The Beach

Gilmore and Slater win in Hawaii

2008-12-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Both Stephanie Gilmore and Kelly Slater have finished the 2008 ASP World Tours with big wins in Hawaii.

Having just been crowned ASP Women's World Champion for the second time, Steph Gilmore stormed to victory in the Billabong Pro Maui, defeating Melanie Bartels (HAW), to claim her second consecutive win in the event at Ho'okipa Beach Park and earning her first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (an ASP Specialty Series) Title.

Nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) took the big one at Oahu, Hawaii, the prestigious Billabong Pipeline Masters. The victory is Slater's sixth of the 11 event tour, in a season that saw him top the World rankings for a record ninth time.

ASP World Tour Update

2008-11-10T04:25:00.000-08:00

Well, last month, with two events left on the 2008 ASP World Tour, Kelly Slater, USA, finally secured a record ninth ASP World Title, securing a sufficient points lead in the title rankings after advancing out of Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Mundaka, Spain.
The event went on to be won by C.J. Hobgood (USA), who defeated Joel Parkinson (AUS) in three-foot (one meter) barreling waves.

Now, Australian Bede Durbidge, has taken the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Imbituba, Brazil, over France's Jeremy Flores.

The win moves Durbidge to the World No. 2 position, while fellow Australian Taj Burrow follows in third. At position four, Joel Parkinson completes the Ausie trio in the top five of the ASP world rankings, while C.J. Hobgood trails in fifth place.

Slater Still Waiting

2008-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Kelly Slater (USA) is still waiting to clinch a historic ninth ASP World Title. He had it in his sights but Adrian Buchan (AUS) pipped him 15.73 to 15.16, to take the Quiksilver Pro France, in a tight final held at Les Bourdaines.

Kelly now has to move across the border to Mundaka in the Basque Country of Spain, for the ninth stop of the ASP World Tour, where appropriately, if he finishes ninth or better, he will be declared world champion for the ninth time.

Nine is considered a good number in Chinese culture and is the most exalted number because it sounds the same as the Chinese word for "longlasting". Coincidence?

Slater Heading to Ninth World Title

2008-09-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

Kelly Slater (USA) is only one event win away from a record ninth ASP World Title.
He beat Taj Burrow (AUS) 18.97 to 18.63, to claim his third Boost Mobile Pro title at Lower Trestles, California, despite Burrow having scored a 9.00 and 9.63 before the halfway mark in the final and thinking that he had the match sewn up. Slater however is a master at stealing a win right at the end and when Taj passed up on an unpromising wave with less than two minutes to go, Kelly did what he does best.

The next stop on the 2008 ASP World Tour begins on September 19, in Hossegor, France.

Hawaiians Win in Indonesian Surf

2008-08-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Rip Curl Pro Search, Indonesia, has ended with an epic barrel shootout between two Hawaiian friends, Fredrick Patacchia and Bruce Irons, who claimed his first Dream Tour win. Bruce plans to retire from the Dream Tour at the end of this season, though he still intends competing at Pipeline and Teahupoo, plus any other venues that he can get into.

Kelly Slater (USA) maintains a healthy lead on this year's ASP World Title race as they head to the next stop on the tour, which will be the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley at Lower Trestles, California from September 7-13, 2008. However, he is the only American in the top 5; Australians Joel Parkinson, Bede Durbidge, Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning occupying positions 2 to 5.

Taylor Knox Rides Supertubes

2008-07-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

ASP World Tour veteran, Taylor Knox (USA) stole the show in perfect four to six foot (one to two metre) waves on day one of the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. There was no shortage of standout surfing but Taylor posted near perfect 9.90 and a 9.80 wave scores to give him an amazing combined heat total of 19.70 out of 20.00 points. He figures that is his highest combined score in a 15 year career and what's more, he had a further 9.00 in his scoreline to spare.

Kelly Slater has really shined in the 2008 tour. Having claimed three of the first four events, he is well and truly poised to campaign for a ninth ASP World Title and is looking to increase his world title lead by winning again at Jeffreys Bay, a record fourth time.

The event has a scheduled waiting period running through July 20, 2008 but it is expected that conditions will be good for round 2 playoffs to carry on tomorrow.

U.S. Open Surfing

2008-07-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

The ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star men's and women's events plus the ASP Grade-2 O'Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior, the ASP 2-Star O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding and the recently-added ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior. Collectively billed as the biggest event of the year at the famed Huntington Beach Pier, will run from July 18 through 27, 2008.

Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA), who is a 2x U.S. Open Longboard Champion and 3x World Champion, will be back to defend his title

You can view live action at this year's GO211 LIVE featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill, by login onto GO211 LIVE.

Kelly Slater wins in Fiji

2008-06-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

Eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has won his third event on the 2008 ASP World Tour after eliminating C.J. Hobgood in the final of the Globe Pro Fiji held in six foot (two metre) waves at Cloudbreak. Slater remains the only member of the ASP Top 45 to win an event in this year's tour and the win places him in a commanding position at the top of the world rankings.

Globe Pro Fiji

2008-05-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Current ASP World Tour No. 1 Kelly Slater (USA) met local wildcard Isei Tokoea (FIJ), when competition for the Globe Pro Fiji began at Restaurants today but unlike last week's event at Teahupoo, Tahiti, when wildcards ruled and Brazilian wildcard Bruno Santos eventually defeated local wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF) to win the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Kelly Slater surfed a near perfect heat scoring 19.73 out of 20.00 points.

The competition, event 4 on the 2008 ASP tour, began in perfect six-foot (two metre) waves at Restaurants and saw Joel Parkinson (AUS), World No. 2 behind Slater, Bede Durbidge (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW) and Mick Fanning (AUS), ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively, all progressing to round three.

Kelly Slater wins Lower Tresles

2007-09-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Tresles, California, has been won by American surfing hero, ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA) . Kelly, who is the only surfer to have ever scored a 'Perfect 20' in an ASP competition heat, now claims the highest number of elite tour wins in pro surfing history (34); this win taking him past the legendary Tom Curren.

The win puts him in second place on the current world rankings and in a commanding position to take a ninth world title as the tour moves on to event 7, Quiksilver Pro France, at Hossegor, France, running from September 20 to 30, 2007.

Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after Stop No. 6 of 10:

Mick Fanning (AUS) 5270

Kelly Slater (USA) 5040

Taj Burrow (AUS) 4511

Andy Irons (HAW) 4331

Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4029

Damien Hobgood (USA) 3824

Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3467

Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 3462

Jeremy Flores (FRA) 3438

Dean Morrison (AUS) 3248

Boost Mobile Pro, Lower Trestles

2007-09-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

As I post this, Mick Fanning (AUS ) has just stormed through his first heat of the Boost Mobile Pro, which is the 6th of 10 events on the 2007 ASP World Tour, at Lower Trestles, California, USA. The surf is small, but clean, with frequent one metre sets and Mick posted a 9.8.

Damien Hobgood (California, USA)is gutted to have had to withdraw from the event with a knee injury.

Watch the event live streaming video.

Mulanovich wins in Spain

2007-09-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Sofia Mulanovich (PER) has won the Rip Curl Girls Festival in Liencres Spain by defeating Silvana Lima (BRA ) to take maximum points at Stop No. 4 of 7 on surfing's elite ASP Women's World Tour.

This moves the 2004 ASP World Champion to three on the ASP Ratings, while Silvana, securing her second consecutive second place result this year, now occupies the number two spot. Top honours on the closely packed ratings goes to Samantha Cornish (AUS), who finished equal third when she was ousted by Mulanovich in their semifinal.

It means that Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), who was rated World No. 1 going into this event has lost her ratings lead, dropping to World No. 4 after a disappointing equal 9th place finish. However, it is very close at the top and anything can happen in the next three events,

Girls have fun in Brazil Surf

2007-08-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

The world's best women surfers jumped right into Round 1 of the 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Brazil, and 3-4 foot peaks, at Praia da Tiririca today, Monday August 20.

Ratings leader Chelsea Hedges (AUS) high scored with a pair of 9.0s in a day of fun surfing. Round two scheduled for tomorrow at 10h00 local time.

Burrow beats Slater for J-Bay Crown

2007-07-23T08:53:00.001-07:00

The Australians continue to dominate this years ASP world tour leaderboard, with Taj Burrow (AUS) beating Kelly Slater (USA) to win the 2007 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. The victory is Burrow's second on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour and moves him to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings behind fellow Australian, Mick Fanning. Despite being eliminated by Taj Burrow in the semis, Fanning's consistency on the tour remains unchallenged this year with three 3rds, a 1st and a 2nd.

He now leads the ratings with 4860 points, Taj Burrow moves up to second, with Andy Irons (HAW) and Kelly Slater (USA), third and fourth respectively. Joel Parkinson (AUS) in fifth position then competes the Australian trio in the top five.

The next event is at Lower Trestles, California, USA, in September.

Jennifer Smith wins Women's Title

2007-07-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Smith from Pacific Beach, California, USA, has been crowned the 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, following her victory in the Roxy ASP WWLC in Biarritz, France this afternoon.

"I feel so blessed to be in the situation I’m in right now," said Smith. "I made the final last year and lost, so to come back and make the final again and take the title is just an incredible feeling."

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

2007-07-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

Stop No. 5 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay has commenced in clean three to four foot waves and you can view the event on live webcasts.

The addition of three local wildcards means that there are seven South African surfers competing on their home ground.

Irons wins 2007 Pro Search

2007-07-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

It was a hard fought final at Ex Isla Alacran, Chile, against Damien Hobgood but Andy Irons scored a late 9.17 to take the Rip Curl Pro Search for a second year in succession, moving him to 3rd in the rankings behind Damien, who jumps to the number two slot.

Despite losing to Andy Irons in the semi-finals, Mick Fanning consolidates his position at the top of the rankings, however Andy is actually in quite a strong position because when calculating the year's final points total, he will be allowed to drop his last place finish in the first ASP World Tour event of the year.

The top five ASP World Tour rankings are currently:

Mick Fanning (AUS)

Damien Hobgood (USA)

Andy Irons (HAW)

Taj Burrow (AUS)

Joel Parkinson (AUS)

Kelly Slater (USA) comes in at number six, having had a disappointing start to the year and only securing one semi-final place.

The Men's ASP World Tour now heads to JBay, South Africa, for event 5.

Rip Curl Pro Search Chile

2007-06-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

It's half way through the 2007 Rip Curl Pro Search Chile waiting period at Arica, event 4 on the ASP world tour. And a dramatic day of competition (Monday) saw the elimination of current world No. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS). Three times World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) put in a a scorching performance to take him through to the next round, before retiring half way through his heat with a broken board, and Fred Patacchia (HAW) turned in a perfect 10-point ride.

A couple of days into the event, the Arica break got a little too wild, forcing organizers to put it on hold in order to ensure the surfer's safety but good 2m (6ft) waves have since allowed all but two heats from round three to be completed.

Next competition call is 7am local time, Tuesday

Action in Tahiti

2007-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

The action proved short-lived at the Billabong Pro Tahiti but having got an unprecedented extension to the waiting time, the guys are back out on the water.

Today they will crown a new champ, no matter what.

Watch them live.

Billabong Pro Tahiti 2007

2007-05-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

After several days without action, the Billabong Pro Tahiti burst into life today.

Bobby Martinez, last year's champion dipped out in round three to Luke Stedman but Slater, Irons, Burrow, Hobgood and Fanning are all through to the last sixteen.

Watch live.

ASP World Tour, Tahiti 2007

2007-05-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti is underway at Teahupoo Reef, in three to five foot barrels.

The action ignited from heat one with defending champion Bobby Martinez (USA) wiping out the opposition, 2001 Billabong Pro Tahiti winner Cory Lopez (USA) and Australian Trent Munro. While 2002 Billabong Pro Tahiti winner Andy Irons (HAW), last year’s runner-up Fred Pattachia (HAW) and local specialist and event wildcard Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) are about to have a battle royal in heat seven.

Watch the action live thanks to some great streaming video.

ASP World Tour, Stop 3

2007-04-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Next week its Chopes versus the surf professionals for round three of the Foster's ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupoo, Taiarapu, May 4-14, 2007.

American surfers have made this their event with only Andy Irons (HAW) in 2002 and Mark Occhilupo (AUS), at the first run of the competition back in 1999, spoiling the U.S record of wins.

It was on this wave that Kelly Slater scored two perfect 10 rides, to accumulate an incredible scoreline of 20 out of a possible 20.
Past Billabong Pro Tahiti champions:
2006: Bobby Martinez (USA)
2005: Kelly Slater (USA)
2004: CJ Hobgood (USA)
2003: Kelly Slater (USA)
2002: Andy Irons (HAW)
2001: Cory Lopez (USA)
2000: Kelly Slater (USA)
1999: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

2007-04-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Stop 2 on the Foster's ASP Men's world tour got of to a flying start yesterday at Bells Beach, Australia, in 4 to 6 ft (1 to 2 m) waves, with both Kelly Slater and Andy Irons determined to stamp their mark on the competition.

Slater and Joel Parkinson, both of whom made the Rip Curl Pro final last year, tied for the day's highest single wave score: 9.17 out of 10.00. Irons finished last in the first event of the season and wasn't in the mood to take any chances in his heat against wildcard, Australian Matt Wilkinson .

Today it is the turn of the ASP Women's World Tour, the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach, which will run in tandem with the men's event. Both events have the option of a waiting period through to April 13, 2007 and you can catch all the action live on www.aspworldtour.com or www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro

ASP World Champions Crowning

2007-02-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

Professional surfing superstars, both past and present, turned out in force yesterday for the 25th Annual Foster's Association of Surf Professionals World Champions Crowning held at Conrad Jupiter's Casino on Australia's Gold Coast.

Honorees included:

Foster's ASP World Tour Champion – Kelly Slater (AUS)

Foster's ASP World Tour Runner Up – Andy Irons (HAW)

ASP Women's World Tour Champion – Layne Beachley (AUS)

ASP Women's World Tour Runner-Up – Melanie Redman Carr (AUS)

ASP Men's World Junior Champion – Jordy Smith (ZAF)

ASP Women's World Junior Champion – Nicola Atherton (AUS)

Foster's ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year – Bobby Martinez (USA)

ASP Women's World Tour Rookie of the Year – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

Foster's ASP World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Tim Reyes (USA)

ASP Women's World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Rebecca Woods (AUS)

ASP Men's World Longboard Champion – Josh Constable (AUS)

ASP Women's World Longboard Champion – Schuyler McFerran (USA)

ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Man – Jeremy Flores (FRA)

ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Woman – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

But it's back to work next week with the first of the world tour events for the 2007 season.The waiting period for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros begins February 27th, 2007 and we will again be following the tours at The Beach.

Both the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour and ASP Women's World Tour will kick off at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast of Australia with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros presented by Samsung.

Following the 2007 ASP World Tour season opener at Snapper Rocks, the Foster's ASP World Tour will travel to the dream venues of Bells Beach, Australia; Teahupoo, Tahiti; ‘Somewhere’ in Chile; Jeffreys Bay, South Africa; Lower Trestles, California; Hossegor, France; Mundaka, Spain; Imbituba, Brazil and Pipeline, Hawaii.

The ASP Women's World Tour will join the men's tour in Bells Beach before branching off and heading to Itacare, Brazil; Santander, Spain; Sydney, Australia; Sunset Beach, Hawaii and Maui, Hawaii.

Andy Irons beats Kelly Slater to win Pipeline Masters

2006-12-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

Hawaii has seen the close of both the Men's and the Women's ASP world tour. In a nail-biting finish to the Women's tour, Layne Beachley claimed her seventh world title and on the Men's tour, although Kelly Slater had already claimed his eighth world title, the last event of the year produced what many claim to be the best final ever seen at the 36-year-old Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters, Andy Irons (HAW) claiming a heroic victory over long-time rival Kelly Slater (USA), Cory Lopez (USA) and Rob Machado (USA).

In typical style, Slater began the final at lightning speed, chalking up a 9.00 and a 7.40 within the first eight minutes but Irons is renowned for fighting to the end and fought back with an amazing 9.87 and a killer 10 to finish.