Nice time-lapse video of Wayne Rich winning the 2010 Ventura Sacred Craft Shape Off. Moonlight is currently glassing some really nice Wayne Rich longboards for Playero.

ASP International has awarded PRIME status to this year’s U.S. Open of Surfing presented by Hurley, Nike 6.0 and Converse at Huntington Beach.

The ASP Technical Committee, comprised of representatives from the surfers, judges, events and ASP administrators, confirmed the awarding of ASP PRIME status to the event based on a variety of factors including: increase to a US $250,000 prize purse for the men, web quality, site infrastructure, marketability of the event, history and prestige of the event, the inclusion of a women’s ASP Star event, etc.

“The U.S. Open of Surfing is one of professional surfing’s longest-running and most prestigious events,” Brodie Carr, ASP Intl CEO, said. “The history that pumps through the sands of Huntington Beach is like nothing on Earth and NIKE, Inc. has stepped up in a major way to provide the surfers, the fans and the sport a landmark event in the heart of the surfing industry. We’re thrilled to announce the awarding of ASP PRIME status to the 2010 U.S. Open of Surfing and hope the swell delivers once again this season.”

“IMG has worked diligently to maintain the 50 year tradition and integrity of the U.S. Open of Surfing while building this ‘major’ event into a world-class forum for the industry, competitors and consumers,” said James Leitz, Senior Vice President of IMG Action Sports. “We’re pleased that the ASP has taken into account the far-reaching impact the U.S. Open has on the sport of surfing in awarding the ASP Prime status.”

Brett Simpson (USA), 25, defending U.S. Open winner and 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie, posted the biggest win of his young career at home in Huntington Beach last season, and the awarding of ASP PRIME status to this season’s event has the progressive natural-footer fired up for a repeat performance.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Simpson said. “It’s a huge addition to this year’s high class ASP Prime series. It always turns out to be one of the more dramatic events of the year, and the addition of ASP Prime status is indicative of the prestige and audience numbers surrounding the event. The top surfers come to Surf City in the prime time of summer as they battle it out in the biggest arena on the globe. Home sweet home!”

The event is owned and produced by IMG Action Sports, a division of IMG Worldwide the premier global sports, entertainment and media company. The U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by Hurley, Nike 6.0 and Converse will run from August 2  8, 2010 at Huntington Beach in California.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com and www.aspnorthamerica.org

Carissa Moore (HAW), 17, 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie, has claimed the 2010 TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival over Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, in pumping offshore barrels at Fitzroy Beach.

The third stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival enjoyed a veritable cornucopia of conditions throughout the six-day event window, culminating in exciting fashion today in front of a capacity crowd at the primary site.

Moore wasted little time in the hard-fought Final, posting an excellent 9.33 out of a possible 10 on her opening wave for a flurry of electrifying backhand surfing. The Hawaiian rookie was quick to back it up, lighting up another running lefthander with unfettered ferocity and a complete repertoire of maneuvers for 9.83, collecting the highest heat total of the event, a 19.16 out of a possible 20, as well as the victory.

“The conditions definitely turned on for us this afternoon and I knew I couldn’t leave Sally (Fitzgibbons) a lot of room to maneuver,” Moore said. “She has been getting the highest scores every round and she’s so dangerous. I just felt like I was building momentum throughout the event and fortunately peaked in the Final.”

Following a relatively slow start to 2009 with two Equal 9th place results, Moore (who has long been considered one of the most promising young surfers on the planet) was growing frustrated with her former 9th place ranking. Today’s win vaults the young Hawaiian to ASP Women’s World No. 6 and establishes her as a legitimate threat to the 2010 ASP Women’s World Title.

“I wasn’t very happy with the start of my year,” Moore said. “I expected more out of myself and couldn’t figure out what was going on. Things really fell into place for me here in New Zealand and it’s a great result for my campaign this year. I’m really excited and looking forward to Sydney.”

In a show of unprecedented generosity, Moore chose to donate her US$15,000 first prize winnings to the local Waitara Bar Boardriders Club, a gesture that received undulating support from the thousands in attendance.

“I fell in love with New Zealand and I’m fortunate enough to have great support from my family and my sponsors and that puts me in a position to do things like this,” Moore said. “The Haka that the Waitara Bar Boardriders Club performed before the event was beautiful and they’ve really opened up their community and waves to us. For this, I am very thankful.”

Despite Moore’s domineering start to the Final, Fitzgibbons fought back admirably collecting a 7.50 and an 8.67, but it would not be enough to overtake Moore.

“It’s frustrating but Carissa (Moore) just went mad in the Final,” Fitzgibbons said. “The waves were really good, and it was an exciting heat. I’m disappointed to not get the win, but it’s still a good result for me.”