Hurley US Open Of Surfing – Looks Flat… 0
Huntington Beach set for the Hurley US Open Of Surfing basically looks … flat.
Tag Hurley
Hurley Announces $100k First Prize for ASP WQS 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open 0
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Tuesday, July 14, 2009) – Hurley has just made the unprecedented announcement that first place in the upcoming Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach will now be US$100,000, the biggest prize purse in professional surfing’s history.
“Huntington Beach is ground zero for competitive surfing in mainland America, and on the 50th anniversary of major events at the Pier, we’re excited and honored to help bring surfing back to center stage at the U.S. Open,” Evan Slater, Hurley Digital Marketing Manager, said. “This includes attracting the world’s best surfers and making it the significant event it deserves to be.”
The event, which runs at the historic Huntington Beach Pier from July 20 – 26, 2009, has attracted a bevy of the world’s best surfers from the prestigious ASP Dream Tour as well as the top ASP WQS seeds looking to gain valuable qualification points in their respective campaigns for an ASP World Tour berth in 2010.
“Going back to the Op Pro days in the early to mid 80s, the event here at Huntington always seemed larger than life,” Slater said. “Where your heroes performed the unimaginable right in front of you. The waves weren’t the key factor it was the atmosphere. At Rob Machado’s suggestion, who remembers those days clearly as a kid, he felt a first-place incentive like this would help rekindle that electric atmosphere.”
Hurley’s unparalleled financial incentive has caught the global attention of surfers, fans, industry powerbrokers and the ASP.
“Hurley already has a reputation with Hurley Pro Trestles in San Clemente, providing one of the best events on the planet for both surfers and fans,” Brodie Carr, ASP International CEO, said. “This year, we have started early with Hurley’s $100k 1st place prize purse at the upcoming U.S. Open – the biggest winner’s prize in surfing history!”
Hurley is no stranger to financial contributions to the world’s best surfers Bob Hurley, Founder and Chairman of Hurley International, famously upped first prize at last season’s inaugural Hurley Pro Trestles (an ASP World Tour event) from US$30,000 to US$75,000 moments before the Final. When asked if their prize money incentive at the upcoming ASP WQS meant the potential for an even bigger gesture at this year’s Hurley Pro Trestles in September, the industry power player remained guarded.
“We can’t comment on that now,” Slater said. “But let’s just say that we like surprises.”
The ASP WQS 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing will be held at California’s famed Huntington Beach Pier from July 20 – 26, 2009.
The event will be web LIVE at www.usopenofsurfing.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
story from ASP
Saltwater Water Wine Pro 1
Saltwater Wine Pro
Hurley NSW Champ Circuit event #4
Old Bar, New South Wales
13 – 14 June 2009
Maroubra, NSW — The Hurley NSW Championship Circuit flies into the state’s mid north this weekend as the best in the business Old Bar for the Saltwater Wine Pro.
Hurley NSW Championship Circuit 2009 Schedule:
- Triple Bull Pro, 16-17 May 2009 at Cronulla
- Dripping Wet Pro, 23-24 May 2009 at Freshwater Beach
- Bay Action Pro, 30-31 May 2009 at Byron Bay
- Saltwater Wine Surf Classic, 13-14 June 2009 at Old Bar
- Wild Surf Co. Mattara Pro, 26-27 September 2009 at Newcastle
- Zink Surf South Coast Pro, 10-11 October 2009 at Werri Beach
- Slimes Pro, 7-8 November 2009 at Avoca Beach
As the fourth event on the prestigious Hurley NSW Championship Circuit for 2009, the Saltwater Wine Pro will see Australia’s best, junior and open, surfers going ballistic – including a handful of the region’s rising stars. Led by the Reading siblings – Joel and Luke (Wallabi Point, NSW) – this year could prove to be another watershed year for the local contenders.
“It’s without doubt my favourite contest of the year,” said Joel, fresh off another stint on the gruelling ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) in 2008. I won this event a few years back, but with the talent on hand this weekend trying to repeat will be a difficult task.”
Now in it’s eighth year, the Saltwater Wine Pro has $3,500 up for grabs ($3,000 for Opens and $500 for cadets) offering the state’s elite an opportunity to compete for serious monetary rewards at Old Bar’s famed Second Corner. “We’re looking at some potentially some really good waves for the weekend,” said Saltwater Wine’s Paul Worbuys.
“Second Corner is consistently renowned as one of the best breaks in the state, so to get the state’s best on it will be something to watch.” Originally a fundraising event, the contest has grown into one of the most crucial events on the Circuit. “The local community really get behind this event,” Worbuys continued.
“People like Angie Bell and the committee really are an integral part of this event being so successful – the local influence is super important.” These sentiments are also echoed by Luke Reading. “The entire community, all the region’s best surfers and the local boardriders always get behind the event, so to do well here would be amazing,” he said.
“My best result here was as a junior, but I’m feeling confident with my equipment, body and surfing at the moment – I’m looking to do well.”
Joined by the likes of Sam Schuman (Forster, NSW), Ben Godwin (Forster, NSW), Joe Haddon (Forster, NSW), Bobby Frith (Forster, NSW) and Oscar Scanes (Old Bar, NSW), the local contingent will be up against it from a host of challengers including James Athorn (Arrawarra, NSW), Luke Cheadle (Culburra, NSW), Jordi and Ty Watson (Currarong, NSW), Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) and Jack Scollard (Lake Munmorah, NSW).
Also new to this years event will be the Hurley Boardriders Challenge, an invitational event which recognises the importance of grassroots surfing throughout the state’s mid north coast.
With six local Boardrider Clubs going head to head in a Teams Format, local pride and bragging rights will be on the line with the winner taking home up to $600 cash. The Saltwater Wine Pro will take place from 13-14 June 2009 with all divisions on standby to commence at 7:45am on Saturday, 13 June 2009.
For the confirmed running schedule and contest location, please call the Surfing NSW Event Hotline on 0458 247 212 after 6:50am on both days of the event. For more information be sure to check out surfingnsw.com.au The Saltwater Wine Pro is proudly supported by Hurley, Saltwater Wine, Australia’s Surfing Life, Saltwater Boardriders Club, Surfing Mid North Coast and Surfing NSW.
About Hurley: The Essence of Hurley is based on our love of the ocean and its constant state of change. With deep roots in beach culture, we are all about inclusion and positivity. Our brand was started with the idea of facilitating the dreams of the youth. Music and art are the common threads that bring us all together. We are passionate about freedom of expression and the individual voice. We place a premium on smiles. Welcome to our world – imagine the possibilities.