This elite group of surfers will contest for the 2012 ASP World Title, starting on the Gold Coast of Australia in February.

2012 ASP TOP 34:
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
3. Taj Burrow (AUS)
4. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
5. Owen Wright (AUS)
6. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
7. Julian Wilson (AUS)
8. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
9. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
10. Michel Bourez (PYF)
11. Josh Kerr (AUS)
12. Damien Hobgood (USA)
13. John John Florence (HAW)
14. Mick Fanning (AUS)
15. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
16. Heitor Alves (BRA)
17. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
18. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
19. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
20. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
21. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
22. Brett Simpson (USA)
23. Adam Melling (AUS)
24. Kolohe Andino (USA)
25. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
26. Tiago Pires (PRT)
27. Jadson Andre (BRA)
28. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
29. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
30. Dusty Payne (HAW)
31. Travis Logie (ZAF)
32. Taylor Knox (USA)
33. Kai Otton (AUS) *surfer wildcard (next on the ASP World Rankings)
34. Yadin Nicol (AUS) *surfer wildcard (injury)
1st Alternate: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
2nd Alternate: Willian Cardoso (BRA)
3rd Alternate: Chris Davidson (AUS)
4th Alternate: Thiago Camarao (BRA)

read more at asp

Brodie Carr, CEO of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), submitted resignation today, effective at the end of this year. “The Board of Directors met today and reluctantly accepted the resignation of Brodie Carr,” says Richard Grellman, independent chairman of the ASP Board and interim CEO. “We would like to recognize his valuable contribution over the last six years and wish him every success in the future.”

Carr is credited with several positive initiatives for the sport, including bringing Fiji back to the ASP Dream Tour in 2012 for the Volcom Fiji Pro. However, his recent restructuring of the ASP World Tour was a cause for complaint among some throughout the past year.

The news comes on the heels of the ASP’s premature crowing of 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater last week at the Rip Curl Pro Search in San Fransisco. “It is my duty to accept responsibility for the recent calculation error,” said Carr in a statement released by the ASP. “The determination of the ASP World Title is the most important moment in professional surfing. Ultimately, the responsibility for every activity within ASP lies with me. Therefore, I have elected to resign my position as CEO.”

Carr’s resignation is a bit surprising, but no word yet on his next moves. Carr brought impressive professional achievements to the ASP when he started in 2005, previously working for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. We would not be surprised to see him catapult to another, just as impressive, position in the near future.

According to the ASP, “Slater, who officially confirmed his 2011 ASP World Title on Sunday at Ocean Beach, will join the remainder of the ASP Top 34 at the 11th and final event of the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Billabong Pipe Masters, from December 8 – 20, 2011.”

story via transworld

Nine time world champion, four time Rip Curl Pro champion and right now world number one surfer on the ASP 2010 season ratings,  Kelly Slater showed his immense appreciation for Australian Indigenous Culture by gifting his winning 2010 Rip Curl Pro ‘BELL’ trophy to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

Slater who has twice before been the recipient of a traditional aboriginal welcome to the winner’s podium by the Je-Be-Weng Aboriginal Dancers when receiving his trophy explained that when he arrived at Bells this year he had decided that if he won he would give his trophy to the Wathaurong community in recognition of their previous support of him and as an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land.

He went on to say half way through the final and well behind in scores he suddenly remembered his personal pledge and  he thought he may not get the opportunity, one he really wanted and that just after this thought the wave that ultimately won him the event came his way!

“I’m really excited because I remembered that before this contest I promised myself that if I won, I would give to trophy to the Wathaurong (local aboriginal tribe) people,” Slater said. “I didn’t remember that until I was out in the water and right when I did, those waves came. So before I give it to them, I want to pass the trophy around for everyone to give a ring because that’s never been done before.”

Slater spent quite some time with his Aboriginal friends in the Johanna car park ringing the Bell in his own hand over celebration. The place that WATHAURONG ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE plays in the Rip Curl Pro is now significant and is specifically aimed at exposing the world to Australian Aboriginal Culture.

The indigenous element of Rip Curl Pro is a key component of the 12 month a year statewide indigenous surfing program co ordinated by Surfing Victoria in partnership with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative and supported by the Victorian Government water safety initiative Play it Safe by the Water, the Department of Justice, VicHealth, many community groups and the surfing industry.

Elements of the program include statewide indigenous community learn to surf and water safety programs, work placement opportunities, a statewide surfing carnival attracting community members from not just the Victorian coastline but many inland communities as well, wild card opportunities into the Rip Curl Pro and coaching and mentoring courses.

Now number one on the ASP World Ratings following his second placing in Brazil, you can be certain the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will be cheering Slater  on through every event this season!

story via surfingaustralia.com