Looks like the date has moved from the 20th to the 21st.

For its sixth edition, Europe will join the United States to celebrate the International Surfing Day everywhere in the world.

The event will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2009, along the International coasts.

Its principle is the same, the International Surfi ng Day is the occasion for new publics to discover the wonderful world of waves and surfi ng, share the values of conviviality and solidarity dear to surfers, and be educated to the fragility of our environment.

With more than 1 100 events and nearly 42 000 participants in Europe over the past five years, the Surfing Day has become THE event of reference for the boardsports universe.

Organized by EuroSIMA (European Boardsports Industry Manufacturers Association), and actively supported by the ESF (European Surfing Federation) and the Surfrider Foundation (organization dedicated to the protection of oceans, waves and beaches), the International Surfing Day was born from the desire to move closer, federate and unite all the actors of the surf scene, and participate together in the dynamism of local life.

Let’s all go to the beach to experience the surfers’ daily life, discover new boardsports activities, test products, meet professional riders and be educated to environmental awareness.

Everybody is very welcome to celebrate the International Surfing Day in many beaches all over the world.
Many countries are already involved in the event: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, El Savador, France including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion and Mayotte, Ghana, Hawaii, Holland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New-Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the Canary Islands, the UK and the USA… and more to come.

Have a look at the detailed program on the International Surfing Day website: www.surfing-day.com, and choose your favourite beach.

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ASP Top 17 Release ‘Welcome to the Life’

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, June 2, 2009) – While the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour is currently recharging in a mid-season break, the best female surfers in the world have been keeping busy. Launching today is the Official ASP Women’s World Tour Media Kit, dubbed “Welcome to the Life”, chronicling the 17 unique and beautiful faces that make up professional surfing’s finest.

For over 30 years, the dream of traveling the world and surfing exotic locations has been a reality for the world’s best female surfers as they follow the ASP Women’s World Tour, the most prestigious professional circuit in competitive surfing.

Heralding from all ends of the Earth – Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Hawaii and South Africa – the ASP Top 17 is made up of a diverse and dynamic group of girls all looking to etch “ASP Women’s World Champion” next to their name.

Long recognized as a male dominated sport, today’s female surfers are giving their male counterparts a run for their money.

“The young crop this year has created a new era for women’s surfing,” Kelly Slater, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion, said. “They’re younger, faster, more radical surfers, with good looks and great style to match. The girls on the 2009 tour now would challenge most of the guys surfing today – and that’s saying something.”

“I’d like to see more of them in the spotlight,” Slater said. “I don’t think there’s enough emphasis placed upon the enormous and diverse talent of each individual in surfing. This year’s Top 17 are particularly marketable, so it’s time we saw this happen.”

The ASP Top 17 travel year-round, competing in some of the most exotic and desirable venues on the planet. At the end of the season, the surfer who has accumulated the most points throughout the year seizes the prestigious honor of being crowned the ASP Women’s World Champion, a title that brings with it much prestige and adulation, opening doors and opportunities around the world.

Names like Tom Carroll, Tom Curren, Wendy Botha and Lisa Andersen dominated the sport in the 1990s, contributing to the rise of the surf lifestyle industry.

Today, two Australians, Layne Beachley (a record seven-times ASP Women’s World Champion) and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, are synonymous with the progression of female surfing. While Beachley cemented herself as an icon within the sport, it is Gilmore leading the next generation of talent, exuding athleticism, vibrancy and femininity.

With two ASP Women’s World Titles and multiple endorsement deals at her helm, Gilmore knows firsthand how fortunate she is to form part of the ASP Top 17.

“The ASP Women’s World tour presents the most exciting, challenging and talented female surfers on the planet, taking the surfing lifestyle on a journey around the world, all with the quest to be crowned ASP Women’s World Champion,” Gilmore said.

Sharing the sentiments and dreams of the best in the world is South American icon and 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich.

“Being on tour is the most wonderful thing ever,” Mulanovich said. “You get to surf good waves, meet amazing people, experience different cultures and at the same time you do what you love, it is living the dream.”

The ASP Top 17 are dispersed across the globe in preparation for the next chapter in the ASP Women’s World Tour, when the Beachley Classic kicks off in Sydney Australia on September 30, followed by the Rip Curl Pro Search, Somewhere in the North Atlantic on October 26.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Notes to editors:

1. To access the ASP Top 17 media kit http://www.aspworldtour.com/2009/mediakit_book/

2. For images or interviews with the ASP Women’s World Tour Top 17, please contact:

Brooke Farris – brooke at aspworldtour.com / 0413 616 388

3. For more information and surfer profiles, check out www.aspworldtour.com

4. The Top 17 on the ASP Women’s World Tour include:
· Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
· Silvana Lima (BRA)
· Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
· Paige Hareb (NZL)
· Melanie Bartels (HAW)
· Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
· Coco Ho (HAW)
· Rebecca Woods (AUS)
· Samantha Cornish (AUS)
· Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
· Chelsea Hedges (AUS)
· Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
· Amee Donohoe (AUS)
· Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
· Alana Blanchard (HAW)
· Layne Beachley (AUS)
· Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

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From the spirit of Jay Moriarity to women’s surfing to the powerful presence of Greg Noll, surfing fans are in for a treat June 17-20 when the first annual Half Moon Bay Big-Wave Surfing Film Festival takes place at the Oceano Hotel in Princeton Harbor. Just a stone’s throw away from the Big Wave Surfing Mecca known as Maverick’s.

The Bull (Greg Noll), the legendary big-wave pioneer, will be on the red carpet Wednesday night and introducing his film, “Search For Surf,.” Greg teamed up with storied filmmaker Bruce Brown to document their experiences in California and Hawaii during the early years of the sport.

“What a great way to open an event like this, with one of the sport’s most legendary and inspirational icons. Greg is everyone’s hero, and a classic character. ” said Grant Washburn, Maverick’s Surfer and Event Organizer.

The following night will be a tribute to the late Jay Moriarity, who died on a free-diving expedition off the coast of India in 2001. Moriarity was one of the best surfers ever to ride Maverick’s, and is held close to the hearts of the surfing community. The featured films that Thursday night will be “Whipped” and “Ride On,” each produced by Eric Nelson and Curt Myers of Powerlines Productions.

“We’re beyond excited to host an event that features Big-Wave Surfing, the filmmakers and the surfers themselves”, said Katherine Clark, Event Organizer. “This is just the beginning of what will become a great tradition in the Big-Wave off season.”

Seldom, if ever, have so many highly regarded surf films been on display over such a short time. The event will be held inside the new Harbor Villages shopping center at Princeton, in the shadow of Maverick’s, and visitors are likely to see a number of big-wave superstars in attendance.

In addition to the films, a photo-and-surfboard gallery will be on display throughout the festival at the Oceano Hotel, inside Harbor Village. Photos include some of the best work from Frank Quirarte, Doug Acton, Don Montgomery, Ed Grant, Seth Midgall, and others who have shot Maverick’s over the years.

The complete schedule:

Wednesday, June 17, at ballroom of the Oceano Hotel:

Reception at 6 p.m, followed by 7 p.m. Greg Noll’s “Search for Surf,” with Noll a featured speaker, highlighting the early days of big-wave riding at Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Makaha.

8:30 p.m. “The Perfect 10” The Story of Big Wave Africa 2008. The shocking event held at Dungeons last July prompted Surfing Magazine’s Evan Slater to state “this is possibly the biggest paddle-in surf ever photographed”. Highlights include Maverick’s Champions Tazzy, Flea, Greg Long and Twiggy Baker, as well as regulars Matt Ambrose, Grant Washburn and Tyler Smith challenging the South Atlantic beast. International icons like Carlos Burle, Paul Patterson, Jamie Sterling, Ross Clark Jones and Mark Healey also join the fray, as do South Africa’s best surfers and most treacherous waves. Produced by Red Bull South Africa and Fixer Films.
Directed by Neil Webster and assisted by Grant Washurn.

Thursday, June 18, Harbor Villages Atrium, Princeton:
Reception at 6 p.m, followed by 7 p.m. “Whipped,” by Powerlines Productions, documenting Flea Virostko, Peter Mel, Grant Washburn, Jeff Clark and many others during the epic 2000-01 winter season at Maverick’s, as well as footage from Cortes Bank.

8:30 p.m. “Ride On,” the latest film from Powerlines, featuring the November 2008 swell described as one of the best ever at Maverick’s. Powerlines Productions, Eric Nelson and Curt Myers, has dedicated themselves to documenting the history of surf in the Half Moon Bay area for the past several decades.

Friday, June 19, Harbor Villages Atrium,
Reception at 6 p.m., followed by (1) 7 p.m. “Year of the Drag-In,” a film produced by Eric Nelson, Curt Myers and Frank Quirarte, featuring the Maverick’s crew and a cast of international stars as they took the tow-in revolution to new limits in waves up to 70 feet on the face.

8:30 p.m. “Maverick’s, the Documentary” a film produced and narrated by Grant Washburn, written with Bruce Jenkins, chronicles the story behind what has become the legend of Maverick’s.

Saturday, June 20, Harbor Villages Atrium: Reception at 6 p.m,
Followed by 7 p.m. “One Winter Story”. By Frank Films. The accomplished filmmakers Sally Lundburg and Elizabeth Pepin study the inspiring life of Santa Cruz surfer Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to ride Maverick’s

8:30 p.m. “Finding Aloha,” by Hawaii-based surfer Dan Moore, a tribute to Hawaiian spirit, adventurous souls and the giant waves of Peahi, also known as “Jaws,” on the north shore of Maui.

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