King Ke11y takes World Title Number 11

Kelly Slater has officially become the greatest surfer of all time. Hell possibly the greatest athlete of all time. Yesterday at the Rip Curl Pro in San Francisco, he causally took down his Round 3 heat to win the 2011 title. The scary thing is that he still looks like he easily has a few more years in him. Could he go for number 12? It would surely ensure his place as the greatest sport star of all time!

The rest of the tour are left wondering what the hell they are going to have to do to stop him. It will be very interesting to see what goes down for the rest of the year and whether Kelly is still amped to compete.

Congrats Kelly! You are a legend.



ASP Press Release:
OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Wednesday, November 2, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title today, clinching the year-long pursuit with his advancement out of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.

In pristine three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) peaks at Ocean Beach, Slater fought back to an inspired start from opponent Dan Ross (AUS), 28, to claim victory in the dying moments in front of a capacity crowd at Ocean Beach.

“It was a scrappy heat, I didn’t win it in the most effortless style,” Slater said. “I’ve had a lot of heats with Rossy (Dan Ross) this year, and he’s real dangerous with a little power so I knew he’d be dangerous and I was nowhere to be found in the beginning of that heat. I was hunting those lefts and they were fading off I was thinking ‘why am I taking off on these things.’ I knew I had to get in on some of those rights. That wave had a nice open face and I thought it’d probably be just enough.”

After a banner year that witnessed the iconic Floridian make five of nine Finals (thus far) and post three wins, Slater seems to be surfing at the top of his game.

“This is pretty fabulous,” Slater said. “Two days ago in the afternoon it was chunky and small and didn’t look inviting at all. Yesterday was nice and today looks like a nice day in France. I don’t know, this hasn’t sunk in. I’ve been pretty stressed about it and I’m glad it’s over. It’s very fulfilling and there’s personal satisfaction. It feels real nice. I’ve dedicated my life to surfing and competing and to go a whole year and win a world title and have it pay off, it’s really fulfilling. To win on American soil is nice. Everyone’s been so cool and the locals have been so stoked. It’s been a special time. It’s been warm and offshore and a nice little swell. Someone’s looking over us and probably Andy (Irons).”

Today’s clinching of the 2011 ASP World Title comes on the one-year anniversary of the passing of Andy Irons. Irons, who is credited with being a defining force in Slater’s career, was once a bitter rival of the champ (claiming three consecutive ASP World Titles himself) but became a close friend and confidant in recent years. The symbolism of today was not lost on Slater.

“It’s sort of weird and I’ve been thinking about a lot of things coming together,” Slater said. “What are the chances of me winning on the anniversary of Andy passing away? It makes it a lot more special for me. It’s a way to celebrate my memories with him and be thinking about him. It’s been on my mind and I wrote a story about him the other day. It’s a time to think back.”

2011 ASP World Title Series Results:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: WINNER
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Equal 5th
Billabong Rio Pro: Equal 13th
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay: No Show
Billabong Pro Tahiti: WINNER
Quiksilver Pro New York: Runner-Up
Hurley Pro at Trestles: WINNER
Quiksilver Pro France: Equal 5th
Rip Curl Pro Portugal: Runner-UP
Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco: TBD
Billabong Pipeline Masters: TBD

With the 2011 ASP World Title sealed, Slater is now focused on performing in the event at hand, the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.

“I’m refocusing on another win here,” Slater said. “I’ve accomplished the year goal. I definitely feel like I can go out and surf a lot more relaxed now. It’s really nice to win here in these conditions with so many people on the beach, I thought it’d be freezing cold and onshore and it’s been amazing.”

Having claimed his first ASP World Title in 1992 at the age of 20, Slater still boasts the record for the youngest-ever ASP World Title holder. Now at 39 years of age, Slater holds the record of being the oldest ASP World Champion ever, but was characteristically coy regarding any talk of retirement.

“I think 39 is actually pretty young to most people,” Slater said. “I guess in the past, you would top out once you hit 30, but that’s definitely not the case now. I feel like I’m surfing at the highest level of my career and I feel like I can keep going. I haven’t thought about it too much, but I plan on relaxing for the rest of the year and enjoying my time in Hawaii. We’ll see what 2012 brings to the table.”

Kelly Slater’s ASP World Title Clinch Locations:
2011: Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco – USA
2010: Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico – USA Territory
2008: Billabong Pro Mundaka – Basque/Spain
2006: Billabong Pro Mundaka – Basque/Spain
2005: Nova Schin Festival – Brazil
1998: Mountain Dew Pipeline Masters – Hawaii
1997: Expo 98 Figueira 97 – Portugal
1996: Coca Cola Figueira 96 – Portugal
1995: Chiemsee Pipe Masters – Hawaii
1994: Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters – Hawaii
1992: Alternativa Surf Rio – Brazil

The Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco is Stop No. 10 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title Series with a waiting period from November 1-12. The 2011 Pro Search will be broadcast live on Fuel TV, Livestream.com and live.ripcurl.com

Surfline, official forecasters for the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, are calling for he first two days of the waiting period, Tuesday and Wednesday, to see solid northwest ground and windswell mix along with generally favorable wind conditions (although still lumpy and bumpy surf on Tuesday). The end of the week and into the following weekend (3rd-6th) will see more swell, but also variable and, at times, strong onshore wind.

Rip curl Pro Bells - Round 1 Highlites

Parko caning Round 1 (Photo: ASP)

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia (Wednesday, April 20, 2011) – Today marks the commencement of the 50th Anniversary of competition surfing at Bells Beach as Round 1 of the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Bells presented by Ford Ranger got underway in clean four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) surf.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the second stop on the 2011 ASP World Title season, enjoyed consistent surf throughout the day as the world’s best surfers unleashed a barrage of high-performance ripping on the classic canvas of Bells Beach.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Champion put in a sensational performance this afternoon, electing to sit up at Rincon to secure the day’s highest scores.. Parkinson locked in the highest wave score and the highest heat score of the opening day of competition scoring 17.74 (out of a possible 20.00) to advance directly through to Round 3 of competition.

“I fell off twice on the bowl,” Parkinson said. “It was really hard to ride. Then CJ (Hobgood) went across to Rincon and got a score, so we followed him over and it worked out for me. It’s great to get that opening heat win, especially at Bells. You never know what conditions you’re going to get in a heat, so to be able to skip round two and maybe get a day off is a huge advantage.”

Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion and defending event winner, was clinical in his attack in his Round 1 heat. Slater had his fellow competitors Adam Robertson (AUS), 28, and Kai Otton (AUS), 31, on the ropes only minutes into the heat, scoring an impressive 16.00 (out of a possible 20.00) on his opening two rides.

“I don’t free surf out at Bells a whole lot,” Slater said. “When the waves are good the comp is on and outside of that it’s pretty crowded. So I’m still learning with each heat out there still, surfing against a guy like Robbo (Adam Robertson) you’ve got to watch where he’s sitting, how far our and how deep.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, currently equal 13th in the hunt for the 2011 ASP World Title, went into today’s competition with renewed vigor after a shock early exit at the last event on the Gold Coast. The past two-time ASP World Champion came out and dominated his Round 1 battle over Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, and Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17.

“I’m stoked to get a good start,” Fanning said. “It’s been 10 years since I won here as I wildcard, I got close last year but Kelly Slater got me in the final. You want to win every event, but being the 50th Anniversary and so much history at this event, it’s like the Wimbeldon of surfing, it’s a hard one to win but it’s the one everyone wants.”

Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, led today’s rookie charge, continuing his sensational run after the and equal 5th on the Gold Coast, and dispatching of fellow Brazilian Ranoi Monterio (BRA), 28, and Australian Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28 in this morning’s opening round heat.

“It’s so good out there!” Muniz said. “This is my first time surfing at Bells and it’s the most amazing place. It’s got perfect rights, and it’s the kind of wave that I love to surf. It’s the best place ever, best waves, best weather and I love surfing in wetsuits.”

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 22, bounced back after missing the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast with a knee injury, to score a comprehensive win over Taylor Knox (USA), 39, and Cory Lopez (USA), 34.

“I wasn’t very confident before the heat,” Flores said. “But I got that first wave and did a big turn at the end and got a good score. I think that’s what you need to do these days, finish the wave strong. My knee still isn’t 100%, but I went for it and it’s good to win. Big thanks to everyone at the Gold Coast Suns Football Club for helping with my knee, it’s feeling much better now.”

Stu Kennedy (AUS), 21, scored a last minute wildcard into the event and caused the upset of the day, eliminating 2010 ASP World Title runner-up Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, and Dusty Payne (HAW), 22.

“I’ve been coming here for years,” Kennedy said. “I won a Pro Junior here in 2008 and I know where to sit. I don’t think Dusty and Jordy know the break as well as I do so that helps. I’ve been up since 3am because I’m jet-lagged from coming home from Scotland. I woke up with a bunch of energy it’s my shaper’s birthday so I woke him up at 5am to go surfing. I had to win my heat for him for his birthday.”

When men’s competition resumes, up first will be 2010 ASP World Runner-Up Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, up against Trials Winner Adam Robertson (AUS), 28, in the opening heat of Round 2.

Following the completion of the men’s Round 1 today, the ASP Top 17 hit the water for Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 23, reigning four-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending three-time Rip Curl Women’s Bells Beach winner, returned to her winning ways today, after bowing out early at the last event, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.

“My first two years on tour I didn’t have great results on the Gold Coast,” Gilmore said. “I always bounced back at this event and then finished the year well, so hopefully I’ll do that again this year. The Gold Coast was a fine showing of what women’s surfing is up to now and everyone has to try and keep up. It really pushes me and I think anyone who wins an event from now on will be a very deserving winner because of that fact.”

Pauline Ado (FRA), 19, the French rookie caused the upset of the women’s event, defeating current ASP World Title front runner Carissa Moore (HAW), 18, in a nail biter of a heat.

“I’m really happy, I had a lot of fun out there,” Ado said “I got one of my good waves in the first few seconds so after that I felt confident and knew I could be more selective and wait for the right wave. A heat against Carissa is always a tough one, so I’m really stoked to win.”

When women’s competition resumes, up first will be Paige Hareb (NZL), 20, and Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 24, in the opening heat of Round 2.

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

Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by FORD will be webcast available via www.live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and ESPN in Brazil.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.23, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.26, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 7.37
Heat 2: Adam Melling (AUS) 14.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.30, Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.00
Heat 3: Heitor Alves (BRA) 14.36, Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.14, Owen Wright (AUS) 10.60
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.60, Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.07, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.27
Heat 5: Stu Kennedy (AUS) 11.70, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.50, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.00
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.00, Kai Otton (AUS) 10.13, Adam Robertson (AUS) 8.53
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.17, Cory Lopez (USA) 5.83, Taylor Knox (USA) 4.67
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.60, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 10.20, Gabe Kling (USA) 3.50
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.60, Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.23, Daniel Ross (AUS) 11.07
Heat 10: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.74, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.44, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 8.17
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.60, Chris Davidson (AUS) 10.83, Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.83
Heat 12: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.40, Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.43, Brett Simpson (USA) 8.93

Jordy takes Parko out at Snapper

After a bit of a bad start, losing in Round 4, Jordy made sure of his continued climb to the Quik Pro win with an amazing come from behind victory over Joel Parkinson. Parko surfing in his home event looked as good as won, then let Jordy take a wave under his priority and had to watch as the Saffa took the wave to pieces and won the heat.

Kelly is still in the hunt! (Photo: ASP)

King Kelly also had to fight through the 5th round, and also had a huge mental mountain to climb. He defeated Ace Buchan in their encounter and is still in the running for the number 1 spot in 2011. Lots of speculation still over whether he will stay on tour, Kelly had the following to say, “Sometimes I look back at everything and I’m pretty stoked, it’s been a long time, I just love it. I don’t always love the competition side of things and I just love to surf and love to get in the water. It’s a blessing to surf here alone. All of these people don’t get to surf Snapper with no one out. I want to keep making heats so I don’t have to free-surf as much. I don’t really know about my plans this year. I guess I’ve put it out there that I might retire or it’s been put out there by other people. I guess people didn’t expect that I would get a title this late in my career and I don’t know what’s possible.”

Other contenders for the Quik Pro title are Taj Burrow, Matt Wilko and Brett Simpson, who all dominated their Round 4 encounters. Make sure you log on tonight in the early hours to see if our boy can take the prize! Go Jordy!

Watch at - Quiksilver Pro Live

Kelly, Parko and Wilko on fire! Quik Pro Round 3

Wilko on Fire in Round 3 (Photo: ASP)

Well any thoughts you may have had that Kelly Slater was heading for retirement, can be put to rest. He absolutely smashed young super grom Matt Banting in his Round 3 heat.



Joel Parkinson showed that he is on his way back to his best form after last years injury lay off and had the crowd of local Snapper pals screaming.



Matt Wilko on his backhand was going beyond vertical and showing some of the best backhand surfing we have seen in a long time. Still waiting for Jordy's heat to be put up, but look out for it later today!

Top 10 Rides - Quiksilver Pro Round 1

Waves were not the best, but hell, these guys were still slaying it!

Slater keeping himself busy while waiting for the Comp to resume. (Photo: ASP)

Inside the Tour with SA's Surf Ambassador - Travis Logie

The world of top level Pro surfing gets underway today with the Start of the Quiksilver Pro. With Jordy being our only surfer in the event and being hectically busy, I thought I would chat to long time WCT surfer, one of the only guys on tour to beat Slater and hopefully full WCT campaigner again soon, Travis Logie. He gives us the lowdown on the new tour format, Jordy and where local surfing is at.

The backhand Shralp that has defeated Champions. (Photo: ASP)

Kai - 

How many years have you been on tour now?

Travis - Been surfing professionally for for 13 yrs but been 100 percent touring for 9 years. 

Kai - 
What have been the major changes to the World Tour since you started?

Travis - 

Well back when I started events had 300 odd surfers in them , the heats were 20 mins long , 4 waves counted and the prize money for first place in CT was only USD15K! Now there's only 32 guys , 2 waves count in 30min heats and you win 75K usd.

Kai - 

What are your feelings on the new tour format?

Travis - 

I'm undecided , it's still a bit fresh to make a call, those round 4, 3 man heats kind of randomise the seedings which I don't know is such a great call. 

Kai - Its great that we have Jordy doing so well, but who are the guys 
that are going to step up for SA Surfing in the next few years?

Travis - 

I think Dale Staples , Shaun Joubert and Jacko could really end up having successful careers! They all have good technique and seem pretty focussed! Casey Grant has huge talent too, if he can channel it he will be a real force. 

Kai - We don't really have a Pro Tour locally anymore, and club surfing 
died a long time ago, how do we reinvent the system here? 

Travis - 

Money, someone needs to step up and sponsor some local events! And club events have died cause people don't really spend all day on the beach anymore. They drive down surf and drive home! I remember when everyone posted up for hours , I think its a crime thing. 

Kai - What are your feelings on bringing back Club Surfing in SA?

Travis - 

Its a must , its what got me and Jordy into competitive surfing and encourages beach culture! 

No one on tour wants to surf against Travis in Small rights! (Photo: ASP)

Kai - Your goals for 2011?

Travis - 

The first half of 2011 is all about making the cut! Second half I wanna do some damage on the CT 

Kai - 

Is this year for Jordy to become World Champ?

Travis - 

Jordys been surfing good enough to be world champ for 3 years! The only thing that has changed is experience, if he keeps managing his heats professionally he will be world champ! 

Thanks Travis. You can check out the start of the WCT at - Quik Pro 

Travis has defeated the biggest names in surfing, just check these two heats from last year's Rip Curl pro Portugal, where he smoked Dane and Mick!

King Kelly Returns for the Quik Pro

So after much deliberation and debate, the world has its answer, Kelly Slater will be returning to the World Tour for the season opener at the Quiksilver Pro. Of course they are his sponsor, so it makes sense they would want him to surf, but I cant shake the feeling that Kelly still wants another title. The man simply cannot stand seeing anyone else with what he considers his title.

The man still has it, Kelly warming up on the Goldy (Photo: ASP)

The ASP Press release:

GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 23, 2011) – The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover is just a few short days away from commencing and the opening event of the season will be headlined by none other than reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 39.
The iconic natural-footer utilized the off-season to recharge in his adopted homes of Hawaii and California, working on equipment and taking advantage of the winter swell season.
“I’ve been hanging in Hawaii and getting boards sorted out in California and having down time,” Slater said. “Surfing myself out most of January was fun.”
Historically coy about his annual plans, Slater maintains that his agenda for 2011 is still undecided, but is motivated to open the season up in high-performance righthand pointbreak of Snapper Rocks.
“The waves at Snapper wake me up enough for motivation but I’d love to get another win at the Quiksilver Pro,” Slater said. “Either a great way to go out or to start another campaign! I can’t honestly answer that (my plans for the year) right now. I’ve thought about doing a farewell aloha tour and saying bye to the tour and I’ve thought about retiring after this event for real.”
The ASP Top 34 comprises the best surfers on the planet and Slater is conscious of the increased level of talent in 2011. Utilizing a variety of varying world-class venues, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast could see the world’s best contest anything from Snapper Rocks to Duranbah.
“It will depend on where the waves show up,” Slater said. “If we’re at the beach break, guys like Julian (Wilson) and Josh (Kerr) will be most dangerous. The points bring out the best tubes and carving typically, but everyone surfs well at snapper. Should be good to watch.”
Slater will face Kai Otton (AUS), 31, and one of the event wildcards in the opening round of competition.

Expect more of this from King Kelly (Photo: ASP)

 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, finished last season 24th in the ASP World Title rankings, following a near career-ending injury that saw the stylish natural-footer sit out the bulk of the season.
“I guess the benefit now is that I’m hungry – not only to compete, but just to surf,” Parkinson said. “That’s one of the key things with surfing on the tour, you’ve got to not only stay hungry to surf throughout a whole event, you’ve got to stay hungry over the course of a whole year. The way I’m feeling at the moment, I’m going to paddle out for my last heat of the year at Pipe even hungrier than I was when I paddled out for my first heat at Snapper. That’s how I’m feeling, that’s how hungry I am to surf right now. And the thing now is that I’ve got three kids, so it’s not like I can go surfing five times a day. I’ve got to pick and choose my windows to surf in and I have to make the most of them.”
A perennial ASP World Title contender, the Australian has yet to secure his inaugural crown despite several near misses.
“It’s a big year for me for sure.” Parkinson said. “I turn 30 pretty soon. After what’s happened over the past couple of years, after the injuries and disappointments, if I can surf every event this year at 100% fitness, I’d consider that a victory in itself. And if I can do that I’m confident I’m going to be challenging. But I don’t dwell on what’s happened to me. I’ve learned to just worry about the 30 minutes of the next heat in front of me. It doesn’t even matter who I’m surfing against, doesn’t matter what happened last year, doesn’t matter that I’m turning 30. It’s all about those next 30 minutes. Then it’s all about stringing a lot of good 30 minutes together.”
With his sights set on the 2011 ASP World Title, Parkinson is well aware of the roadblocks that exist in the form of his fellow elite campaigners.
“I think Jordy (Smith) will be a lot more mature in the way he surfs heats, just on the back of the confidence he’ll take from last year,” Smith said. “He’s an amazing surfer and he put together a really good season last year. And Mick’s surfing on the trip we just did blew me away. You can see he’s been working pretty hard on big airs and stuff the judges will really notice.”
Parkinson will battle the South American duo of Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, and Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, 2011 ASP World Title rookie, has long been touted as one of the most progressive surfers in the world and his 11th hour qualification heroics from Hawaii last winter cemented his position amongst the world’s elite this season.
“It feels really rewarding to have qualified,” Wilson said. “I’ve always had my dreams set on making the World Tour and now I’ve accomplished it. There’s only one place to be if you have a dream of chasing world titles.”
The young natural-footer from Australia’s Sunshine Coast is easing into his first full year on tour, and is excited about opening the season at Snapper Rocks.
“It’s very cliché but my goal this season is to take it one heat at a time, enjoy where I’m at and surf some amazing waves with only one other guy out,” Wilson said. “Snapper is such a fun wave and is my favourite event of the year. I grew up surfing the points at Noosa (two hours North) and even though they’re not always as good, I seem to feel at home in those kind of waves.”
Wilson will take on Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, and Heitor Alves (BRA), 28, in the opening heat of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, who finished the 2010 ASP World Title season in 4th, has withdrawn from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee as a result of an injury he had suffered in Hawaii in early December. He started rehab the week after surgery, and is expecting be back in the water sometime in mid to late March. Cory Lopez (USA), 33, will be serving as his replacement at the event.
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will run from February 26 through March 9, 2011 and will be webcast LIVE via http://www.quiksilverpro.com
Running in conjunction with the men’s event will be Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, the opening event in the ASP Women’s World Title season.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Bobby Martinez (USA), Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), TBA
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), TBA
Heat 7: Owen Wright (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Brett Simpson (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 11: Chris Davidson (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 12: Jadson Andre (BRA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT)

Good start for the Saffers in Brazil - Hang Loose Pro

It was a good start on the World tour for South Africans, with Travis Logie making the Semi Finals of the Hang Loose Pro Prime event. Shaun Joubert also made the quarter finals making it 2 surfers in the top 8.

Brazzas happy with the win. (Photo: ASP)

ASP had the following on the contest:

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (February, Sunday, 20, 2011) - Brazilian Alejo Muniz, 20, has won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest in three-to-five foot surf at the Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha, island, located at 345 kilometers from the Brazil’s northeastern coast.
Alejo Muniz earned US$ 40,000 in prize money and 6,500 points towards his ASP World Ranking. The runner up Dion Atkinson (Australia), 24, scored 7.14 points in the final, well under Alejo Muniz who won the event with an impressive combined two-wave heat tally of 13.00 points (both scores out of a possible 20).
For Muniz his first ASP PRIME event Title is also pretty much like a birthday gift, as he is turning 21 next Tuesday.
“Winning is the best feeling of all”, said Alejo Muniz, as soon as he got to the podium over his mates shoulders. “This is Brazil’s biggest event. Last year I got so close (I was defeated in the semifinal), but now everything worked my way this time, and it’s awesome to start the year like this. Winning here in Fernando de Noronha is fantastic.”
Next Monday Alejo will be flying to Australia where he makes his debut on the ASP Dream Tour. He is now one of five Brazilians in the elite group of the 34 best surfers in the world.
“I’m a little nervous for this next event. I tried not to bring this nervousness to Noronha, and I really have to say thanks to everyone who supports me, all my friends here and special thanks to my family which is 100 percent committed to my career as a Pro Surfer.”
To get into the final the Australian, Atkinson first defeated South Africa’s Shaun Joubert in a very close heat where he scored a total of 10.44 over Joubert’s 10.06. Then he faced Brazilian Heitor Alves, and once again Dion Atkinson won by a slight margin, posting a total heat of 10.73 to Alves’ 9.17.
“I’m very happy with the result. Alejo (Muniz) got all the best waves in the final, also he fired the whole contest showing very mature surfing, so he deserved this win”, said Dion Atkinson. “I really would like to win, but anyway it was good to make the final in this beautiful place. Few events are held in such hollow waves. It’s one of my favorite events in the world and I’ll still come back here in the coming years to try to win this event.”
The Hang Loose Pro Contest has completed its 25th anniversary and Alfio Lagnado, owner of the company and the father of the idea of running the first ASP event in Brazil, also sponsored by a Brazilian Clothing company gave the trophy to the Champion, Alejo Muniz. Alfio talked about the first Hang Loose Pro Contest in 1986 at Praia da Joaquina in Florianopolis.
“We were young dreamers by then and had the opportunity to bring tan ASP event to Brazil, so we didn’t think twice and took the chance to make it,” said Alfio Lagnado. “It turned out to be so nice that we continued running it for the last 25 years. Most athletes competing here were not even born. Surfing in Brazil has grown a lot compared to those days, with so many wins with the Brazilian surfers competing as equals with the best surfers in the world.”
He also talked on the new Hang Loose Pro Contest champion, Alejo Muniz.
“I’m very excited to give this trophy to this young surfer here, who was one of my team surfers until two months ago. It’s a kid we know and took care of since he was a kid, really a very good boy. I hope he has all the success in his professional career, congratulations”, concluded Alfio Lagnado.
Then Alejo dedicated his win to his former Boss at the podium.
For highlights on the 2011 ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro log on to http://www.hangloose.com.br/procontest2011/
Hang Loose Pro Final Result:
1 - Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.00 points
2 - Dion Atkinson (AUS) 7.14 points
Hang Loose Pro Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.77 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.26
SF 2: Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.73 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.17
Hang Loose Pro Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.10 def. Masotashi Ohno (JPN) 5.83
QF 2: Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.67 x 10.20 Jihad Kohdr (BRA)
QF 3: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.17 def. Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 10.50
QF 4: Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.44 def. Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 10.06

The future of SA Surfing - the good, the bad and the ugly

Some people might wonder what the hell I am talking about here? There are more surfers than ever in SA, the shops do alright, surf lessons are booming and all in all everyone wants to be a surfer. This in itself might be the problem. The growing popularity of our lifestyle is bringing more and more people into the lineup, but at the same time these new surfers are not being groomed and taught by the older more experienced surfers in the lineup. They are not being taught the basics, the guy on your inside has priority, don't paddle around someone on your outside, if you are a kook stay away from the main peak with your mini-Malibu until you have learn't how to actually make the drop on a fast 4ft wave. Remember this point as I move on...

Want more of this?

Professional surfing in SA is on a one way ticket to the grave! I hear the choruses of, "Thats rubbish!" wafting out like the pong from the sewerage factory on the N2 as I drive by, but unfortunately my point is valid. Yes, we have Jordy Smith, the world number 2, but what comes after? We only have 3 other surfers in the World Tour top 100, Travis Logie, Lord Royden Bryson, Brandon Jackson and Dale Staples, who gets a prime seading thanks to his 3rd place in the 2010 Junior rankings. Four guys out of 100 of the top surfers in the world, is that really how good we are? The new ASP system is also designed to make it harder for surfers to crack the WCT field, so how long will it be before Jordy has support on the premier tour?

No reason this cant be a local club contest!

How do we go about changing this status quo? Logic says that like the Brazilians, Australians and Americans, who dominate the world tour, we need strong local junior tours and a very strong local tour for our surfers to learn how to compete on the world tour. We need our guys and girls to surf competitive heats as much as possible, we need them to earn money for their accomplishments and we need them to be sponsored properly so that they can afford to actually go out there and attack the world tour. Unfortunately, our local surf tour, the PST, has pretty much ceased to exist. Of the 3 major WQS competitions we had in South Africa, only one remains and we have one WCT in Jbay. This leaves South African surfers with woefully little opportunity to gain experience, points and prize money to gain enough leverage to get on tour. Our local surf brands simply don't have the money to support multiple campaigns and we desperately need to gain more corporate support for the sport. Where does this leave us?

South African surfing needs an overhaul. My solution is simple, we need to start at the bottom and work our way up. First step to getting SA surfing back on track is the rebirth of club surfing in our country. Why are the Australians dominating world surfing? Because they have the strongest Club system on the planet and this rolls through to the provincial, national and professional tours. Growing up in the Eastern Cape we had a couple of surf clubs we could join and this was the same for all the major surfing towns. I got taught by the older guys, I got abused as a grommet, earned my spot in the local line up and had a really good time throughout. Our surf history is peppered with great stories, moments and events from the inter club rivalries of the seventies and eighties. Our greatest surfers such as Sean Thompson, Martin Potter and many more grew up in the club scenes of their day. This is where they learnt to surf (Take note of the first paragraph of this commentary), grew their competitive strategies, were supported by the fellow club members and ultimately found their stride as professional surfers.

The groms need surf clubs!

This is not just a statement on my part. Myself and a couple of other concerned surfers, namely Robby MacDonald, Dutchie and our local surfers have started the process. This past Saturday we had the first West Coast Boardriders versus Llandudno Surf Club competition. Eight guys from each club surfed in heats till Royden, representing Llandudno, eventually won, with the West Coast guys taking the club win. Everyone who came had fun, everyone who came wants to do it again. The process has started. Tasha Mentasti, from Surfing SA, was there representing and backed up my feelings on this matter - without club surfing, SA professional surfing will die.

Dutchie and the boys from the West have started their club.

So here is my challenge to you all, as surfers, parents of surfers and marketing directors of brands in and out of surfing. Get together with your mates at your local beach, form a club, get hold of Tasha (Surfing South Africa) and get your local club off the ground. If you are a member of a current club that is still running, register with SSA. if you have a brand that benefits from surfing in any way, get behind your local guys and support club surfing. The goal? To create a strong and enjoyable club surfing culture in South Africa, supporting grass roots surfing and development. We can make surfing competitions fun again, while strengthening our representation in World Surfing. Get this off of the ground and I promise Llandudno Surf Club will host the reborn SA Club Surfing Champs in 2012. I guarantee it. I will make it happen if I have to spill blood to make it happen. Get involved and we can not only save surfing in SA, but we can make it better!

Mr Price Pro upgrades to Prime Status in 2011

Just as I was starting to think competitive surfing in South Africa could not climb out of its self imposed depression, this little chunk of news hit my inbox and made me smile. South african surfers need more points available to them in local events in order to enable them to make a go at the World Tour. Now, lets hope O"Neill will follow suit with the Cold Water Classic event in Cape Town. Well done to Mr Price and the guys from the ASP. Their press release below.

Jordy has even more reason to defend his title in 2011 (Photo: ASP)

(Thursday, January 27, 2011) – South African surfing has received a massive boost with the announcement that the Mr Price Pro Ballito will be a Prime rated event on the 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour.
The 12th edition of the event, which has continued the proud tradition of the long running Gunston 500, will be staged at the premium surf breaks in Ballito on the KwaDukuza coastline North of Durban from 4 to 10 July.
Offering a huge prize-purse of US $250 000 (approx. R1.7 million), with $40 000 and an invaluable 6 500 points on the ASP World Tour Rankings going to the winner, the elite 96-man field for the Mr Price Pro Ballito is guaranteed to include the majority of the world’s best competitive surfers.
“Our commitment to surfing in South Africa has grown continually since the inaugural Mr Price Pro in 2000 and so too have our relationships with the Association of Surfing Professionals and our event partner, the KwaDukuza Municipality,” said Mr Price Group CEO, Stuart Bird.
“Upgrading the Mr Price Pro Ballito to a PRIME ASP World Tour event will attract the top 96 surfers in the world to the event and we will once again have the privilege of watching the world’s best competing against our top South African talent.”
ASP International is equally excited with the upgrade of the Mr Price Pro Ballito and the boost it will provide to the South African surfing community.
“ASP has enjoyed an excellent relationship with Mr Price over the past decade and we’re thrilled with the event’s upgrade to an ASP Prime event,” Brodie Carr, ASP International CEO, said. “South Africa has long been a major player in the world surfing community and the Mr Price Pro will continue to be a major stepping stone in the development of young surfers onto the world stage.”

Our surfers need to compete with the best on home turf (Photo: ASP)

Current ASP World No. 2 and Durban local Jordy Smith, who last year became only the third South African to win the country’s longest running professional surfing, will be back to defend his title.
“Winning a world title will always remain my main focus on the ASP World Tour, however, one always wants to revert back to their roots and that’s why the Mr Price Pro Ballito is so special to me. The Mr Price Pro was my first ever WQS event, at the age of 12, and my mom even has a pic of me standing proudly next to the pier with my contest vest on,” Smith explained.
“Over the years I came close to winning the title and then last year I managed to win. It was such a brilliant feeling with the home crowd and my family there to cheer me on. I’m hoping to be back on the podium again this year but it’s going to be much harder now that the event has been granted PRIME status.”
The importance of the Mr Price Pro Ballito is enhanced by the fact that it will be the seventh of just 12 Prime rated events on the 2011 ASP World Tour. The points earned in Ballito count towards the mid-season rotation when the top 34 surfers on the ASP World Tour Rankings become the field for the remaining five ASP Dream Tour events of the year.
All the action will be webcast LIVE at www.mrpricepro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Will Kelly Slater go for 11?

The man is a living legend - no doubt - but does Kelly still have the drive to compete. He is both the youngest and oldest world champion in surfing, he has won ten world titles putting him in the same bracket as Michael Schumacker, Jordan and Valentino Rossy, he has won the surfer poll awards more times than I can count on two hands and lets be honest, he still rips the shit out of any wave he decides to grace with his presence. But, this is when he decides to surf. There were multiple contests in 2010, where he told presenters that he had not surfed for 3-4 weeks and was to busy with other stuff. The fact that he still paddled out and won events just proves the point that he is a surf freak. Does he still have the overpowering drive to compete - if he paddles out he wants to win - but does he want to even travel on the tour?

The Man (Photo: ASP)

My feeling is that Kelly will give it one more year. He has a new tour format to try, and why not just rub it in to everyone's faces with a title on the new tour before retiring. He has a large intake of some of the new school hotties, as well as Jordy, Owen and Dane to surf against. We know how much he likes a challenge. So my call - expect to see King Kelly back in action come the Quiksilver Pro in March.

What are your thoughts on Kelly, let us know, make a comment!

Here is a nice little walk down memory lane with 10x King Kelly: