Buondi Pro Junior /Cordoama O’Neill Pro
Presented by Nissan

ASP 1 Star WQS Mens event
Grade 1 ASP Pro Junior Mens event
Praia de Cordoama Portugal
6 – 12 July 2009

Coredoama, Portugal — The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-1 Buondi Pro Junior got underway today at Cordoama, in South Portugal, kicking off the busy European summer with exciting action displayed by some of Europe’s best Under-21 competitors.

With four foot (1.2 meter) waves breaking at the consistent beach break location, sixteen heats of the Men’s division were completed for the first day of competition. Half of the event’s top seeds were able to get their start in the event, France’s representative Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) and Germany’s Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) making the difference in their respective match-ups.

Pierre-Valentin Laborde (Hossegor, FRA), 18, a long time regional Top 10 member and event No.1 seed, came up with solid surfing, the young man unleashing his renowned classic technique to easily advance through to Round 3 of the Buondi Pro Junior. Laborde, who posted a good 13.50 point heat tally out of a possible 20 en route to his first heat win of the summer, showed he was in form and focused towards a first good result this summer.

“I came to Portugal to get the dust off my new boards and do some serious training,” Laborde said. “I’ve just received a few new boards and I feel pretty good with that new equipment so I will try to stay focused and keep things going my way if the conditions give us the opportunity to surf well.”

Laborde, who is been a top regional competitor and former ASP World Junior No. 5, has yet to clinch his first ASP European Junior crown and is considered one if the best French hopes towards the prestigious title. The 18-year-old favorite will now take on other event favorite and former ASP European Junior No. 2 Nicolau Von Rupp (Algarve, DEU), the other inform man of Day 1 of competition.

more story and info aspeurope.com

The event schedule for the 2009/10 Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by Snickers has been released and grommets across Australia will be waxing their boards in anticipation of Stop 1 in Victoria this September.

The Rip Curl GromSearch is Australia’s only national junior event series and gives surfers aged 16 and under the opportunity to test themselves against their friends, peers and interstate visitors alike. Each of Australia’s surfing states score a spot on the series calendar, with the timing usually coinciding with school holidays to ensure everyone gets a chance to surf an event in their own backyard.

The GromSearch series makes use of a unique national ratings system that gives competitors the opportunity to gauge their level of surfing against other surfers on a national scale.

Individual event Champions in the 16’s division from each of the seven events earn an invitation to compete in the National Final, which is held during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach over Easter. The male and female champions of the National Finals are then invited to represent Australia in the International Final.

One surfer who knows just how valuable this experience can be is teenager and 2009 Rip Curl Women’s Pro wildcard Nikki Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC). Van Dijk was the star of last season’s GromSearch, powering right through the 2008/09 series all the way to the International Final which she won at the record age of 14.

2009/10 AUSTRALIAN RIP CURL GROMSEARCH CALENDAR:

VIC, Jan Juc Beach, 22-25 September 2009
NSW, Coffs Harbour, 14-17 October 2009
WA, Mandurah, 24-25 October 2009
TAS, Clifton Beach, 7-8 November 2009
SA, Middleton, 21-22 November 2009
QLD, Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast 14-18 December 2009
NSW, Cronulla, Sydney 22-25 January 2010

Australian Final: 28 March 2010
International Final: 1-5 April 2010 – Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach

The 2009/10 Rip Curl GromSearch series is proudly presented by SNICKERS in association with Waves Magazine, Fuel TV, and Surfing Australia.

Further information on the GromSearch series can be accessed at ripcurl.com  Surfing Australia can provide competition entry forms as well as updated information on each of the events proceedings and surfers ratings which is accessed at surfingaustralia.com

more info and story at surfingaustralia.com

Top Richards Bay surfer Vaughan Weyer (17) has signed a sponsorship deal with surfwear brand Lizzard International.

Born and raised in Richards Bay (Zululand, South Africa), Weyer is one of the most naturally talented and underrated surfers to have come out of the area for quite some time. His powerful new school surfing approach has been shaped by the cyclone swells and punchy beach breaks that define his local surf spot, Alkantstrand.

Commenting on the deal, Lizzard team manager Gavin Roberts said “Richards Bay surfing seems to be going through a resurgence with Vaughan pushing the envelope hardest, we’re stoked to have him on our team as he is known for his big airs and fluid style. The association with Vaughan is also sure to increase awareness of the Lizzard brand in the Zululand area”.

Weyer will be competing in many of the upcoming junior events this summer while still also focusing on completing his school studies. “I’m stoked and appreciate the opportunity to have signed with Lizzard, I look forward to a long and prosperous association with the company”.

About Lizzard: Established in 1991, Lizzard is a clothing, accessories and footwear brand with roots in authentic surf culture. From offices in Durban (South Africa) and Burleigh Heads (Australia), products are distributed to 27 countries globally. Lizzard supports independent and core retailers. Lizzardsurf.net showcases the latest ranges, making it easy to find product and locate the nearest stores or distributors around the world. Locally, Lizzard is available at Fun to Wear stores in the Richards Bay area.

more info check out lizzardsurf.net