Mitch Crews (Currumbin, Qld) today claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade–5 Oakley Pro Junior in a dominating fashion ahead of Narrabeen’s (NSW) Davey Cathels.

Held in clean three foot (1 metre) waves at Main Beach on Queensland’s (Australia) North Stradbroke Island, Crews defeated Cathels in the Final of the prestigious professional junior event, registering a combined two-wave total of 16.30 points (out of a possible 20) to Cathels’ 13.00.

“The monkey is finally off my back,” Crews said. “I won a Pro Junior about three years ago as a grommet and have been struggling to get over that final hurdle again for ages, so I’m just super stoked. This year had been so frustrating, because in the first three events of the series I’ve finished Runner-Up twice and made a Semifinal, so to finally win one…I’m just over the moon.”

After disposing of 140 of the world’s best international surfers this week, today’s result levels the score between Crews and Cathels at one win a piece in finals this year, after Cathels toppled Crews in the Final of last month’s opening event of 2010 ASP Australasian Pro Junior Men’s series.

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2010 ASP Australasian Junior Men’s Series Ratings
* After The Oakley Pro Junior:

1. Mitch Crews (Currumbin, QLD) 9490 points
2. Davey Cathels (Narrabeen, NSW) 8000 points
3. Chris Friend (Alexandra Headland, QLD) 7130 points
4. Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) 6830 points
5. Chris Salisbury (Newport, NSW) 6230 points

Visit www.oakleyprojunior.com for news, photos and updates relating to the 2010 Oakley Pro Junior.

The Oakley Pro Junior will commence February 9 and conclude on February 13, 2010.

Tim Boal signs new contracts with Oakley and Pull-In Underwear

Bordeaux, France — ASP World Tour rookie Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 25, recently re-signed with Oakley and also put pen to paper on a new contract with Pull-in Underwear following new endorsement deals brokered by Agency Sports International (ASI) Management.

The reigning ASP European Men’s Champion continues to power his way into 2009 after an incredible season on the World Qualifying Series in 2008, culminating in the Frenchman earning himself a precious spot on the elite ASP World Tour. After taking his place among the world’s top 44 surfers at the Quiksilver Pro in Australia earlier this month, Boal impressed spectators and judges alike by winning his first heat in emphatic style before capitulating in the 3rd round and earning himself an equal 17th place finish.

Following his promising performance on the Gold Coast, Boal took some time out to reflect on his latest endorsement deals, and said: “Oakley have been supporting me for a long time and I’m really stoked to extend my contract with them so that I can keep working with the brand.

We enjoyed a lot of success in 2008 and I’m confident that I can go on and achieve even greater things this year with the benefit of their support. It’s also a real pleasure to sign with Pull-in – they’ve got one of the most stacked action sports teams in the business, and it’s an honor to line up alongside those team riders.”

Looking ahead, Boal is anxious to build on the promising start he has made on the ASP World Tour, and said: “Professional surfing has come a long way in Europe in the last few years, and I’m really excited to be one of seven surfers flying the European flag on the World Tour this year. My support team and I have worked really hard over the last few months to rehabilitate my foot injury, and I’m stoked the hard work has finally paid off.

The opportunity to paddle out and compete against the world’s best surfers is something I’ve been working towards all my life, and I’m going to make the most of that opportunity in 2009 and hopefully beyond. Thanks to my girlfriend, my parents, my friends and my sponsors for all the support, especially during the tough times!”

Check back at the Europe.Reef.com and website to find out how Tim gets on at the next stops of the World Tour. Tim Boal’s sponsors include Reef, Red Bull, Oakley, Pull-in, Dakine, Surfersvillage and Pukas.

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Although, Luxxotica, the parent company of Oakley, Ray Ban, Arnette, and others, Q1 sales were down 11.6%, Oakley/Ray Ban sales helped off set the companies weak performance in other sectors.

“The positive sales performance in all markets by Oakley and the success of Ray-Ban’s optical collections only enabled the Group to partially offset the effects of the challenging macro-economic environment, which triggered strong measures by clients to cut inventory levels. Wholesale sales for the period were Euro 501.6 million, compared to Euro 619.6 million (down by 19.0% at current exchange rates and by 19.8% at constant exchange rates). Regarding sales in key geographical regions, Luxottica’s performance was substantially positive in Continental Europe and South America, while sales were down in Southern Europe, North America and the Far East. “

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