Kerr dominates Day 1 at Quik Pro New York

Kerr was surfing on a magical carpet for Day 1 (Photo: ASP)

 Kerrazy is the man! Josh Kerr dominated proceedings on day 1 of the Quik Pro in New York. The waves looked more like PE or Muizenberg on an average day and one was left wondering what happened to the so called "Dream Tour". WQS events have had better waves than this premier event - just think of 10ft hell tubes at Ballito for the Mr Price Pro. However, the forecast is for much more swell, thanks to a hurricane off the East Coast of the US, so we can hope it will get better. Never the less, some guys excelled in the small beach break and Kerr was the star, scoring a 9.5 and a 9.07 in his first round heat. The "Unlucky" award goes to Matt Wilko who dominated his heat only to get a rather dubious interference call on a Hobgood. The guys were not holding back and there was some amazing progessive surfing - hell, even Kieren Perow popped an air! Check out Kerr's heat and the ASP press release below.


LONG BEACH, Long Island/New York (Tuesday, September 6, 2011) – The opening day of the inaugural Quiksilver Pro New York saw the world’s best surfers dig into building two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves, compliments of Hurricane Katia, today, completing Round 1 at Long Beach on Long Island, New York. Stop No. 6 of 11 on the ASP World Title Series, the Quiksilver Pro New York is a historic event that not only represents the first ever elite contest on America’s East Coast, but also boasts the richest prize-purse in surfing history of US$1,000,000. Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, reveled in the New York ramps and garnered both of the round’s highest single-wave scores of 9.50 and 9.07 (both out of 10) for monster no-grab air-reverses, scalping a commanding victory over Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, and Kai Otton (AUS), 32. “It was like an expression session out there,” Kerr said. “I started getting scores and was enjoying myself out there with those little rip bowl rights. We all had 15 waves and I think we all had fun out there. I went for a free surf and the wind came up and I knew I was going to hunt the rights. It was perfect and I found a couple of those ramps so I’m stoked.” Kerr advances directly into Round 3 of competition. C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, current No. 36 on the ASP World Rankings, is in need of a result at the Quiksilver Pro New York to keep his ASP Dream Tour campaign alive. The former ASP World Champion (2001) earned a Round 1 victory with amazing last-second heroics over an in-form Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28, when he belted an 8.37 (out of 10) with commanding rail-work in the dying moments of the heat. “I guess I’ve had one or two dramatic finishes in my career, but there’s a lot on the line for me in this contest and I was feeling pretty frustrated out there for most of the heat,” Hobgood said. “It had been lefts all day, but there were a lot of rights in my heat and Bede (Durbidge) got some big scores off the bat. I needed a big score at the end and when that wave came through, I pretty much threw everything I had at it.” Hobgood, a veteran campaigner among the world’s best surfers, admitted that the ability to adjust to the ever-changing conditions expected through the event window will be crucial in earning a successful result at Long Beach. “Local knowledge can be an advantage out here, but everyone on tour can surf in every condition,” Hobgood said. “With the storm moving through this week, the conditions are going to change day-to-day so the surfers who adapt the fastest will be the most successful.” Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, capitalized on today’s building swell and displayed a series of powerful rail-gouges on his forehand and critical backhand turns to earn a hard-fought victory over Australian goofy-footer Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, and Floridian standout Cory Lopez (USA), 34. “It’s pretty fun,” Muniz said. “It’s not that big, but there are still a couple bigger waves and I have a good board for small waves. I just tried to have fun. I started a little slow and my strategy was to go left, but my best wave was on the right and I improved throughout the heat. I always try to do big turns even though it’s small.” Muniz was joined by fellow 2011 ASP Top 34 rookie Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, in posting big Round 1 wins today. Wilson surgically dismantled the playful afternoon peaks, posting an impressive 17.00 out of a possible 20, en route to a victory over Taylor Knox (USA), 40, and Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34. “I tried not to watch Kersey (Josh Kerr) because I knew I’d try to over-surf,” Wilson said. “I started the heat how I wanted to, got a 5 and kind of built house on that. I made some silly mistakes, but I was pretty lucky to get some scores at the end. I knew if I got some sort of finner or reverse I’d get a good score. I was pretty jittery in the beginning of the heat, but as soon as I got the good one I felt confident.” Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, opened his Quiksilver Pro New York campaign in lethal form with a solid Round 1 victory. “New York has been good,” Slater said. “Everyone is super cool and I’m excited to be here. The waves are a little small, so it’s tough, but it’s the first round and no one loses and the swell should be building. My board felt good, it’s an epoxy, but pretty much same thing I’ve been riding. Hopefully we’ll find some peaky barrels and we’ll see what happens. I know that Hurricane swell is out there, so we’ll just see what happens.” Slater, who regained the lead for the 2011 ASP World Title with his win at Teahupo’o last week, easily made the adjustment from the massive barrels of last week’s competition to today’s tricky beachbreak waves on offer in New York. “After last week, it’s a little different in these waves,” Slater said. “You’ve got to find the sweet spot out there. Last week, you’re just trying to stay with it at spots like Teahupo’o, but on days like today there isn’t much energy so you’ve got to find it.” Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, current No. 33 on the ASP World Ranking, is also in need of a big result at the Quiksilver Pro New York in order to maintain his position among the elite ASP Top 34, and advanced directly through to Round 3 after heat-leader Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 23, suffered an interference on Damien Hobgood (USA), 32.



“I’ve just been feeling good and not thinking too much about points,” Pires said. “I just try to think about waves and just surf. I wasn’t nervous until Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) got the interference and I got the lead. Wilko kind of gave the heat to me, it was unlucky for him.” Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, who has yet to compete in an ASP World Title event this season, was scheduled to surf in the Quiksilver Pro New York but withdrew today due to an injury sustained last week to his ribs on a free-surf trip in Japan. “I came to New York with every intention to surf, but I knew it would be a challenge with my rib injury,” Reynolds said. “I tried surfing yesterday and it was painful to even stand up. I’ve never dealt with bruised ribs before so hopefully some more rest will get me ready for the next contest.” Reynolds has been replaced by Keanu Asing (HAW), 18, in Round 2 of competition. Asing will face Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, in Round 2 when competition resumes. When competition recommences, will be Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, up against Balaram Stack (USA), 20, in the opening heat of Round 2. Even organizers will convene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start. Surfline, official forecasters for the Quiksilver Pro New York, are calling for clean offshore conditions with occasional light rain, and slowly increasing SE swell from Katia mostly in the chest to shoulder high range with a few head high sets. Longer lines sweeping in but still peaky/fun from yesterday’s leftovers. Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro New York will be available via http://www.quiksilverpro.com For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.56, Brett Simpson (USA) 13.50, Travis Logie (ZAF) 6.57
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.67, Gabe Kling (USA) 3.43, Dane Reynolds (USA) N/S
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.93, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.84, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.46 Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.77, Owen Wright (AUS) 10.00, Bobby Martinez (USA) 7.10
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.83, Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.73, Asher Nolan (USA) 8.60
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.20, Daniel Ross (AUS) 11.66, Balaram Stack (USA) 6.07
Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.40, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.27, Cory Lopez (USA) 12.97
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.97, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.77, Chris Davidson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.80, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.50, Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.66
Heat 10: Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.76, Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.73, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 11.65
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) 18.57, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.37, Kai Otton (AUS) 11.54
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.00, Taylor Knox (USA) 12.60, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 10.60

QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Balaram Stack (USA)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Asher Nolan (USA)
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 10: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 11: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 12: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)

Monster Chopes on the cards for the Billabong Pro Tahiti

Clean Chopes earlier in the week. (Photo: ASP/Billabong Pro)

The whole surf world tuned in last night to watch highlights and windy, rainy, crap waves and eventually the Comp was called off. But fear not loyal viewers of the ASP World Tour, in the next 48 hours your patientce will be rewarded! The swell of the year is busy rolling into Tahiti and many of the pros are quietly awaiting the beatings of their life, while leaving fear enhanced skid marks in their rods. CJ Hobgood, who by all rights is one of the guys who is most used to heavy Teahupoo, reckons he is visiting the Loo up to 3 times a day in anticipation! So lock those visors and web browsers onto the Billabong Pro Tahiti tonight! Be sure to check out the amazing "Birds Eye View" video down below, it was filmed with remote choppers and is amazing.



ASP Press Release:
TEAHUPO’O, Taiarapu/French Polynesia (Thursday, August 25, 2011) – After assessing conditions for most of the morning, event organizers at the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, Event No. 5 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, have called competition off for the day.
“It looks like the winds are going to swing later than projected today and we won’t be commencing with Round 2 of competition,” Pritamo Ahrendt, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We’re seeing the first signs of this new swell coming in and we expect to be all systems go for tomorrow morning.”
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:30am for a possible 7am start.
When competition resumes, up first will be Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, and Heiarii Williams (PYF), 23, in the opening heat of Round 2.
Highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui will be webcast LIVE via http://www.billabongpro.com

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for solid SSW swell prevails today and tomorrow. An even larger and extra large, long period SSW swell shows Saturday, fading Sunday. Another solid SSW swell could move in on Monday. ESE/E trades will be strong on Thursday and Friday, before gradually easing through the weekend.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com




BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 7: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 10: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Carissa Moore is your new Woman's World Champion

That's one stoked young lady! (Photo: ASP)

LA GRANDE PLAGE, Biarritz/France (Friday, July 15, 2011) – Carissa Moore (HAW), 18, has just made ASP history as the youngest ever ASP Women’s World Champion, clinching her maiden title today at the Roxy Pro Biarritz.

“I dreamed of surfing at this level my whole life since I was a little kid and I don’t think you can ever expect or anticipate the feeling,” Moore said. “It is amazing. There is no place I would rather be right now.”

The clinching came when then-reigning four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 23, dispatched of the remaining title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, in the Semifinals of competition.

“I’m not really feeling anything right now I am just so happy,” Moore said. “It was really stressful watching that last heat and I was trying to just listen to my songs and zone out. It is kind of weird to win on the beach. I have always visualized and imagined winning the Final or a heat and coming in and winning but I’m so happy and excited. I have been thinking about this for a long time since I was a little girl and just to be here right now and being world champ is pretty crazy.”



In only her second year competing amongst the world’s best, Moore has had a stellar run, making the Finals in every event thus far and scalping three wins along the way.

“I have had this goal written on my door and it has been waiting there for a long time to be ticked off so I can’t wait to go home and cross it out,” Moore said.

2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Results:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: WIN
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: Runner-Up
Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival New Zealand: Runner-Up
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic: WIN
Billabong Rio Pro: WIN
Roxy Pro Biarritz: Runner-Up
Nike US Open of Surfing: TBD



This year’s stellar run set another record for the youngster as the only ASP World Champion in history to make the Finals in every event this season, and sees Moore as the first Hawaiian ASP Women’s World Champion since Margo Oberg (HAW) in 1981.

Women's surfing has progressed mainly due to surfing like this! (Photo: ASP)

“I definitely first and foremost want to thank my little sister Cayla, thank you so much,” Moore said. “I wouldn’t be here without you. There are way too many people to thank but my Dad, he has been here every step of the way and I could not have done this without him. It is so much sweeter having him part of my team. I want to thank my sponsors Nike, Target and Red Bull I couldn’t do it without them. My family, my uncles and aunts and my grandparents.”

The next and final stop on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title season will be the Nike US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach from August 1 – 6, 2011.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Mr Price Pro - the Wildcards are ready for the World

Greg "Foot" Emslie will give the foreigners a tough time in his heats. (Photo: ASP)

BALLITO, Kwa-Zulu Natal / South Africa (Tuesday, June 7, 2011) – Six talented South African surfers have been granted wildcard entries into the prestigious R1.7 Million ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito from July 4-10, 2011.
Greg Emslie (East London), Davey Brand (Cape Town) and Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) will make their way into the event courtesy of Mr Price wildcards while Klee Strachan (Winklespruit), Brendon Gibbens (Cape Town) and David Weare (Durban) will take on the worlds’ best courtesy of ASP Africa wildcards.
Slotted directly into the round of 96, these six surfers will take on the event’s top seeds right from their first heat where they will be guaranteed a minimum of R5000 (US$ 750) should they bow out early and an enormous R270 000 (US$40,000) should they win the entire event!
The Mr Price Pro Ballito’s exclusive 96-man field means only the top ranked surfers on the ASP World Rankings qualify for a place in the main event, making a wildcard entry invaluable for non ASP World ranked surfers.
ASP World Tour retiree Greg Emslie, who flew the South African flag for a record nine years at the elite level, knows just how exceptional an opportunity like this one is. The powerful natural-footer (left-foot forward stance) will have the hopes of South Africa on his shoulders as the most experienced of this year’s wildcard deck.
“I can’t wait,” Emslie said. “To have the chance to compete against the top surfers in the world is always special. I feel I am surfing better and more progressive than ever now that I am retired and I look forward to taking on the internationals in a few weeks time.”
Another skilled international campaigner is David Weare. Weare competed at elite level for two years in 2006 and 2009 and although now retired from international competition, Weare remains a fierce competitor capable of causing any number of upsets at this year’s event.
“I'm super excited to have made it into this event,” Weare said. “It'll be good to see all the crew again and get to surf against them again. I'm still a competitor at heart so I'll definitely be giving it my all at this event!”
Young, up-and-coming talent Davey Brand, 18, will attract plenty of attention when he hits the water for his first heat. Captaining the South African team to the ISA Quiksilver World Games to Peru recently where he placed third in the U18 division, Brand welcomes the opportunity to put his skills to the test against some of the ASP World Title Tour surfers.
“I am so gratefully for this opportunity,” Brand said.” I’m taking it on with a nothing to loose everything to gain attitude and will give it everything I’ve got to make it as far as I can in the competition.”
A total of seven South African surfers have also qualified for the main event via their ASP World ranking. They include World No. 2 Jordy Smith (RSA), former ASP World Tour campaigner Travis Logie (Dbn), Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay), former ASP World Tour campaigner Royden Bryson (Cape Town), Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) and Dale Staples (St Francis Bay).
Eight South African surfers will compete in the trials for the remaining two spots into the main event. The trialists are Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga), Chad Du Toit (Dbn), Kyle Lane (Umhlanga), Frankie Obherhozer (Scottburgh), Mathew Bromley (Cape Town), Alan Johns (Ballito), Sean Holmes (CT) and Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay).
The eight trialists will compete in two, four man heats with the top two from each heat advancing into a four-man final. First and second place finalists will advance into the main event.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito includes an action packed beach festival including beach entertainment; extreme sports, dedicated children’s programmes and a lifestyle and retail area provide plenty of daytime fun. The ever-popular Mr Price Pro Music concerts will take place on the evening of 8 and 9 July at Salt Rock at no cost to festivalgoers.
For more information log on to www.mrpricepro.com or like us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/mrpricepro.

Casey Grant is one noticeable surfer missing from the line up. (Photo: ZigZag)

 I have to be honest, I am very surprised not to see Casey Grant in the Wild Card comp. He came second last year to Jordy Smith and was certainly one of the stand out surfers during the event. There has been no media or comment about this, but surely one of the ASP Africa wild cards should have gone to him? Not to say any of the chosen surfers are not deserving, but last years runner up, come on! I would love to hear your thoughts on this...

Billabong Rio Pro 2011 - Preview

With 2 events behind us on the 2011 WCT, the tour now heads to the vibrant city of Rio, Brazil. The contest moves here from its previous location of Florinoppolis and I for one think this will have a major impact on the competition. The level of support the local Brazillian boys will have from the beach, could see some major upsets on the cards. If you play Fantasy Surfer, you  will want to make sure you have some Brazilian representation.

Rio is a city famous for its beauty and geography, for its exotic landscapes that mix sea and mountain and of course, for its beaches. It’s not by chance that during the last 50 years surfing has grown here and has become very popular among the Brazilian youth, at first in Rio South Zone, afterwards in all of Brazil. Today surfing is one of the most practiced sports on the Brazilian coast.

Peterson Crisanto, the young wildcard. He loos dangerous in the water. (Photo: ASP)

The locals to look out for start with Jadson Andre, the defending champion and a man who gets better by the event on the WCT. Fun, punchy beach break is going to suit this guy and nobody will want him in their heats. Also be wary of the wildcard, Peterson Crisanto, the latest representative of Brazil's new generation, was announced as the wildcard for the Billabong Rio Pro 2011. Petersinho, as he is know in his home country, is an aerial specialist and definitely has a full bag of tricks to prove himself in the big stage against the top surfers in the world.
The surfer got his year started with a bang, winning one of the biggest prizes in the PRO JR category at Burleigh Heads, Australia, last January.


Who is Peterson Crisanto from Billabong on Vimeo.

Then we have the front runners in the title race right now. King Kelly Slater still sits on top of the rankings, but he is by no means out far ahead. Joel Parkinson lifted himself to 2nd place on the rankings with a well earned 1st at Bells and Jordy Smith has finished 3rd in both early events to secure himself in 3rd on the rankings and within easy reach of the number 1 spot. All three of these guys can deliver in punchy beach break, but I think Smith has the advantage if  it is smaller and weaker. His experience in the Durban bowls will see him a lethal threat. Don't think for a minute that he is to big to surf small waves, he will prove you wrong.


2011 Billabong Rio Pro - Webisode #1 from Billabong USA on Vimeo.

My danger men - Taj Burrows, a man who has won multiple titles in Brazil and loves these nuggety little beach break conditions. Likewise, Josh Kerr, has not had the best start to the year, but with his arsenal of arials, new school turns and tube riding small waves, he will be a very dangerous adversary in these conditions.


2011 Billabong Rio Pro - Webisode #2 from Billabong USA on Vimeo.

All in all, I think we may be in for one of the most exciting Billabong Pro, Brazil, events ever!

Catch all the action at - Billabong Pro Live