There’s been little going on in Europe of late, so check out this little chunk ‘o’ news from Chile, courtesy of the ASP…

ARICA, Chile (Saturday, June 6, 2009) – Smiles were everywhere and the happy atmosphere that we saw in the closing ceremony shows, without a doubt, the level of happiness and thankfulness of the surfers that participated in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 3-Star Rusty Arica Pro.

All agreed that the quality of the wave and organization of the event was one of the best. So, it was without surprise that everyone listened to Roberto Perdigao (Brazil), regional director of the ASP promising that his organization would give full support to the re-edition of this contest in the following next years in the city of eternal spring. The news was received with ovations by the massive public who assisted the final day of the event.

After defeating Jay Davies (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, and Manuel Selman in Semifinals, Peruvian Gabriel Villaran crowned himself champion of the contest after beating his fellow surfer from Peru, Alvaro Malpartida.

The first time Villaran has won an ASP WQS event after contesting the circuit since 2003. It didn’t surprise anyone that he was so thankful towards Arica and its people.

“I feel at home in Arica,” Villaran said. “They always received me and supported me with open arms. I feel sorry to not have been able to share this experience with my friend Ramon Navarro from Pichilemu. I dedicate this triumph to my mom and all the Ariqueans. We showed today that Chileans and Peruvians can be friends.”

There were also prizes for 2nd by Alvaro Malpartida (PER), and 3rd place taken by Manuel Selman (CHI) and Jason Torres (CRI).

Although Camilo Hernandez was eliminated by another Chilean, Selman, when he couldn’t overcome Manuel’s experience in world contests, his surfing was qualified as over the top by surfers and press alike, becoming the revelation of this contest.

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Surfers around O’ahu scanned the horizon yesterday and saw the first big south swell of the season roll in with wave heights forecast at 5 to 8 feet.

“I’m itching to get out there,” said Ken Lykes, a surf instructor at Hans Hedemann Surf School in Waikiki. “It will be nice.”

The waves are forecast at advisory levels, which means high waves could produce rip currents and localized beach erosion, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory will be in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow.

The swell will be decent all this week along O’ahu’s south shores, according to the weather service. It will peak tonight but will be followed by a second swell tomorrow before slowly ebbing into the weekend, according to the forecast.

John Clark, former Hono- lulu Fire Department deputy chief and author of six books on beaches in Hawai’i, confirmed that the swells starting yesterday were the first big ones of the season. The south swells usually come as early as April and gain strength in May and June, Clark said.

“I was out there this morning,” Clark said yesterday. “The waves were consistent overhead sets. That’s good news for all the surfers on the island. It’s definitely the first big swell of the summer surf.”

City lifeguards had not reported any significant increase in rescues, said Bryan Cheplic, city Emergency Services spokesman.

“We staff accordingly,” Cheplic said. “There’s nothing different.”

At Point Panic and Kewalo Basin yesterday, surfing fans stood with their cameras on tripods to capture the first big swell of the season — and hooted and hollered encouragement to their friends riding the waves. It didn’t matter that they weren’t in the water, all that mattered was catching a wave.

“This is a fun day,” said Doug Palama. “This is my favorite break. I come here daily, if possible. It’s the best break.”

More than two dozen bodysurfers at Point Panic caught wave after wave, with some bodysurfers coming perilously close to the rocky shoreline. Across the channel, surfers rode waves long into the white water as waves of 2 to 3 feet pushed them along.

The crowd was bigger than normal yesterday, Palama said. That’s because everyone had been waiting for the first big swell.

“Everyone’s really hungry,” Palama said. “That’s why there’s so many people out today.”

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Dragon stoked to announce the newest addition to it’s stellar team: Dion Atkinson

The South Oz star joins the likes of Mick Fanning, Rob Machado, Ace Buchan, Owen Wright and Dusty Payne as well as strong Aussie team including Jayke Sharp, Courtney Brown and Jack Freestone.

Atkinson only nearly missed the WCT in 2008 and has already got 2009 off to an amazing start with a 5th at the Cold Water Classic in Tassie followed by a 3rd at Margaret River. Those two results placed him 3rd on the ‘QS after the Aussie leg.

Since then he’s had two more good results and is currently sitting in 16th with just four results (seven count toward the final tally). Atkinson said he was amped to join the Dragon Team.

“I am stoked to join the team I have been a fan of the sunnies for a while,”  he said. “When I was young I used to froth on Fanning, so it’s pretty cool to be on the same team.”

Atkinson is off to the Maldives thisek to compete in the SriLankan Pro and hopefully continue his run off success. “I have had a pretty good start to the year and I want to keep that going, I was five points of the WCT last year, so hopefully I will do five better this year!”

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