats round. Savalli, O’Neill teamrider, secured several solid results last year including a 5th in the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vende Pro and the Reunion Island born competitor has confirmed his potential to create some serious upsets when he takes his level to its best.

With six European surfers remaining in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Tasmania, hopes are possible to see one of them start his 2009 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) campaign with a keeper counting for a possible year-end qualification for next year’s ASP World Tour.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Wednesday, March 25, 2009) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) kicked off its West Coast season opener today with the ASP WQS 2-Star Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards in peaky two-to-three foot (1 metre) conditions at South Huntington Beach Pier. The first day of the Vans Pier Classic saw ASP North America Pro Junior Series surfers post impressive performances over their competition.

All surfers competing in the Vans Pier Classic are looking to earn points to improve their seed towards qualification for the ASP World Tour, with the top 15 ASP WQS performers advancing onto the coveted tour each year.

Michael Dunphy (Virginia Beach, VA), 18, was definitely one to watch in the opening day of the Vans Pier Classic, winning both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats. The young East Coaster blasted the day’s highest heat total of a 14.50 out of 20 on the way to his Round 3 berth by utilizing a selective strategy that paid off in his tough heat.

“The first heat I just didn’t feel right, but I felt better in that heat,” Dunphy said. “I only caught two or three waves in my last heat, but they kind of linked up and I surfed them accordingly.”

Dunphy earned a single wave score of an 8.25 out of 10 to open up his Round 2 heat and the excellent score played a critical role in his advancement into Round 3.

“I wasn’t going to go on that wave because I thought it was going to be a shoulder, but it connected all the way through,” Dunphy said. “I thought I had got about a 6 on it, so when I heard the 8 called out I was stoked.”

The young regular-footer, who finished 11th overall on last year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series, is using today’s ASP WQS action as a confidence builder going into his ASP Pro Junior campaign.

“This just gets you going for the junior,” Dunphy said. “I care about this event, but it’s more important for me to do well in the junior right now. This is a good warm up and it gives me confidence for the juniors.”

Victor Done (Newport Beach, CA), 17, was another ASP North America Pro Junior series surfer who was one to watch as well. Done also advanced through two heats today, winning a tough Round 2 heat over ASP WQS veteran Heath Walker (Carlsbad, CA), 33, who advanced in second, and Hawaiian charger Levi Gonzales (Kailua, HI), 18. The Orange County native dropped two solid scores in the opening minutes of the battle and his 14.35 out of 20 heat total proved to be enough to fend off his competitors.

“I got two 7-point-rides in the first five minutes and then at the end Heath (Walker) got an 8 and I saw someone else get a wave and got scared,” Done said. “Luckily I was able to hold on.”

Robert Patterson (Hilo, HI), 25, dropped the day’s highest single wave score of an 8.50 out of 10, advancing comfortably through his Round 1 heat by opening the wave up with a big backside turn. The regular-footer worked his way through the classic Huntington Beach reform and had several frontside hacks to earn the solid score.

“I got a nice whack on the outside and when it reformed I hit it a couple more times,” Patterson said. “I guess the judges liked the wave, so I’m stoked.”

Patterson, who is from the Island of Hawaii, has spent the last few years living in Huntington Beach while pursuing his competitive career and his impressive performance today showed his obvious knowledge of the tricky beach break.

“I think the conditions are pretty good,” Patterson said. “I’m from the Big Island and have been staying here for a couple of years and trying to do the contests and I think the waves are super fun compared to how it usually is.”

Protest Vende Pro to Launch 2009 ASP European Tour

CAPBRETON, France (Wednesday, March 25, 2009) – The Protest Vendee Pro, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star Men’s event, will start April 6 at La Sauzaie on the West coast of France kicking off the 2009 ASP European Tour. La Sauzaie, one of the best reefs of France renowned to deliver some consistent and hollow waves when the surf reaches the three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) range, will welcome some of the world’s best surfers competing for the valuable 1500 ratings’ points and US$ 85 000 prizepurse on offer.

Defending champion Romain Laulhe (Anglet, FRA), 23, who claimed his first win ever on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) at last year’s Protest Vendee Pro in consistent five foot waves (1.5 meter), will have lots of expectations from the first event of the year in Europe as Laulhe is still looking for a sponsor since his contract was not renewed last december.

“I haven’t changed anything in my preparation for the event and I am still trying to learn from my mistakes so I will try and remain focused on the event when it’s on,” Laulhe said. “I had a a tough time after losing my sponsor at the beginning of the year but I have managed to get through this and will definitely be concentrated about my surfing and getting a result in Vendee.

Laulhe, who has not surfed in any ASP events since the start of the 2009 season, will be looking forward to getting the dust off his boards when the 2009 ASP European Tour gets underway in April.

“I am going to the Protest Vendee Pro for my first event of the year because I was not able to travel due to financial issues so far,” Laulhe said. “I am so excited to compete again and I will take it heat by heat and hopefully make it to the final again.”

With ten days only before things heat up in Europe with three consecutive men’s major events and the only ASP WQS 6-Star Women’s contest confirmed in Europe at the end of April, the upcoming spring league promisses some great action starting with Vendee’s seven-day competition.