ASP World Tour No. 31 Tiago Pires Shares his Rookie Experience

OFF-THE-WALL, Oahu (Friday, December 19, 2008) - After he pulled out from the Billabong Pipeline Masters due to an injury, we caught up with Portuguese surfer and 2008 Dream Tour rookie Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) to talk about his first experience as a member of the world’s best surfers. Pires, 27, who finished No. 31 in the world after a testing year of competition around the world, has requalifed for next year’s ASP World Tour thanks to his solid performances on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) where he finished No. 13, enough to secure a second run on the world’s best waves in 2009. Find out what the first ASP Top 45 member to defeat Slater in 2008 has in mind after his 2008 campaign.

1. Let’s start with a look at the season you have been through, surfing on both ASP World Tour and ASP World Qualifying Series.

I think it’s been a very positive year for me. I managed to get a few good results for my first year on tour, got through several heats at various events so I am happy with this first experience. I would have prefered to start off the season strong with a couple of good places because it would have given me a better seeding and probably a better rank in the end. I finish 2008 just outside the requalifying Top 27 guys without even surfing the Pipeline Masters because of that injury so I am definitely satisfied with that rookie season. I knew it was going to be tough doing both tours but it was my plan since Day 1 so I went for it. Lots of travel, lots of heats and a lot of pressure on the WQS events because I really needed to do well at these events.

2. How did you handle things mentally and physically? Did you have a intense training all year?

I did not really have time to train physically because of the non-stop trips all around the world so I never managed to take a break and focus on my training. The WQS events are very demanding and I put a lot of energy into it and it paid off which was a big relief. It was a great thing to finish into the Top 15 because it was a great compensation for me after all the hard work.

3. What about the major things you learnt during this busy season?

It was a year of learning for me and after all these events, I feel like I have grown up a lot in my whole competition approach. At the end of 2007 when I qualified, I was so focused and wanted to train and be as strong as possible and went to Australia too early. When you travel to the next event too early, you are already kind of burnt when things get started. I put too much pressure on myself at the beginning of the year and it was a mistake. This is something I will be working on for next year, to go to a World Tour event just as if it was a WQS one and be relaxed. I just want to do my thing and enjoy so I will start with a big break at home this winter before going to Australia end of February for the first event. 2009 will be a big change as I probably won’t be doing the WQS anymore and focus on the ASP World Tour.

4. So many people expected you to rip at all the righthand pointbreaks on tour and you got your best results in solid lefthand barrels. How is that?

I think it is a problem of pressure that made it hard for at these locations. I wanted to do so well that I missed the opportunity. On top of that, I did not have perfect boards in the first half of the year at Snapper Rocks, Bell’s Beach and J-Bay and I was not confident on my equipment which made it harder when going to events. The balance of equiment, mental approach and physical skills is the perfect solution to do well at an event. And the events where I felt close to this balance were taking place in lefthand barrels so that’s the reason why I did well there. Once I had the right surfboards, I could put this aside and focus on the rest. For next year I am going to work a lot more on my boards at the start of the year and be relaxed on this aspect of my preparation.

5. What about that one heat at the Billabong Pro Tahiti against Joel Parkinson? You scored a perfect 10 and ended up losing?

It’s probably the one heat I keep thinking about most. It was a hard time for me and it’s one of the times in my life I was very angry and unhappy. I did not understand what was going on while in the water and I really thought there had been a big mistake when I was called with an interference which cost me the heat against Joel. I hadn’t understood what was going on because it a very tricky priority rule I did not know. So after talking with a couple of guys I got to understand better and I was given an interference because of a blocking situation I did not even know I was making. I learnt the hard way because to me, it is one the best heats I’ve surfed in my life and it is hard when you don’t make it because of a stupid mistake.

6. You pulled out of the Billabong Pipeline Masters on the day your heat was paddling out, can you tell us about it ? Are you going to recover fast?

I injured myself before my heat in the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset during a warm up surf and I felt like I had something wrong at the back of my neck so I saw the doctors who told me not to push it too much. It’s not a big problem and I don’t suffer a lot so there is no reason to panic about it but it’s the kind of things you don’t want to play with, especially in such demanding conditions. The MRI did not reveal anything in particular but the doctors told me in the worse case scenario I could hurt my spine so I should rather relax because it can last between two and six weeks. I wanted to surf in the event because I had this one thing at the back of my head about Marlon Lipke (DEU) who finished No. 16 on the WQS and needed me to improve my World Tour rank so I could requalify directly which would have taken him in for next year. We are good friends and I wanted to help as much as I could but I couldn’t risk it too much in a wave like Pipeline. Unfortunately I finish the year with this injury but I am okay and I know I will on tour next year.

7. It took time for you to make it to the ASP World Tour and you know kind of know how Marlon can feel now right?

Yes for sure, it happened to me before when I finished No. 17 that one year so I know it is hard after putting so much into it and doing well on the WQS. But I still think there is a small chance he makes it in with the guys possibly retiring and the wildcards available so we’ll see. Whatever happens, it’s not a bad position to be this close because you are first in line for replacements for the following year and you can learn a lot from surfing a few Dream Tour events. Nic Muscroft (AUS) is the best example; this year, because of many injured guys on tour, he got to surf almost every event and learnt a lot from that experience before eventually making it into the Top 15 to qualify for next year’s ASP World Tour. There is definitely a positive thing in being that close and having the opportunity to surf events against the world’s best surfers.

8. Talking about your fellow European Dream Tour mates, how do you look on this amazing progression of surfers from Europe? Did you think three years ago there would be a minimum of five Europeans on tour?

I am proud to be part of this amazing moment for European surfing, and I never thought there would be that many of us on the ASP World Tour three years ago. I think European surfing has caught up with some of the world’s best nations and I think that Jeremy (Flores) and Michel (Bourez) are right up there and have an amazing level. If these guys manage to show all their potential, they have the skills to reach the top. Being part of that crew is a great feeling and we travel together and it definitely makes you stronger. If you look at the other nations, all the guys hang out together and encourage eachother which makes them stronger. What has happened in three years is unbelievable and I hope it keeps going.

9. Have you been watching the next generation coming up? Do you think there is potential to see some of the young guys follow you to the top?

I usually keep an eye on the results of the big junior events and I know a few f the guys coming up. Joan Duru (FRA) is probably one of the best upcoming surfers along with Marc Lacomare (FRA) and Charly Martin (GLP, ASP World Junior No. 3 in 2008). These young kids have a great level already and on top of that they spend a lot of time with us and whenever we can we give them all our experience. This is a big help when you are hoping to qualify because to see some of your friends up there shows you it is makable. What happened in Brazil (Jeremy Flores finished runner-up and Miky Picon equal 3rd) or in Australia (Jeremy Flores placed equal 3rd) is something the younger guys can look forward to. On the other hand, if they qualify for the Dream Tour, they will have more pressure to better us but this is sport in general and competition. I feel like a big brother for all the new generation and I hope I can help them, give them all experience I can.

10. What is your plan for 2009? How comfortable do you feel amongst the best surfers in the world?

Eventhough I am glad to see the next generation coming up, I am focused on my thing and so motivated on making it to the top. There is a lot of things coming up and after such a hard year on both tours, I want to have a different approach. Next year I am going to do like Miky did in 2008, focus on the Dream Tour and keep all my energy for these ten events. Talking on good I feel on tour, I must say we are having a great time and there is a lot of respect between each of us on tour. Europe is a melting pot of so many cultures and I feel like the rest of the guys are always interested and happy when they are going there. Coming from the Old Continent and being a rising nation on tour is a great thing. There is a lot of respect and friendship with the rest of the surfers.

Stephanie Gilmore Wins the Billabong Pro Maui, Claims Vans Triple Crown

HO’OKIPA BEACH PARK, Hawaii (Thursday, December 18, 2008) - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, defeated Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, to claim the her second consecutive Billabong Pro Maui in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Ho’okipa Beach Park, earning the young Australian her first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (an ASP Specialty Series) Title.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui opted for the relocation this morning from Honolua Bay to Ho’okipa Beach Park (the first relocation in the event’s 10-year history) in order take advantage of the swell on offer, and the action didn’t disappoint.

Gilmore opened the Final strong, posting a solid 7.33 out of a possible 10, but Bartels put her in the corner with two solid scores of her own. In an exciting exchange that saw the Hawaiian pull ahead on the first wave, Gilmore answered back with the highest score of the day, a 9.57 out of a possible 10 to retake the lead, immediately following it up with an 8.03 for a massive forehand turn combination. Bartels was unable to answer back.

“The tide dropped and the conditions got really fun,” Gilmore said. “Mel (Bartels) is one of my favorite surfers and I just go as hard as I can when I draw her in a heat. You can’t put in a performance at half-speed and I saw her get a solid wave so I just went for broke on the next one and it paid off.”

The win marks the first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Title for the prodigious natural-footer, an accolade considered second only to the ASP Women’s World Title.

“It feels incredible to win the Vans Triple Crown Title,” Gilmore said. “We had really fun waves at Haleiwa and then solid surf at Sunset Beach and we had a beautiful opening day of competition at Honolua Bay before finishing today at Ho’okipa. It’s a real honor to be considered a good surfer in Hawaii and in such a variety of conditions.”

Gilmore will now head home to Australia to rest and recharge for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, and with two ASP Women’s World Titles, a Vans triple Crown Title and 11 elite tour victories under her belt (five in 2008 alone), the makings of an icon are well within place.

“To win so much in my short career is incredible and it feels great, but I know there is so much more to accomplish,” Gilmore said. “I had that head with Layne (Beachley) today, and to see what she’s accomplished in her career makes me that much hungrier to continue to perform at my best. Next year is going to be incredible. We have so much talent on the tour and so many young girls who are really pushing the boundaries of surfing. I can’t wait to get home and prepare for next season.”

Bartels, whose runner-up finish sees the explosive Hawaiian rocket to No. 7 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, put in a solid effort in the Final (at one point holding lead), but her 14.80 out of a possible 20 wasn’t enough to overcome Gilmore.

“I have one of the most amazing shapers in the world who lives right up the beach and my boards today were going unbelievable,” Bartels said. “I felt like I was surfing well all day, but just got out of rhythm in the Final. Congratulations to Steph (Gilmore) though. She was surfing amazing and deserved the win.”

With a bevy of young guns joining the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009, Bartels will look to continue her momentum in the off-season in preparation for an ASP Women’s World Title campaign next season.

“I’m going to train my butt off in the off-season,” Bartels said. “The girls coming on tour surf amazing and I know that I need to be at my best if I want to make a dent. I beat Steph earlier this season in really good waves in Brazil and then finished second to her today so that’s given me the confidence to believe in my ability. The next step is to ensure that I am putting 100% into the entire year.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion, has announced that 2008 will be her final season as a full-time ASP Dream Tour competitor. Despite a solid Quarterfinal win over Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21, Beachley was unable to overcome eventual winner Gilmore in their hard-fought Semifinal bout, going down 15.07 to Gilmore’s 16.80.

“I think it was a great way to go out,” Beachley said. “We all have to lose sometime and to go down to Steph (Gilmore), who I consider my protg and the one I am passing the torch to, is probably the most fitting way.”

Beachley’s illustrious career has spanned 19 years and the renowned natural-footer has collected an unprecedented seven ASP Women’s World Titles. While the Billabong Pro Maui marks Beachley’s final event as a full-time ASP Women’s World Tour competitor, the legendary Australian is confident in the new crop of surfers and may be back in 2009 surfing in select events.

“It’s difficult reflecting on something like this (retirement),” Beachley said. “Of course I would have liked to go out with a win and on-top, but I also feel like this past season and these past events haven’t defined my career. I’ve won seven ASP Women’s World Titles and have had an incredible journey of a career so I suppose the most rewarding part of this is that I’m leaving professional women’s surfing in the hands of such capable and exciting young surfers. While it’s my last year as a full time competitor, I’m planning on competing in a couple of events next season.”

Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, went down in the Semifinals to Bartels, but her solid equal 3^rd place finish at the Billabong Pro Maui saw the young Brazilian finish a career-best No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour.

“I’m happy because I had a good year,” Lima said. “I started slow but had lots of good results at the end. Lots of 2nds, but to finish No. 2 in the world, I am very happy. I am going to go home and relax with my family and friends over the holidays and then start training in the gym before we start in Australia next year.”

While the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour has come to a close, the best surfers in the world will be back next year for the 2009 installment of the ASP Dream Tour.

Returning surfers to the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be reigning and two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, Amee Donohoe (AUS), 28, Samantha Cornish (AUS), 28, Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21 (via the ASP World Qualifying Series).

New faces to next year’s ASP Women’s World Tour will be Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 18, and Coco Ho (HAW), 17.

BILLABONG PRO MAUI FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.60

2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.80

BILLABONG PRO MAUI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.80 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 15.07

SF 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.07 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.07

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) 11.07 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 9.67

QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.33 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.87

QF 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.66 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.33

QF 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.13 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.23

2008 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR FINAL RATINGS:

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 7188 points

2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 5534 points

3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5323 points

4 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 5210 points

5 - Amee Donohoe (AUS) 4051 points

6 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 3972 points

7 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 3876 points

8 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 3602 points

9 – Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) 3564 points

10 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 3398 points

11 – Megan Abubo (HAW) 2988 points

12 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 2784 points

13 – Nicola Atherton (AUS) 2670 points

14 – Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 2654 points

15 – Karina Petroni (USA) 2604 points

16 – Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 2232 points

17 - Serena Brooke (AUS) 2094 points

2008 VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING FINAL RATINGS:

1 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) $10,000

2 – Layne Beachley (AUS)

3 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)

Final Day of Billabong Pro Maui ON at Ho’okipa Beach Park

HO’OKIPA BEACH PARK, Hawaii (Thursday, December 18, 2008) - The Billabong Pro Maui picked up stakes this morning, moving from Honolua Bay to Ho’okipa Beach Park where the final day of competition will kick off in contestable two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at 9am.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui will prove paramount to girls looking to requalify for next season’s ASP Dream Tour as well those campaigning for the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series) Title.

“We’ve relocated to the other side of the island this morning where we have contestable two-foot conditions at Ho’okipa,’ Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “It’s not ideal, but this looks like the best conditions we’re going to have for the event and we’ll be starting at 9am.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current frontrunner on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, has announced that 2008 will be her last season as a full-time ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner and the iconic natural-footer will face Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21, in the opening Quarterfinal of the morning.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Billabong Pro Maui winner, is only 50 points behind Beachley in the hunt for the Vans Triple Crown title. Gilmore will battle Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, in Quarterfinal 2.

Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, current ASP Women’s World No. 2 and Billabong Pro Maui Day 1 standout, is currently in third position on the Vans Triple Crown ratings and the young Brazilian will wrap up the Quarterfinals with a bout against veteran campaigner Megan Abubo (HAW), 30.

Rounding out the Quarterfinals will be Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, another contender in the hunt for the Vans Triple Crown, up against lethal wildcard Carissa Moore (HAW), 16.

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)

No Surf at Honolua Bay, Billabong Pro Maui to Run at Ho’okipa Tomorrow

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Wednesday, December 17, 2008) - With no surf available at Honolua Bay, event organizers for the Billabong Pro Maui have called competition off for the day and have announced the relocation to Ho’okipa Beach Park on the northern side of Maui for tomorrow’s competition.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui enjoyed excellent waves for the opening day of competition last Wednesday, but have since been in a holding pattern with no surf to speak of at Honolua Bay.

“Today marks the seventh day in a row that the Bay hasn’t had any waves,” Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “We’re running out of time, and looking at the forecast, it doesn’t look like the swell is going to be big enough or the right direction until after the waiting period is finished. With that in mind, we’ll be relocating the venue to Ho’okipa Beach Park on the other side of the island where we’ll be looking to get the final day of Billabong Pro Maui competition underway at roughly 8am.”

In addition to being the final event of the 2008 ASP Dream Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui also marks the final stop on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (an ASP Specialty Series).

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 2 on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, is disappointed that the Billabong Pro Maui won’t finish at Honolua Bay, but is still enthusiastic to get back in the water and claim another title before 2008 is finished.

“It’s a shame that we won’t be able to finish at the Bay but that’s how it is with surf contests,” Gilmore said. “We’re subject to swell patterns and Mother Nature and sometimes we need to make changes. It looks like tomorrow is going to be the biggest day at Ho’okipa which I’ve heard is a fun little wave so I’m stoked to get back in the water.”

Gilmore trails former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, by a scant 50 points in the race for the Vans Triple Crown Title, also leads Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, by just 125 points.

“It’s really close at the top there and I think whoever finishes highest here in Maui is going to take the Vans Triple Crown Title,” Gilmore said. “It’s pretty exciting and I’m definitely gunning for one more win before the season finishes.”

Gilmore will face Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, in Quarterfinal 2 when Billabong Pro Maui competition recommences.

“The Billabong Pro Maui has been lucky to have had great waves at Honolua for the past nine years,” Woods said. “There is a back-up plan and it’s a good one. A decent swell is predicted for tomorrow at Ho’okipa on the other side of the island and being a beachbreak, it will open up the field result-wise. There will be more tactics and wave selection will be crucial. It all adds to the flavor and it will be good to compete at another break on Maui. It’s not the Bay, but it’s still a great wave.”

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)

Billabong Pro Maui Off for Today, Event Organizers Explore Options

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Tuesday, December 16, 2008) - With no surf to speak of yet again at Honolua Bay, event organizers have called the Billabong Pro Maui off for the day and will begin exploring contingency options.

The final stop of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui has completed the opening three rounds of competition and will resume with the Quarterfinals when the event recommences.

“No surf on offer today and it’s not looking very promising through the remainder of the window,” Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “The event staff and administrators are exploring every possible option to ensure that the Billabong Pro Maui finishes in the best possible conditions.”

Another Lay Day for Billabong Pro Maui

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Monday, December 15, 2008) - Still no surf on offer at Honolua Bay today, prompting Billabong Pro Maui event organizers to call the fifth straight lay day.

Event No. 8 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui enjoyed a beautiful day of competition last Wednesday, but has been unable to run the final day of competition

“The Bay is flat once again today so no Billabong Pro Maui competition,” Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “We have five more days left in the waiting period so we’ll see what’s coming on the swell forecasts but we’ll also be laying the groundwork for contingency plans should we need them.”

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)

Kelly Slater Tops Chris Ward at Pipeline to Wrap Up 2008 ASP World Tour Season

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, December 14, 2008) - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour finished up the 2008 ASP World Tour season in an all-American Final at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, with Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 36, taking his sixth Pipeline Masters title over Californian Chris Ward (San Clemente, CA), 30.

Slater, who clinched his ninth ASP World Title at the Billabong Pro Mundaka earlier this year, capped off his season by claiming another event victory at the prestigious Pipeline Masters on Oahu’s North Shore. Slater dominated the 2008 season, winning six of 10 events held on the prestigious ASP Dream Tour, and donated another spectacular performance at pipeline.

“It’s inexplicable,” Slater said of his win and banner season. “I’m just stoked. I wasn’t even worried about surfing the event, so to surf it and win and get that board (a Gerry Lopez designed surfboard trophy). I’ll cherish that for sure.”

Ward entered the second Final of his ASP World Tour career against the seasoned veteran and was unable to find the waves needed to top this year’s ASP World Champ. The second place showing at the Billabong Pipeline Masters was an excellent result for the regular-footer, launching him up to No. 14 on the ratings to finish off the season.

“I placed better than last year and I would have loved that win but Kelly got all the good waves,” Ward said. “It was very hard out there, I think I missed a couple of good ones in the beginning but I am good. I’m happy.”

Tim Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, surfed amazingly throughout the entire event and was stopped short of a Final berth by eventual event winner, Slater, in the Semifinals. The heat between Slater and Reyes was considered by many to be the heat of the day, with both surfers pulling into massive barrels in an attempt to find their way into the Final. Despite his impressive showing, Reyes was unable to top Slater and finished third at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, moving his overall result on the ASP Dream Tour to 16^th to finish off the season.

“I almost beat Kelly which is pretty rad,” Reyes said. “I can’t get mad losing at someone who has nine world titles and it was good to win a couple of heats out here in all-time conditions at one of my favorite waves in the world.”

The Billabong Pipeline Masters also marked the last chance for surfers on the bubble of qualification for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour to secure their ticket into next year’s lineup. Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), 23, Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 37, and Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 29, finished 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th respectively, all securing their spot on next year’s tour.

Due to an injury sustained while surfing on the North Shore prior to the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC), 30, was unable to compete at the coveted event and was also not able to find his way back on the ASP World Tour for 2009. Bourgeois finished the season rated 32^nd overall.

Still No Surf for Billabong Pro Maui

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Sunday, December 14, 2008) - Heavy rains and no surf forced yet another lay day for the Billabong Pro Maui.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui enjoyed fantastic surf last Wednesday for the opening day of competition, but has since been plagued by little-to-no surf. With the Quarterfinalists decided, only one day of competition is required to complete the Billabong Pro Maui.

“Still no swell here to finish the final day of the Billabong Pro Maui,” Andino said. “We’ll be back tomorrow at 7am to see if there are any improvements.”
BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)

Rounds 2 and 3 of Billabong Pipeline Masters To Run Today

BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii (Wednesday, December 10, 2008) – Round 2 of the Billabong Pipeline Masters will recommence in four-to-five foot (2 metre) surf at Pipeline this morning.

The first eight heats of the round were completed yesterday and event organizers will aim to run the second half of Round 2 and all of Round 3 today.

ASP World No. 16 Kieren Perrow (AUS) will go head-to-head with 16-year-old John John Florence in the first heat of the day.

The ASP Dual Heat format, which puts the surfers out in 40-minute, overlapping heats, will be utilized again today with the Top 16 seeds on the ASP World Tour making their 2008 Pipeline Masters debuts in Round 3.

Upcoming Billabong Pipeline Masters Round 2 Heats:

Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 10: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 11: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Mark Healey (HAW)
Heat 12: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 14: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Heat 15: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW)

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Saturday, December 13, 2008) - The Billabong Pro Maui has been called off once again, with only small surf in the one-to-two foot (0.5) metre) range on offer at Honolua Bay.

The final stop of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui completed the first day of competition last Wednesday in beautiful conditions, but has since been on hold with no waves to speak of.

“Another day with no waves here so we won’t be running the Billabong Pro Maui,” Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “We’re tacking a possible bump in swell a couple days out, but we’ll be back each morning to assess conditions for a possible start.”

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)