Saltwater Wine Pro

Hurley NSW Champ Circuit event #4
Old Bar, New South Wales
13 – 14 June 2009

Maroubra, NSW — The Hurley NSW Championship Circuit flies into the state’s mid north this weekend as the best in the business Old Bar for the Saltwater Wine Pro.

Hurley NSW Championship Circuit 2009 Schedule:

1. Triple Bull Pro, 16-17 May 2009 at Cronulla
2. Dripping Wet Pro, 23-24 May 2009 at Freshwater Beach
3. Bay Action Pro, 30-31 May 2009 at Byron Bay
4. Saltwater Wine Surf Classic, 13-14 June 2009 at Old Bar
5. Wild Surf Co. Mattara Pro, 26-27 September 2009 at Newcastle
6. Zink Surf South Coast Pro, 10-11 October 2009 at Werri Beach
7. Slimes Pro, 7-8 November 2009 at Avoca Beach

As the fourth event on the prestigious Hurley NSW Championship Circuit for 2009, the Saltwater Wine Pro will see Australia’s best, junior and open, surfers going ballistic – including a handful of the region’s rising stars. Led by the Reading siblings – Joel and Luke (Wallabi Point, NSW) -  this year could prove to be another watershed year for the local contenders.

“It’s without doubt my favourite contest of the year,” said Joel, fresh off another stint on the gruelling ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) in 2008. I won this event a few years back, but with the talent on hand this weekend trying to repeat will be a difficult task.”

Now in it’s eighth year, the Saltwater Wine Pro has $3,500 up for grabs ($3,000 for Opens and $500 for cadets) offering the state’s elite an opportunity to compete for serious monetary rewards at Old Bar’s famed Second Corner. “We’re looking at some potentially some really good waves for the weekend,” said Saltwater Wine’s Paul Worbuys.

“Second Corner is consistently renowned as one of the best breaks in the state, so to get the state’s best on it will be something to watch.” Originally a fundraising event, the contest has grown into one of the most crucial events on the Circuit. “The local community really get behind this event,” Worbuys continued.

“People like Angie Bell and the committee really are an integral part of this event being so successful – the local influence is super important.” These sentiments are also echoed by Luke Reading. “The entire community, all the region’s best surfers and the local boardriders always get behind the event, so to do well here would be amazing,” he said.

“My best result here was as a junior, but I’m feeling confident with my equipment, body and surfing at the moment – I’m looking to do well.”

Joined by the likes of Sam Schuman (Forster, NSW), Ben Godwin (Forster, NSW), Joe Haddon (Forster, NSW), Bobby Frith (Forster, NSW) and Oscar Scanes (Old Bar, NSW), the local contingent will be up against it from a host of challengers including James Athorn (Arrawarra, NSW), Luke Cheadle (Culburra, NSW), Jordi and Ty Watson (Currarong, NSW), Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) and Jack Scollard (Lake Munmorah, NSW).

Also new to this years event will be the Hurley Boardriders Challenge, an invitational event which recognises the importance of grassroots surfing throughout the state’s mid north coast.

With six local Boardrider Clubs going head to head in a Teams Format, local pride and bragging rights will be on the line with the winner taking home up to $600 cash. The Saltwater Wine Pro will take place from 13-14 June 2009 with all divisions on standby to commence at 7:45am on Saturday, 13 June 2009.

For the confirmed running schedule and contest location, please call the Surfing NSW Event Hotline on 0458 247 212 after 6:50am on both days of the event. For more information be sure to check out surfingnsw.com.au The Saltwater Wine Pro is proudly supported by Hurley, Saltwater Wine, Australia’s Surfing Life, Saltwater Boardriders Club, Surfing Mid North Coast and Surfing NSW.

About Hurley: The Essence of Hurley is based on our love of the ocean and its constant state of change. With deep roots in beach culture, we are all about inclusion and positivity. Our brand was started with the idea of facilitating the dreams of the youth. Music and art are the common threads that bring us all together. We are passionate about freedom of expression and the individual voice. We place a premium on smiles. Welcome to our world – imagine the possibilities.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Hurley is taking the U.S. Open of Surfing to a new level, infusing a youthful attitude, elite athletes, fashion and music—all against the backdrop of 50 years of competitive surfing at the famed Huntington Beach Pier.  The Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing hosts 500 world-class athletes and draws more than 400,000 spectators over nine days—July 18 to 26.  The event is owned and produced by IMG, a global leader in sports and entertainment.  All of the action is accessible live on usopenofsurfing.com.

“As custodians of the surfing heritage and the tradition that is at the core of this iconic event, we take our role very seriously.  The U.S. Open has always been vital for men’s and women’s surfing in North America, and a pivotal point on the road to the ASP World Tour,” says James Leitz, Vice President of IMG Action Sports, the long time producers of the event.  “Alongside Hurley, our fine sponsors and the City of Huntington Beach, we are also proud to deliver this one-of-a-kind experience to the fans.”

Anchored by the world’s largest professional surfing competition, the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing features North America’s only combined men’s ($145,000) and women’s ($35,000) six-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) competitions.  Elite athletes slated to compete include three-time U.S. Open champion Rob Machado, nine-time world champion Kelly Slater and three-time world and former U.S. Open champion Andy Irons along with many of the sport’s top rated men and women.

Long considered America’s “consumer showcase” for the sport of surfing, the Hurley U.S. Open also features the U.S. Open of Surfing Nike 6.0 Junior Pro competitions for boys ($10,000) and girls ($10,000), Life Rolls On Expression Session and Corona Nose Riding Invitational ($10,000).  The first-ever World Professional Surfers All-Stars event lets the public chose 10 surfers competing in the U.S. Open while the Hurley Pro Trials will determine two coveted wild-card entrants into the ASP World Tour event at Trestles in September.

Nike affiliates Converse and Nike 6.0 will be bringing top action sports athletes to Huntington by hosting world-class BMX and Skateboarding competitions south of the famed pier.  The Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro is a uniquely-formatted “park event,” featuring 20 invited riders – including the 2008 Dew Tour’s Top 10.  Not to be outdone, Converse and Red Bull introduce Converse Coastal Carnage, a Super Mini-Park event for skateboarding featuring an evolutionary combination of street and park skating, as well as an impressive roster of world-class skaters that are guaranteed to attract swarms of spectators.

Celebrating 50 years of competitive surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier, the ASP sanctioned Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing venue will be infused with history, the highlight of which is the “True Performance” Walk of Champions.  This unique tribute pays homage to the men and women champions of the original U.S./West Coast Championships (1959-72), Op Pro Surfing Championships (1982-93) and the U.S. Open of Surfing (1994 to date).  Across the street, the salute to surf history continues with the Surfing Walk of Fame (Jack’s Surfboards) and surfers’ Hall of Fame (Huntington Surf & Sport) induction ceremonies.

More than 400,000 spectators also will enjoy an interactive festival featuring more than 100 exhibits, autograph signings, dance contests, DJs, guest emcees and prize giveaways.  In addition to live bands, the massive concert stage showcases Hurley’s “Walk the Walk”, a celebration of youth, art, music and Fashion.  Four high schools are invited to showcase their vision of Hurley’s 2009 Fall line that will be judged by Bob Hurley, celebrities, professional models and stylists, and Hurley athletes.

The Hurley US Open of Surfing is also proudly sponsored by Casio G’Zone, Paul Mitchell Salon Haircare, Corona, TransWorld SURF, Southwest Airlines, G-Shock, Red Bull, Verizon Wireless and Verizon FiOS.

Open to the public free-of-charge, the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing begins on Saturday, July 18 and runs through Sunday, July 26.  Festival activities, BMX and skate competitions begin on Thursday, July 23.  Live webcast and consumer information is available at usopenofsurfing.com.

About Hurley
Founded in 1999, Hurley is an authentic “Microphone for Youth” brand rooted in surf, skate, art, music and beach cultures. hurley.com

About Nike 6.0
The Nike 6.0 brand defines innovation and embodies the creativity of youth, united by action. Nike 6.0 delivers footwear and apparel to support the new generation of action sports athletes who are changing the worlds of surf, snow, BMX, moto, wake and freeski. Their unlimited potential and contagious energy deliver the future through performance and lifestyle. nike6.com

About Converse
Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company” and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe, the Jack Purcell shoe and the One Star shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel.  Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 25 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at converse.com.

About IMG Sports And Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports and Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports.  IMG Academies are the world’s largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.  More information is available at imgworld.com.

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