ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

HOBGOOD CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY PACSUN
Caroline Islands, Micronesia
February 1-10, 2007

INAUGURAL HOBGOOD CHALLENGE PRES. BY PACSUN SET TO KICK OFF IN INCREDIBLE SURF
 
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Tuesday, January 30th, 2007) – The inaugural
Hobgood Challenge presented by PacSun is set to kick off February 1, 2007 in
stellar conditions. 

The event, which features six surfers under 19 handpicked by 2001 ASP World
Champion C.J. Hobgood and fellow Globe team rider and twin brother, Damien,
promises to provide a glimpse into the future of surfing as they tackle the
South Pacific perfection of Micronesia’s Caroline Islands. 

The final invites went to Dion Atkinson (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW), Clay Marzo
(HAW), Owen Wright (AUS), Eric Geiselman (USA) and Garut Widiarta (IND). These
six surfers will compete in a variety of non-traditional formats for top prize
in this ASP-sanctioned Pro Junior specialty event. 

“Every time I am around and surfing with these really good up-and-coming kids,
it just blows me away to see what they are doing and where they're taking
surfing,” says current number seven on the ASP World Tour ratings Damien
Hobgood. “I can't wait to see where they take it to at The Hobgood
Challenge.” 

The event, held in the South Pacific at the site of SURFING Magazine’s 2006
World Champion’s Trip, a world class and highly challenging wave, will be
documented in a series of six Globe produced webisodes airing on PacSun.com
starting March 1, 2007.

“Some of my most memorable and rewarding times early in my pro career were
being able to participate in progressive new contest formats as one of only a
few selected surfers,” recalled C.J. Hobgood. “Those events played a crucial
role in the development of my surfing career, and when they went away several
years ago, it created a void for the next generation. Damien and I are hosting
our Challenge as a means to give this next group of pro surfers the same great
opportunities that we were given.”

The 2007 Hobgood Challenge is presented by PacSun, proud supporter of youth
surfing through their sponsorship of the USA Surf Team. Additional support has
been provided by Globe, Anon, and SURFING Magazine. The Hobgood Challenge is a
Boardsports Management production. 

FOSTER'S ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) WORLD TOUR & ASP WOMEN'S
WORLD TOUR

MARTINEZ AND MILEY-DYER NAMED 2006 ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
 
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Jan. 18, 2007) – While the major focus of the upcoming
ASP World Champions’ Banquet to be held on the Gold Coast of Australia on
February 24, 2007 will be the official crowning of 2006 World Champions Kelly
Slater (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS), two surfers who will also be savouring
their moment in the spotlight will be 2006 ASP Rookies of the Year Bobby
Martinez (USA) and Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS). 
 
Martinez and Miley-Dyer spent 2005 battling through the ASP’s second tier
tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS), then unleashed on surfing’s elite
Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour in 2006 notching up three
top tour wins between them.
 
Martinez who finished the year in fifth place on the final ratings blew minds
when he began his stellar season with an astonishing third place at the
Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast. 
 
He was ousted from that event by eventual winner and good friend Slater but the
experience was enough for him to gain the confidence to claim two top tour
events – the first at the infamous Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti and the
second when he returned a blow to Slater by defeating him in the final of the
Billabong Pro Mundaka in Spain. 
 
“It’s still quite hard to believe, 2006 just moved so fast with the tour,
traveling and all the new events that I went to,” said the ever-humble
Martinez of his Rookie of the Year status. “As it is for every guy who makes
it on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, it’s a dream come true to be here
competing with the best surfers in the world.” 
 
And while the wins were sweet Martinez did encounter a few low points when
things didn’t go his way… So how will his 2006 learnings affect his 2007
campaign?
 
“I think I learnt a lot as a person and a competitor last year and hopefully
I’ve matured with all the experience I gained from the ups and downs of
traveling and competing on the tour,” said Martinez. “Gold Coast, Tahiti,
Fiji and Mexico were awesome events and I was lucky to get some good results.
But from South Africa to France I kind of hit a slump, which can easily take
away any competitors’ confidence.
 
“Luckily I was with good friends on the road,” he continued. “I traveled
with the Hobgood brothers, my Reef team manager and a great buddy from home.
Those guys really helped me out and helped me to stay confident and to just
have a good time with it.
 
“I had fun year in 2006 but I still feel I made some little mistakes here and
there and I am looking forward to trying a couple of different things in ’07
and hopefully the results will come.”
 
For ASP Women’s World Tour rookie Miley-Dyer, her first year was equally as
satisfying with her list of achievements beginning back in January ’06 when
she claimed the inaugural women’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championship
crown. 
 
From there she excelled by taking the ASP Women’s World Qualifying Series
title plus the final event of the ASP Women’s World Tour – the Billabong Pro
Maui in Honolua Bay.
 
“I’m really happy. All I’ve ever wanted was to do well on the ASP Women’s
World Tour and to get rookie of the year is a prestigious honour,” said Miley
Dyer. “If you look at the list of names who have won it it’s such a great
thing. Plus to have won the Billabong ASP World Juniors, the ASP World
Qualifying Series then the last event of the year and now Rookie… you can’t
ask for much better than that!”
 
As to taking on her childhood heroes and winning…
 
“To have looked up to girls like Megan, Layne and Rochelle for so long then to
be able to compete against them is a privilege,” said Miley-Dyer. “And then
to do well is just a bonus! It’s something that I’m really grateful for… to
be on tour and have such an amazing life… I can’t believe that I’ve done so
well.”
 
Going into 2007 Miley-Dyer indicated that she has shed the nerves associated
with being a fresh face on tour and is hopeful that more success is only a few
weeks away when the Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast kicks off this year’s ASP
Women’s World Tour.
 
“I learnt a lot [in 2006]… When you are the rookie on tour you make a lot of
mistakes and I think I’ve ironed out a lot of them,” said Miley-Dyer. “I
just hope to do well again in 2007 but most importantly have fun and appreciate
what I’ve been given. What I’m doing is traveling around the globe with a
massive group of mates chasing waves! I’ll be a lot more comfortable this
year… especially after winning the last event, gaining confidence in yourself
that you can win. I’m just going to relax and not put so much pressure on
myself.”
 
See the world’s best surfers tackle the world’s best waves on this year’s
Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour beginning on February 27
on Australia’s Gold Coast. 
 
For the full tour schedule and 2007 surfer’s list and more head to
www.aspworldtour.com
 
 
Foster’s ASP World Tour Schedule
 
Event				Location				Date
ASP Banquet		Gold Coast, Australia		Feb 24
Quiksilver Pro		Snapper Rocks , Australia		Feb 27-Mar 11
Rip Curl Pro			Bells Beach Vic, Australia		Apr 3-13
Billabong Pro			Teahupoo, Tahiti			May 4-14
Globe Pro Fiji		TBC					May 20-31
Rip Curl Pro Search		Somewhere in Chile			June 20-July1
Billabong Pro		Jeffreys Bay, South Africa		July 11-22
Boost Mobile Pro		Trestles, California			Sep 7-18
Quiksilver Pro France	Hossegor, France			Sep 21-Oct 1
Billabong Pro			Mundaka, Basque Region, Spain	Oct 1-14
Nova Schin Festival		Imbituba, Brazil			Oct 30-Nov 7
Billabong Pipe Masters	Pipeline Hawaii 		Dec 8-20
 
ASP Women’s World Tour Schedule
 
Roxy Pro			Snapper Rocks, Australia		Feb 27-Mar 10
Rip Curl Pro			Bells Beach, Australia		Apr 3-8
Roxy Pro			TBC					Apr 21-26
Billabong Girls 	Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Brazil	Aug 20-27
Rip Curl Girls Festival Santander, Liencres-Spain		Sep 4-9
Havaianas Beachley Classic	Manly Beach, Australia	Oct 8-14
Roxy Pro			Sunset Beach, Hawaii		Nov 23-Dec 6
Billabong Pro		Honolua Bay, Hawaii		Dec 8-20
 
The 2007 Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour Lineup
 
Kelly Slater (USA) 
Andy Irons (HAW) 
Mick Fanning (AUS) 
Taj Burrow (AUS) 
Bobby Martinez (USA) 
Joel Parkinson (AUS) 
Damien Hobgood (USA) 
Tom Whitaker (AUS) 
Taylor Knox (USA) 
Dean Morrison (AUS) 
Tim Reyes (USA) 
Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 
Cory Lopez (USA) 
Bruce Irons (HAW) 
Bede Durbidge (AUS) 
C.J. Hobgood (USA) 
Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 
Daniel Wills (AUS) 
Greg Emslie (ZAF) 
Adriano de Souza (BRA) 
Chris Ward (USA) 
Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 
Travis Logie (ZAF) 
Michael Lowe (AUS) 
Luke Stedman (AUS) 
Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 
Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 
Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Michael Campbell (AUS)
Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Troy Brooks (AUS)
Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Ben Dunn (AUS)
Bernado Miranda (BRA)
Gabe Kling (USA)
Victor Ribas (BRA)
Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Kai Otton (AUS)
Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Luke Munro (AUS)
 
Replacements: 
Trent Munro (AUS)
David Weare (ZAF)
Peterson Rosa (BRA)
 
2007 ASP Women’s World Tour Lineup
 
Layne Beachley (AUS)
Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)
Chelsea Georgeson (AUS)
Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Silvana Lima (BRA)
Megan Abubo (HAW)
Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 
Samantha Cornish (AUS)
Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Roseanne Hodge (ZAF)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

CJ HOBGOOD WINS O’NEILL SI PRO – TAKES ASP WQS RATINGS LEAD
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Thursday, January 11th, 2007) – CJ Hobgood
(Melbourne Beach, FL) won the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon today
defeating opponents Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL), Asher Nolan (Jacksonville,
FL) and Shea Lopez (Indian Rocks Beach, FL) in an all-Floridian final.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS)
four-star event served as the ASP WQS season opener rendering event champion CJ
Hobgood as the current leader on the ASP WQS ratings.

 “I’m super stoked right now.  It was the first event of the year and it’s a
great way to build momentum,” Hobgood said.  “It was an incredible final.	All
those boys are ripping and it could have gone any way.”

Hobgood, former ASP World Champ, surfed with speed and consistency unmatched by
his opponents as he blasted through the shifty 2’-3’ beachbreak peaks.

“I was a bit bummed my brother (Damien) lost out this morning,” Hobgood said.
 “But he won last year and I’m stoked that I could keep it in the family. 
It’s a great way to begin the year and I couldn’t be happier.”

Gabe Kling, 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie, narrowly missed out on the
title losing by .07 points.  Even so, the progressive natural-footer amazed the
crowd with his mastery of the dumpy beachbreaks exhibiting his world tour form
on both his forehand and backhand.

“It’s the first event of the year and I’ve never done well here so I’m
really happy,” Kling said.  “I’m off to Brazil next to stay sharp and keep
plugging away on the WQS.”

Kling’s runner-up finish will be an excellent confidence boost heading into
his rookie season among surfing’s elite.

“I’m going to be surfing against these guys all year long so it’s good for
me to make a final with them,” Kling said.  “CJ (Hobgood) is still a world
champ and I haven’t beat him yet – he’s beat me a few times.  But I’m still
really happy.”

Shea Lopez, former Foster’s ASP World Tour top-10 stalwart, looked better than
he had in years as he blazed his way to a third-place finish.  The 32-year old
goofy-footer is happy with his finish as he sets up for a year on the WQS.

“It was such a stacked final,” Lopez said.  “You had CJ (Hobgood) and Gabe
(Kling) who are both on tour this year and Asher (Nolan) always rips.  I’m
stoked to start out the year like this and I’m just going to focus on the WQS
and keep trying to build up points for the Foster’s ASP World Tour.” 

Asher Nolan picked off the event high single wave score in the final of a 9.33
out of a possible 10.  Unfortunately for Nolan, he was unable to find a backup
score and was relegated to a fourth place finish.

“I’m happy with making the finals, but I’m a bit disappointed that I
couldn’t find that backup score,” Nolan said.  “I had the 9.33 in the first
few minutes and just couldn’t pick off another one.”
ASP WQS surfers will next be heading to Brazil as everyone continues their
campaigns for a spot professional surfing’s ultimate Dream Tour, the Foster’s
ASP World Tour.

The next stop on the ASP North America tour will be the Billabong Pro Junior at
Sebastian Inlet taking place from March 3-4, 2007.

The next ASP North America men’s event will be the ASP WQS four-star Van’s
Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards from March 21st-25th, 2007 at
Huntington Beach California.

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


RESULTS: DAY SEVEN O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round Six: 32 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Gabe Kling (USA) 13.67, Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 13.07, Shaun Burrell
(USA) 11.50, Tonino Benson (HAW) 8.33
Heat 2: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.03, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.16, Brett
Simpson (USA) 11.07, Cory Arrambide (USA) 7.63
Heat 3: Asher Nolan (USA) 13.00, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.26, Ola Eleogram
(HAW) 11.67, David Awbrey (USA) 7.70
Heat 4: Mikael Picon (FRA) 13.33, Daniel Jones (HAW) 10.30, Adam Virs (USA)
6.10, Damien Hobgood (USA) 5.62
Heat 5: Mike Losness (USA) 10.27, Nathan Carroll (HAW) 7.00, Dustin Barca (HAW)
6.73, Eric Geiselman (USA) 5.73
Heat 6: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 14.83, Jeremy Johnston (USA) 10.43, Ryan Helm
(USA) 10.30, Ben Bourgeois (USA) 8.60
Heat 7: Shea Lopez (USA) 11.84, Bryan Hewitson (USA) 11.83, Yuri Sodre (BRA)
9.56, Kellen Ellison (USA) 7.50
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 17.26, Shaun Ward (USA) 11.67, Roy Powers (HAW)
10.60, Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 5.24

Quarterfinals: 16 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
QF 1: Daniel Jones (HAW) 16.00, Gabe Kling (USA) 13.77, Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
10.26, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 10.10
QF 2: Asher Nolan (USA) 15.10, Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 11.77, Mikael Picon
(FRA) 11.60, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 6.34
QF 3: Bryan Hewitson (USA) 13.67, Mike Losness (USA) 11.53, Nathan Yeomans
(USA) 9.97, Sean Ward (USA) 7.00
QF 4: CJ Hobgood (USA) 14.10, Shea Lopez (USA) 10.06, Jeremy Johnston (USA)
9.50, Nathan Carroll (HAW) 7.24

Semifinals: 8 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
SF 1: Gabe Kling (USA) 15.83, Asher Nolan (USA) 12.37, Daniel Jones (HAW)
11.53, Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 9.77
SF 2: CJ Hobgood (USA) 16.84, Shea Lopez (USA) 13.50, Bryan Hewitson (USA)
12.53, Mike Losness (USA) 11.47

Final:
1 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.90
2 – Gabe Kling (USA) 14.83
3 – Shea Lopez (USA) 14.27
4 – Asher Nolan (USA) 13.16

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13 – 16 (Round of 128)
		12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 96)
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		8:00 am – 9:20 am: Heats 13 – 16 (Round of 96)
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		Lay day called
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 
		8:00 am – 2:40 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 64)
	Day Seven – Thursday, January 11, 2007
		8:30 am – 11:55 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 64)
		11:55 am – 1:35 pm: Heats 1 – 4 (Quarterfinals)
		1:35 pm – 2:25 pm: Heats 1 – 2 (Semifinals)
		3:00 pm: Finals

FOSTER'S ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) WORLD TOUR 

ASP WOMEN”S WORLD TOUR

ASP INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES STELLAR 2007 PREMIUM TOUR EVENTS SCHEDULE

COOLANGATTA, AUSTRALIA: (January 11, 2007) – The Association Of Surfing
Professionals International (ASP) has confirmed the locations and dates for its
premium world championship deciding tours  – the Foster’s ASP World Tour and
the ASP Women’s World Tour – and are proud that in 2007 the world’s best
surfers will again be competing in the world’s best waves. 

Once again spectators will be privy to watching the sport’s ultimate athletes
as they travel to only the most exotic surf destinations on the planet with
both premium tours serving up similar event lineups to 2006 with only the
Fijian events in doubt due to political instability in the region. 

“It looks like it’s going to be another killer year for pro surfing,” said
ASP International CEO Brodie Carr. “It’s great to see that once again we are
able to have such esteemed events slotted in on the 2007 calendar and I’m sure
that one and all will be blown away by watching our athletes tackle the best
waves this planet can offer.” 

Regarding the situation in Fiji, Carr indicated that ASP, Roxy (women’s) and
Globe (men’s) are on standby and all parties are monitoring the political
situation daily before committing to hosting their events on the island of
Tavarua. 

“We will continue to monitor the political situation in Fiji daily,” said
Carr. “At present insurance issues due to the unrest in late 2006 have forced
us into the unlikely position of having the Roxy Pro Fiji and Globe Pro on
standby, but a confirmation of the outcomes of both will be forthcoming soon.”

The 2007 cast for both tours has also been confirmed with many of both tours’
old guard being replaced by a swag of exciting up and coming youngsters. 

The new faces on the Foster’s ASP World Tour will include Jeremy Flores (FRA),
Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Roydon Bryson (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS),
Ben Dunn (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS) and
Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA). 

Making a return to surfing’s elite men’s tour after a hiatus will be former
world number two Mick Campbell (AUS), plus Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Bernardo
Miranda (BRA). 

On the women’s front, 2007 will see Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Caroline Sarran
(FRA) and Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) make their tour debuts with Melanie Bartels
(HAW) and Amee Donohoe (AUS) enjoying a welcome return to the fold. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com for all your pro surfing information. 

Foster’s ASP World Tour Schedule

Event				Location					Date
ASP Banquet		Gold Coast, Australia			Feb 24
Quiksilver Pro		Snapper Rocks Qld, Australia		Feb 27-Mar 10
Rip Curl Pro			Bells Beach Vic, Australia			Apr 3-13
Billabong Pro			Teahupoo, Tahiti				May 4-14
Globe Pro Fiji		TBC						May 20-21
Rip Curl Pro Search		Somewhere in Chile				June 20-July1
Billabong Pro		Jeffreys Bay, South Africa			July 11-22
Boost Mobile Pro		Trestles, California				Sep 11-15
Quiksilver Pro France	Hossegor, France				Sep 22-Oct 1
Billabong Pro			Mundaka, Basque Region, Spain		Oct 2-14
Nova Schin Festival		Imbituba, Brazil				Oct 29-Nov 7
Billabong Pipe Masters	Pipeline Hawaii 			Dec 8-20

ASP Women’s World Tour Schedule

Roxy Pro			Snapper Rocks, Australia		Feb 27-Mar 10
Rip Curl Pro			Bells Beach, Australia			Apr 3-8
Roxy Pro			TBC						Apr 21-26
Billabong Girls 	Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Brazil		Aug 20-27
Rip Curl Girls Festival Santander, Liencres-Spain			Sep 4-9
Havaiianas Beachley Classic	Manly Beach, Australia		Oct 8-14
Roxy Pro			Sunset Beach, Hawaii			Nov 23-Dec 6
Billabong Pro		Honalua Bay, Hawaii			Dec 8-20

The 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour Lineup

Kelly Slater (USA) 
Andy Irons (HAW) 
Mick Fanning (AUS) 
Taj Burrow (AUS) 
Bobby Martinez (USA) 
Joel Parkinson (AUS) 
Damien Hobgood (USA) 
Tom Whitaker (AUS) 
Taylor Knox (USA) 
Dean Morrison (AUS) 
Tim Reyes (USA) 
Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 
Cory Lopez (USA) 
Bruce Irons (HAW) 
Bede Durbidge (AUS) 
C.J. Hobgood (USA) 
Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 
Daniel Wills (AUS) 
Greg Emslie (ZAF) 
Adriano de Souza (BRA) 
Chris Ward (USA) 
Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 
Travis Logie (ZAF) 
Michael Lowe (AUS) 
Luke Stedman (AUS) 
Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 
Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 
Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Michael Campbell (AUS)
Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Troy Brooks (AUS)
Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Ben Dunn (AUS)
Bernado Miranda (BRA)
Gabe Kling (USA)
Victor Ribas (BRA)
Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Kai Otton (AUS)
Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Luke Munro (AUS)

Replacements: 
Trent Munro (AUS)
David Weare (ZAF)
Peterson Rosa (BRA)

2007 ASP Women’s World Tour Lineup

Layne Beachley (AUS)
Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)
Chelsea Georgeson (AUS)
Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Silvana Lima (BRA)
Megan Abubo (HAW)
Rochelle Ballard (HAW) *
Samantha Cornish (AUS)
Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Roseanne Hodge (ZAF)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

BIG UPSETS AND WILD CONDITIONS AT O’NEILL SI PRO DAY SIX
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Wednesday, January 10th, 2007) – Big action graced
the 16 heats of round five today as the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon
narrowed the field down to the final 32 surfers.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS)
four-star event enjoyed an increase in swell with the unfortunate addition of
heavy northeast winds.  The shifty conditions that resulted would go on to be
the setting for several upsets throughout the day.

Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC) took the honors today by grabbing the
event high single wave score of a 9.33 out of a possible 10 for a series of
inverted turns on his backhand.  The powerful natural-footer has come close to
qualifying for the prestigious Foster’s ASP World Tour for several seasons and
will look once again for a good result at the 2007 ASP WQS season opener, the
O’Neill SI Pro.

“It’s a long year,” Bourgeois said.  “I’m stoked to make it through, but
I’m just taking it one heat at a time and one event at a time.  Of course
qualifying (for the Foster’s ASP World Tour) is my goal, but I can’t get too
far ahead of myself.”

Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), defending ASP North America Pro Junior
champion, caused a sensational upset today defeating Foster’s ASP World Tour
stalwart Cory Lopez (Indian Rocks Beach, FL) in round five.

“It’s super difficult out there and really easy to lose,” Geiselman said. 
“If you’re out there and the waves don’t come to you then that’s it. 
You’ve just got to get really lucky.”

While the 18-year old still has two more seasons left in his ASP Pro Junior
tenure, Geiselman’s performance thus far has several wondering if he will make
a legitimate push on the ASP WQS in 2007.

“I’m just trying to shake off the jetlag from being in Australia for the ASP
World Junior Championships,” Geiselman said.  “I’ll be slowly easing into
some WQS events this season and definitely back on the ASP Pro Junior series. 
I’m super stoked to get through this heat and hopefully I can get through a
few more.”

In addition to Cory Lopez being eliminated, several local favorites suffered
early losses including Kyle Garson (Melbourne Beach, FL), Aaron Cormican (New
Smyrna Beach, FL), Wesley de Souza (Deerfield Beach, FL), Travis Beckmann (Vero
Beach, FL) and several others.

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), who finished 22nd on last season’s ASP
WQS ratings, took down local standout Eric Taylor (Vero Beach, FL).  After
narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Foster’s ASP World Tour last
season, Gudauskas will look for a solid result here to kickstart his ’07
campaign.

“The first event of the season could go either way – you could either just
want to get it out of the way or it could really spark the season for you,”
Gudauskas said.	“I’m happy I get through, but it’s still a ways to go before
I get a result I can put in the bag.”

Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL), who will begin his rookie season on the
prestigious Foster’s ASP World Tour in February, put his world tour talent on
display this morning as he stitched up his competitors to advance to the round
of 32.  Although already qualified for the elite Dream Tour, Kling is still
competing on the ASP WQS to ensure that he remains a fixture at the sport’s
highest level of competition.

“I’m going to start out doing all the WQS events,” Kling said.	“I’m going
to Brazil next week and the idea is to start out well on the WQS just to give
myself a backup.  Hopefully halfway through the year on the ASP World Tour, I
will have done well enough that I won’t need to worry about the WQS anymore.”

Tomorrow will be the last day of competition and will run from the round of 32
through the finals.  Heat 1 of the round of 32 will begin promptly at 8:00 am.

Live scoring will be available at www.aspnorthamerica.org. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

RESULTS: DAY SIX O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round Five: 64 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Gabe Kling (USA) 11.83, Cory Arrambide (USA) 11.57, Clay Marzo (HAW)
11.00, Mineto Ushikoshi (JPN) 6.60
Heat 2: Shaun Burrell (USA) 12.66, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 11.66, Brian Toth
(PRI) 10.43, Kyle Garson (USA) 9.93
Heat 3: Brett Simpson (USA) 10.83, Tonino Benson (HAW) 9.00, Aaron Cormican
(USA) 9.00, Tim Boal (FRA) 8.03
Heat 4: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.66, Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 11.63, Eric
Taylor (USA) 11.34, Cheyne Cottrell (USA) 9.34
Heat 5: Asher Nolan (USA) 14.83, Daniel Jones (HAW) 10.26, Izuki Tanaka (JPN)
9.24, Charles Martin (GLP) 6.17
Heat 6: David Awbrey (USA) 9.44, Mikael Picon (FRA) 8.33, Austin Ware (USA)
7.53, Wesley Larsen (HAW) 3.83
Heat 7: Adam Virs (USA) 14.00, Ola Eleogram (HAW) 9.50, Jorge Spanner (BRA)
8.53, Alain Riou (PYF) 5.90
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.66, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.50, Anthony
Petruso (USA) 5.77, Brandon Guilmette (USA) 5.54
Heat 9: Eric Geiselman (USA) 14.83, Ryan Helm (USA) 11.30, Cory Lopez (USA)
10.70, Wesley de Souza (USA) 7.94
Heat 10: Dustin Barca (HAW) 9.76, Jeremy Johnston (USA) 9.34, Hira Teriinatoofa
(PYF) 6.13, Micah Byrne (USA) 5.80
Heat 11: Ben Bourgeois (USA) 15.50, Mike Losness (USA) 10.10, Travis Beckman
(USA) 7.13, Blake Howard (USA) 7.10
Heat 12: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 11.43, Nathan Carroll (USA) 7.94, Kieran Horn
(USA) 6.43, Tyler Anderson (USA) 5.33
Heat 13: Kellen Ellison (USA) 11.20, Roy Powers (HAW) 10.90, Bud Freitas (USA)
10.53, Dane Gudauskas (USA) 7.84
Heat 14: Yuri Sodre (BRA) 13.33, Shaun Ward (USA) 8.70, Dane Johnson (USA)
8.44, Josh Montgomery (USA) 6.20
Heat 15: Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 12.43, Bryan Hewitson (USA) 11.43, Heath
Walker (AUS) 10.60, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 7.87
Heat 16: CJ Hobgood (USA) 15.73, Shea Lopez (USA) 10.30, Daryll Goodrum (USA)
9.14, Dane Reynolds (USA) 9.10

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13 – 16 (Round of 128)
		12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 96)
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		8:00 am – 9:20 am: Heats 13 – 16 (Round of 96)
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		Lay day called
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 
		8:00 am – 2:40 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 64)
	Day Seven – Thursday, January 11, 2007
		8:00 am – 10:40 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 64)
		10:40 am – 12:00 pm: Heats 1 – 4 (Quarterfinals)
		12:00 pm – 12:40 pm: Heats 1 – 2 (Semifinals)
		1:00 pm: Finals

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

LAY DAY CALLED FOR O’NEILL SI PRO DAY FIVE
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Tuesday, January 9th, 2007) – A lay day has been
called for the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon due to lack of swell.

Unfavorable conditions and 1’- 3’ Northeast windswell prompted event
organizers of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying
Series (WQS) four-star event to call a lay day in hopes that the swell will
fill in more tomorrow.

Surfline has forecast an increase in swell over the next two days and the
O’Neill SI Pro will hope to complete competition in the improved conditions.

Competition will look to resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with the opening
heat of the round of 64.  The round of 64 will feature marquee surfers such as
Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL), CJ Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), Patrick Gudauskas
(San Clemente, CA), Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), among others.

Live scoring will be available at www.aspnorthamerica.org. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 128)
		12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1-12 (Round of 96)
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		8:00 am – 9:20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 96)
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		Lay day called
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 
		8:00 am: Heat 1 (Round of 64)
	Day Seven – Thursday, January 11, 2007
		To be determined

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’'NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

O’'NEILL SI PRO CALLED AFTER FOUR HEATS FOR DAY FOUR
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Monday, January 8th, 2007) – Day five of the
O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon saw the last four heats of the round of 96
completed before being called off for the day due to lack of swell.

Despite clean offshore conditions, surf continued to drop into the 1’-2’
range and inconsistency plagued day four of the Association of Surfing
Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) four star event.

Heath Walker (Surfers Paradise, AUS/Carlsbad, CA) sniffed out the high single
wave score of the day with an 8.67 out of a possible 10.	After waiting to catch
a wave for over half the heat, Walker finally unleashed four massive turns on a
speedy lefthander.

“It’s really hard out there – I sat for 12 minutes without catching a
wave,” Walker said.  “I had a free surf down by the buoy a little earlier and
I knew I was going to have to be patient.  I was really fortunate that that
little wave came through and I got the score.”

Walker, a former ASP WQS campaigner, now manages the Reef team, but his
performances here and at other ’QS events have led some to believe he may have
another crack at qualifying for the Foster’s ASP World Tour.

“I’m just here to assist my guys and hopefully some of the experience I’ve
had on the WQS will rub off on them,” Walker said.  “I’ll enter the odd
contest here and there, but I’m really just here for my guys.  I’m still
enjoying my surfing and I compete really just for my own benefit.”

Bud Freitas (Santa Cruz, CA) was another who found a decent wave despite the
tricky conditions this morning lighting up a punchy righthander with several
explosive maneuvers.	

“These are the best conditions, but these have been the worst waves by far,”
Freitas said.  “Only one (wave) came through during that whole heat and I was
just lucky to get it.”

Freitas, who is in his second full season on the ASP WQS, is hoping for a solid
result here at the O’Neill SI Pro to kick off his ’07 campaign.

“Last year was my first year on tour and it was pretty tough,” Freitas said. 
“I’m hoping for a result here and at some other four-stars this season so I
can build my seed and get into the higher-rated events.

Surfline has forecast unfavorable conditions Tuesday with a potential swell
filling in for Wednesday and Thursday.  Event organizers will still meet
tomorrow morning at 7:30 am to assess the conditions for a possible 8:00 am
start

Competition will look to resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with the opening
heat of the round of 64.

Live scoring will be available at www.aspnorthamerica.org. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

RESULTS: DAY FOUR O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round Four: 96 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 13: Bud Freitas (USA) 11.00, Dane Johnson (USA) 8.16, Rylan McCart (USA)
7.66, Dion Agius (AUS) 6.17
Heat 14: Josh Montgomery (USA) 12.34, Kellen Ellison (USA) 11.67, Devon Tresher
(USA) 10.07, Kai Barger (HAW) 9.93
Heat 15: Heath Walker (AUS) 13.00, Shea Lopez (USA) 12.50, Sean Marceron (USA)
10.17, Gavin Beschen (HAW) 10.07
Heat 16: Darrell Goodrum (USA) 10.50, Bryan Hewitson (USA) 9.93, Ryan Briggs
(USA) 8.96, Danny Melhado (USA) 8.63

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 128)
		12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1-12 (Round of 96)
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		8:00 am – 9:20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 96)
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 
		To be determined
	Day Seven – Thursday, January 11, 2007
		To be determined

NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

O’NEILL SI PRO MARCHES ON DESPITE DETERIORATING CONDITIONS
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Sunday, January 7th, 2007) – The O’Neill SI Pro
presented by Ron Jon steamed ahead today with competitors still sparking
despite the further deteriorating conditions.

Swell continued to dissipate for the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
World Qualifying Series (WQS) four-star event with the round of 96 beginning
after a three-hour break this morning to allow the tide readjust.

Wesley de Souza (Deerfield Beach, FL) defied Mother Nature’s odds this
afternoon by racking up the event high heat total of a 15.84 out of a possible
20 for a series of rapid-fire maneuvers on both his forehand and backhand.

“I just tried to start catching waves right off the bat,” de Souza said. 
“It’s really hard to catch any good ones out there, but I was lucky that I
caught two pretty quick and was able to advance through.”

Suffering from multiple injuries in 2006, de Souza will be looking for a good
result here at the O’Neill SI Pro to kick start his 2007 ASP WQS campaign.

“Last year was a tough year for me,” de Souza said.  “I did my MCL in and
was out for five months and then injured my ribs in Hawaii and had to go home
early, so my first year was pretty rough.  I’m hoping I didn’t peak too early
in this event now as I want a good result here.  I’m going to be making a big
push this season.”

Dave Reardon-Smith (Coolum, AUS) was another who tore through the difficult
afternoon conditions securing a solid 14.50 out of a possible 20.  The powerful
natural-footer smashed the sloppy 1’-3’ surf en route to his round four heat
win.

“It’s slowly deteriorated over the course of the last three days,”
Reardon-Smith said.	“It’s seems that the afternoon low tide creates the best
conditions though.  A few small waves will come through and you’ve just got to
do what you can on them.”

Currently unsponsored, Reardon-Smith has proven to be one of the form surfers
of the event thus far and is poised for a solid finish here at Sebastian Inlet.

“Throughout the first six months of this year, I’m going to be working hard
to crack inside 192 on the WQS,” Reardon-Smith said.  “That way, I’ll be
able to get into all the five and six-star events and build up a really good
seed for next season.”

Brandon Guilmette (Huntington Beach, CA) shocked fellow competitors and
beachgoers alike by picking off the event high single wave score of a 9.33 out
of a possible 10 for multiple forehand slashes on a reeling righthander.

“It was just God’s grace that put me in that spot at that moment,” Guilmette
said.  “Anyone of those guys out there could have got that score had the wave
come to them, so I’m just really fortunate that it came my way.”

Surfline has forecast unfavorable conditions for Monday and Tuesday, but event
organizers will still meet to assess conditions tomorrow morning in hopes of
running as many heats as possible.

Competition will look to resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with Heat 13 of the
Round of 96.

Live scoring will be available at www.aspnorthamerica.org. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

RESULTS: DAY THREE O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round Three: 128 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 13: Bud Freitas (USA) 12.17, Devon Tresher (USA) 10.37, Adam Wickwire
(USA) 6.50, Chris Abad (USA) 6.27
Heat 14: Kellen Ellison (USA) 10.77, Rylan McCart (USA) 8.47, Jason Harris
(USA) 7.44, Matt Mohagen (USA) 6.22
Heat 15: Heath Walker (AUS) 9.94, Ryan Briggs (USA) 8.87, Marshal Alberga (USA)
6.55, Ian Ekberg (USA) 4.40
Heat 16: Bryan Hewitson (USA) 9.60, Sean Marceron (USA) 9.13, Drew Ventura
(USA) 7..33, Ian Rotgans (USA) 6.07

Round Four: 96 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Mineto Ushikoshi (JPN) 11.03, Shaun Burrell (USA) 11.00, Eddie Guilbeau
(USA) 8.33, Mark Dawson (USA) 8.27
Heat 2: Kyle Garson (USA) 13.33, Cory Arrambide (USA) 9.17, Jason Reagan (USA)
6.63, Brad Ettinger (USA) 2.60
Heat 3: Aaron Cormican (USA) 11.90, Eric Taylor (USA) 11.00, Rodrigo Cahu de
Lima (USA) 10.04, Darren Muschett (PRI) 6.13
Heat 4: Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 14.20, Tonino Benson (HAW) 10.83, Arthur
Bourbon (GLP) 8.44, Justin McBride (USA) 6.20
Heat 5: Charles Martin (GLP) 9.50, Wesley Larsen (HAW) 9.33, Matt King (USA)
7.20, Kahea Hart (HAW) 3.20
Heat 6: David Awbrey (USA) 12.50, Izuki Tanaka (JPN) 12.20, Nick Kovak (USA)
10.70, Matt Keenan (USA) 10.40 
Heat 7: Jorge Spanner (BRA) 12.17, Anthony Petruso (USA) 11.84, Brandon
Ragenovich (USA) 7.70, Tommy O’Brien (USA) 6.16
Heat 8: Brandon Guilmette (USA) 13.66, Adam Virs (USA) 12.50, Michael
Hoisington (USA) 9.10, Jensen Hassett (HAW) 5.97
Heat 9: Wesley de Souza (USA) 15.84, Micah Byrne (USA) 15.23, Kilian Garland
(USA) 10.00, Zander Morton (USA) 8.33
Heat 10: Jeremy Johnston (USA) 13.84, Wesley Toth (PRI) 9.34, Noi Kaulukukui
(USA) 5.07, Ryan Helm (USA) 3.84
Heat 11: Travis Beckmann (USA) 13.66, Tyler Anderson (USA) 10.17, Sean Tubbs
(USA) 7.14, Darren Turner (AUS) 6.33
Heat 12: Kieran Horn (USA) 14.00, Blake Howard (USA) 10.13, Alek Parker (USA)
8.53, Bobby Morris (USA) 6.70

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 128)
		12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1-12 (Round of 96)
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 or Thursday, January 11, 2007
		To be determined

NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

JORDY SMITH WINS THE BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Narrabeen, Australia (Sun. Jan 7, 2007) – A jubilant Jordy Smith from
South Africa has emerged from the water at Narrabeen Beach, Sydney, Australia a
world champion today after claiming a win in junior surfing’s most prestigious
event – the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. 

Smith, a lanky naturalfooter from Durban made the most of everything that came
his way throughout the day, and in the end held off a solid charge from 2003
winner and current Foster’s ASP World Tour number 20, Adriano de Souza in the
30-minute final.

Starting off slow with few quality set waves pushing into the Narrabeen arena,
both surfers had only minor scores locked in, but as the final progressed both
opened up with some big moves and in the end it was a nail biting finish as
Smith hung on to the lead till the final hooter with de Souza snapping at his
heels. 

“It’s amazing. I’ve never really done well in this event so it was great to
be able to pull off a win for my family and friends back home in South
Africa,” said Smith. “It all feels amazing right now but when it sinks in…
I’ll let you know tomorrow!”

Smith admitted that he really had to lift to get past de Souza who only needed
just over a 6.0 to get past him. Smith also believed he was also helped when
the wind swung offshore which prevented de Souza from launching his typically
radical aerial turns. 

“Adriano is a terrific surfer and I had to really step it up to go up against
him,” said Smith. “Luckily in some ways the wind changed so he couldn’t get
the big ramps to launch airs, so yeah I’m happy to come out on top against
him.”

Traditionally Smith has struggled here at the Billabong ASP World Junior
Championships but this year was showing a lot of confidence, which may have
stemmed from his third place against the best in the world at Jeffreys Bay in
2006.

He will now focus on getting on top of the ASP World Qualifying Series so he
can match it with the big boys in 2008. 

“I’ve definitely got more confidence this year and I just went out there to
free surf and luckily I came home with the win,” said Smith. “To get on the
Foster’s ASP World Tour is my goal for sure and I’d like to be on there next
year so that’s going to be my focus… but right now I’m going to enjoy this
moment. To be alongside your heroes like Andy Irons and Joel Parkinson is a
dream come true.”

For de Souza the second place was a solid start to 2007 and he indicated that
it will give him motivation when his Foster’s ASP World Tour campaign resumes
in just over a month’s time. 

Interestingly de Souza still has one year remaining in the juniors and can come
back to claim a second title in 2008.

“It was a good final and I’m stoked for Jordy right now,” said de Souza.
“It was good to start the year with a second so I’m happy. I still have
another year left so hopefully I’ll get to come back to Narrabeen next year
and do it for Brazil and win it for the second time. It’s great to get going
and hopefully I can go further than last year on the first Foster’s ASP World
Tour event on the Gold Coast where I finished in third last year.”

Finishing in equal third place was Australian hopeful Matt Wilkinson. 

The goofyfooter put on some of the event’s best performances in early rounds
– in fact claiming the highest total of the event in his round four heat, an
18.37 out of 20. 

But by his own admission he felt he might have peaked too early.

"Yeah I think I may have used up all my 9.0s yesterday unfortunately,” said
Wilkinson. “I just couldn't find a steep wave through the whole semi out there
this morning. I felt even with a minute to go I could have scored the 9.0 that
was needed, because if you do one air and link together some decent turns the
judges are throwing some big scores. I just couldn't find the waves out there
in the end.”

He was however pleased with his overall result.

“The third place is definitely a confidence boost going into the ASP World
Qualifying Series this year. The guys here have been surfing amazingly... I
really wanted to win the event but I'm still happy to get third.”

On being beaten by de Souza, Wilkinson took his hat off and tipped it for his
foe.

“There was no one tougher to surf against than Adriano de Souza,” said
Wilkinson. “He's an amazing competitor and an amazing surfer… he has a full
arsenal of turns."

Also finishing third was young Hawaiian Mason Ho who was elated to have ended
up near the pointy end of the draw… Mainly because he can trump the bragging
rights that his sister scored yesterday after also finishing equal third in the
women’s. 

“I’m just super stoked with the result,” said Ho “I tied with my sister who
got third in the girls so she can’t brag too much when we get home [laughs].”

While Smith ran away with the semifinal Ho watched on in awe and joked that
Smith surfed to his own strategy.

“I was talking to Jordy out there after I was watching him and I was saying to
him, ‘that was what I wanted to do!’” laughed Ho. “You either go super-on
like him or super-off like me but hey I’m stoked with the result.”

The new Billabong ASP World Junior Champions will now stand alongside Layne
Beachley (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA) at the ASP World Champions Banquet to be
held in late February.

Full results, audio downloads, athlete quotes and video highlights are all
available on www.billabongpro.com 

Final Results: 

Quarterfinals:

Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.67 def Hank Gaskell (HAW) 14.50
Heat 2: Adrian de Souza (BRA) 11.16 def Thiago Camarao (BRA) 5.33
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (AUS) 12.00 def Pierre-Valentin Lombard (FRA) 8.27
Heat 4: Mason Ho (HAW) 12.84 def Torrey Meister (HAW) 11.50

Semifinals:

Semi 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.40 def Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.50 
Semi 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.80 def Mason Ho (HAW) 4.20

Final: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.84 def Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.83

Final Team Results: 

1st South America     2774
2nd Australasia    2486
3rd Hawaii    2474
4th Africa   2432 
5th Europe    1967
6th Japan    1460
7th USA 1270
 
(Based on best 4 scores from each regional team not including international or
wild card invites. Top 4 teams get 6 invites to next year’s events while other
3 only 5.)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

BIG ACTION DESPITE SMALL SURF AT DAY TWO OF THE O’NEILL SI PRO
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Saturday, January 6th, 2007) – Despite today’s
decreasing swell, competitors still managed to throw down some big scores for
day two of the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS)
four-star event opened up this morning with the round of 128 and saw the
younger competitors reveling in the diminutive conditions.

Kilian Garland (Santa Barbara County, CA), 19, took the honors this afternoon
securing the event high single wave score of an 8.50 out of a possible 10 for a
series of rapid forehand snaps punctuated by an explosive fin-free maneuver on
the end section.

“I was just sitting out there and paddling around,” Garland said.  “I was
waiting and waiting and finally a good one came through and I think it was the
best one that’s come through all contest.  Another surfer was deeper but I
think I was in a little better position so he let me have it.  I just got
really lucky.”

Garland, who finished 7th on last season’s ASP North America Pro Junior
series, will be looking to further transition into the men’s division this
year as he competes on both his last season on the ASP Pro Junior series as
well as edging into the ASP WQS.

“I’m planning on surfing both divisions this season,” Garland said.  “I
really want to do well on the ASP Pro Junior series as it’s my last year. 
I’m also doing the WQS because I want to get my points so I can get seeded in
the higher-rated events.”

Long-time ASP WQS battler Adam Virs (Ventura, CA) blasted through his afternoon
heat wowing the crowd with an impressive display of progressive aerial
maneuvers.  Fully rehabilitated from a knee injury suffered two years ago, Virs
will now use the O’Neill SI Pro as a starting point for his 2007 ASP WQS
campaign.

“I’m going to be making a push this season,” Virs said.  “I’m traveling
with some boys from Ventura and doing all the events.  Both of my knees feel
good and I’m looking forward to a good year.”

Mark Dawson (Melbourne Beach, FL) led the local charge this morning exhibiting
superb local knowledge en route to a round three heat win.

“You’ve just got to know what you’re doing out here,” Dawson said.  “I’m
from here so I know which waves are going to be the good ones.”

Following the completion of the first five heats of round three, event
organizers elected to go on hold until conditions improved. 

In the interim, the Red Bull Tow-At specialty event ran featuring a slew of
aerial and progressive specialists.  Alek Parker (Melbourne Beach, FL) took the
honors amongst the stacked field and was awarded a Sea-Doo for his troubles.

When competition resumed, it was Nick Kovak (La Jolla, CA) who got things off
to a blazing start securing a solid 12.83 out of a possible 20 for a
combination of explosive maneuvers and excellent wave selection.

“It’s pretty small right now and all the guys are struggling,” Kovak said. 
“Everyone is riding small-wave, lighter boards out there.  I think it was a
good call to wait for the lower tide (to resume competition).  The waves are a
bit punchier and it’s that much more contestable.”

Surfline has forecast unfavorable conditions over the next few days so event
organizers will assess conditions each morning to determine how many heats will
be run.

Competition will look to resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with Heat 13 of the
Round of 128.

Live scoring will be available at www.aspnorthamerica.org. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

RESULTS: DAY ONE O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round One: 128 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Mark Dawson (USA) 12.97, Jason Reagan (USA) 11.50, Alex King (HAW)
8.10, Eddie Lester (USA) 7.60
Heat 2: Cory Arrambide (USA) 13.50, Eddie Guilbeau (USA) 9.53, Blake Jones
(USA) 7.56, Sean Taylor (USA) 4.96
Heat 3: Eric Taylor (USA) 11.36, Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 10.77, Jordan Gaudet
(USA) 9.17, Jesse Heilman (USA) 4.90
Heat 4: Arthur Bourbon (GLP) 11.50, Rodrigo Lima (USA) 9.20, Matt Myers (USA)
5.40, Golden Depesa (HAW) 4.82
Heat 5: Charles Martin (GLP) 11.60, David Awbrey (USA) 9.17, Layne Harrison
(USA) 8.50, Sam Watson (AUS) 4.06
Heat 6: Nick Kovak (USA) 12.83, Wesley Larsen (HAW) 8.47, Justin Jones (USA)
8.43, Kyle Knox (USA) 4.34
Heat 7: Brandon Ragenovich (USA) 10.67, Brandon Guilmette (USA) 8.80, John
Daniels (USA) 6.60, Tommy Bursian (PRI) 5.43
Heat 8: Adam Virs (USA) 12.54, Jorge Spanner (BRA) 8.84, Kahana Kalama (USA)
7.53, Thomas Bady (FRA) 6.90
Heat 9: Kilian Garland (USA) 14.00, Wesley Toth (PRI) 8.83, Ricky Whitlock
(USA) 8.13, Roger Eales (USA) 7.73
Heat 10: Jeremy Johnston (USA) 12.67, Dane Hamilton (AUS) 8.29, Jamie Parkhurst
(USA) 6.47, Zander Morton (USA) 5.80
Heat 11: Travis Beckmann (USA) 13.66, Alek Parker (USA) 13.17, Austin
Smith-Ford (USA) 8.77, Matt Shadbolt (USA) 7.66
Heat 12: Blake Howard (USA) 15.16, Sean Tubbs (USA) 11.27, Jeremy Sherwin (USA)
9.54, Justin Swartz (USA) 7.44

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128)
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 128)
		9:20 am – 4:00 pm: Begin Round of 96
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 or Thursday, January 11, 2007
		To be determined

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

FINAL DAY FOR BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Narrabeen, Australia (Sun. Jan 7, 2007) – Come lunchtime today yet
another world champion will be crowned on the main stage at Narrabeen Beach
Australia.

And with the swell kicking up again overnight to be around one to 1.5 metres
(three to four foot) it’s going to be a tremendous finish to the world’s most
prestigious junior surfing event – the Billabong ASP World Junior
Championships. 

The event, which has only seven heats in total to run will begin at 8am sharp
this morning and will consist of four quarterfinals, two semifinals and the
final which will hit the water around mid-morning local time. 

The hotly contested field includes three Hawaiians, two Brazilians, one
Frenchman, one South African and one Australian. 

This morning’s men’s heat draw includes. 

Quarterfinals:

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) vs Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 2: Thiago Camarao (BRA) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs Pierre Valentin Lombard (FRA)
Heat 4: Torrey Meister (HAW) vs Mason Ho (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

NICOLA ATHERTON CLAIMS BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR WOMEN’S CROWN

North Narrabeen, Australia (Sat. Jan 6, 2007) – After a putting a on a
tremendous performance in the one metre (three foot) Narrabeen beach-breaks
Nicola Atherton (AUS) has taken out the girls division of the most prestigious
junior professional surfing event on the planet – the Billabong ASP World
Junior Championships. 

It was red letter day for the future of women’s surfing as the performance bar
was raised dramatically as the two finalists went blow for blow, displaying
that with their complete range of new school tricks and old school power carves
they are in fact the real deal and will go on to conquer great heights. 

For Atherton, who finished runner up to Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) in the inaugural
event last year it was a well deserved win as she notched up an 8.17 for
throwing down some major turns. 

From there she never looked in doubt as her foe Anali Gomez of Peru struggled
to find a wave that would allow her to let loose. 

“I’m just feeling relief at the moment! I can’t describe how good it
feels,” said a jubilant Atherton. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet. I’m just
glad that it’s over and I did it and have got that thing off my back! I’m a
world champion [laughs]… I set out to do this and have been thinking about it
for six months. It is my last junior event and what a way to cap it off!”

By taking the win Atherton follows in the footsteps of her good friend and
current world number four Jessi Miley-Dyer who claimed victory here last year. 

Both hail from the small Sydney beach of Bronte and Atherton claims that their
upbringing and their rivalry has been the driving force behind their success.

“Bronte is a tiny beach yet we tend to breed a lot of good surfers,” said
Atherton. “It’s a small environment which in turn develops some good
rivalries. Plus we’re surrounded by all the guys who always talk to us about
our surfing, which amps us up. Jessi has always been an inspiration for me so
to follow her in taking out this title feels amazing.”

Of her fellow finalist Atherton was fully aware that she had to be on her toes
right throughout the 30-minute affair. 

Having surfed against Gomez in other events she expected the going to be tough
despite Gomez’s relative anonymity. 

“Anali is an amazing surfer,” said Atherton. “Not many people know about
her, yet she is capable of throwing down some 9.0 rides… I’ve seen her go
mental on her backhand before… she’s a fantastic surfer and a great friend.”


As for her being on stage at the ASP World Champions Banquet in just over a
month’s time…

“I didn’t know I had to do that!” squealed Atherton. “I’m going to be a
mumbling mess when I have to stand on stage with Layne Beachley and Kelly
Slater!”

For Gomez, the runner-up finish is a career highlight and despite going so
close but yet so far to getting a win she was overwhelmed with her result. 

“I’m so happy,” said Gomez who speaks little English. “I would like to say
congratulations to Nicola… she did so well. Thank you very much Australia… I
love it here.” 

Finishing in equal third was event favourite Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and
Hawaiian up and comer Coco Ho. 

Both surfed exceptionally well throughout the early rounds and at the end of
the day showed that if the waves had gone their way they were definitely title
contenders. 

Gilmore in particular was emotional about the semifinal defeat but was
philosophical that in the end it would only make her hungrier for success. 

“I was just floating around out there,” said Gilmore. “I was undecided about
whether to sit on the left or the rights so I sat in the middle like an idiot.
But at the end of the day this will just me hungrier.”

Ho meanwhile enjoyed her experience and with a few more years left in junior
competition will no doubt gain confidence and in future go all the way. 

“I really enjoyed coming here,” said Ho. “And hopefully next time I’ll be a
little stronger and will do a little better.”

Of the men’s today Matt Wilkinson (AUS) stood the event on its ear with his
demolition of fellow Aussie Mitch Coleborn. 

Locking in three scores over 9.0 after launching some huge aerial turns he put
on the standout performance of the event to date scoring a total of 18.37 out
of 20. 

“I was watching for a while before the heat and saw that the rights were
better,” said Wilkinson. “I picked off a 9.0 to start with and gained plenty
of confidence from it and just went on from there. I just hope I haven’t
peaked too early!”

The men’s division round four will be completed today and tomorrow it is
expected that the quarterfinals will hit the water at around 8am. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for all the updates.

For transcribed athlete quotes, audio downloads and all the results head to the
media centre of the above sites. 

Women’s Final results:

Quarterfinals:

Heat 1: Anali Gomez (PER) 11.50 def Alize Arnaud (FRA) 8.24
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.17 def Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.10
Heat 3: Nicola Atherton (AUS) 11.47 def Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 9.00
Heat 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 9.43 def Leila Hurst (HAW) 9.00

Semifinals: 
Semifinal 1: Anali Gomez (PER) 9.84 def Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.73
Semifinal 2: Nicola Atherton (AUS) 10.67 def Coco Ho (HAW) 9.67

Final: Nicola Atherton (AUS) 11.84 def Anali Gomez (PER) 9.50

Men’s Round Four Results (at time of going to press): 

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 16.83 def Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) 14.00
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 18.37 def Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 12.50
Heat 3: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 17.17 def Heitor Pereira (BRA) 15.50
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.76 def Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.90

Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs jean Sebastien (FRA)
Heat 6: Dion Atkinson (AUS) vs Pierre-Valentin Lombard (FRA)
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 8: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Mason Ho (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

INTERNATIONAL FIELD SLUGS IT OUT AT DAY ONE OF O’NEILL SI PRO
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Friday, January 5th, 2007) – The 2007 Association of
Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America season got underway this morning in
punchy 2’-3’ peaks at Sebastian Inlet for the O’Neill SI Pro presented by
Ron Jon.

The opening day for the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) four-star event saw
the 176-surfer field trim down to 128 as it blazed through two rounds of
competition.

Dave Reardon-Smith (Sunshine Coast, AUS) secured the highest heat score of the
morning with a 13.50 out of a possible 20.  The powerful natural-footer muscled
through the shifty beachbreak surfing equally well on both lefts and rights to
advance into round three.

“It’s pretty difficult out there with the tide right now,” Reardon-Smith
said.	“There are some flat spots that suck all your speed out and you really
just have to get lucky.	I’m stoked I got through and hopefully I can go a few
more.”

A swath of local surfers was well-represented with Sebastian Inlet stalwarts
Blake Jones (Melbourne Beach, FL), Bryan Hewitson (Indiatlantic, FL) who would
go on to claim the day’s highest heat total of a 13.67 out of a possible 20,
and Adam Wickwire (Satellite Beach, FL) all winning their respective round two
heats.

Wickwire, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Billabong ASP World
Junior Championships taking place in Australia right now, was in searing form
as his quickness and finesse was unrivaled in the speedy righthanders.

“I was a bit bummed I didn’t qualify for the ASP World Junior
Championships,” Wickwire said.  “I’m stoked to be here though.  It’s nice
to compete close to home, and the waves are familiar to me.  I’m not in any
rush to go on the tour full on yet.  I’m just happy to keep focusing on select
junior and WQS events.  Everything will come in time.”

Jamie Parkhurst (San Clemente, CA) punctuated the afternoon’s action with a
stunning come-from-behind victory.	Needing a combination of scores with less
than five minutes to go, the progressive goofy-footer relocated south to the
jetty and picked off two lengthy lefthanders for a 6.10 and a 6.43.

“Let’s just put it this way, I was scrambling back and forth from peak to
peak and couldn’t find anything,” Parkhurst said.  “I went and sat by myself
over by the jetty and got some of the best lefts of the heat and managed to
squeeze in a couple of baby turns.”

In its third season as an ASP WQS four-star event, the O’Neill SI Pro will
feature some of the most respected names in surfing in the upcoming days
including defending event champion Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL),
inaugural event champion Cory Lopez (Indian Rocks Beach, FL), and fellow Dream
Tour members C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL) and Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL).

The Surfline swell forecast looks promising for the next few days of the
O’Neill SI Pro and event organizers and surfers will be looking to capitalize
by running as many heats as possible.

Competition will resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with Heat 1 of the Round of
128.

RESULTS: DAY ONE O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star

Round One: 176 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Brett Barley (USA) 8.90, Jesse Hines (USA) 8.50, Matt Turner (USA)
6.80, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 6.37
Heat 2: Eric Worley (USA) 10.50, Rodrigo Cahu de Lima (USA) 10.17, Chase Newsom
(USA) 5.16, Taylor Brothers (USA) 4.44
Heat 3: David Awbrey (USA) 7.60, Sean Poynter (USA) 6.50, Josh Wilson (USA)
5.65, Kris Hopkins (USA) 3.10
Heat 4: Phillip Goold (USA) 13.33, Tommy Bursian (PRI) 11.37, Lyn Meyers (USA)
5.37, Leslie Bursian (PRI) 0.80
Heat 5: Dane Hamilton (USA) 11.67, Wesley Toth (PRI) 7.47, Cody Thompson (USA)
6.80, Devon Ayers (USA) 4.96
Heat 6: Robert Wurlitzer (USA) 10.76, Jensen Callaway (USA) 8.94, Michael
Dunphy (USA) 6.90, Ian Block (USA) 4.90
Heat 7: Scott Hammonds (USA) 12.00, Jason Harris (USA) 7.10, Shane Murray (USA)
5.40, Rick Martis (USA) 2.07
Heat 8: Gary Wheeler (USA) 9.17, Harry Sack (USA) 5.86, Matt Johnson (USA)
5.83, Ryan Ragan (USA) 3.94

Round Two: 160 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Mark Dawson (USA) 9.97, Sean Taylor (USA) 9.60, Willie Safreed (USA)
8.93, Brett Barley (USA) 7.70
Heat 2: Blake Jones (USA) 10.40, Eddie Lester (USA) 9.90, NIls Schweizer (USA)
9.30, Jesse Hines (USA) 7.54
Heat 3: Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS) 13.50, Matt Myers (USA) 9.20, Scott Posner
(USA) 7.30, Eric Worley (USA) 5.03
Heat 4: Rodrigo Lima (USA) 11.84, Jordan Gaudet (USA) 9.77, John John Florence
(HAW) 7.87, Caleb Johnston (USA) 6.60
Heat 5: David Awbrey (USA) 10.84, Nick Kovak (USA) 7.76, Colin Schildhauer
(USA) 6.07, Randy Townsend (USA) 3.10
Heat 6: Justin Jones (USA) 7.14, Layne Harrison (USA) 6.50, Sean Poynter (USA)
5.50, Shey Yates (USA) 4.94
Heat 7: Brandon Guilmette (USA) 11.33, Jorge Spanner (USA) 8.23, Dillon Perillo
(USA) 6.90, Phillip Goold (USA) 6.57
Heat 8: Kahana Kalama (USA) 12.50, Tommy Bursian (PRI) 10.13, Jacob
Kirschenbaum (USA) 7.63, Ben Graeff (USA) 6.10
Heat 9: Roger Eales (USA) 10.43, Dane Hamilton (USA) 9.33, Bryson Greaves (USA)
11.36, Tom Rezvan (USA) 7.03
Heat 10: Jamie Parkhurst (USA) 12.53, Wesley Toth (PRI) 11.67, Gustavo
Schlickmann (BRA) 11.36, Tom Rezvan (USA) 7.03
Heat 11: Matt Shadbolt (USA) 10.83, Jeremy Sherwin (USA) 7.50, Robert Wurlitzer
(HAW) 7.00, David Rutherford (MEX) 6.87
Heat 12: Sean Tubbs (USA) 10.67, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 10.16, Jensen Callaway
(USA) 9.33, Josh Nicastro (USA) 7.80
Heat 13: Adam Wickwire (USA) 13.13, Rylan McCart (USA) 12.76, Scott Hammonds
(USA) 10.50, Dane Ward (USA) 6.83
Heat 14: Jason Harris (USA) 10.57, Chris Abad (USA) 8.43, Casey Landvogt (USA)
8.10, Danny Hart (USA) 6.37 
Heat 15: Ryan Briggs (USA) 10.40, Ian Rotgans (USA) 9.63, Tony Adams (USA)
6.76, Gary Wheeler (USA) 6.73
Heat 16: Bryan Hewitson (USA) 13.67, Marshall Alberga (USA) 10.70, Craig
Daniels (USA) 6.20, Harry Sack (USA) 4.84

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176)
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) 
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Round of 128
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		To be determined
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 or Thursday, January 11, 2007
		To be determined

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

WOMEN’S WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION TO BE DECIDED TODAY

North Narrabeen, Australia (Sat. Jan 6, 2007) – With the swell finally coming
to the party that is the esteemed Billabong ASP World Junior Championships,
Contest Director Luke Egan had no hesitation in sending out the Quarterfinals
of the women’s division and will aim to have the division completed by around
lunchtime/early afternoon today. 

The schedule will run with the women’s quarters in the water first followed by
two heats of the four remaining round three heats of the guys (heats 13 and
14), then the women’s semifinals, followed by the two more guys heats (15 and
16 of round three) then the final of the ladies will hit the water. 

With the Narrabeen left winding right across the sandbank at around the one to
1.5 metre mark we can expect to witness some red hot action as the ladies
battle it out for junior surfing supremacy. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for all the action
LIVE. 

Today’s schedule:

Women’s quarterfinals: 

Quarterfinal 1: Alize Arnaud (FRA vs Anali Gomez (PER)
Quarterfinal 2: Pauline Ado (FRA) vs Stephanie Gilmore
Quarterfinal 3: Nicola Atherton (AUS) vs Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Quarterfinal 4: Coco Ho (HAW) vs Leila Hurst (HAW)

Men’s Round Three:
Heat 13: Sam Page (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (HAW)
Heat 14: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)

Women’s Semifinals:

TBC

Men’s Round Three:

Heat 15: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Casey Brown (HAW)

Women’s Final: 

TBC

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

GILMORE STAKES A VICTORY CLAIM AT BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Narrabeen, Australia (Fri. Jan 5, 2007) – Budding women’s surfing super
star Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) stole the show at the Billabong ASP World Junior
Championships as she put on a phenomenal display in impish one metre (three
foot) waves at North Narrabeen today. 

Locking in the highest wave score of the day for both men’s and women’s – a
9.17 – Gilmore romped home in front of her counterpart from Japan, Sayuri
Hashimoto, to book a berth in the women’s quarterfinals and looks to be in
devastating form and on target for an event win. 

On her “killer” wave Gilmore linked together a series of hard-edged turns and
had the crowd hooting with appreciation. 

“I managed to get a nice little wave that allowed to link together more turns
that I expected,” said Gilmore. “And the judges obviously liked what I did!”

Yet despite the victory looking like it came to her easily, Gilmore indicated
that she had to be on her toes right throughout the heat.

“Sayuri wasn’t to be underestimated at all,” said Gilmore. “If she had
better waves she could have won for sure. I was just stoked I managed to grab a
few little waves and come home with a win.”

Gilmore, who has qualified for the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2007, returned to
the junior ranks for this event in the hope of winning so she could lay claim
to world title status and stand alongside Layne Beachley (AUS) and Kelly Slater
(USA) at the ASP World Champions Banquet coming up in just over a month’s
time. 

Plus she indicated that a victory here would be a great way to start off what
she hopes will be a stellar 2007.

“You can’t turn down an invitation for a world title,” said Gilmore.
“Especially since the event is only in its second year. I’d really love to be
up there at the ASP Banquet alongside Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater. That
would be a real honour. Plus it would be a huge confidence boost and a great
start to the year to claim a win here.”

Gilmore also gained praise from her fellow competitors with last year’s
runner-up Nicola Atherton (AUS), who also won through to round four today,
claiming that she will be the one to beat. 

“Steph was amazing today,” said Atherton. “To get the score that she did
today was incredible. She is definitely the one to watch.” 

In the men’s division Mitch Coleborn (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS) headed the
list of standouts with both executing some incredible aerial and tail sliding
turns on their way to their respective heat wins. 

Coleborn, who had to fight his way through the trials to make the main event,
looked dangerous and indicated that he is confident he can go all the way.

“There’s still a lot of big names in the event,” said Coleborn. “And the
next couple of days will be solid. But I’m feeling confident and hopefully
I’ll get to the final and then look to taking it out.”

Wilkinson however will have other ideas as the two are now scheduled to meet in
the next round.

The man they call “Wilko” was all over everything today and came home with a
resounding win over Mexican surfer Angelo Lozano. 

He did indicate though that at times throughout the heat he felt worried that
the waves were not going to cooperate. 

“The waves stopped breaking for a while and I got a bit worried,” said
Wilkinson. But luckily I managed to get a few away and make it through.”

Wilkinson realises now that he has his work cut out for him in the next round
against Coleborn but he was philosophical, pitching that whatever the result at
least one Australian will make the event’s quarterfinals. 

“Having Mitch Coleborn next will be hard,” said Wilkinson. “But every heat
here is hard so it doesn’t matter who you draw. It sucks that I’m surfing
against another Aussie but by the same token at least one Aussie will make the
quarters.”

Of the internationals the number one seed Adriano de Souza (BRA) stood tall as
he held off a spirited challenge from a 14-year-old Tahitian Tamaroa McComb. 

Staying in the race right until the final hooter McComb showed he has plenty of
potential and de Souza was full of praise. 

“Yeah he did really well,” said de Souza. “I was lucky to get those waves
and come home with a win.” 

Hank Gaskell from Hawaii was also one to impress as he smoothly tore apart
numerous righthand-breaking waves to inch through to the next round. 

“It’s small and inconsistent but every now and again there are a few that
line up where you can get some turns in, said Gaskell. “I don’t surf the
lefts very well here as they tend to run away from you but I love the little
rights with the wedges along the way – it’s a lot like home.”

Competition will be called off at the end of men’s heat 12 and will resume
tomorrow after contest director Luke Egan assesses the early morning
conditions. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for all the updated
information. 

Today’s results at time of going to press: 

Women’s Round Three Heat Results: 

Heat 1: Alize Arnaud (FRA) 12.16 def Nikita Robb (ZAF) 11.84</b>


Heat 2: Anali Gomez (PER) 11.00 def Nao Omura (JPN) 5.33
Heat 3:Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.50 def Airini Mason (NZL) 8.97
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.20 def Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN) 9.17
Heat 5: Nicola Atherton (AUS) 10.47 def Kirstie Jones (AUS) 9.76
Heat 6: 1. Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 11.66 def Marina Werneck (BRA) 7.57
Heat 7: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.50 def Sage Ericson (USA) 7.10
Heat 8: 1. Leila Hurst (HAW) 11.67 def Erica Hosseini (USA) 8.03

Men’s Round Three Heat Results: 

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 15.66 def Rory Beach (ZAF) 9.47
Heat 2: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) 15.00 def Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) 9.36
Heat 3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 15.16 def Luke Cheadle (AUS) 6.13
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 11.33 def Angelo Lozano (MEX) 8.33
Heat 6: Heitor Pereira (BRA) 16.44 def Granger Larson (HAW) 10.50
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.90 def Marc Lacomare (FRA) 8.77
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) def Tamarao McComb (PYF)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.67 def Bernado Martins (BRA) 9,84
Heat 10: Jean Sebastien (FRA) 10.66 def Eric Geiselman (USA) 10.43

Remaining heats: 

Heat 11: Dion Atkinson (AUS) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Dylan Graves (PRI) vs Pierre Valentin (FRA)
Heat 13: Sam Page (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS) 
Heat 14: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 15: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Casey Brown (HAW)

Women’s Quarterfinals: 

Heat 1: Alize Arnaud (FRA) vs Anali Gomez (PER)
Heat 2: Pauline Ado (FRA) vs Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 3: Nicola Atherton (AUS) vs Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 4: Coco Ho (HAW) vs Leila Hurst (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS TO CONTINUE TODAY

North Narrabeen, Australia (Fri. Jan 5, 2007) – The excitement will continue
at Narrabeen Beach today with the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships
restarting at 8am (local time) in clean and fun one metre (three foot) swell. 

The bank at the location is showing plenty of potential today and Contest
Director Luke Egan had no hesitation in sending out round three of the ladies. 

And while the ladies are strutting their stuff the guys will be on standby with
Luke Egan hinting that the aim of the day will be to run as many heats as
possible. 

“We’ll aim to get through as many heats as possible,” said Egan. “If we can
knock over this round we will be in a strong position to take advantage of the
best conditions over the next few days.”

The draw for round three will be as follows:

Round Three Women’s Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Nikita Robb (ZAF) vs Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 2: Anali Gomez (PER) vs Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 3: Arini Mason (NZK) vs Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 4: Steph Gilmore (AUS) vs Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN)
Heat 5:Nicola Atherton (AUS) vs Kirstie Jones (AUS)
Heat 6: Marina Werneck (BRA) vs Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 7: Sage Ericson (USA) vs Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 8: Erica Hosseini (USA) vs Leila Hurst (HAW)

Round Three Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) vs (Rory Beach (ZAF) 
Heat 2: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) vs Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN)
Heat 3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) vs Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 5: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) vs Thiago Camaroa (BRA)
Heat 6: Heitor Pereira (BRA) vs Granger Larson (HAW)
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 10: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA) vs Eric Geiselman (USA)
Heat 11: Dion Atkinson (AUS) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Dylan Graves (PRI) vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Heat 13: Sam Page (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 14: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 15: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Casey Brown (HAW)

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all updates on
the event. 


Media Contacts

Billabong and the ASP will provide full media service from the World Junior
Championships.  Radio Files, Web Video Highlight Clips, High Quality Digital
Imagery, Television News Feeds and comprehensive Print News Releases will be
distributed daily.

Simon Barratt (On-Site) 
Billabong Australia 
+61 437 733 346 
sbarratt@billabong.com.cu 

Mandy McKinnon 
Mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com 
+61 417079941 

ASP Media 
Wayne Dart 
darty@aspworldtour.com 
+61 407 189 289 

ASP Official Photographer 
Steve Robertson 
stever@surfingaustralia.com 
+61 407 706 874 

About the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 

The Billabong ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Junior
Championship is the most sought after junior surfing accolade on the planet and
is recognised globally as the future of surfing.

Seen as a stepping-stone to elite world tour, the event, now in its eighth year
was originally held in Hawaii before relocating to Australia.  Finding a home
at the historically esteemed North Narrabeen beach in Sydney, it now run’s
during the first week of January each year.

The prestigious event attracts qualifiers from eight world regions including
Australasia, North America, South America, Hawaii, Asia, South Africa, Europe
and a specially sanctioned ASP International region.

Each of the representatives has won through grueling regional circuits to earn
their place among the top 45 junior men and 18 junior women in the world, a
feat in itself.   The $US 62,000 ($AUD 80,000) prize purse qualifies the
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships as the richest junior surfing event in
the history of surfing.

The eventual victors will stand alongside the 2006 elite men’s world tour
winner Kelly Slater and the eventual women’s world champ at the official ASP
ceremony in March 2007, crowned as the worlds only true professional junior
surfing champions.  They will also join an esteemed list of former champions
including Three Time World Champion Andy Irons (Haw) and Australian super-star
Joel Parkinson.	

FOSTER'S ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) WORLD TOUR 

BILLABONG SECURES SPONSORSHIP OF THE PIPELINE MASTERS

Irvine, CA (January 3, 2007) –	Vans and Billabong today announced that
Billabong has signed on as lead partner and title sponsor of the Pipeline
Masters, the legendary 37-year-old event regarded as the world’s most
prestigious surfing contest.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters will be the finale to the Foster’s Association
of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour and will sit alongside Billabong’s
portfolio of events held in some of finest venues around the globe – including
Teahupoo, Tahiti; Jeffreys Bay, South Africa; Mundaka, Spain; and the women’s
final event at Honolua Bay, Maui. 

“Hawaii has been and still remains the true testing ground for any
professional surfer,” said Graham Stapelberg VP of Marketing at Billabong USA.
 “The greatest world title showdowns have all taken place at Pipeline and
Billabong is proud to be part of this rich heritage. 

“Billabong will now have both the final Men’s and Women’s World Tour events
on the ASP World Tour.” 

The 2007 Billabong Pipeline Masters caps off the 25th edition of the Vans
Triple Crown of Surfing and as the final event on the Foster’s ASP World Tour
it is possible that the eventual world champion will be decided at the event. 

Billabong has had a longstanding impact on professional surfing on Hawaii’s
North Shore.  During the 1980’s when the pro tour was struggling, the surf
company launched the Billabong Pro to set several new benchmarks.  Prize money
was lifted to previously unheard of levels, a mobile venue was utilized between
Sunset and Waimea Bay which eventuated in the largest surf ever seen in ASP
competition history.

“The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing couldn’t be prouder than to have a partner
such as Billabong, a true leader in the sport and culture,” said Doug
Palladini, Vans’ Vice President of Marketing. “As we celebrate 25 years of
history and surfing tradition on the North Shore, cementing our partnership
with Billabong only builds on the legacy of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.”

ASP President and 1978 world champion Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew echoed the
sentiments.

“Pipe is the ultimate arena and the Pipeline Masters is the most prestigious
title on tour,” said Bartholomew.	“Billabong bring their wealth of event
skills to this North Shore icon and this partnership personifies the dream tour
concept.”

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)


FLAT CONDITIONS PREVAIL AT BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Narrabeen, Australia (Thurs. Jan 4, 2007) – After testing the conditions
at North Narrabeen Beach personally first thing this morning, Billabong ASP
World Junior Championships Contest Director Luke Egan has decided to call the
event off for the day and will make the next call tomorrow morning (Fri Jan 5)
at 7.30am. 

After waves deteriorated yesterday evening to nothing more than a dribble and
appearing pretty much the same today, coming in at under the one metre (three
foot) mark, it has been decided that waiting for a swell increase due to arrive
by tomorrow is the best option.

When competition resumes expect the sparks to fly, as there are numerous
exciting matchups amongst the round three draw. 

Those to watch include heat eight between Foster’s ASP World Tour number 20
Adriano de Souza from Brazil and the pint sized Tamaroa McComb from Tahiti. 

In yesterday’s draw the 14-year-old McComb caused a major upset in defeating
fourth seed Ola Eleogram (HAW). 

The youngster, who forever plays in the warm waters off his tropical island
home, found the biggest challenge avoiding the “cold” of Australia’s summer.

“I just want to do well here,” said McComb. “But it is cold, which makes it
hard.” 

Others to watch include the all-Aussie showdown between Julian Wilson and Sam
Page in heat 13.

Both are potential future world-beaters who, with a full arsenal of new school
aerials will be attacking the North Narrabeen lips with plenty of flair. 

Page, who lives not far from Narrabeen at Manly is confident he do the job but
he is hoping that there is an increase in swell so he can show his wares. 

“I only live down the road at Manly so I know the place well,” said Page.
“In fact Manly is a lot worse that this on most days so I really enjoy surfing
out there and hopefully we'll get some bigger waves as the event unfolds. I'm a
bit taller than most guys so a bit of size would be good.” 

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all updates on
the event. 


Round Three Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) vs (Rory Beach (ZAF) 
Heat 2: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) vs Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN)
Heat 3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) vs Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 5: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) vs Thiago Camaroa (BRA)
Heat 6: Heitor Pereira (BRA) vs Granger Larson (HAW)
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 10: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA) vs Eric Geiselman (USA)
Heat 11: Dion Atkinson (AUS) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Dylan Graves (PRI) vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Heat 13: Sam Page (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 14: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 15: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Casey Brown (HAW)

Round Three Women’s Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Nikita Robb (ZAF) vs Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 2: Anali Gomez (PER) vs Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 3: Arini Mason (NZK) vs Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 4: Steph Gilmore (AUS) vs Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN)
Heat 5:Nicola Atherton (AUS) vs Kirstie Jones (AUS)
Heat 6: Marina Werneck (BRA) vs Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 7: Sage Ericson (USA) vs Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 8: Erica Hosseini (USA) vs Leila Hurst (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) NORTH AMERICA

O’NEILL SI PRO PRESENTED BY RON JON
Sebastian Inlet, Florida
January 5-11, 2007

2007 ASP NORTH AMERICA SEASON KICKS OFF WITH O’NEILL SI PRO
 
SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (January 3rd, 2007) – The 2007 Association of Surfing
Professionals (ASP) North America season will commence with the O’Neill SI Pro
presented by Ron Jon this Friday, January 5, 2007, at Melbourne Beach’s
Sebastian Inlet.	

Held from January 5-11, the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) four-star event
will provide the first opportunity of the season for surfers to begin their
respective qualifying campaigns for professional surfing’s ultimate Dream
Tour, the Foster’s ASP World Tour.

In its third season as an ASP WQS four-star event, the O’Neill SI Pro will
feature some of the most respected names in surfing including defending event
champion Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), inaugural event champion Cory
Lopez (Indian Rocks Beach, FL), and fellow Dream Tour members C.J. Hobgood
(Melbourne, FL) and Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL).

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), who nearly qualified for this year’s
Foster’s ASP World Tour by finishing 22nd on the 2006 ASP WQS, will compete in
the O’Neill SI Pro looking to improve upon last year’s run.

“It’s always on the back of your mind – a lot of guys come close one season
and then seem to backpedal the next,” Gudauskas said.  “Last season I had a
strong season, but this year I’m hoping to have a better one.  I’m looking
forward to putting all that experience to work.  Having Tanner and Dane
(brothers) with me this year is going to be important.  It’s important to have
the right people with you.  Just the other day, we were looking at this
season’s schedule and just frothin’.”

Last year’s ASP North America tour suffered no shortage of action with Asher
Nolan (Jacksonville, FL) taking out the men’s division and Eric Geiselman (New
Smyrna Beach, FL) taking out the pro junior series.  Nolan will be on hand at
the O’Neill SI Pro to begin his ’07 campaign as will Geiselman should he
return in time from competing in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships
in Australia.

Sandbars and swell forecast look promising and the O’Neill SI Pro will
commence at 8:00 am this Friday, January 7th at Sebastian Inlet.

Live scoring will be available at www.oneillsipro.com. 

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org or www.oneillsipro.com. 

Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event

	Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 
		8:00 am – 12:00 am: Round of 176
		12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 160)	
	Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007
		8:00 am – 11:00 am: Heats 9 – 16 (Round of 160)
		2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Begin Round of 128
	Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007
		9:30 am – 4:30 pm: Completion of Round of 128
	Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 96)
	Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007
		8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 64)
	Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 or Thursday, January 11, 2007
		8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Heats 1 -8 (Round of 32)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

ACTION APLENTY AT BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND TWO

North Narrabeen, Australia (Wed. Jan 3, 2007) – Despite small and windy
conditions challenging competitors throughout the bulk of proceedings, there
was plenty of fantastic surfing action from the 20-year-old and under
competitors in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships held at Narrabeen
Beach, Sydney, Australia. 

With one metre (three foot) waves pulsing into the arena the “grommets” (the
nickname for young surfers) went hell for leather on everything that moved as
they battled through the sudden death heats of round two of both the women’s
and men’s. 

Grabbing one of the top scores of the day was Australian Julian Wilson, who
after faltering in round one yesterday, managed to put his Billabong ASP World
Junior Championship aspirations back on track with a sterling performance
today. 

Whipping and weaving over the fairly powerless swells, Wilson showed true
determination when he defeated fellow Australian James Wood 15.00 to 9.67. 

”It felt good to get a few waves under my belt today,” said Wilson.
“Yesterday I was in the first heat of the day and it was stormy and windy and
I found myself a bit lost at sea. But today it had cleaned up a bit and I found
a good bank to sit on.” 

Wilson did well to hold off Wood who excelled a few days earlier when he won
the Von Zipper Trials to advance into the main draw. Wood is renowned for big
performances and Wilson was relieved that he ended up in front today.

“I knew it was going to be a tough heat as I watched him come through the
trials,” said Wilson. “It sucks to take out a fellow countryman but in the
end it had to be one of us getting through and I’m glad it was me.”

In the truly international field that contains surfers from all corners of the
surfing universe, other heat winners came from Brazil, Mexico, South Africa,
USA, France, Tahiti and Hawaii. 

And of the internationals Dusty Payne (HAW) was a standout as he easily
accounted for his rival in Great Britain’s Reubyn Ash. 

“I was shattered after losing that first heat yesterday so I’m wrapped to be
back on the right path to success,” said Payne. “We’re all just dong our
best. It’s a bit difficult to surf out here so it’s a heat-by-heat situation.
I’ll just take it as it comes.”

Making possibly the biggest stir in the event today was Noboyuki Osawa from
Japan who ousted one of the biggest names of Australian junior surfing in
Laurie Towner. 

Towner, who has a reputation for taking on monster waves, couldn’t find any
momentum and left the door open for the talented Osawa to steal the show. 

Osawa, who speaks little English was very pleased with himself, sporting an
ear-to-ear grin on leaving the water. 

“I am very happy right now,” said Osawa. “To win any heat here is a big feat
and I am even more happy to beat Towner.”

Also claiming a win today was the youngest competitor in the event, 14-year-old
Tamaroa McComb (PYF) who defeated number four seed Ola Eleogram (HAW).

McComb stole the show with a high scoring ride on the opener – a 9.17 – and
from there held on to take down the proceedings. 

The youngster, who has the world class Teahupoo in his backyard at home in
Tahiti, looked strong all the way and will be happy to grab his round three
berth given the difficult conditions that he had to face today.

”The conditions were hard out there again,” said McComb. “They were really
mushy and difficult. It’s also very cold here compared to where I come from. I
am happy to get through. There is a lot of pressure. Everybody is good in this
event."

The round three heat draw promises to deliver more of the same excitement when
competition resumes with numerous anticipated matchups on the cards (see draw
below).

Contest Director Luke Egan will again view the swell at first light and will
make a decision by 7.30 as to the day’s proceedings. 

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com and www.aspworldtour.com for all the
details. 

For transcribed athlete quotes and audio downloads plus the TV feed details
head to the above sites respective media centres.

Round Two Women’s Results:

Heat 1: 1. Alize Arnaud (FRA) 10.13; 2. Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 10.00; 3. Tammy
Lee Smith (ZAF) 7.84 
Heat 2: 1. Anali Gomez (PER) 12.67; 2. Nao Omura (JPN) 8.47; 3. Jessica Hickson
(AUS) 7.60 


Round Two Men’s Results: (1st to round 3; 2nd to receive 33rd placing)

Heat 1: Sam Page (AUS) 11.57 def Klee Strachan (ZAF) 9.50
Heat 2: Tamaroa McComb (PYF) 13.84 def. Ola Eleogram (HAW) 12.90
Heat 3: 1. Bernado Martins (BRA) 10.10 def. Nick Rozsa (USA) 8.43
Heat 4: Gavin Gillette (HAW) 11.50; Halley Batista (BRA) 11.17
Heat 5: Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.66 def Reubyn Ash (GBR) 8.23
Heat 6: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 12.84 def Heath Joske (AUS) 10.27
Heat 7: Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.50 def Vincent Duvignac (FRA) 11.07
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.00 def James Wood (AUS) 9.67
Heat 9: Luke Cheadle (AUS) 11.27 def Matias Mulanovich (PER) 7.90
Heat 10: 1. Angelo Lozano (MEX) 12.17 def Shota Nakamura (JPN) 7.00
Heat 11: Noboyuki Osawa (JPN) 12.84 def Laurie Towner (AUS) 9.67
Heat 12: Rory Beach (ZAF) 12.10 def Romain Cloitre (FRA) 7.86 
Heat 13: Wade Goodall (AUS) 13.00 def Sterling Spencer (USA) 9.56
Heat 14: Casey Brown (HAW) 14.67 def Adrien Toyon (REU) 11.67
Heat 15: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 12.17 def Kento Takahashi (JPN) 11.53
Heat 16: Pierre Valentin (FRA) 17.00 def Shu Hagiwara (JPN) 7.80

Round Three Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Hank Gaskell (HAW) vs (Rory Beach (ZAF) 
Heat 2: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) vs Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN)
Heat 3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) vs Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 5: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) vs Thiago Camaroa (BRA)
Heat 6: Heitor Pereira (BRA) vs Granger Larson (HAW)
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 10: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA) vs Eric Geiselman (USA)
Heat 11: Dion Atkinson (AUS) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Dylan Graves (PRI) vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Heat 13: Sam Page (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 14: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 15: TJ Barron (HAW) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Casey Brown (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)


BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND TWO UNDERWAY NOW

North Narrabeen, Australia (Wed. Jan 3, 2007) –With the swell at Narrabeen
Beach still pulsing in at around one metre (three feet) at first light this
morning Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, Contest Director Luke Egan
had no hesitation in sending out surfers competing in round two. 

First up this morning will be the women’s division with two heats making up
the draw, and that will be closely followed by round two of the men’s. 

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the updates.

Today’s draw will include: 

Men’s Round Two Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Sam Page (AUS) vs Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 2: Ola Eleogram (HAW) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 3: Nick Rozsa (USA) vs Bernado Martins (BRA)
Heat 4: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Halley Batista (BRA)
Heat 5: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 6: Marc Lacomare (FRA) vs Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 7: Eric Geiselman (USA) vs Vincent Duvignac (FRA)
Heat 8: James Wood (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Luke Cheadle (AUS) vs Matias Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 10: Shota Nakamura (JPN) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 11: Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) vs Laurie Towner (AUS)
Heat 12: Romain Cloitre (FRA) vs Rory Beach (ZAF)
Heat 13: Sterling Spencer (USA) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 14: Casey Brown (HAW) vs Adrien Toyon (REU)
Heat 15: Kento Takahashi (JPN) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Shu Hagiwara (JPN) vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)

Women’s Round Two Heat Draw:

Heat 1: Tammy Lee Smith (ZAF); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 2: Anali Gomez (PER); Jessica Hickson (AUS); Nao Omura (JPN)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND TO BEGIN UNDWERWAY AT 8am LOCAL
TIME

North Narrabeen, Australia (Tues. Jan 2, 2007) – Starting guns are at the
ready for the first round of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships as
the swell at Narrabeen Beach Australia has jumped over night and competitors
are excited about surfing some really fun waves. 

Despite the rain making things look a little ugly, the swell is forecast to
continue to rise throughout the day and will provide a great platform for the
best under 21-year-old surfers in the world to strut their new-school surfing
wares. 

Contest Director Luke Egan had no qualms about sending out the first round of
the men’s division, which will consist of 16 three-man heats. 

He will then look at the potential for running the first round of the women’s
division.

“It’s increased over night and the guys will have some fun walls out there,”
said Egan. “We’ll get the guys out first thing and aim to run the whole first
round. The girls are on standby also.”

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com for all the
updates. 

Men’s Round One Heat Draw

Heat 1: Heitor Pereira (BRA); Casey Brown (HAW); Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF); Sterling Spencer (USA); Vincent Duvignac (FRA)
Heat 3: Dion Atkinson (AUS); Romain Cloitre (FRA); Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 4: TJ Barron (HAW); Nobuyuki Osawa (JAP); Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 5: Hank Gaskell (HAW); Shota Nakamura (JPN); Halley Batista (BRA)
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Klee Strachan (ZAF); Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 7: Ola Eleogram (HAW); Torrey Meister (HAW); Tamarao McComb (PYF)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA); Dusty Payne (HAW); Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF); Marc Lacomare (FRA); James Wood (AUS)
Heat 10: Sam Page (AUS); Eric Geiselman (USA); Mitch Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 11: Dylan Graves (PRI); Kento Takahashi (JPN); Matias Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 12: Mason Ho (HAW); Shu Hagiwara (JPN); Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 13: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JAP); Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA); Laurie Towner
(AUS)
Heat 14: Nick Rozsa (USA); Granger Larsen (HAW); Rory Beach (ZAF)
Heat 15: Gavin Gillette (HAW); Thiago Camarao (BRA); Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA); Brandon Jackson (ZAF); Adrien Toyon
(REU)

Women’s Round One Heat Draw

Heat 1: Nikita Robb (ZAF); Marina Werneck (BRA); Nao Amura (JPN)
Heat 2: Erica Hosseini (USA); Arini Mason (NZL); Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN)
Heat 4: Nicola Atherton (AUS); Jessica Hickson (AUS); Kristie Jones (AUS)
Heat 5: Tammy Lee Smith (ZAF); Pauline Ado (FRA); Leile Hurst (HAW)
Heat 6: Anali Gornez (PER); Sage Erickson (USA); Coco Ho (HAW)


Media Contacts

Billabong and the ASP will provide full media service from the World Junior
Championships.  Radio Files, Web Video Highlight Clips, High Quality Digital
Imagery, Television News Feeds and comprehensive Print News Releases will be
distributed daily.

Simon Barratt (On-Site) 
Billabong Australia 
+61 437 733 346 
sbarratt@billabong.com.cu 

Mandy McKinnon 
Mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com 
+61 417079941 

ASP Media 
Wayne Dart 
darty@aspworldtour.com 
+61 407 189 289 

ASP Official Photographer 
Steve Robertson 
stever@surfingaustralia.com 
+61 407 706 874 

About the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 

The Billabong ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Junior
Championship is the most sought after junior surfing accolade on the planet and
is recognised globally as the future of surfing.

Seen as a stepping-stone to elite world tour, the event, now in its eighth year
was originally held in Hawaii before relocating to Australia.  Finding a home
at the historically esteemed North Narrabeen beach in Sydney, it now run’s
during the first week of January each year.

The prestigious event attracts qualifiers from eight world regions including
Australasia, North America, South America, Hawaii, Asia, South Africa, Europe
and a specially sanctioned ASP International region.

Each of the representatives has won through grueling regional circuits to earn
their place among the top 45 junior men and 18 junior women in the world, a
feat in itself.   The $US 62,000 ($AUD 80,000) prize purse qualifies the
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships as the richest junior surfing event in
the history of surfing.

The eventual victors will stand alongside the 2006 elite men’s world tour
winner Kelly Slater and the eventual women’s world champ at the official ASP
ceremony in March 2007, crowned as the worlds only true professional junior
surfing champions.  They will also join an esteemed list of former champions
including Three Time World Champion Andy Irons (Haw) and Australian super-star
Joel Parkinson.	

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

TOP SEEDS LEAD THE WAY IN BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Narrabeen, Australia (Tues. Jan 2, 2007) – Living up to expectations,
the top seeds in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships put on stellar
performances to claim heat wins in round one today. 

Held in messy one metre (three foot) conditions at North Narrabeen Beach in
Sydney, Australia, number one seed Adriano de Souza (BRA) and number two seed
Jordy Smith (ZAF) made the most of what was on offer to lock in large total
scores to overcome their foes and in turn had the crowd in awe. 

Smith in particular was in devastating form as he wound through some lumpy
sections executing turn after turn, even landing a nice aerial in the process. 

In his post heat interview Smith indicated that he doesn’t feel confident in
the famed Narrabeen lineup but that certainly didn’t look the case today as he
pushed the performance bar up high.

”I don’t think the waves suit me that well here,” said Smith. “But I
managed to pick off some rights and I just tried to make the best of them. I
just knew that the two guys I had in the heat are great surfers so I had to
pull out something big.”

Smith, who in July 2006 made it all the way to the semifinals of the Foster’s
ASP World Tour, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay event as a wildcard, has grown as a
surfer and a competitor of late, but despite his experience he is still very
wary of his rivals here in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

 “There are a lot of good guys here,” said Smith. “Guys like Adriano de
Souza and Matt Wilkinson are flipping ripping! And then there are all the guys
like Laurie Towner and a host of others. I’m just going to take it heat by
heat and hopefully get through to the final.”

De Souza, who quite the opposite to Smith feels very confident in the choppy
conditions due to them being like his home in Brazil, was relaxed and he
cruised through for a win in heat eight over Luke Cheadle (AUS) and Dusty Payne
(HAW). 

The pint sized powerhouse, a former winner in 2003 and who is now ranked number
20 in the world, used every bit of his top tour experience to ensure that he
was in exactly the right spot whenever a ripple came his way. 

“It’s great to be back at Narrabeen as I’ve had some good results here,”
said de Souza. “It’s just good to be back surfing with all the guys from my
generation. I’m very excited as I have one more year to win and I’d like to
match Joel Parkinson and win it twice.”

De Souza, like Smith, knows he has to pull out all the stops in order to beat
the hungry field who, by no means, are intimidated by the fact that he
regularly spars with the best surfers in the world.

“There are a lot of good guys here, Matt Wilkinson, Smith… anyone can do well
here,” said de Souza. “I just have to be on my toes the whole way through.”

The youngster was also hoping that like when he claimed his 2003 victory the
mass of Brazilians who reside or holiday in nearby suburbs will come out in
support for him. 

“When I won in 2003 there were a lot of my people here to cheer me on,” said
de Souza. “I hope they all come to Narrabeen to do it again. That would be
special.”

Also excelling in the testing conditions was Australian Wilkinson, who stood
tall on everything he could grapple. The goofyfooter claimed that by getting
down to Narrabeen early in the week and surfing every day he was feeling extra
confident. 

“I’ve been surfing here the past few days as I’ve been staying close by,”
said Wilkinson. “I went out and knew that the rights were going to be better
scorers and luckily I opened with two good ones straight away.”

Wilkinson was also confident that the Australian team could wrestle a win here
in this year's event, given that the trophy has gone to a host of Brazilians
and a Hawaiian in previous years. 

”We haven’t done so well over the past few years,” said Wilkinson. “But
looking at the team this year it’s really strong and if there are a few waves
then I think we’ll do well.”

Heading up the star performers in the women’s division was world beater
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), who despite qualifying for the ASP Women’s World Tour
in 2007 was eager to come back to add another junior notch to her belt before
moving on. 

“You can’t turn down an invitation for a world title,” said Gilmore.
“Especially since the event is only in its second year. I’d really love to be
up there at the ASP Banquet alongside Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater. That
would be an honour.”

On her performance Gilmore was happy that she finished the job in front today. 

“There were a few waves here and there as luckily it was consistent,” said
Gilmore. “I was just floating around grabbing what I could and I managed to do
the job. I couldn’t hear the announcers and I was a bit worried… At the end
of the day you always want the win.”

Organisers will return tomorrow morning at 7.30am with the aim of getting
underway at 8am. 

The conditions are expected to be similar with a slight increase in swell size.

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for all the updates.

Round 1 Men’s Results: (1st to round 3 2nd and 3rd to round 2)

Heat 1: 1. Heitor Pereira (BRA) 10.90; 2. Casey Brown (HAW) 8.83; Julian Wilson
(AUS) 7.14
Heat 2: 1. Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 11.10; 2. Vincent Duvignac (FRA) 9.83; 3.
Sterling Spencer (USA) 8.57
Heat 3: 1.Dion Atkinson (AUS) 12.07; Romain Cloitre (FRA); Heath Joske (AUS)
8.93
Heat 4: 1. TJ Barron (HAW) 13.17; 2. Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) 9.00; Reubyn Ash
(GBR) 6.46
Heat 5: 1. Hank Gaskell (HAW) 13.17; Halley Batista (BRA) 9.06; Shota Nakamura
(JPN) 8.43
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.83; 2. Bernardo Martins (BRA); 12.00; 3. Klee
Strachan (ZAF) 10.77
Heat 7: 1. Torrey Meister (HAW) 12.66; 2. Tamaroa McComb (PYF) 10.70; 3. Ola
Eleogram (HAW) 10.56Heat 7: 1. Torrey Meister (HAW) 12.66; 2. Tamaroa McComb
(PYF) 10.70; 3. Ola Eleogram (HAW) 10.56
Heat 8: 1. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.67; 2. Luke Cheadle (AUS) 9.77; Dusty
Payne (HAW) 9.33
Heat 9: 1. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.67; 2. Marc Lacomare (FRA)11.56; 3. James Wood
(AUS) 7.43
Heat 10: 1. Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 15.17; 2. Sam Page (AUS) 8.17; 3. Eric
Geiselman (USA) 8.13
Heat 11: 1. Dylan Graves (PRI) 11.06; 2. Kento Takahashi (JPN) 10.37; 3. Matias
Mulanovich (PER) 8.36
Heat 12: 1. Mason Ho (HAW) 11.84; 2. Shu Hagiwara (JPN) 9.50; Angelo Lozano
(MEX) 7.94
Heat 13: 1. Hideyoshi Tanaka (JPN) 13.67; 2. Laurie Towner (AUS) 11.20 (AUS);
Pierre Valentin (FRA) 9.40
Heat 14: 1. Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.43; 2. Rory Beach (ZAF) 10.10; 3. Nick
Rozsa (USA) 5.94
Heat 15: 1. Thiago Camarao (BRA) 13.83; 2. Gavin Gillette (HAW) 12.37; Wade
Goodall (AUS) 9.57
Heat 16: 1. Jean Sebastien (FRA) 11.40; 2. Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 9.36; Adrien
Toyon (REU)

Round One Women’s Results: (1st to round three 2nd and 3rd to round two)

Heat 1: 1. Nikita Robb (ZAF) 12.37; Marina Werneck (BRA) 9.70; Nao Omura (JPN)
4.47
Heat 2: 1. Arini Mason (NZL) 10.50; 2. Erica Hosseini (USA) 8.83; 3. Alize
Arnaud (FRA) 6.96
Heat 3: 1. Steph Gilmore (AUS) 12.73; 2. Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN) 6.93; 3. Lee
Ann Curren (FRA) 6.57
Heat 4: 1. Nicola Atherton (AUS) 10.50; 2. Kirstie Jones (AUS) 9.17; Jessica
Hickson (AUS) 7.33
Heat 5: 1. Leila Hurst (HAW) 10.50; 2. Pauline Ado (FRA) 7.80; Tammy Lee Smith
(ZAF) 7.10
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.10; 2. Sage Ericson (USA) 10.40; 3. Anali Gomez (PER)
8.84

Men’s Round Two Heat Draw: 

Heat 1: Sam Page (AUS) vs Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 2: Ola Eleogram (HAW) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 3: Nick Rozsa (USA) vs Bernado Martins (BRA)
Heat 4: Gavin Gillette (HAW) vs Halley Batista (BRA)
Heat 5: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 6: Marc Lacomare (FRA) vs Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 7: Eric Geiselman (USA) vs Vincent Duvignac (FRA)
Heat 8: James Wood (AUS) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Luke Cheadle (AUS) vs Matias Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 10: Shota Nakamura (JPN) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 11: Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) vs Laurie Towner (AUS)
Heat 12: Romain Cloitre (FRA) vs Rory Beach (ZAF)
Heat 13: Sterling Spencer (USA) vs Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 14: Casey Brown (HAW) vs Adrien Toyon (REU)
Heat 15: Kento Takahashi (JPN) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Shu Hagiwara (JPN) vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)

Women’s Round Two Heat Draw:

Heat 1: Tammy Lee Smith (ZAF); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 2: Anali Gomez (PER); Jessica Hickson (AUS); Nao Omura (JPN)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)


BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS CALLED OFF FOR TODAY

North Narrabeen, Australia (Mon. Jan 1, 2007) – With only a messy one metre
swell pushing across the famous location of North Narrabeen Beach in Sydney,
Australia, organisers of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships have
opted to call the event off for today. 

After waiting for tide and wind conditions to improve throughout the morning
Contest Director Luke Egan eventually decided that the waves were not suitable
to hold competition and will make the next call tomorrow morning at 7am with
the hope of kicking off proceedings at 7.30am sharp.

Despite the lack of cooperation from the weather today the forecast for the
waiting period looks promising with a swell increase predicted over the next
few days. 

Local forecasters are predicting that a three foot swell will hit the area
within the next 24 hours and will be coming in from an Easterly direction,
which is well suited to the world class Narrabeen arena. 

The competition format of both the men’s and women’s is identical to that of
ASP’s elite surfing tours – the Foster’s ASP World Tour and the ASP Women’s
World Tour – in that both will begin with three-man first round heats (16
men’s heats and eight women’s) with heat winners going through to round three
and second and third going to round two. 

The field will then be whittled down via man-on-man heats with instant
elimination for those in second. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com for all the
updates. 

Men’s Round One Heat Draw

Heat 1: Heitor Pereira (BRA); Casey Brown (HAW); Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF); Sterling Spencer (USA); Vincent Duvignac (FRA)
Heat 3: Dion Atkinson (AUS); Romain Cloitre (FRA); Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 4: TJ Barron (HAW); Nobuyuki Osawa (JAP); Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 5: Hank Gaskell (HAW); Shota Nakamura (JPN); Halley Batista (BRA)
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Klee Strachan (ZAF); Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 7: Ola Eleogram (HAW); Torrey Meister (HAW); Tamarao McComb (PYF)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA); Dusty Payne (HAW); Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF); Marc Lacomare (FRA); James Wood (AUS)
Heat 10: Sam Page (AUS); Eric Geiselman (USA); Mitch Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 11: Dylan Graves (PRI); Kento Takahashi (JPN); Matias Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 12: Mason Ho (HAW); Shu Hagiwara (JPN); Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 13: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JAP); Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA); Laurie Towner
(AUS)
Heat 14: Nick Rozsa (USA); Granger Larsen (HAW); Rory Beach (ZAF)
Heat 15: Gavin Gillette (HAW); Thiago Camarao (BRA); Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA); Brandon Jackson (ZAF); Adrien Toyon
(REU)


Women’s Round One Heat Draw

Heat 1: Nikita Robb (ZAF); Marina Werneck (BRA); Nao Amura (JPN)
Heat 2: Erica Hosseini (USA); Arini Mason (NZL); Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN)
Heat 4: Nicola Atherton (AUS); Jessica Hickson (AUS); Kristie Jones (AUS)
Heat 5: Tammy Lee Smith (ZAF); Pauline Ado (FRA); Leile Hurst (HAW)
Heat 6: Anali Gornez (PER); Sage Erickson (USA); Coco Ho (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships 
(January 1-8 2007)

DE SOUZA TO LEAD CHARGE AT BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOOD CLAIMS VON ZIPPER TRIALS VICTORY

North Narrabeen, Australia (Sun. Dec 31, 2006) – While the bulk of the planet
will still be in party mode as they cheer in the new year, a host of the
world’s most talented under 21-year-old professional surfers will be toiling
it out in the hope of claiming junior surfing’s most prestigious crown – the
Billabong ASP World Junior Championship. 

With the Von Zipper Trials rounding up today in one metre (three foot) and wind
affected waves at North Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia, the draw for the main
event has been finalised with Von Zipper Trials winner James Wood (AUS) plus
second and third place getters Mitch Coleborn (AUS) and Luke Cheadle (AUS) now
joining the already sizzling field. 

Heading up the pack of junior world champion hopefuls is Foster’s ASP World
Tour number 20 and 2003 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships winner Adriano
de Souza (BRA) who will take on Dusty Payne (HAW) and Cheadle in heat eight of
the opening round. 

The exciting youngster, who excels in beach break conditions, loves surfing at
Narrabeen because it is so similar to his hometown of Guaruja in Brazil. 

“I love coming here,” said de Souza. “The waves are so much fun, so much
like what I surf every day at home. And the place is really nice and everything
about it is great.”

While de Souza regularly mixes with the big boys on the Foster’s ASP World
Tour, he indicated that competing in the Billabong ASP World Juniors was very
important for his career aspirations as in years to come many of the
competitors here will be alongside him on top of the surfing pile.

“It’s really important for me that I compete with my generation,” said de
Souza who is still only 20 years of age. “These boys who are competing here
today will be up there with us on the Foster’s ASP World Tour in years to come
so it is good to compete against them now and get to know how they surf. The
guys here today surf a bit different to the guys on tour so I’m checking the
talent that is coming through… seeing what they are doing.”

De Souza will also use the event as a springboard for his 2007 top tour
campaign, hoping that if he were to secure a win here he will gain the
confidence required to take it to the sport’s biggest names when the Foster’s
ASP World Tour resumes in March.

“It would be great to start the year with a win as it will give me confidence
going into the new season,” said de Souza. “Plus by competing here I stay
sharp and focussed and I learn something new every time I go out there.”

Speaking on his chances of claiming win number two here this week…

“I’m confident because I know this beach,” said de Souza. “And having won
here before helps. I like Narrabeen a lot. Hopefully I can get another good
result!”

After surfing a hotly contested final, Australian rising star Wood claimed
victory in the Von Zipper Trials ahead of fellow countrymen Coleborn, Cheadle
and Nick Riley. 

After grabbing a solid ride early which scored well into the 9.0 range he
pretty much had the affair in the bag, thus cementing himself a place in the
main event draw in the process. 

“I was lucky and caught that good wave early,” said Wood. “It wrapped around
and I was able to get some good turns in and grab a good score. I’m really
happy to make it through to the main event.”

It is the second time Wood has claimed a Von Zipper Trials win and along with
Coleborn and Cheadle he will have to face off with some of the Billabong ASP
World Junior Championship’s top seeds. 

“I’m feeling confident going up against them [the top seeds],” said Wood.
“I have a new board that keeps going better for me every time I ride it so…
yeah… bring on the main event.”

With a strong wind blowing it is hoped that the swell will increase over night
just in time for round one to kick off tomorrow morning, New Years Day 2007. 

The event waiting period extends until January 8 but with four days needed to
complete proceedings, organisers will wait for only the best waves on offer
before seding out the troups.

Contest Director Luke Egan will assess conditions at first light tomorrow and
will make a call regarding starting the event soon after. 

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com for all the
updates. 

Heat 1: Heitor Pereira (BRA); Casey Brown (HAW); Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF); Sterling Spencer (USA); Vincent Duvignac (FRA)
Heat 3: Dion Atkinson (AUS); Romain Cloitre (FRA); Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 4: TJ Barron (HAW); Nobuyuki Osawa (JAP); Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 5: Hank Gaskell (HAW); Shota Nakamura (JPN); Halley Batista (BRA)
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Keegan Nel (ZAF); Bernardo Martins (BRA)
Heat 7: Ola Eleogram (HAW); Torrey Meister (HAW); Tamarao McComb (PYF)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA); Dusty Payne (HAW); Luke Cheadle (AUS)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF); Marc Lacomare (FRA); James Wood (AUS)
Heat 10: Sam Page (AUS); Eric Geiselman (USA); Mitch Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 11: Dylan Graves (PRI); Kento Takahashi (JPN); Matias Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 12: Mason Ho (HAW); Shu Hagiwara (JPN); Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 13: Hideyoshi Tanaka (JAP); Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Heat 14: Nick Rozsa (USA); Granger Larsen (HAW); Rory Beach (ZAF)
Heat 15: Gavin Gillette (HAW); Thiago Camarao (BRA); Wade Goodall (AUS)
Heat 16: Jean Sebastien Estienne (FRA); Brandon Jackson (ZAF); Adrien Toyon
(REU)