(Honolulu, Hawaii) June 10, 2009 – The Quiksilver King of the Groms made its Hawaii stop this past weekend at Kewalos. With solid three-four foot surf on tap, the heats were packed with some of the Islands’ best under 16 surfers, all charging for the cash and a spot in the World Championships in France. In the end, Oahu’s Ezekiel Lau took the win with six skins (equal to $600 cash). Kauai’s Luke Hitchcock trailed just behind with four skins for second place and $400.

As the Hawaii champion, Ezekiel will travel to France this September to compete in the King of the Groms World Championships. Bringing together 16 Kings from around the world, including winner of the King of the Groms Santa Cruz Regional Qualifier Andrew Jacobson and the King of the Groms East Coast winner (still to be determined) the final showdown will be held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France, a Men’s ASP World Tour contest.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is the only “skins” format contest in North America. For more info on the King of the Groms, go to www.quiksilver.com/kog

About the King of the Groms Format:

The “Skins” format was founded by Quiksilver’s own Matt Kechele who introduced it to the East Coast back in 1995 at the Quiksilver King of the Peak at Sebastian Inlet which was won by non other than eight-time world champion Kelly Slater.  A “Skin” is equivalent to $100. In order to win a “Skin” the surfer must raise his hands above his head in what is termed a “claim” after what he or she thinks is a high scoring ride.  The judges then assess the wave and the score is announced and the surfer must exit the water.  The remaining surfers then have the duration of the heat to “claim” their wave and top the high score. Surfers get two chances to lose as there are two rounds of competition.  They also have the chance to go “on a roll” and claim multiple “Skins” if they are consistently putting up high scores as they progress in each heat.

About Quiksilver
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style.  Our aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement – the stoke that is the essence of boardriding*.  We’re also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.

*Boardriding is about timing and style.  It’s youthful, active, casual, and free flowing.  There is no wrong way to ride a board.  The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.

Rip Curl Gromsearch
Fueled by H20 Overdrive

9th Street Huntington Beach
13 – 14 June 2009

Costa Mesa, Ca — The hottest talent on tap? Yep. Cash money prizes? You know it. Paparazzi-status media coverage? That too. The 2009 Rip Curl GromSearch fueled by H20 Overdrive is locked for 9th Street, Huntington Beach this weekend, June 13-14, to showcase the West Coast’s 16/under talent.

With a pulsating chest high southwest swell aimed to grace 9th street with its presence, no doubt the groms will have the proper platform to get busy. While understandably competitors will be battling for the cash prizes, bottomless giveaways, and bragging rights, they will also be looking to qualify for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch National Final this November.

Winners of the National Final will be cashing in on an all-expenses paid trip to Bells Beach, Australia, where they will compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final during the Rip Curl Pro WCT.

For event registration, info, and updates, check out Ripcurl.com/gromsearch. Also, stay tuned to Surfline and surfingmagazine.com for all post-event coverage, video clips, blogs, and more.

Veteran ASP World Tour surfers Cory Lopez (USA) and Travis Logie (South Africa) conquered the windswept conditions as the final 24 surfers were decided at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME rated six star World Qualifying Series (WQS) Sri Lankan Airlines Pro in the Maldives today.

Today’s strong cross shore winds actually made the waves super high performance and excellent scores were plentiful throughout the day with the point break wave providing multiple powerful sections for surfers to perform big manoeuvres.

Cory Lopez, (USA/Florida) lead the experienced surfers charge as the 32 year old progressed in second place in the opening round three heat behind fellow USA surfer Pat Gudauskas (Cal).

“ I’m feeling good after that heat and now I’m into the final 24 surfers in this event it is starting to get exciting” said Lopez.

“I’ve had 18 months away from full time competition but just maybe I’m looking at requalification” he added.

“ I’ve already entered the coming five major ASP WQS events and I’ll assess my situation as I go.”

Travis Logie (South Africa) was full of excitement after his impressive heat win today where he comprehensively defeated Jadson Andre (Brazil) who advanced in 2nd place.

The 30 year old Durban based surfer has struggled with injury over the past two years but is now fit and focused on requalifying on the ASP world tour.

“It’s been a tough two seasons for me with a knee injury but I’m back now fully fit, stronger than ever, surfing better than ever and ready to get back to the highest level” said Logie.

“These are fantastic waves even with the strong winds and I’m really looking forward to my coming heats.”

At the other end of the scale exciting emerging star Owen Wright (AUS) won through to the final 24 displaying his typical progressive surfing style.

In contrast to last year when Hawaiian surfers dominated, many were eliminated today however Tonino Benson (Kailua/Hawaii) dominated his heat posting the events top scoring ride of a 9.43 and the events top heat tally to date of 17.10.

Late in the day Jean Da Silva (BRA) and Leigh Sedley (AUS) both won their heats and with solid swells pulsing on dusk the scene is set for some fantastic surfing tomorrow.

Follow this event live at http://www.srilankanairlinespro.com/

Round four draw when event resumes tomorrow:

Heat 1: Pat Gudauskas (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Tonino Benson (HAW)
Heat 3: Yadin Nichol (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Shaun Gossman (AUS)
Heat 4: Romaine Cloitre (FRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Brian Toth (PRI)
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 6: Blake Thornton (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 7: Austin Ware (USA), Jean da Silva (BRA), Jonathon Gonzales (CNY)
Heat 8: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Drew Courtney (AUS), Leigh Sedley (AUS)

SriLankan Airlines Pro 2009 is made possible thanks to the following sponsors: SriLankan Airlines, John Keells Group, Chaaya Island – Dhonveli, Atoll Travel, Atoll Adventures, Ocean & Earth International, Dhiraagu, Maldives Tourism & Promotions Board, ASP Australasia.

ASP Australasia as the event managers will deliver a quality live Webcast along with Television News Feeds, complimentary Digital Images for newspapers and websites, Web highlight packages and a dedicated 30 minute international television program.

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