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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Quiksilver Pro Jr. Men’s

ASP Hawaii Pro Junior
Kewalo Basin Oahu
8 June 2009

Young Guns Scope Kewalo’s For Quiksilver Pro Jr. Men’s

ASP Hawai`i presents the Quiksilver Pro Jr. Men’s at Kewalo Basin on Monday, June 8th. A series of south swells are slated to hit the islands making this event a sure bet for unscripted high performance competition surfing. Surf is slated to be in the solid 3-4 foot range for the one day compeition.

The Pueo (Owl-God) protecting the park will be in awe as Kewalo Basin unleashes the power of the juniors in a spot noted for air maneuvers and top to bottom rebounds. Officials anticipate state of the art surfing and giant scores. The Hawaiian contingent is always very strong. ” These guys are the next BIG thing”, said Bernie Baker. ” The next generation, the next age group that’s hot, our future pros.”

Hawaii holds the current Jr. World Champion crown that acts as the incentive for Hawaii’s young guns. World Champion Kai Barger will not be surfing due to prior travel obligations leaving room for other aspiring surfers. Another incentive is the increased prize purse of $5,000.00.

This event is very important, as it is a qualifier for the Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Junior Championship held in Narrabeen, Australia each January. No surfers turning 21 years of age this year can surf in the event that is set up for a 48 man format.

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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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