Sooruz Lacanau Pro Association oF Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series 6-Star Mens No 6 Event of 11 at Lacanau Ocean – France, 17th-23rd August 2009.

Joan Duru Wins Sooruz Lacanau Pro, First French in 27 Years to Win at Lacanau

[Photo credit: Aquashot/aspeurope.com]
The 20 year old Frenchman Joan Duru from Ondres, made history today after winning the 30th Sooruz Lacanau Pro, becoming the first French surfer to claim the title since Thierry Fernandez of Lacanau in 1982. This has moved Duru’s to position 7 on the international ratings.

Sunday 23rd August 2009, bough with it clean consistent 4ft wages, and a massive cheering crowd.
Duru, stole the day, received 2500 rating’s points and a purse of $20,000 USD, managing to beat former ASP World Tour elite surfer Travis Logie, who earlier that day posted the even’ts highest score.

I am just so happy right now, I wanted to win so bad I am really over the moon and cant really realize the result yet, Duru said. I felt quite uner pressure throughout the event and until the Semifinal I was just very focused and anxious but I managed to get over it for the final and I really let go to surf at my best. Travis (Logie) never let go off me and he is an impressive competitor so I really played my game and used priority and it finishes perfectly.

Duru, performed a combination of massive vertical top turns resulting in a 9pt reward.

All light are green and everything is important to me so those ratings are of course in my mind, Duru said. Leading the European ratings and possibly winning the regional title means a lot to me and I am pretty stoked to extend that lead. As for the WQS, well, its still a long way to go and I will just enjoy that win now.

Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series Top 5 (after Sooruz Lacanau Pro)

Position	Name	Country	Points
1st	Daniel Ross	Australia	14975
2nd	Jadson Andre	Brazil	13350
3rd	Owen Wright	Australia	12838
4th	Adam Melling	Australia	12801
5th	Patrick Gudauskas	USA	12513

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour at Jeffreys Bay South Africa, 9th-19th July 2009

Bourez Places 9th in Billabong Pro J-Bay for Best European Result

[Photo credit: ASP/CI/Cestari via Getty Images] Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF), 23, placed equal 9th in the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa Wednesday, his best result since he started his rookie run against the ASP Top 45

CAPBRETON, France Thursday, 16th July, 2009) Michel Bourez (Tahiti PYF), 23, placed equal 9th in the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay this week, the Tahitian charger posting his best result of the year in the fifth event of the 2009 ASP World Tour. Going down to last years ASP Rookie of the Year Dane Reynolds (Califonia, USA) in Round 3, Bourez was not able to find the rhythm during his match-up with the Californian who was to advance through to the Semifinals of the event on the final day.

Bourez, who surfed at his best in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, to eliminate 2007 ASP World Champion and two-time event winner Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, AUS), impressed the crowds with an 18.27 point heat score (out of a possible 20) including one of the two perfect 10.00 point rides scored on Day 2 of competition, the renowned power surfer managing to eventually express his skills after six months of unexpected average results.

I was just feeling really good in the water, Bourez said. To surf that wave – perfect barrels, long rights – I was definitely ready for that. On my 10, I had just come back from my first wave and was so tired, but I saw that one coming and said thats the one. It was breaking on the sand, and I got three barrels on it. I was so stoked that I claimed it. I had to!

Unfortunately, Bourez was not able to make it any further than Round 3, the Tahitian still earning valuable points to give himself a bit of air in his requalification quest. He is now ranked 25th in the world and will be looking to solidify his rating when the ASP Dream Tour hits Trestles for the Hurley Pro next September.

The rest of the European contingent was not able to make it through to Round 3 of competition, Miky Picon (Capbreton, FRA) being the only one out of the other five representatives to join top seed Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA) in Round 2 where he lost to CJ Hobgood (Florida, USA) in a close battle by a mere 0.07 point, leaving the water very disappointed with the result.

Halfway through the year, requalification isnt looking very good for most of the current ASP World Tour European members, Picon, Marlon Lipke (Algarve, DEU), Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK), Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) and Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA) all sitting out of the Top 27 requalifying group whil Bourez and Flores are still struggling to make the final day of an event.

Billabong Pro Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, 9th – 19th July, 2009.

Parkinson Claims Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Solidifies ASP Ratings Lead


Pictured: Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, has won the 2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, his third ASP World Tour event victory this season alone, solidifying his position as frontrunner in the race for the 2009 ASP World Title.
Credit: © ASP/ CI/ CESTARI via GETTY IMAGES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, 15th July, 2009) – Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, has claimed the 2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) surf over Damien Hobgood (USA), 30, strengthening his stranglehold on the ASP World Tour ratings lead.

Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will go down as one of the finest in history, with the two final days of competition enjoying pumping surf and amazing performances, culminating in today’s exciting finale.

Parkinson wasted no time in the 40-minute Final, smashing an excellent 9.47 out of a possible 10 on his opening wave. The wave exhibited the Australian’s unparalleled mastery of the Jeffreys Bay lineup, a symphony of beautiful forehand arcs and committed barrel riding, taking off from “Boneyards” section at the top of the point and riding well over 200 metres to the eruption of crowds on the beach.

“I knew the waves were dying down towards the end of the day and it was going to be important to get on the board early in Final,” Parkinson said. “I’ve been sitting up the point at Boneyards for most of the event and trying to find the ones that would run all the way down the point – that one was no different. As I stood up I had a really nice line on it and I tried to make the most of it. Turned out to be a crucial part of the heat.”

Today’s win comes 10 years after Parkinson’s inaugural victory at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, last ascending the winner’s dais in 1999 when he competed as a wildcard.

“Wow – 10 years seems to go by really fast,” Parkinson said. “I’ve enjoyed coming here every year since that first one, and it’s been a pretty incredible trip since then. To bring it together 10 years down the track, it’s a pretty special feeling and all I can say is that it’s a fantastic event and I’ll be coming here as long as I can.”

Throughout the competition, time-and-again, Parkinson proved to be the form surfer, collecting two Perfect 10s (Round 3, Semifinals) as well as several 9-point plus rides as he deftly advanced through five heats of battle. This victory marks the phenomenal natural-footer’s third ASP Dream Tour win this year alone, strengthening his position as frontrunner in the race for the ASP World Title.

“The conditions for this event were just unbelievable and the surfing speaks for itself,” Parkinson said. “The past two days are a bit of a blur – so many massive scores and barrels from everyone. In terms of the world title, I do my best not to think about it. In the past, I’ve done my head in by wondering how many points behind or ahead of someone I am, and this season, I’ve just focused on the task at hand. I’ve had a good start, but it’s a long year and a lot can happen. I’m looking forward to heading home to see my family and training hard for the next one.”

Unfortunately for Hobgood, inconsistency plagued the back half of his Final clash with Parkinson, and the Floridian was unable to find a rhythm in the challenging conditions. However, today’s Runner-Up finish marks second career result at the venue for Hobgood (the other to Slater in 2003), an impressive feat for a goofy-footer.

“It’s an honor to come here every year,” Hobgood said. “The place is magical and it’s just so beautiful. It’s easy to get distracted by how beautiful it looks when waves are coming down the point. Joel (Parkinson) opened up with that really good wave and at that point, the only thing I could do was pray for an 8-footer to come through. It’s not an easy wave for goofy-footer’s to excel at, but I feel really fortunate to finish in the Final. It’s a great result for me.”

Hobgood’s route to the Final was no easy feat, navigating through a bevy of in-form surfers: Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, in Round 3, Taylor Knox (USA), 38, in the Quarterfinals, and Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, in the Semifinals. Today’s result bolts Hobgood from 10th to 5th on the ASP World Tour ratings, putting him in excellent position to contest the back half of the season.

“This is definitely my best result of the year and moving up to 5th puts me in good position for the back half of the season,” Hobgood said. “I opened up with a pretty good result on the Goldy before having some average outings in the last three. Today’s finish definitely gives me a lot of confidence heading into the next few events, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Dane Reynolds (USA), 2008 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year, lost a wave-starved Semifinal to eventual Runner-Up Hobgood, but impressively stamped his authority on today’s proceedings, besting 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, in the opening heat of the day before taking down giant-slaying wildcard Sean Holmes (ZAF), 31, with the highest-scoring heat total of the event, a 19.20 out of a possible 20. The feat included an incredibly long barrel punctuated with a high-risk floater for his second Perfect 10 of the event, as well as executing a mind-blowing fin-throw: exploding through the lip, grabbing rail and landing in reverse before pulling his board around to recover.

“It was a bit of a bummer to have things die down like that after the Quarterfinals,” Reynolds said. “I’m still happy to be here though. The waves were so much fun that it didn’t even really feel like a contest. (On that 10) There were a couple of moments when I didn’t think I was going to make it. It was really difficult to navigate, but I punched through and was stoked. I also got to do a pretty big turn in the Quarters, and I kind of wanted to do one of those this whole event, but didn’t have a lot of opportunities – when you’re on a wave like that one though, you start gaining some confidence and I just tried to do a big turn. Worked out pretty well.”

Today’s equal 3rd place finish is not only a personal best for the young Californian, but rockets Reynolds up from No. 34 to No. 20 on the ASP World Tour ratings, a major relief following three, consecutive equal 33rds prior to the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

“This event was obviously a welcome change in my year so far,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t have a good start to the season and came here a bit more motivated to compete. But then I started out pretty slow with some board problems and stuff, so I don’t know. I don’t do well when I think about what I need in heats and that, so I just go out to surf. This result takes a bit of pressure off in terms of ratings and stuff so hopefully I can get a few more before the year is done.”

Kai Otton (AUS), 29, was another goofy-footer to bust through Jeffreys Bay’s challenging walls on his backhand, besting Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, in the Quarterfinals before going down in a tit-for-tat shootout with eventual winner Parkinson in the Semifinals. Otton’s equal 3rd place finish bumps him from 27th to 19th on the ASP World Tour ratings.

“I came to Jeffreys really trying to focus on getting a result here,” Otton said. “For me, that means not thinking in heats, and just surfing, so that seemed to work out pretty well. It can be a difficult wave for goofy-footer’s to do well at, but I really think the size helped throughout the event. It allowed us to open up a bit more as it wasn’t breaking really fast on the bricks. I’m looking forward to heading home and training hard for the next event.”

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and past four-time winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, fell to compatriot Knox in their Round 3 bout this morning. Starting the year with three uncharacteristic 17th place finishes, Slater rebounded with a win in Brazil last week, and was poised to threaten the current tour frontrunners with a strong showing in South Africa. However, today’s equal 9th place finish and current ASP World No. 8 rating make a potential charge for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title much more challenging for the Floridian.

“I’m going to probably have to win three straight now to get back in this thing,” Slater said. “If you do the numbers, I think before this contest, Parko (Joel Parkinson) was ten heats ahead of me, and if I want to contend, I need to catch up. That obviously wasn’t happening for me today.”

Billabong Pro event Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour hosted at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, 9th – 19th July, 2009.

Perfect Scores and Upsets Abound as Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Cranks

Pictured: Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, 2008 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year and current ASP World No. 34, scored a Perfect 10 today during his hard-fought Round 2 victory over Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21. Reynolds will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, another Perfect 10 surfer today, in the opening heat when Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay competition resumes.
Credit: ASP/ CI/ CESTARI via GETTY IMAGES

There was high drama and excellent scores today (Tuesday 14th July 2009) at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Rifling six-to-eight foot (2 2.5 metre) surf poured through South Africas most iconic lineup for Rounds 2 and 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

This was Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, and the ASPs top seeds hit the water posting the highest scores of the event mixed in with some of the biggest upsets, all going down in what some are calling, the best Jeffreys Bay ever.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and four-time past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (96, 03, 05, 08), put in an historic performance, netting four nine-point-plus rides in his Round 2 heat to collect the highest heat total of the event, an 18.84 out of a possible 20 (throwing away a 9.23 and a 9.00).

It was just unbelievable, Slater said. The waves were just pumping. I couldn’t get back out there fast enough. It just kept barreling. I went all the way down through tubes and doggy-doored to the end, must’ve gotten like 4 or 5 barrels on that thing. It was a pretty sick wave. I don’t know what else I could’ve done on it. I surfed it as hard as I could. I’m pretty happy. I had a really good heat that’s the best heat I’ve had this year by a mile.

Currently ranked 9th on the ASP World Tour ratings, Slater rebounded from three, consecutive 17ths to start the year with a win in Brazil last week before setting the bar today at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

I feel like the current leg were competing on is a strong one for me, Slater said. I went to Brazil without much motivation, but it turned out to be a good event for me. Now were here in Jeffreys where I feel really comfortable and the next events are ones I usually do well at. A lot of guys are surfing good though Sean (Holmes), Joel (Parkinson), so well take it one heat at a time.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, caused the upset of the event today, eliminating former ASP World Champion (2007) and two-time past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (02, 06), Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, from competition in their Round 2 bout. The heat would prove one of the highest-scoring affairs of the event (18.27 17.17), with Bourez sealing the win with the events first Perfect 10-point ride.

I was just feeling really good in the water, Bourez said. To surf that wave – perfect barrels, long rights – I was definitely ready for that. On my 10, I had just come back from my first wave and was so tired, but I saw that one coming and said that’s the one. It was breaking on the sand, and I got three barrels on it. I was so stoked that I claimed it. I had to!

Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, 2008 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year and current ASP World No. 34, put in a sensational Round 2 performance, collecting the events second Perfect 10-point ride with some committed forehand hacks before a mind-blowing barrel, en route to eliminating current ASP World No. 8 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21.

I kind of started off the heat sitting pretty far up the point, Reynolds said. Jordy (Smith) came out and paddled straight by me way up to the top of the point so I was like alright, I’ll just try and get scraps off him. I think that no matter where I surf, anywhere, I like to stay wide; I like to see waves coming to me. Even when I’m free surfing, I never sit out the back and wait for sets. I’m always hunting insiders and a lot of the times it messes me up in heats. On that 10, I wasn’t even sure if that was going to be a good wave. I had priority and got to the bottom and you could see it lining up for days I knew it was going to be good from there.

Following three, consecutive 33rd place finishes in the last three ASP World Tour events, media speculation was rampant that Reynolds, whom many consider one of the most exciting surfers on the planet, had lost the motivation to compete, but prodigious natural-footer offers his own opinion.

Obviously no one wants to lose, Reynolds said. It was kind of funny because getting three 33rds actually made me want to compete again. I flew halfway around the world to be here and I went out there to win. Its funny how it works out I guess, but winning out there in conditions like that, theres no better feeling.

Sean Holmes (ZAF), 31, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay wildcard, continued his giant-slaying campaign today, first eliminating current ASP World No. 4 Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, before advancing through to the Quarterfinals over Michael Campbell (AUS), 35. With todays eliminations of countrymen Smith and Greg Emslie (ZAF), 32, Holmes is now the sole South African remaining in competition.

“I’m always rooting for the guys on tour, Holmes said. This year, I really want Joel (Parkinson) to win the ASP World Title. I’ll be really disappointed if he doesn’t because he’s deserved it for many years actually. I just go out there and surf. It’s pointless if you go straight on the wave, I might as well do a few turns. To me, it’s just really great to have the opportunity to get out there and surf against two other guys. Obviously for the home crowd, it’s so awesome to get through the heat and give them something to cheer about. It’s just good to be a surfer.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1 and former Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay winner (1999), wasted no time in asserting his dominance at Jeffreys Bay today, racking up some impressive Round 2 scores before claiming the events third Perfect 10-point ride for an impossibly long forehand barrel to defeat Kieren Perrow (AUS), 32, in Round 3.

This is the best J-Bay I have ever surfed, Parkinson said. Whenever J-Bay pumps, its usually a pretty special day, but today was exceptional. Guys were getting 9s out there like it was nothing. You could get two 9s and still lose the heat. If youre getting 10s though, you know youve got a good chance at advancing. Ive surfed it at this size before, but never with this sand or as hollow as this.

Parkinson will face current ASP World No. 6 Bobby Martinez (USA), 27, in the Quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay when competition resumes.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start at which point todays 10-point raiders Bourez and Reynolds will be going head-to-head in Heat 5 of Round 3.

Billabong Pro, Stop No. 5 of 10 of the 2009 ASP World Tour hosted at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
9th – 19th July 2009

Elimination Round 1 Detonates in Pulsing Surf at Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Pictured: Sean Holmes (ZAF), 31, wildcard in the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, was phenomenal on the opening day of competition. Holmes will take on current ASP World No. 4, Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, in Round 2 of competition.
Credit: ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, 13th July, 2009) Round 1 and the opening two heats of Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay were completed today in clean three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at the legendary South African pointbreak, with the worlds best surfers reveling in the opening day of competition.

Todays saw the new competition format of man-on-man elimination matches from the outset, completing 18 heats of competition, highlighted with some incendiary performances.

Sean Holmes (ZAF), 31, wildcard at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, has a storied history at the event, competing seven times prior, finishing as high as 5th (2002) and as low as 33rd (2005). Although Holmes, once considered the Jeffreys Bay nemesis of former-three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), 30, hasnt competed for the past two years, the powerful natural-footer posted an emphatic win this morning in front of an ecstatic hometown crowd.

I was so nervous out there for the first ten minutes of my heat that I felt like I had stones for legs, Holmes said. About halfway through the heat, I loosened up and was able to collect some pretty good scores. For a natural-footer, the wave here at J-Bay is such a pleasure to ride. Although I havent competed in this event for a couple of years, I feel comfortable out here and Ill look to get through a few more rounds before Im done here.

Holmes not only announced his return to the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay this morning, but collected the highest heat total of the day, a 15.93 out of a possible 20, in his Round 1 win over 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Dustin Barca (HAW), 27. The South Africans navigation of the Jeffreys Bay lineup, executing everything from fully-committed forehand hacks to deftly-maneuvered barrels, went unmatched by the worlds best surfers throughout the remainder of the day.

Ive got a really good board under my feet at the moment its from my local shaper Geraghty, Holmes said. Its a 61 by 18 3/8, and it goes really, really well out there. Theres definitely more sand out there at the moment than I can ever remember in the past and its making it break a bit more hollow than normal. I think the guys who have been surfing out here a lot recently will have the upper hand for sure.

Holmes will take on current ASP World No. 4, Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, in Round 2 when the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay continues.

The only other wildcard (out of five) to survive Round 1 of competition was VonZipper Trials winner Heath Joske (AUS), 20, who defeated current ASP World No. 24, Dayyan Neve (AUS), 31, in a close opening round heat. Joske will take on current ASP World No. 1, Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, in Round 2 when competition resumes.

Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, former ASP World Junior Champion (2005) and current ASP World No. 16, took down local favorite and wildcard Ryan Payne (ZAF), 26, in his Round 1 heat, the Hawaiian powerbroker accumulating an 8.33 and a 7.50 en route to his morning victory.

Oh man it is not easy out there with the cold and the paddle, Bacalso said. No jet-ski assist, massive paddle, freezing, but man, the waves are insane! Dream Tour for sure today. You lock into one and all you can see is this big wall down the line for you to tee off on. So much fun and hopefully the waves stay around for the next couple of days.

With his current ASP World No. 16 rating, Bacalso leads the rookie charge this season on the ASP World Tour, and will look to consolidate his already-impressive year with a big result at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

Im having an okay year so far and have had some ups and downs definitely, Bacalso said. Im not really thinking about Rookie of the Year of anything like that. For sure, Id be stoked if I got it, but Im just focused on requalifying this year and concentrating on each heat. Maybe not the cold or the paddle, but I think the wave here at J-Bay suits my surfing pretty well and hopefully I can get through a few more heats.

Bacalso will face Kieren Perrow (AUS), 32, in Round 2 when competition resumes.

Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, another 2009 ASP World Tour rookie, excelled in the rifling righthanders of Jeffreys Bay today, eliminating compatriot Josh Kerr (AUS), 25, in their Round 1 bout. Muscroft looked supremely comfortable in todays conditions, even netting one of the days highest single-wave score of an 8.67 out of a possible 10.

Ive been surfing Winkipop at lot at home in preparation for this event, Muscroft said. Its still a pretty challenging wave here though, especially with the sand build-up at the moment. Its really fast, but I felt like I got into a good rhythm out there and hopefully the waves stick around.

Muscroft will next battle reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, when Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay action recommences.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, punctuated the days high-performance action with a last-minute victory over current ASP World No. 26, Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, (who had the days highest single-wave score of a 8.83 out of a possible 10) in their Round 1 match. Bourez, who trailed for the majority of the heat, paddled into a wide set within the last minute of the bout, hacking his way through several forehand maneuvers before finishing with a high-risk extended floater.

I was really frustrated out there because I was hunting for a score and just couldnt find a good barrel, Bourez said. I kept getting clipped and I needed a good score at the end. I saw the wide one come in and I told myself not to go for the barrel, focused on turns and then finished with a big floater. I am stoked to get through and looking to get a good result here.

Bourez will take on former ASP World Champion (2007) and two-time past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2002, 2006), Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, in Round 2 when competition resumes.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, are calling for the current pulse to increase slightly before tomorrow when the top seeds will hit the water for Round 2 of the event.

When competition continues, first up will be current ASP World No. 15, Jeremy Flores (FRA), 21, against Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, in Heat 3 of Round 2.

Austin Ware and Patrick Gudauskas Finish Fifth in Brazil

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, July 12, 2009) Action on The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) continued this week when Austin Ware (Solana Beach, CA), 28, and Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, led their fellow Americans when they earned equal fifth place finishes at the ASP 6-Star Maresia Surf International at Praia Mole in Florianopolis, Brazil.

The worlds top up-and-coming competitive surfers are looking to finish within the top 15 on the ASP WQS at years end in order to qualify for the prestigious ASP Dream Tour. Once qualified they earn the chance to do battle against the worlds top 45 surfers in a chance to take the title of ASP World Champion.

After a solid result in the South Africa, North San Diego County local Austin Ware carried his momentum to South America, where he showed up to Brazil in devastating form, earning a fifth place finish and significantly helping his cause on The Grind.

I feel good, Ware said. I got some good waves and moved on. Compared to yesterday it is really, really windy and the swells direction is a little different, but there are still a lot of pockets and I really feel strong on my backhand.

Wares fifth place result at the ASP 6-Star event continues his climb up the ASP WQS ratings and the powerful regular-footer is now rated 10th overall amongst his international competitors.

Patrick Gudauskas matched Wares result of a fifth place finish at the Maresia Surf International when he bested a slue of international talent including a hungry pile of Brazilian standouts before he was topped by current ASP WQS No. 7 Matt Wilkinson (AUS).

I think I had a little bit of advantage on the backside, because there is a strong wind coming up the face,” Gudauskas said. The other guy (David do Carmo) was surfing really good all the event, so Im happy to move on. Everyone is surfing good and in these conditions anything is possible.”

The Quarterfinals finish by Gudauskas should be a keeper in his score line towards qualification for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour and the explosive regular-footer is sitting in the No. 8 spot overall after the Brazilian event.

Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, and Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 28, also donated notable performances when they marched through the tough competition on their way to ninth place finishes at the critical ASP 6-Star event.

As the ASP WQS approaches the halfway mark in the season, there are currently five Americans within the top 15 on the ratings. Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 21, who is fresh off of his win at the ASP 6-Star in South Africa, is leading the American charge and currently rated fifth overall. Brother Patrick Gudauskas is rated eighth overall, Simpson is sitting in ninth, and Ware is rounding out the run in 10th. Yeomans is topping out the Californian contingent and is sitting at No. 14.

The next critical event on The Grind will be the ASP 6-Star Rip Curl presenting Coca Cola Saquarema Pro, which is also held in Brazil and will be running from July 14-19, 2009.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
July 9 – 19, 2009

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay ON, New Competition Format Activated

Pictured: Dayyan Neve (AUS), 31, current ASP World No. 24, will take on VonZipper Trials winner Heath Joske (AUS) in Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.
Credit: ASP/ CI/ CESTARI via GETTY IMAGES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, July 13, 2009) The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will commence this morning at 7:30am in clean three-to-five (1.5 metre) surf at South Africas iconic pointbreak.

Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay has seen the ASP Top 45 survive through four consecutive lay days, but todays improved conditions will have the worlds best surfers in the water.

Weve got the beginning of what could turn into a really good day of waves out there this morning and well be getting underway at 7:30am, Mike Parsons, Billabong Pro Contest Director, said. Recent swell projections have prompted us to activate the new competition format so we can make the most of the conditions on offer, but we will not be running the dual-heat system today.

The new ASP competition format will see man-on-man, elimination heats from the outset of competition this morning, resulting in a day of dramatic match-ups.

First up this morning with be 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Tim Boal (FRA), 26, up against compatriot Michael Picon (FRA), 30.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay can also be followed via your mobile phone. Anyone with a 3G or GPRS enabled phone can log onto asptogo.com from their mobile browser. Content is updated real time as per the webcast – event status, results, live scores, news, photos and video highlights along with ASP World Tour ratings tables.

For more information go to http://aspworldtour.com/2009/aspmobile.asp

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 2: Jay Thompson (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 6: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 7: Dustin Barca (HAW) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)
Heat 8: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Ryan Payne (ZAF)
Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Devyn Mattheys (ZAF)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 11: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 13: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 14: Jihad Khodr (BRA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 15: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBA
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. TBA
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBA
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 7: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 16: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
July 9 – 19, 2009

ASP Top 45 Best Prepare for Battle at Iconic Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Pictured: Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, was victorious at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay as an 18-year-old wildcard in 1999. Now, with the ASP World Title on the line, the phenomenal natural-footer will look to find the magic once again.
Credit: ASP/ CI/ WILSON via GETTY IMAGES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 8, 2009) The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay is one day away from commencing its waiting period, and the worlds best surfers have descended upon South Africas jewel of a pointbreak, preparing to battle for qualification points, the prestige of etching their names alongside past winners as well as the hunt for the ever-elusive ASP World Title.

Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay comes hot off the heals of the ASP Dream Tour South American leg, with the frontrunners all looking to consolidate on already-stellar seasons in South Africa.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, was victorious at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay as an 18-year-old wildcard in 1999. Now, 10 years down the track and with the ASP World Title on the line, the phenomenal natural-footer will look to recapture the magic of his inaugural stint in the prestigious event.

That was my first time here and I fell in love with it then and Im still in love with it now, Parkinson said. I dont think anyone ever really figures out the wave at J-Bay. You just have to play with it and get used to the speed and adjust. Im just happy to be back it feels so good to go fast.

Having already posted successful results in the opening four events of the year (1st, 1st, 9th and 3rd), and widely considered one of the best pointbreak surfers on the planet, Parkinson is far and away one of the event favorites at this years Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

Im here hoping for the best and trying my hardest, Parkinson said. J-Bay is probably a wave that suits my surfing pretty well, but everyone on tour is dangerous. Everyones here to win and Im no different. Im ready.

Parkinson will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, and one of the wildcards in Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, former ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 5, is no stranger to the long walls of Jeffreys Bay, utilizing his pointbreak-honed style to collect two past titles at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2002, 2006).

I think other than home Jeffreys Bay is my favorite on tour, Fanning said. Ive met so many cool people here and have so many great memories in South Africa. I love being back and I love the wave. It can be difficult to surf as youre going really, really fast so you should make a plan when you take off, but that doesnt always work so you just have to get out there and dance sometimes.

Fanning will battle compatriots Kai Otton (AUS), 29, and Philip MacDonald (AUS), 30, in his opening round heat at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, past winner at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2007) and current ASP World No. 4, has long been heralded as one deserving of the prestigious ASP World Title, but has so far fallen short, finishing Runner-Up in 1999 and 2007. In addition to his long-standing run on the ASP Dream Tour, Burrow has also captured the imagination of the surfing world through his profile videos, but asserts that an ASP World Title is his priority.

It takes a lot of energy to make a good video segment these days to keep up with all the kids doing crazy things, Burrow said. I also think it takes a phenomenal amount of time and energy to win an ASP World Title as well. I get excited about nailing a good video clip as well as competing against the best in the world, and I dont think it has taken too much attention away from my aspirations of an ASP World Title. Im still hungry though and Im focused on doing well in J-Bay.

Largely responsible for ushering in the new schools progressive aerial approach, Burrow is just as lethal when it comes to laying it on rail, and believes a diverse repertoire is capable at the roping righthanders of Jeffreys Bay.

I think you can definitely pull off airs out here, Burrow said. I saw Josh Kerr pull a pretty amazing air this afternoon. I think you can do anything on this wave. The sand is pretty much perfect at the moment, and I even saw Dean (Morrison) get one of the best barrels Ive ever seen out there this afternoon. J-Bay is one of my favorite waves in the world and I get excited every time I come over that hill.

Burrow will take on Tim Reyes (USA), 27, and one of the wildcards when Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay commences.

Parkinson, Fanning and Burrow will battle the rest of the ASP Top 45 including current ASP World No. 2 Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, former ASP World Champion (2001) and current ASP World No. 3, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, and reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, when the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay commences.

Two wildcards have been awarded to Shaun Holmes (ZAF), 31, and Ryan Payne (ZAF), 26, with the remaining three wildcards decided through the 12-man VonZipper Trials.

Luke Stedman (AUS), 32, has pulled out of his fifth consecutive ASP Dream Tour event due to injury, and will be once again replaced by current ASP World No. 18, Jay Thompson (AUS), 26. Gabe Kling (USA), 28, and Adrian Buchan (AUS), 26, have also withdrawn from the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay due to injury both will be replaced by surfers from the VonZipper Trials.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will have the option to run either the traditional or new competition formats, as well as utilizing the overlapping heats system for either. Event organizers will determine which format they will use in accordance with the conditions.

Surfline, official surf forecaster for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, are calling for the current SW groundswell to dissipate throughout the following days before a smaller scale WSW to SW swell settles in later this week.

The waiting period for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay begins tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, 2009, and runs through July 19, 2009.

Event organizers will meet tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Tim Boal (FRA), Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 2: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS), Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Chris Ward (USA), TBA
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Dustin Barca (HAW), TBA
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), TBA
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tim Reyes (USA), TBA
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS), TBA
Heat 11: Damien Hobgood (USA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Chris Davidson (AUS), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 13: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 15: Mick Campbell (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), Drew Courtney (AUS)

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Jeffreys Bay South Africa
July 9-19, 2009

Europes ASP Dream Tour Crew to Compete in Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

[Photo credit: ASP/CI/Kelly Cestari via Getty Images] Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF), 23, will be much expected for his first ever ASP World Tour event at Jeffreys Bay, the French Polynesian surfer having all it takes to secure a good result in the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

CAPBRETON, France (Tuesday, July 7, 2009) The ASP World Tour European contingent will soon start its South African campaign at the world famous venue of Jeffreys Bay for the prestigious Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, all seven representatives from the old continent having confirmed their presence for Round 1. Fresh off an equal 9th place finish in Brazil a week ago, Frances Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA) will once again lead the assault with fellow French representatives Tim Boal, Michael Picon and French Polynesian Michel Bourez as well as Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT), Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK) and Marlon Lipke (Algarve, DEU).

Flores, who hasnt made it passed Round 4 at any of the four first events this year, will be looking to secure a first excellent result for his 2009 campaign, the 21-year-old ASP World No. 15 having the potential to get back to his best level and use his experience to score big at Jeffreys Bays world class righthand pointbreak. The Capbreton resident, who remains the leader of the growing European contingent on tour, will be followed by fellow French and Europeans in the event with ASP Dream Tour rookie Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA) remaining inside the ASP Top 30 at the halfway mark of the year, the second best European thus far.

Boal, whose four equal 17th place finishes have already confirmed his capacity to avoid Round 1 eliminations, will have a good opportunity to show his tactics and frontside attack talent when he paddles out for his first ever competition at the famous surf venue. With the strong will to eventually reach Round 4 for the first time this year, Boals smart competitive approach should be enough to see the Anglet resident enter the final-16 group and why not run further. With friend and Basque representative Aritz Aranburu standing right behind Boal on the ASP World Tour ratings at No. 26, both surfers have a great opportunity to give themselves a bit of air and possibly jump inside the ASP Top 20 if they manage to get through several rounds.

Other solid European asset will be Billabong teamrider and only Portuguese surfer of the ASP World Tour Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT), 27. Pires, whose second consecutive year on tour has been promising so far with a three 17th places, will be much awaited for the kick-off of the event, the Portuguese surfer knowing how similar the South African wave is to his home wave of Ribeira dIlhas in Ericeira. Awaited at all righthand point breaks since his ASP Top 45 inception in 2008, Pires has not been able to use his experience neither at Bells Beach nor at Jeffreys Bay yet, and the man will be more focused than ever to secure a solid run and climb up from his current ASP World Tour No. 32 rank.

Suffering a bit more this year in their ASP Top 45 requalification campaign are Michael Picon and Dream Tour rookies Michel Bourez and Marlon Lipke. Lipke and Picon, who are counting one 17th place and fourth 33rds so far, will be looking to bounce back and possibly reach their year best to escape from the bottom of the ratings while Bourezs power surfing could give him his first big result as an ASP World Tour competitor.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
July 9 – 19, 2009

ASP World Title Race Intensifies for Upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Pictured: Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 9, will look to add a fifth event title to his mantle at the upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.
Credit: ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, July 6, 2009) Hot off the heals of the ASP Dream Tour South American leg, the worlds best surfers are readying themselves for the upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, held at the iconic South African pointbreak from July 9 19, 2009.

Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will host the ASP Top 45 as the battle for pride, points and the freshly intensified ASP World Title race.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 9, opened his 2009 season with three, uncharacteristic 17th place finishes before smashing his way to a 41st career victory in Brazil last week. Formerly lacking the trademark intensity and drive that the Floridian is renowned for, Slater admits to a heightened focus after his Brazilian triumph, adding a dynamic new angle to this years ASP World Title race.

Last weeks win just highlighted the importance of making more of a plan when I hit the water instead of leaving it to chance, Slater said. I had a plan in Brazil for the first time this year and it worked. A lot of people put in a lot of effort to help me get my stuff together and it’s about time I had a plan in heats so I don’t take any of that for granted. Sometimes things don’t go your way. I probably wouldn’t be very interested if I had started out super strong anyhow, and now it’s just a more difficult challenge to get things going. It kind of wakes you up.

If any event on tour has the potential to offer Slater a positive follow-up to last weeks win, its the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. Throughout the events storied history, Slater has secured a record four victories (1996, 2003, 2005, 2008) and boasts some staggeringly high heat averages in recent years.

Jeffreys just has this great curve and speed to it that seems to fit how I like to ride a wave but I’m sure everyone feels that there, Slater said. I have a good sense of the lineup I think, and can picture what most waves are going to do down the line. I’ve just always had a good vibe there.

A major point of debate over the past several months has been Slaters equipment used in competition. Pushing the boundaries of traditional performance equipment, Slaters choices this year have been met with mixed reviews as well as mixed results, but the defending Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay champion claims he will let the conditions determine his selection.

I’ll stick with whatever feels best and most trustworthy under my feet, Slater said. I have a few experiments showing up with my girlfriend fresh from the factory as well. I just love to expand on what we all ride and it’s a great platform to do that if it works right. If not, it seems like youre making a huge mistake to everyone, but this season, I havent had the best wave opportunities in heats, specifically on the Goldy and in Tahiti where it was wave-catching competition. I only actually rode an experiment in the first event. Tahiti was the board I won on yesterday, but the waves just weren’t there then.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, former ASP World Junior Champion (2004) and current ASP World No. 2, will look to consolidate on an already-stellar season with a big performance in South Africa. A Runner-Up finish to Slater in last weeks Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro has legitimized the young Brazilian as a major threat in the race for the 2009 ASP World Title.

I have had an amazing season the best season of my career, De Souza said. It is only halfway, but to be No. 2 in the world is a dream. The event in Brazil last week was so incredible for me and gave me so much confidence for the rest of the year. I feel like I can compete with the best surfers in the world.

De Souza has been nothing but consistent at Jeffreys Bay since his inception onto the elite ASP World Tour, finishing in the Quarterfinals in 2006, 2007 and 2008. With his new-found confidence following an impressive Runner-Up finish in South America, the progressive natural-footer will look to improve his on his past results at the venue in an effort to enhance an already banner season.

The first time I came to Jeffreys Bay I was 11, De Souza said. I remember surfing there and dreaming about competing in the event one day. Jeffreys has always been a good event for me, but I always come up against really good surfers in the Quarterfinals. I have been working with my shaper on equipment and training specifically for this event so hopefully I can improve.

De Souza and Slater will take on the rest of the ASP Top 45 including ratings frontrunners C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, and current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, in South Africa next week.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will have the option to run either the traditional or new competition formats, as well as utilizing the overlapping heats system. Event organizers will determine this based on the conditions as the event waiting period moves closer.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will host the ASP Top 45 from July 9 19, 2009 at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.

The event will be webcast LIVE viawww.billabongpro.com