ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Hurley
Stop No 6. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California
September 9 - 15, 2007

BOOST MOBILE PRO AT LOWER TRESTLES SECURES SEVEN DAY WAITING PERIOD

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, May 31, 2007) –The Boost Mobile Pro of Surf
presented by Hurley, Stop No. 6 of 10 on the Foster’s ASP World Tour and the
only tour event held on the US Mainland, will take place at Lower Trestles in
San Clemente, California, from September 9-15, 2007. 

Emphasizing its commitment to surfing, Boost Mobile has signed on as the ASP’s
exclusive wireless partner and will host the competition for the sixth
consecutive year. Hurley will make its return to Foster’s ASP World Tour
involvement as presenting sponsor of the event, where the Top 45 professional
surfers in the world and three wildcards set their sights on the 2007 ASP World
Title at one of the most “rippable” waves on the tour.
 
For the first time in Boost Mobile Pro history, the California State Parks have
granted the event a seven-day competition window giving competition directors
the ability to decide on a day-to-day basis whether the surf conditions are
adequate for the five-day competition. California State Parks, which
administers the surf-break only, allows three events per year at this unique
location.  The two other Lower Trestles events remain at five days only. 

“The Boost Mobile Pro generates significant economic benefit for South Orange
County communities as well as the local State Park District,” said Rich
Rozzelle, District Superintendent for California State Parks, Orange Coast
District. “The two additional waiting days have been granted to increase
potential for the exhibition to occur in better quality surf, thereby also
maximizing recreational enjoyment value to the hundreds of thousands of viewers
who monitor the event live via webcast.”
 
“Relationship management is a key ingredient that makes a good event GREAT,”
said Chris Ernst, senior events & sponsorships manager, Boost Mobile.  “With
the return of Hurley as presenting sponsor, State Parks extending the event
window to 7 days, and a webcast that is beyond comparison, we believe we have
created a recipe for greatness for the world’s best surfers to showcase their
skills at Lower Trestles.”

“Hurley's first year as presenting sponsor of the Boost Mobile Pro exceeded
all of our expectations,” said Paul Gomez, senior vice president of global
branding, Hurley.  “This year’s event will further raise the bar as the
premier surf event for athletes and spectators around the world.  We're
especially excited to run the second annual Hurley ‘Keys to the Continent,’
in which the best surfers in the world compete in a team format for the chance
to bring the ‘Keys’ home for their country.  Let’s see if Australia can hold
their title!”
 
Kevin Meehan, vice president of marketing for Hurley, added that he had to miss
the finals last year because he was in Orlando for the Surf Expo show.	

“Thankfully, there was a live satellite feed at the show so it was like being
on the beach at Trestles.  We’re planning to host satellite viewing parties
around the globe again this year, so everyone can share in the excitement of
this great event.”

Pat O’Connell, surf marketing manager for Hurley and former Foster’s ASP
World Tour competitor, knows firsthand how important this event is, both for
surfers and the industry overall.

“We are super excited to be a part of such an awesome event.  At this point of
the tour, the title race is in full swing and Trestles is the prefect place for
the showdown.  Trestles is known to be one of the most amazing waves in the
world, and the surfers all know how important it is to do well on U.S. soil. 
The pressure’s on!”

The Boost Mobile Pro can be seen live via webcast at www.boostmobilepro.com. 
Competition hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the four days
selected.  The public may surf at Lower Trestles before and after the event. 
The surrounding surf breaks in the Trestles area remain open to public surfing
throughout the event

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4 -16, 2007

DAMIEN HOBGOOD TAKES TOP HONORS AT BILLABONG PRO TAHITI
 
TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Wednesday, May 16th, 2007) – Damien Hobgood (USA) has been
crowned the 2007 Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion after beating Foster’s ASP
World Tour ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) in a last-minute victory in 5 to 7
foot (1.5 – 2 metre) surf at Teahupoo.

Hobgood  bowed out of the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti Final halfway through after
dislocating his shoulder – a circumstance which made his win today that much
more meaningful.

“It’s insane – I was stoked to have another chance at it,” Hobgood said. "I
feel that things happen for a reason and I did my best out here in 2005 and
came up short.	I replayed that wave in my mind a hundred times going, ‘I
should have tried to stay in that barrel and not come out doggy-door,' but I
feel like I can put that out of my mind now."

Hobgood took off on a set wave needing an excellent scoring ride of 8.21 with
one minute remaining. Fanning caught the wave behind but came up short in the
exchange – Hobgood’s 8.60 won him the heat.
 
“Even though there was only a minute left, I was still holding on and thinking
I could do it,” Hobgood said. “I was able to just barely pull it off but the
heat was so close – Mick put on a great performance.”

Hobgood and Fanning met in a Foster’s ASP World Tour final in Brazil last year
that produced an outcome opposite to today’s. Even though Fanning led for the
majority of the heat, he was humble in his recognition of Hobgood’s
accomplishments today.

“There’s nothing you can do,” Fanning said. “You pray and hope that he
falls, but in the same sense, you want to see someone get a good barrel.  It’s
all good.  I got him last year in Brazil so he got me back.” 

Fanning’s 2nd place result at the Billabong Pro Tahiti has seen him pull away
from the pack on the official ASP World Tour ratings.  Having already featured
in two out of three finals on this year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour, Fanning is
well and truly in pursuit of his maiden world title. He finished 3rd in the
world in 2005 and 2006.

“I always feel comfortable at home (on the Gold Coast) and in Bells,” Fanning
said. “I never really had a good result here at Teahupoo so I’m stoked to get
one and put it towards the World Title. This year, I’ve had a few results at
the start of the year – in the past I’ve always seemed to do well the second
half of the year. ”

Fanning peaked in his semifinal against rookie Kai Otton (AUS), earning the
only perfect 10.00 wave score of the event. Otton posted the second highest
wave score of the event (a 9.90) in his Quarterfinal against Cory Lopez (USA),
but lost to Fanning after making a critical priority mistake by giving the
ratings leader the wave of the day.

“Mick scored that 10.00 under my priority, but that’s what happens, guys get
scores underneath priority,” Otton said. “I just thought I was a little deep
and it didn’t look that good but he was in the perfect spot, got really deep
and got the 10.00.”

Otton has moved to 10th on the Foster’s ASP Ratings with this result; right
behind French rookie Jeremy Flores who now sits 9th in the world.

“It’s unbelievable,” Otton said. “I’m having a dream start for a rookie.
If I can keep on a roll maybe I can avoid surfing the ‘QS.”

Joel Parkison (AUS) has moved to fourth on the world ratings after his 3rd
place finish today. Parkinson lost to Hobgood in Semifinal 1.

“The set came through and it had this big lump and it came to a peak and went
straight to Damien and he got a 9.0 on it,” Parkinson said. “I was 10 feet
too deep and sometimes that’s all it takes. I knew I needed to be patient but
it never really happened for me after that. I’m happy with the result though,
a 3rd is great.”

The next stop on the Foster’s ASP World Tour will be event No. 4, the Rip Curl
Pro Chile, from June 20 to July 1, 2007.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat updates
for all the Billabong Pro Tahiti action thus far.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI FINAL RESULTS
FINAL:	Damien Hobgood (USA) 16.60 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.20

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI SEMIFINAL RESULTS
SF 1: Damien Hobgood (USA) 18.17 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.67
SF2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.87 def. Kai Otton (USA) 15.33

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.53 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 12.00
QF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.17 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.23
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.73 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.33
QF 4: Kai Otton (AUS ) def. Cory Lopez (USA) 

Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after Stop No. 3 of 10, the Billabong Pro
Tahiti
1.	Mick Fanning 3108 points
2.	Taj Burrow 2676 points
3.	Damien Hogood 2342 points
4.	Joel Parkinson 2340 points
5.	Bede Durbidge 2232 points
6.	Kelly Slater 2208 points
7.	Andy Irons 1989 points
8.	Michael Campbell 1932 points
9.	Jeremy Flores 1742 points
10.	Kai Otton 1701 points

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-16, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI CHAMPION TO EMERGE FROM TEAHUPOO TODAY

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Wednesday, May 16th, 2007) – An extended Billabong Pro
Tahiti waiting period has enabled contest officials to send the eight remaining
Foster’s ASP World Tour surfers out in four to six foot (one to two metre) and
building swell this morning.

The Billabong Pro Tahiti Quarterfinals will begin at 11am local time. The first
Quarterfinal will feature three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) and
perennial Top 5 surfer Joel Parkinson (AUS). 

Irons won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in 2002. Parkison’s Quarterfinal berth and
guaranteed equal 5th finish today will surpasses his best ever result at
Teahupoo – an equal ninth result in 2005.

Damien Hobgood (USA), who will take on French rookie Jeremy Flores in
Quarterfinal 2, featured in the 2005 Billabong Pro Final. Like Teahupoo trophy
owners Irons and 2001 winner Cory Lopez, Hobgood has enjoyed more success at
the venue than many of today’s other Quarterfinalists who are either rookies
or posting personal bests.

Current Foster’s ASP World Tour No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) made his way to
Tahiti weeks prior to the event to log some practice time at Teahupoo. Like
Parkinson, Fanning had failed to advance out of Round 4 at the Billabong Pro
Tahiti prior to 2007. 

Fanning will meet Luke Stedman (AUS) in Quarterfinal 3 and walk away from the
Billabong Pro Tahiti 1st on the ASP ratings regardless of his result today.

Lopez will meet Kai Otton (AUS), the second of two Foster’s ASP World Tour
rookies still in contention, in Quarterfinal 4.

All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat updates
for all the Billabong Pro Tahiti action thus far.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
QF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
QF 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

TIME ZONES FOR 11AM TAHITI:
Los Angeles: 11am in Tahiti is 2pm in Los Angeles
Honolulu: 11am in Tahiti is 11am in Honolulu
Sydney: 11am in Tahiti is 7am in Sydney
Perth: 11am in Tahiti is 5am in Perth
Tokyo: 11am in Tahiti is 6am in Tokyo
Paris: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Paris
Jerusalem: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Jerusalem
Johannesburg: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Johannesburg
London: 11am in Tahiti is 10 pm in London
Buenos Aires: 11am in Tahiti is 6pm in Buenos Aires
Santiago: 11am in Tahiti is 5pm in Santiago
New York: 11am in Tahiti is 5am in New York

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-16, 2007

FINAL DAY OF BILLABONG PRO TAHITI COMPETITION TOMORROW

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 15th, 2007) – The eight remaining Foster’s ASP
World Tour surfers contesting the Billabong Pro Tahiti will not compete today,
Tuesday, May 17, 2007.

An extension of the event waiting period was enacted yesterday to expand the
Billabong Pro Tahiti contest window until tomorrow, Wednesday, May 16, when a
new swell is forecasted to arrive.

“We’ll be checking the surf for a call tomorrow at 7am,” Contest Director
Luke Egan said.  “If there are waves, the boys could potentially be out there
by 7:30am, but all reports at this point have us looking to make a second call
at 10am for a possible 11am start.  We only have seven heats to run and we’re
looking to have them completed in the best possible conditions.”

Official Billabong Pro Tahiti forecasters at Surfline have called for the swell
to begin pulsing throughout today with it picking up substantially on tomorrow.

The next call for the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be made tomorrow morning at 7am
for a potential 7:30am start. 

All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat updates
for all the Billabong Pro Tahiti action thus far.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
QF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
QF 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

TIME ZONES FOR 11AM TAHITI:
Los Angeles: 11am in Tahiti is 2pm in Los Angeles
Honolulu: 11am in Tahiti is 11am in Honolulu
Sydney: 11am in Tahiti is 7am in Sydney
Perth: 11am in Tahiti is 5am in Perth
Tokyo: 11am in Tahiti is 6am in Tokyo
Paris: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Paris
Jerusalem: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Jerusalem
Johannesburg: 11am in Tahiti is 11pm in Johannesburg
London: 11am in Tahiti is 10 pm in London
Buenos Aires: 11am in Tahiti is 6pm in Buenos Aires
Santiago: 11am in Tahiti is 5pm in Santiago
New York: 11am in Tahiti is 5am in New York

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI WAITING PERIOD EXTENDED; SWELL ON THE WAY

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Monday, May 14th, 2007) – For only the second time in
professional surfing history, the Association of Surfing Professionals, the
surfers and Billabong have activated an extension of a Foster’s ASP World Tour
event waiting period. 

Citing better swell on the horizon, the Billabong Pro Tahiti has been called
off for the day and the competition window will now stretch to Wednesday, May
16, 2007. Only seven heats, roughly three and a half hours of surfing, remain.

“It’s a historic day for surfing and I am really appreciative to the ASP for
granting the extension,” Contest Director Luke Egan said.	“I couldn’t be
more proud of the opportunities presented and the attitudes of the remaining
competitors, the ASP and the event sponsors.”

Current swell forecasts sent by Surfline.com indicate that conditions will
improve immensely by Wednesday afternoon.

“Our latest swell models show that a sizable swell is due to fill in over the
course of the next few days and it looks like we could be running the final day
of competition on Wednesday,” Egan said.	“That being said, we will still be
back tomorrow morning for a 7am call to assess the conditions to see if the
swell is filling in early.”

Less than ideal conditions today, the last day of the original Billabong Pro
Tahiti waiting period, prompted officials to explore an ASP rule which has not
been enacted since its conception nearly a decade ago.

“The ASP rule was created due to a precedent set during the 1996 Billabong Pro
in Jeffreys Bay when we had flat conditions and it was impossible to run the
event,” ASP World Tour Manager Renato Hickel said.	“We had no option but to
extend the waiting period until the forecast predicted that waves would be
coming.  It was then voted on at board level and became a rule at ASP. Since
then, we have never used the rule.”

Because there were no conflicts on the Foster’s ASP World Tour calendar and
the ASP always endeavors to put the world’s best surfers in the world’s best
waves, it looks as if the Quarters, Semis and Final of the Billabong Pro will
wrap up in excellent waves at Tehupoo later this week.

“This year, due to the cancellation of the Fiji event, we have the luxury of
using this rule,” Hickel said. “We are down to the Quarterfinals at the
Billabong Pro Tahiti and the ruling was voted on by the remaining eight guys,”
Hickel said.  “Although there were a few ‘ifs and buts,’ it was ultimately
decided by all the surfers that we would wait and stay the extra two days if
need be.” 

Cory Lopez (USA), 2001 Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion, is one of the remaining
quarterfinalists keen to wait around for the swell to fill in.

“I really want to wait for the bigger waves,” Lopez said. “If Wednesday is
as good as they’re saying, we can make this a really classic event and have
some really good waves – maybe it will go down in history as one of the best
’Chopes contests ever. I definitely want that and I know the guys at Billabong
want that. I definitely want this to go down as a big wave event and I want
history to show that.”

The remaining eight quarterfinalists include Joel Parkinson (AUS), Andy Irons
(HAW), Damien Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Mick Fanning (AUS), Luke
Stedman (AUS), Cory Lopez (USA) and Kai Otton (AUS).

Official Billabong Pro Tahiti forecasters at Surfline have called for the swell
to drop throughout the day before a new swell begins to pulse in over the next
couple of days with it picking up substantially on Wednesday, May 16, 2007.

The next call for the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be made tomorrow morning at
7:00 for a potential 7:30 start. All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be
webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat updates
from yesterday’s Billabong Pro Tahiti action

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
QF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
QF 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

In a thrilling day for junior surfing, team Australia and two of its young stars took home gold medals on the final day of the 2007 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Costa de Caparica, Portugal.

Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons and Garrett Parkes are the new Quiksilver ISA World Junior Champions in the Girls Under 18 division and the Boys Under 16’s respectively, while their squad blew away the competition to take a second consecutive Team World Championship. Brazil’s Jadson André scored the gold in the Under 18 Boys and led his nation to a silver in the overall team race.

The final day offered solid 3-5 foot (1-1.5 meter) waves – the best surf of the 8 day event - and each final featured spectacular showdowns at this, the “Junior Olympics of Surfing”.

For the first time in surfing’s history, the ISA judging panel included 8 judges. During the final two days of competition, all 8 logged in scores with the top and two lowest scores being dropped. The feedback for this innovation was entirely positive.

André, like all three individual winners, powered through the repechage rounds to make it to the final. He took an early lead with huge turns in the powerful waves and outlasted fellow finalists Chris Friend (Australia), Charlie Brown (Brazil) and Cory Arrambide (USA). André was in strong form throughout the event and his self assurance never wavered. “I’m very happy because when I traveled to Portugal I told my family I was going to win,” said Andre. “This was not easy and the fact that I got put into the repechage did not affect my confidence. I knew I couldn’t hesitate and everything went right.”

Parkes, an electrifying fair haired surfer that viewers online compared to Mick Fanning, was at his absolute best in the final of the Under 16 Boys. He locked in the highest single wave score of all of the finals (9.6 out of 10) where he did a series of vertical turns followed by an aerial reverse in the shorebreak.

“I’m over the moon, just frothing,” said Parkes. Parkes’s father in Australia recently suffered a stroke and the win was an emotional one. “I dedicate my win to my Dad who was watching my heats on the webcast. He’s the man,” he said.

Parkes finished ahead of silver medalist and fellow Mini Gun (of the Quiksilver’s upcoming DVD Young Guns 3) Tahitian Tamoroa McComb, while New Zealand’s Matt Hewitt and Australia’s Davey Cathels won bronze and copper.

Fitzgibbons avenged her last second defeat at last year’s event in Maresias, Brazil (she got silver then), by dominating the final of the Under 18 Girls this time around. The silky smooth surfer admitted that her disappointment in Brazil was a motivating factor in her win. “Last year I was winning but then went down in the last 20 seconds of the event,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was a devastating loss, but it made me focus on surfing to the best of my ability this year.

The level of girls surfing has been so high here and it made me lift my performance.”

Fitzgibbons finished ahead silver medalist and teammate, Laura Enever while Sage Erickson (USA) Paige Hareb (New Zealand) took the bronze and copper.

Australia saw five of its surfers make the finals today and the team ran away with the team title for the second consecutive year. Australia’s coach and 1994 ISA world champ, Sasha Stocker, was proud of his young surfers. “Our team has worked very hard for this and I’m very happy with with our victory because all of the teams surfed so well.”

Brazil won the team silver followed by Hawaii’s bronze and New Zealand’s copper.

Hawaii won the ISA Aloha Cup tag team contest followed by Australia, France and South Africa.

In addition to their gold medals, André and Fitzgibbons also received coveted spots in the trials for the 2007 Quiksilver Pro France, the 2008 Pro Australia and the 2007 Roxy Pro Hawaii and 2008 Roxy Pro Australia where they will have a chance to surf against the likes of Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Chelsea Hedges and Stephanie Gilmore. Parkes win earned him 2500 dollars in credit towards entry fees of ASP events.

The entire event was notable for its exuberance and vitality and the sentiment on the beach was that this was the best ever event in the history of junior surfing. Each team enthusiastically waved their nations’ colorful flags on the beach for each heat and, by the end, many surfers were seen in the uniforms of other teams – evidence of the strong friendships forged here.

Adding to the positive vibes, the host team of Portugal also donated a surfboard to a competitor from Morocco, Amine El Jaffy, who could not afford one, and came to Portugal without competition equipment.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre awarded the surfers their medals in the event’s closing ceremony. He was ecstatic about the success of this international event where everyone involved shared the ISA spirit of working together for a better world. “Congratulations to all the competitors and teams for all their efforts in Portugal,” said Aguerre.

“The participants and judges did an excellent job. I would also like to thank Quiksilver for its strong support of junior surfing and the Caparica Surfing Club for its help in hosting the event. With great pleasure I announce we will be back in Portugal in October 2008 for the ISA World Games.”

The location of the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships has not yet been chosen but Aguerre revealed locations in France, Costa Rica and Ecuador are all in the running, with the final decision to be announced by June 15, 2007.

See the full results of the event along with video and photo highlights at:

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

SLATER AND BURROW MAKE ROUND 4 EXITS AT BILLABONG PRO

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Sunday, May 13, 2007) –French rookie Jeremy Flores
eliminated reigning and eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in
Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti today.

That upset, along with 2001 Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion Cory Lopez’s (USA)
elimination of current equal Foster’s ASP World Tour No. 1 Taj Burrow (AUS),
headlined a full day of action which unfolded in clean, three-foot (one metre)
waves at Teahupoo.

Flores, who earned his Foster’s ASP World Tour berth after finishing first on
the 2006 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), took the lead halfway through their
35-minute heat and held it until the horn blew.

“I’m happy, it’s definitely a dream come true to beat the best surfer in the
world,” Flores said. “I feel really confident in these waves, where I’m from
the waves are exactly the same so I know these waves perfect. If there was one
place I could beat Kelly it was today, in these waves.” 

Slater failed to put a heat together, catching five waves to Flores’ three and
earning a heat total of just 10.87 – uncharacteristic given his ability to
post perfect 10.00 rides on a regular basis.

“I’ve always surfed pretty well against Slater,” Flores said. “He’s always
surfed better and beaten me, but I’ve always surfed well and felt good against
him. I guess today I might have been a little smarter on my wave selection. I
was patient and waited for the good ones and that might have been the
difference.”

Lopez and Burrow’s Round 4 clash was the highest scoring heat of the Billabong
Pro Tahiti thus far, with Lopez barely edging out the current world No. 1 17.66
to 17.50.


“Taj started off with a really good wave and I knew I had to do something
special,” Lopez said. “I didn’t have priority, but I saw this wave swinging
wide of him and I just paddled as hard as I could for position.  I got a really
nice little barrel, kind of over the foam ball for a little bit and just came
out to make the tube and I got my score.  I was so stoked because I knew I had
made the heat.”

Also eliminated in a close heat today was current world No. 3 Bede Durbidge
(AUS). Durbidge lost to rookie Kai Otton in somewhat inconsistent surf the last
heat of the day.

“It’s really funny that me and Bede had a heat like that because on the
Goldy, we had the same round and this big storm came through and we wanted to
call it off - we couldn’t even see each other,” Otton said. “It’s kind of
ironic that we had another heat that went well over halfway through without
either one of us taking off. We both got a couple – same scores on one wave
and it was just up to the other wave that I got a little barrel on.”

Mick Fanning (AUS) who came into the event sharing Burrow’s World No. 1 rating
is also through to the Quarterfinals. With Burrow, Durbidge and Slater out,
Fanning stands to increase his ratings lead. 

The surfer still competing in the Billabong Pro Tahiti nearest to Fanning on
the ratings is current world No. 5 Joel Parkinson (AUS). Parkinson will meet
former event and world champion Andy Irons (HAW) in the next round.

“I live to fight another day and now I meet Parko in the Quarterfinals,”
Irons said. “We are staying together so it should be pretty interesting. If
the waves stay small it could be pretty heavy because we’re actually using the
same board and I don’t who is going to get it but I may have to hide it. It’s
actually JS’s board, our shaper’s, who made it for himself from a copy of one
of my boards that Parko got here. I don’t know what the rules are on that, we
may have to check the rule book on that one. Hopefully it gets bigger and then
we won’t have to deal with that and we can deal with real 12-foot Teahupoo
instead.”

Just seven heats of Billabong Pro Tahiti competition remain. A call on event
proceedings will be made tomorrow morning at 7:00 local time. All the Billabong
Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and
www.billabongpro.com.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat
updates. 

Billabong Pro Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.00 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 11.24
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.44 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 13.93
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.17 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.00
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.57 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.87
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.87 def. Chris Ward (USA) 3.83
Heat 6: Luke Stedman (AUS) 11.40 def. Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 6.17 
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 17.66 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.50 
Heat 8:  Kai Otton (AUS) 13.77 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.27

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 Results - Heats 8-16:
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.17 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 9.50
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.43 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 13.77
Heat 10: Chris Ward (USA) 15.40 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 15.30 
Heat 11: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 16.33 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4.83
Heat 12: Luke Stedman (AUS) 16.66 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.27
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.20 def. Victor Ribas (BRA) 9.57
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) 16.53 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 1.84
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.93 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (AUS) 14.94
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.96 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 15.17

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI BACK ON IN IMPROVED CONDITIONS

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Sunday, May 13th, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Tahiti will be
back in the water this morning with the remaining nine heats of Round 3 before
taking on the eight heats of Round 4.

While the surf has remained in the similar size of 3 to 4 feet (one metre), the
conditions have become much more consistent, offering competitors more
opportunities to showcase the talents.

“We are planning to run through 17 heats of competition today,” Acting
Foster’s ASP World Tour Head Judge Dave Shipley said.  “The conditions have
picked up, and barring anything extreme happening, we should be able to
complete Round 3 and Round 4.”

Reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) will
face ’07 World Tour rookie Gabe Kling (USA) in the opening heat of the day. 
Also to come in Round 3 will be current ratings leaders on the Foster’s ASP
World Tour Mick Fanning (AUS) and Taj Burrow (AUS) as well as defending
Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion Bobby Martinez (USA).

Heat 8 of Round 3 will hit the water at 7:30am local time.

All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 12: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Cory Lopes (USA)
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

KNOWN BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 4 HEATS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 2: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs, Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Winner of Round 3 Heat 8

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

PARKINSON AND IRONS THROUGH TO ROUND 4 OF THE BILLABONG PRO TAHITI

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Saturday, May 12th, 2007) – Following the completion of
Round 2 this morning, the Billabong Pro Tahiti ran through the first seven
heats of Round 3 with some of the most dynamic action of the event going down
in the pulsing 3 to 4 foot (one metre) lefthanders at Teahupoo.

Event No. 3 on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti, plays a
crucial role in shaping this season’s world title race. Today’s action saw
frontrunners Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Andy Irons (HAW) both remain in
contention with Kelly Slater (USA), Taj Burrow (AUS),  Mick Fanning (AUS) and
Bede Durbidge (AUS) slated to compete tomorrow.

Parkinson, who is currently rated 5th on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, survived
the heat of the day, going blow for blow against fellow Australian Shaun
Cansdell. Following strong opening rides from Cansdell, Parkinson kept himself
in the hunt by securing a 7.40 before turning the heat upside down with the
event high single-wave score of a 9.83 out of a possible 10.00.

“I was really lucky to get that wave because at the halfway point I thought my
Teahupoo event was over,” Parkinson said. “I was sitting around for so long
that I thought my heat was over but then there was a little pulse and each wave
got bigger and bigger. I managed to get two scores out of the pulse. Sometimes
you never know what will happen in the last 15 minutes of a heat.”

Irons, former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion and 2002 Billabong Pro
Tahiti Champion, escaped a near-elimination of his own today as he faced off
against natural-footer Trent Munro (AUS). With the heat lead exchanging several
times, Irons massacred a bowling lefthander in the dying minutes to pull ahead
of Munro.

“It was a really slow heat,” Irons said. “It was really close at the end, I
needed a 5.8 and I got a 6.8 so it wasn’t a walkthrough by any means. I wanted
to make the heat and I want to do well in the contest but at that point I was
almost looking forward to going home; Trent almost axed me.”

Irons will now face fellow Hawaiian Pancho Sullivan in his upcoming Round 4
heat.

“That’s pretty wild, me and Pancho, two big boys,” Irons said. “I guess
it’s a pretty even playing field. He was one of my favorite surfers growing up
so it will be fun to surf against him. I’ve never surfed against him man on
man so I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully we get some six foot and real
hollow waves and we can really get into it.”

Jeremy Flores (FRA) capped off today’s action by posting a convincing win over
fellow young gun Adriano de Souza (BRA). The duo, who both entered into their
Foster’s ASP World Tour careers after winning their respective World
Qualifying Series (WQS) seasons (de Souza in 2005, Flores in 2006), were one of
the more anticipated matches of the day. Despite de Souza opening with a solid
wave, Flores quickly took command of the heat with his committed full-rail
approach.

“I’ve been surfing against Adriano for so long – since we were 13,” Flores
said. “He’s beaten me so many times and I’ve beaten him many times as well.
It’s nice to beat him again.”

Flores now faces the potential of drawing reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP
World Champion Kelly Slater in Round 4.

“I’ve surfed against Kelly a lot,” Flores said. “I’ve always surfed pretty
good against him, but you have to surf really good against him. The waves are
pretty small so I’m just going to try my best and keep going.” 

When Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 action resumes, Heat 8 will feature reigning
and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) squaring off
against rookie Floridian Gabe Kling (USA).

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete
interviews, audio downloads, hi-resolution photographs and heat by heat
updates. 

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7:00 for a
potential 7:30 starts. All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE
on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS – HEATS 1 – 7:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 16.93
Heat 2: Michael Campbell (AUS) 11.57 def. Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 5.83
Heat 3: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 13.43 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.93
Heat 4: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.70 def. Trent Munro (AUS) 14.07
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.33 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 6.56
Heat 6: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.37 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.63
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.00 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.10

BILLABONG PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS – HEATS 9 – 16:
Heat 9: Trent Munro (AUS) 13.90 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.67 
Heat 10: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 16.66 def. Frederick Patacchia (HAW) 7.50 
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 12.40 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)11.50
Heat 12: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 13.67 def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 6.77 
Heat 13: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.77 
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.84 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 10.87
Heat 15: Luke Stedman (AUS) 16.00 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.13
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) 12.83 def. Michael Lowe (AUS) 11.00

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 12: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Cory Lopes (USA)
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Saturday, May 12th, 2007) – Heats 9 through 16 of Round 2 of
the Billabong Pro Tahiti will hit the water this morning at 8am in 3 foot (one
metre) waves at Teahupoo.

Stop No. 3 of 10 of the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti, has
entered into its ninth day of the waiting period and following the completion
of the first half of Round 2 yesterday, event organizers have opted run the
remaining eight heats this morning before assessing the conditions for a
possible start on Round 3.

A slew of high-powered heats await us today including Heat 10 where last
season’s Billabong Pro Tahiti runner-up Fred Patacchia (HAW) will face lethal
goofy-foot Australian Shaun Cansdell, and Heat 14 where former Billabong Pro
Tahiti champions Cory Lopez (USA) and Mark Occhilupo (AUS) will square off.

All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Friday, May 11, 2007) –Foster’s ASP World Tour surfers
relegated to the first eight heats of Round 2 donned Billabong Pro Tahiti
jerseys for the first time in a week today, Friday, May 11, 2007. 

Teahupoo, a wave where wildcards typically do well, proved more suited to
Foster’s 45 competitors this afternoon with top-seeded surfers eliminating
each of the four event wildcards in the three foot (one metre) waves on offer.

Damien Hobgood’s (USA) convincing elimination of local wildcard Hira
Teriinatoofa (PYF) earned him a Round 3 berth and the highest heat total of the
day – a 17.36 out of 20.00. 

“I’m just really stoked I made that heat,” Hobgood said. “I think we sat
there for 20-minutes, and since I had a couple of scores, I was praying it
would just go flat. I knew going into the heat that it didn’t matter if it was
big or small, Hira was going to be competing really well and I was going to
have to step it up.”

Teriinatoofa advanced to the quarterfinals before being beaten by eventual
runner-up Fred Patacchia last year. Hobgood finished runner-up to reigning ASP
World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti final. 

Current World No. 1 Taj Burrow (AUS) credited today’s smaller surf as an ally
in his defeat of Tahitian wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF) in Heat 1.

“The bigger it gets the better Manoa gets,” Burrow said. “He’s lethal when
it gets big so I’d have to say I had an advantage at this size. I rode a good
little short board I had a mate fly over the other day, so right now, I’d say
that was a good decision!”

Burrow, who is currently tied with Mick Fanning (AUS) as Foster’s ASP World
Tour ratings leader, insisted that he is concentrating on his own movements,
not Fanning’s. 

Fanning avoided Round 2 sudden death with his victory over Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
and Anthony Walsh (HAW) on Day 1.

“It doesn’t bother me at all that Mick made his first heat and I didn’t
because it’s early days in the year and early days in the event and you have
to take it heat by heat,” Burrow said. “I’m thinking about every heat I surf
in, not whether Mick gets to skip a round or not – that really doesn’t phase
me much. It wouldn’t bother me if I were to drop down to No. 2 on the ratings
because it’s a long year and I’ve got time to get a few keepers, a few
results, and I’m planning on winning events.  I’m not too concerned about
staying No. 1 – I just want to be No. 1 at the end when it matters.”

Bede Durbidge (AUS), who sits just behind Fanning and Burrow in the ratings,
also advanced today – his Round 2 clash with Hawaiian Anthony Walsh his first
against a wildcard given his recently elevated top-seed status.

“That was the first time I’ve surfed against a wildcard on the World Tour and
Anthony is an amazing barrel rider.” Durbidge said. “I saw him in the trials
and he was unbelievable, I couldn’t believe how well he was surfing. Luckily
today was tiny and there were hardly any barrels, but it was still a tough
heat. You’ve got to just keep getting through every heat if you want to stay
in the Top 5 because you know those guys are going to make their heats – I
just want to keep the momentum going.”

Victor Ribas (BRA) relegated Phil Macdonald (AUS) to the loser’s round with an
outstanding 9.67 wave score – the highest of the event thus far – in the
final heat of the day. Ribas’ Round 2 win was critical considering he’s
started the year off with two last place finishes.

“I’ve already have two bad results,” Ribas said. “The count this year is
going to drop your two lowest results and I need to do better than 33rds.  At
this time of the tour, the third contest, I have to get out of the 33rds and
get good results and think about the rest of the year.  I cannot make mistakes
anymore.”

Ribas, along with Troy Brooks (AUS) were the only two lower-seeded surfers to
cause upsets today. Brooks beat Ben Dunn (AUS), who despite being a rookie,
came into the Billabong Pro Tahiti World No. 6 after starting the year with
semi and quarterfinal finishes.

Brooks’ heat win today was his first of the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour
season.

“It almost felt like I won a contest there as it’s the first heat of the year
I’ve gotten through,” Brooks said. “I’ve sprouted a few grey hairs there as
it was a pretty frustrating heat but I’m happy I’ve come out on top.” 

Elite tour returnee Mick Campbell (AUS) and fellow Aussies Tom Whitaker and
Danny Wills also won their heats today.

Eight heats of Round 2 remain and a 7:00 call for a possible 7:30 start will be
made tomorrow morning.




ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.03 def. Manoa Drollet (PYF) 8.00
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.17 def. Anthony Walsh (AUS)7.20
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.27 def. Bruno Santos (BRA) 3.83
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.36 def. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 12.00
Heat 5: Daniel Wills 13.83 (AUS) def. Luke Munro (AUS) 9.17
Heat 6: Michael Campbell 16.67 (AUS) def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 12.77
Heat 7: Troy Brooks (AUS) 10.66 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.80 
Heat 8: Victor Ribas 16.34 (BRA) def. Phillip Macdonald (AUS) 12.74 

REMAINING ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS) 
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 HITS THE WATER AT 11AM

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Friday, May 11th, 2007) – Round 2 of the Billabong Pro
Tahiti will be hitting the water this morning at 11am in glassy 3 to 4 foot
(one metre) surf at Teahupoo.

“We were potentially looking at an 8am start this morning but because of a
Tahitian canoe race that passed by the line up between 9am and 10am today, we
decided to assess the conditions at 10:30am for an 11am start,” Event Director
Luke Egan said. 

“Had this morning’s conditions been onshore then we would have run no
problem, but since it’s glassy, we decided not to risk having to cancel a heat
midway through. We may end up sacrificing a few heats by day’s end, but it
looks like we’ll still have a full day’s worth of competition ahead of us.”

Event No. 3 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti,
will waste no time getting straight into the world title drama as the opening
heat of Round 2 features current ratings leader Taj Burrow (AUS) up against
lethal Tahitian wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF).

Heats will run 35 minutes today with event organizers aiming to finish eight
heats today, potentially 10 condition and daylight permitting.

All the Billabong Pro Tahiti action will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Wednesday, May 9, 2007) – While the Billabong Pro Tahiti
will not run again today, Wednesday, May 9, it appears as if larger than
expected conditions could materialize for the third of 10 events on the
Foster’s ASP World Tour this weekend.

According to Surfline.com, the official surf forecasters of the Billabong Pro
Tahiti: “There’s no change in the short term forecast, with just small S to
SSW energy over the next couple of days, but another modest bump of SW swell
will fill in over the second half of the week. It looks like we’ll get
slightly larger SW swell for the weekend, with still a chance for more solid
surf on the last day of the waiting period.”

The waiting period stretches to Monday, May 14, 2007 and three days of
competition are needed to finish the event. Round 1 ran on the first day of the
waiting period, Friday, May 4 – Round 2 onward remains.

When competition does continue, Heat 14 of Round 2 will feature two former
event winners, Cory Lopez (USA) and Mark Occhilupo (AUS). Occhilupo won the
Billabong Pro Tahiti in 1999 –its inaugural year on the elite tour calendar;
Lopez won in 2001.	

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am. 

In the interim, be sure to check out all the highlights from Day 1 of the
Billabong Pro Tahiti at www.billabongpro.com. 

When the swell picks up, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS) 
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI CALLED OFF FOR TODAY

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 8th, 2007) – No change is swell since yesterday
has forced event organizers to call another lay day for the Billabong Pro
Tahiti.

Surf in the 1 to 3 foot (0.3-0.9 metre) range is dribbling down the point and
surfers and event organizers alike are waiting for more optimal conditions to
begin the Round 2 action.

Official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Surfline are calling for a
slight bump from the south/southwest on Thursday evening for a possible start
on Friday or Saturday morning.

When action recommences, Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti will feature the
current ratings leader on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, Taj Burrow (AUS),
square off against lethal Tahitian wildcard Manoa Drollet.

In the mean time, be sure to check out all the highlights from Day 1 of the
Billabong Pro Tahiti at www.billabongpro.com. 

When the swell picks up, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

NO ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI TODAY

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Monday, May 7, 2007) – Competition at the Billabong Pro
Tahiti will remain idle today, Monday, May 7, but when the main event resumes,
the first heat of Round 2 will prove pivotal for equal world No. 1 Taj Burrow
(AUS) and local wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF).

The two will meet in Heat 1 of Round 2 once conditions at Teahupoo improve. The
winner will enjoy a Round 3 berth, the loser will be eliminated from
competition entirely.

Burrow has his eye on a maiden ASP World Title after starting the year strong
with a semifinal showing on the Gold Coast of Australia and a subsequent win in
Bells Beach, Australia. Drollet will carry the cumbersome weight of local hopes
on his shoulders when he paddles out. 

Current swell forecasts indicate that the Billabong Pro Tahiti could remain on
standby for the next couple of days as conditions appear most promising at the
concluding end of the waiting period ending Monday, May 14, 2006. Three full
days of competition are required to complete the contest.

In the interim, be sure to check out all the highlights from Day 1 of the
Billabong Pro Tahiti at www.billabongpro.com. 

When the swell picks up, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS) 
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

LAY DAY CALLED FOR BILLABONG PRO TAHITI DAY 3

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Sunday, May 6th, 2007) – Event organizers at the Billabong
Pro Tahiti have called another lay day today as a result of the continued small
conditions.

“Today is Sunday and we’re looking at similar conditions to yesterday –
about 2 to 3 feet and very inconsistent,” Acting ASP World Tour Head Judge
Dave Shipley said.  “We’ve called the competition off for today in hopes of
something better coming later in the week.  At present, it looks like we’ll be
getting some swell out of the south/southwest for the 11th through the 14th. 
It’s not going to be the best size, but a much better direction.  We will
still convene each morning to assess the conditions for a possible start.”

When action recommences, Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti will begin the
man-on-man elimination heats with some of the premier names in the ASP
Foster’s 45 doing battle with local standouts.

In the interim, be sure to check out all the highlights from Day 1 of the
Billabong Pro Tahiti at www.billabongpro.com. 

When the swell picks up, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

PHIL RAJZMAN CLAIMS BRAZIL’S FIRST EVER ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFFESIONALS
(ASP) INTERNATIONAL WORLD TITLE

ANGLET, France (Sun., May 5, 2007) – Phil Rajzman is the new Association of
Surfing Professionals (ASP) Intenational Men’s World Longboarding Champion
following his convincing victory in the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
held at les Cavaliers, Anglet this afternoon.

In defeating fellow countrymen Danilo Rodrigo in the final 15.00 to 12.30,
Rajzman also made professional surfing history by becoming Brazil’s first ever
ASP International World Champion. That is a stunning statistic considering the
long and successful history Brazilian surfers have had in professional surfing.

“I am so proud right now,” said Rajzman just after his victory. “To be the
first ever Brazilian surfing world champion is something pretty special. This
is my best ever result and to do it here in France at an Oxbow event is
amazing.”

After his victory Rajzman acknowledged two important people in his life. 

“I had a baby daughter only two months ago so I think she helped send the
waves I needed to become world champion.” Rajzman said. “Also to have Alex
“Picaruta” Salazar on the beach, who is like my master and who gave me so
much strength and support was incredible.”

Salazar, the father figure in Brazilian surfing who has been runner up to the
world title a record three times, competed in this event and also played a huge
role in the other finalist Rodrigo’s life.

“Picaruta is like a father to me,“ said Rodrigo. “He practically bought me
up and taught me everything I know about surfing. I surfed for him today as
well, but like him I also came second. Still, I am very proud of my result and
am happy there is now a world champion from Brazil.”

Rajzman had been one of the form surfers of the entire event and again
dominated the final. His highest scoring wave, an eight-point ride, featured
some huge modern top turns followed by a radical toes-on-the-nose spinning
“helicopter”.

“Phil really deserves it,” said Nat Young, the four-time world longboard
champ and patron of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship. “He surfed so
strong and is such a young guy and of course the Brazilians are a real force in
longboarding now, which is great to see.”

Earlier in the day Rajzman has defeated Carlos Bahia (BRA) in the first semi
final, while in the other semi, Rodrigo had overcome the only former world
champion still left in the event, Bonga Perkins (HAW). That set up the
all-Brazilian final and guaranteed that surfing history would be made.

“The support from Brazil, both here at the event and from emails and phone
calls from back home has been incredible,” said Rajzman. “This means a lot to
the people back home, and, of course, to me. I think we will all have a big
party when I return home."

After the way he surfed in the event, the 2007 ASP International Men’s
Longboard World Champion deserves one. For more information go to
www.oxboworld.com

Results
Final
Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 12.30
Semi finals
S1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Roger "Carlos" Bahia (BRA) 13.75
S2: Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 14.85 d Bonga Perkins (HAW) 12.00
Quarterfinals
QF3: Bonga Perkins (HAW) 11.60 d Jackson Close (AUS) 8.40
QF4: Danilo Rodrigo (HAW) 14.75 d Harvey Ingleby (AUS) 14.00

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

ANGLET, France (Sun., May 5, 2007) - By the end of today's competition the
winner of Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship and therefore the Association
of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International 2007 Men’s World Longboard
Champion will be known.

The surf here at les Cavaliers, Anglet is improving as organisers wait for the
tide to drop for the scheduled 11.00am local time start. First in the water
will giant killing Australian Jackson Close who has surfed all the way from the
trials. The powerful Aussie has been in tremendous form, upsetting world no 2
Ned Snow (HAW) and two-world times champion Colin McPhillips (AUS) along the
way.

As McPhillips said, "I've never even heard of, let alone seen, guys like
Jackson, yet here he is taking out some of the older guys. It’s not so great
for me, but it is the sport."

Patron of the event and former world champion Nat Young agreed. 

“Jackson is such a powerful, solid surfer and really deserves where he is
right now,” Young said.

Close though isn’t settling just for the accolades and exposure. 

"I don't love these types of waves, but I know how to surf them,” said Close.
“I'm going for the number one spot. I wouldn't have come over here if I didn't
think I could win it.”

Mind you he is surfing against one of the legends of the sport and the sole
remaining world title winner left in the field, Bonga Perkins (HAW). Perkins
was the world champion way back in 1996 and yesterday used all his experience
to oust Eduardo Bage (BRA). Close will have to do something special to upset
the Hawaiian style guru.

The next quarterfinal sees Harvey Ingleby (AUS) up against Brazilian powerhouse
Rodrigo Danilo. Ingleby is now the highest ranked surfer in the event following
the shock elimination of defending champion Josh Constable (AUS) and runner up
Snow. Ingleby though , a smooth natural footer, is not getting carried away.

“I’m not really thinking about who’s left, the remaining surfers are too
good to do that,” said Ingleby. “I’m just going to take each heat as they
come and hopefully I’ll get through.”

The first semi final is an all-Brazilian affair with perhaps the form surfer of
the week so Phil Rajzman taking on fellow countrymen and good friend Roger
“Carlos” Bahia. The Brazilians have been the powerhouse nation throughout the
week and it is no surprise to see them filling at least half of the final four
places in the event.

96 surfers competed in this event, and now we are down to just six. By this
afternoon one of those surfers will be named the winner of the Oxbow Pro World
Longboard Championship. Not only that, he will take home a prize purse of
$US10,000. More importantly, for the next 12 months he will be known as the
2007 (ASP) Men’s World Longboard Champion. 

For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Quarterfinals Match ups
QF3: Jackson Close (HAW) vs Bonga Perkins (BRA)
QF4: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)
Semi finals
S1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Roger “Carlos” Bahia (BRA)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI DAY 2 CALLED OFF

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Saturday, May 5th, 2007) – Event organizers at the Billabong
Pro Tahiti have called a lay day today due to the decrease in swell since
yesterday.

“The surf is pretty small this morning and we’ve opted to call the
competition off for the day,” Acting ASP World Tour Head Judge Dave Shipley
said.  “It looks like the swell is supposed to continue to decrease throughout
the week and we could potentially be getting swell from a better direction
sometime late next week.  That being said, you never know what will happen and
we’ll be back here every morning to make the call.”

When action recommences, Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti will begin the
man-on-man elimination heats with some of the premier names in the ASP
Foster’s 45 doing battle with local standouts.

In the interim, be sure to check out all the highlights from the Air Tahiti Nui
Von Zipper Trials and Day 1 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti at
www.billabongpro.com. 

When the swell picks up, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on
www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 2 BILLABONG PRO TAHITI MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 11: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 16: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

NEW ASP MEN'S WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED TOMORROW

ANGLET, France (Sat., May 5, 2007) – Two quarterfinals of the Oxbow Pro World
Longboard Championship were completed today, before an increasing high tide
forced organisers to finish the day’s competition. Tomorrow will see the
completion of the event and the crowning of the 2007 Association of Surfing
Professionals (ASP) International Men’s World Longboard Champion.

In the two quarterfinals held Brazilians overcame their opponents to set up an
all-Brazilian first semi final. In Quarterfinal 1 giant killer and local hope
Antoine Delpero’s incredible run came to an end, although it took a wave in
the final seconds of the heat by Phil Rajzman (BRA) to do it.

Holding priority and needing a five-point ride to advance, Rajzman waited
patiently and with time almost out, caught the winning wave.

“I was so lucky that the wave came to me at the very end. I just gave it
everything I had and luckily it was enough,” Rajzman said. “I am so happy
right now, hopefully tomorrow the waves will be a bit bigger and quicker which
suit me more and, once again, the waves will come to me.”

Delpero was the first to congratulate his victor, before the rest of his flag
waving countrymen on the beach swamped the 24-year-old bearded Brazilian. They
then had further reason to cheer when Roger Bahia (BRA) overcame Hawaiian
Keegan Edwards in the following quarterfinal. He too was cheered, drummed and
whistled as he left the water victorious.

“The support from all the Brazilians over here has been amazing,” said Bahia.
“There’s been really strong support here at the beach, but also from back
home. There have been so many emails and text messages wishing us all well.”

Earlier in the day another wildcard, Jackson Close (AUS), caused the upset of
the day, something he’s been doing with monotonous regularity, by knocking out
two-time world champion Colin McPhillips (USA) in their Round 4 heat. Needing a
six-point ride to win with a minute remaining, Close took off a medium sized
wave and absolutely blasted his way to victory.

"There’s no point holding back," said Close. "I knew I needed a 5.9 and I went
pretty vertical on my first turn and stuck it, so I was really happy with it. I
seem to have had the hardest heats all the way through, but I keep knocking
these big names out, so I’ve really impressed myself."

That left only one former world champion still alive in the competition, the
1996 world champion Bonga Perkins (HAW). He used his experience to notch up
another win and progress through to the quarterfinals where he’ll face Close
in the first quarterfinal tomorrow of the day tomorrow. 

Events organisers are aiming to start the competition tomorrow at 11.00am local
time. For more information www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Quarterfinals Match ups
QF3: Jackson Close (HAW) vs Bonga Perkins (BRA)
QF4: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)

Results 
Quarterfinals; 1st progress, 2nd eliminated
QF1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 12.00 d Antoine Delpero (FRA) 11.85
QF2: Carlos Bahia (BRA) 11.75 d Keegan Edwards (HAW) 7.50
Round 4; 1st progress, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.25 d Jeremias da Silva (BRA) 9.00
Heat 2: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 14.25 d Jensen Taylor (USA) 9.00
Heat 3: Keegan Edwards (HAW) 9.90 d Jamie Viudes (BRA) 7.20
Heat 4: Carlos Bahia 12.90 (BRA) d Harrison Roach (AUS) 12.20
Heat 5: Jackson Close (AUS) 14.25 d Colin McPhillips (USA) 12.25
Heat 6: Bonga Perkins (HAW) 11.75 d Eduardo Bage (BRA) 10.60
Heat 7: Harley Ingleby 13.75 (AUS) d Romain Maurin (FRA) 7.25
Heat 8: Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 14.50 d Mathew Moir (ZAF) 8.80 (BRA)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

RIDERS OF THE STORM

ANGLET, France (Sat., May 5, 2007) – It's wild and a windy day on this section
of the Basque Coast in the southwest of France this morning with strong winds
and driving rain making life difficult for competitors and spectators alike.

But the show must go on and with a one-meter swell still showing on the
beachbreaks of les Cavaliers the eight heats of Round 4 are set to run today. 

The super strong field has been whittled down over the past week to just 16,
and all surfers are now contemplating the ultimate prize on offer here at the
Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship; the Association of Professional Surfers
(ASP) International 2007 Men’s Longboard World Champion’s Title.

The first heat in the water sees local hope Antoine Delpero (FRA) taking on the
Brazilian Jeremias da Silva. 

Delpero is one of three wildcards still in the event, following yesterday's
shock elimination of defending champion Josh Constable (AUS) and 2006 runner-up
Ned Snow by unheralded Australians surfers Harrison Roach and Jackson Close.

All three wildcards have stated on record that their goal is to win the event,
with Roach perhaps putting it most succinctly when he said, "I can go all the
way, you know. I’m not here to make friends. I’m going for the number one
spot."

The 17-year-old will face inform Brazilian surfer Carlos Bahia in Heat 4 while
Close will tackle the two-time world champion Colin McPhillips (USA) in the
following heat, perhaps the match up of the round. 

McPhillips was perhaps the form surfer in yesterday’s rounds of competition
and must be considered one of the favorites for the event, even though a knee
injury last week almost saw him withdraw from the championship.

“I thought I was in real trouble, and even missed my flight. But I made a last
minute decision to come here and it’s paid off,” said McPhillips. “I’m not
going to worry about my knee till after the event, right now it’s not even a
concern.”

Another eagerly anticipated clash sees former world champion Mathew Moir (ZAF)
up against Brazilian Danilo Rodrigo in Heat 8. The two surfers are known for
their power surfing and that clash should see buckets of spray coming from
their nine-foot long surfboards.

Despite the stormy conditions, organizers hope to finish all eight heats of
Round 4 today, leaving just the quarterfinals, semifinals and final for
tomorrow, a day which is predicted to have better weather, and more
importantly, waves. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Round 4 Match Ups
Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) vs Jeremias da Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Jensen Taylor
Heat 3: Jamie Viudes (BRA) vs Keegan Edwards (HAW)
Heat 4: Carlos Bahia (BRA) vs Harrison Roach
Heat 5: Jackson Close (AUS) vs Colin McPhillips (USA)
Heat 6: Bonga Perkins (HAW) vs Eduardo Bage
Heat 7: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Romain Maurin (FRA)
Heat 8: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Friday, May 4th, 2007) – All but one of the biggest names in
pro surfing made it through their Round 1 Billabong Pro Tahiti heats today.
Perennial favorites Kelly Slater (USA), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS)
and Joel Parkinson (AUS) advanced to Round 3. Taj Burrow (AUS) who sits current
equal No. 1 on the Foster’s ASP World Tour ratings aside Fanning was not so
lucky.

Burrow, who drew Teahupoo specialist and Billabong Pro Tahiti wildcard Bruno
Santos (PYF) and French rookie Jeremy Flores, finished second in the three man
heat and will now have to negotiate Round 2 to stay in contention for a
Billabong Pro crown.

Flores, a Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie, won the heat – his first ever at
the dredging left reef break. He also tied Dean Morrison (AUS) for the third
highest heat total of the event thus far.

“It felt good, definitely, to surf in my first heat here and to win it,”
Flores said. “I couldn’t wish for better. When I saw the heat I had I was
like, ‘Whoa, it’s going to be tough one,’ but I think this is a wave where
anyone can beat anyone.”

Flores is Europe’s only representative on the Foster’s ASP World Tour. He
finished first on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) to earn his elite tour spot
and currently sits 14th on the ratings after finishing 9th on the Gold Coast
and 17th at Bells Beach. 

“I’m still learning; I’m only 18,” Flores said. “I did okay in the first
comp but I got a little unlucky since the start of the year. I had problems
with missing waves on the Gold Coast and I got really sick in Bells so
hopefully I can keep on a roll and everything stays normal this event.”

The surfer who stands to benefit most from Burrow’s possible Round 2
elimination is Fanning who has owned the ratings lead from the start of the
year but has been forced to share it since the Bells Beach event wrapped up in
mid-April.

Fanning failed to find a barrel in his 30-minute heat, a rare occurrence given
the nature of the wave, and exited the water unsure of whether or not he’d
earned the score he needed to overcome Aussie wildcard Anthony Walsh. He text
messaged his mother to find out.
	
“I’m 6,000 miles away and I’m waiting for a text from my Mum to either say,
‘Well done,’ or ‘You idiot!’ luckily it was, ‘Well done!’” Fanning said.
 “I knew it was going to be close, I only needed a 2.0 or a 3.0 or something,
and I got a good little wave but I only got to do turns on it – I didn’t get
a barrel the entire heat. Anthony had a 7.00 and I didn’t have anything so it
was basically a five-minute heat.”

The highest scoring wave and heat score of the day (a 9.50 and an 18.17
respectively) went to current eight-time ASP world champ Slater. Slater won the
contest in 2000, 2003 and 2005 but bowed out of the event in the semifinal last
year after suffering a repeat rib injury. 

He left his opponents Phil Macdonald (AUS) and wildcard Mano Drollet (PYF)
needing a combination of scores to catch him today.

“It’s kind of a real wind-swelly sort of swell – it’s got a little east in
it so it’s coming deep from the reef and there were some good ones,” Slater
said. “My plan was to start up there and get a couple but I ended up swing
wide and getting my first one, a 9.5, that sort of set the pace. Manoa passed
up another one, a got an 8 something and that was sort of it – there wasn’t
much left out there for those guys.” 

Slater will enjoy a break between now and when Round 3 hits the water –
depending on how the wildcards fare in Round 2, it is likely he will meet one
of the Tahitian specialists once again.

“Obviously the wildcards surf their way through the qualifying event to get
here but getting out into these heats is a little bit of a different story –
guys don’t make the same mistakes on this tour as they do in the qualifying
events,” Slater said. “The pressure definitely steps up a notch for those
guys and they are generally the best surfers at breaks like here and Pipeline.
The wildcards that come through are the guys you want to beat and you beat them
early on and you feel like you can win the event. To get one over on Manoa
early on feels good, but he’ll probably have a mid-range high seed in Round 2,
and if he can beat him I’ll have Mano again.”

The day’s other stand-out performer was Pancho Sullivan of Hawaii. The
second-year tourer, who amassed the days second highest heat total after
Slater, had a disappointing South Pacific leg last year, but looks to be
bettering those results in 2007.

“Obviously last year, I got a 33rd here and then in Fiji so it wasn’t a good
run through the hollow lefts that I was hoping for,” Sullivan said. “But
Tahiti is so similar to Hawaii that I love coming here. The intensity of the
waves and the power of the ocean are really similar and it’s so laid back –
the people are just amazing. Obviously we all wish it was the big, heavy Chopes
that we’re all used to seeing, but with the limited waiting period, we have to
get this day under our belt in order to wait and hope for bigger swells to
come.”

Brazilians Adriano de Souza and Bernardo Miranda won their respective heats, as
did South African’s Travis Logie and rookie Ricky Basnett. Californian’s also
fared well with Bobby Martinez (USA), Chris Ward (USA) and Taylor Knox (USA)
each advancing. 

There is a chance that Teahupoo may be swell deprived for the next few days,
but a call will be made tomorrow morning at 7am to see if Round 2 of the
Billabong Pro Tahiti will run.

ROUND 1 BILLABONG PRO TEAHUPOO RESULTS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.00, Trent Munro (AUS) 6.23, Cory Lopez (USA)
4.23
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW) 11.84, Victor Ribas (BRA) 8.22, Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.63 
Heat 3: Chris Ward (USA) 12.84, Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.66, Troy Brooks (AUS)
7.34 
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.33, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 5.96, Neco Padaratz
(BRA) 2.60
Heat 5: Gabe Kling (USA) 8.87, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 7.70, Bede Durbidge (AUS)
6.83
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.16, Luke Munro (AUS) 8.36, Greg Emslie (ZAF)
7.17
Heat 7: Andy Irons (HAW) 12.50, Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 9.67, Fredrick
Patacchia (HAW) 6.90
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.17, Manoa Drollet (PYF) 12.50, Phillip Macdonald
(AUS) 9.66
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.44, Anthony Walsh (AUS) 7.67, Raoni Monteiro
(BRA) 2.47
Heat 10: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.67, Taj Burrow (AUS) 8.50, Bruno Santos (BRA)
5.93
Heat 11: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 15.93, Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 14.90, Daniel Wills
(AUS) 9.50
Heat 12: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 8.27, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 6.80, Michael
Campbell (AUS) 6.26
Heat 13: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 12.57, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.17, Ben Dunn (AUS)
9.14
Heat 14: Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.70, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.80, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 1.30
Heat 15: Taylor Knox (USA) 8.92, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 3.90, Michael Lowe (AUS)
1.44 
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) 15.67, Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 14.33, Luke Stedman
(AUS) 9.10

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Friday, May 4th, 2007) – Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti
will kick off today, day one of the 11-day event waiting period, at Teahupoo
Reef  this morning.  Three to five foot (one to one half metre) barrels will
house the Foster’s ASP World Tour surfers from 8am onwards.

The action will ignite from the very first heat with two former event winners,
defending champion Bobby Martinez (USA) and 2001 Billabong Pro Tahiti winner
Cory Lopez (USA), going up against Aussie injury replacement Trent Munro. Munro
has replaced a recovering Timmy Reyes (USA) in each of the three events on tour
so far in 2007. 

Due to a last minute withdrawal from rookie Royden Bryson (ZAF) who encountered
Visa issues en route to Tahiti, the 48-man draw was reseeded last night. The
reshuffling of seeds has set up a scorching Heat 7 battle between 2002
Billabong Pro Tahiti winner Andy Irons (HAW), last year’s runner-up Fred
Pattachia (HAW) and local specialist and event wildcard Hira Teriinatoofa
(PYF).

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com to watch it all LIVE!

ROUND 1 BILLABONG PRO TEAHUPOO MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA), Cory Lopez (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW), Josh Kerr (AUS), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Andy Irons (HAW), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 11: Daniel Wills (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 12: Michael Campbell (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 13: Ben Dunn (AUS), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 14: Travis Logie (ZAF), Kai Otton (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Taylor Knox (USA), Michael Lowe (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

WILDCARD GIANT KILLERS TAKE OUT WORLD NO. 1 AND NO.2 AT OXBOW PRO WORLD
LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Fri., May 4, 2007) – The day’s competition at the Oxbow Pro
World Longboard Championships has produced some massive upsets with the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International current world champion
Josh Constable (AUS) and last year’s runner up Ned Snow (HAW) both eliminated
by young Australian wildcards.

The first major surprise saw the defending event champion Constable (AUS) being
beaten by 17-year-old whiz kid Harrison Roach (AUS). It was a massive upset as
the more experienced and powerful Constable had been in devastating form. 

“I was nipping at his heals at the recent Noosa Festival of Surfing event and
he just pipped me at the post there, so it was so good to get him here at the
big one,” said Roach. “He’s a really good surfer, so you don’t want to give
him a chance, so I put the hassle on him and gave him some pressure and I guess
it worked.”

Harrison, not content with his incredible run all the way from the trials, now
has his sights on the big prize.

“Well yes, I can go all the way. I’m not here to make friends. I’m going for
the number one spot,” said the confident youngster.

Harrison has been travelling and staying with another wildcard in the event
Bryce Young, whose dad just happens to be the patron of the event and surfing
legend Nat Young.

“I’ve been staying with Bryce and his parents,” Roach said. “It’s been
really amazing having Nat around – this morning he gave us both a big pep
talk, which was awesome.” 

In the very next heat it was a similar scenario with trials wildcard Jackson
Close, a young, powerful Australian, surfing far too strong for last year’s
runner up Ned Snow (HAW).

“I’m pretty happy right now, beating number two in the world is a big
achievement,” said Close after his victory. “I’ve got nothing to lose, and
with a world title up for grabs, you can’t afford to play it safe. You just
have to go for it and try and stick it every time.”

Like his fellow giant killer Roach, Close’s thoughts have now turned to bigger
and better things. 

“That’s what I’m here for, you know, to win the thing,” Close said.

In the remaining heats of Round 3, the old world order was restored with former
world champions Colin McPhillips (USA), Bonga Perkins (HAW), Mathew Moir (ZAF)
and world number 3 Harvey Ingleby (AUS) all advancing to the next round.

McPhillips, who was in danger of missing the event after a knee injury only
last week, scored an impressive 16.50 pts out of 20 in his heat and looks
dangerous, especially considering the fall of some of his biggest competitors.

“Yeah that was a little bonus,” said McPhillips, referring to Constable and
Snow’s elimination. “But it’s great to see. I mean I haven’t even heard,
let alone seen, these guys before and yet here they are taking out the old
guys. They are really shaking things up and it’s great for the sport.”

Bonga Perkins (HAW) the 1996 world champion also reflected on the upsets after
his heat win against Dodger Kremel (USA).

“Well I suppose there are couple of big dogs that I don’t have to worry about
now,” Perkins said, before adding a cautionary warning. “Still there are so
many good surfers left in the competition and you can’t take anything for
granted.”

The world ranked number three, Ingleby, agreed with the veteran Hawaiian, after
his heat win over Bryce Young. 

“I’m pretty sure everyone left in the event has their eyes on the prize,”
Ingleby said. “But with these variable conditions and the incredible standard
of surfing, I’ll just be taking it heat by heat.”

That just left the strong Brazilian contingent to provide the majority of the
final 16 places left in the event. Surfers like Jeremias de Silva, Phil
Rajzman, Carlos Bahia, Eduardo Bage and Danilo Rodrigo, all firm friends, are
looking strong and determined. Such is their collective talent it’s hard not
seeing one of these surfers making the final.

“We have always travelled and surfed together,” said Eduardo Bage, who took
out his fellow countrymen Jonas Lima in heat 12. “While individually we all
want to win, it is good to be together and support each other.”

With two days remaining and 16 surfers left, organisers will aim to run Round 4
tomorrow before finishing the event on Sunday. After a day of upsets and the
elimination of the current world champion, one thing now is certain; come the
end of the weekend we will have a new ASP International 2007 Men’s Longboard
World Champion. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Round 4 Match Ups
Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) vs Jeremias da Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Jensen Taylor (USA)
Heat 3: Jamie Viudes (BRA) vs Keegan Edwards (HAW)
Heat 4: Carlos Bahia (BRA) vs Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 5: Jackson Close (AUS) vs Colin McPhillips (USA)
Heat 6: Bonga Perkins (HAW) vs Eduardo Bage (BRA)
Heat 7: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Romain Maurin (FRA)
Heat 8: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)

Results Round 3, 1st progress, 2nd eliminated
Heat 7: Carlos Bahia (BRA) 15.10 d Ben Skinner (GBR) 8.00 
Heat 8: Harrison Roach (AUS) 13.05 dJosh Constable (AUS) 11.50 
Heat 9: Jackson Close (AUS) 14.25 d Ned Snow (HAW) 13.00 
Heat 10: Colin McPhillips (USA) 16.50 vs Roger Barros (BRA) 11.50
Heat 11: Bonga Perkins (USA) 11.50 Dodger Kremel (USA) 8.30
Heat 12: Eduardo Bage (BRA) 10.00 d Jonas Lima (BRA) 8.00
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) 12.75 vs Bryce Young (AUS) 12.15
Heat 14: Romain Maurin (FRA) 11.35 vs Tom Lloy (USA) 7.80
Heat 15: Mathew Moir (ZAF) 13.50 vs Kai Sallas (HAW) 13.05
Heat 16: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA) 12.25 vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN) 2.70

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

WILDCARD GIANT KILLERS TAKE OUT WORLD NO. 1 AND NO.2 AT OXBOW PRO WORLD
LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Fri., May 4, 2007) – The day’s competition at the Oxbow Pro
World Longboard Championship has produced some massive upsets with the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International current world champion
Josh Constable (AUS) and last year’s runner up Ned Snow (HAW) both eliminated
by young Australian wildcards.

The first major surprise saw the defending event champion Constable (AUS) being
beaten by 17-year-old whiz kid Harrison Roach (AUS). It was a massive upset as
the more experienced and powerful Constable had been in devastating form. 

“I was nipping at his heals at the recent Noosa Festival of Surfing event and
he just pipped me at the post there, so it was so good to get him here at the
big one,” said Roach. “He’s a really good surfer, so you don’t want to give
him a chance, so I put the hassle on him and gave him some pressure and I guess
it worked.”

Harrison, not content with his incredible run all the way from the trials, now
has his sights on the big prize.

“Well yes, I can go all the way. I’m not here to make friends. I’m going for
the number one spot,” said the confident youngster.

Harrison has been travelling and staying with another wildcard in the event
Bryce Young, whose dad just happens to be the patron of the event and surfing
legend Nat Young.

“I’ve been staying with Bryce and his parents,” Roach said. “It’s been
really amazing having Nat around – this morning he gave us both a big pep
talk, which was awesome.” 

In the very next heat it was a similar scenario with trials wildcard Jackson
Close, a young, powerful Australian, surfing far too strong for last year’s
runner up Ned Snow (HAW).

“I’m pretty happy right now, beating number two in the world is a big
achievement,” said Close after his victory. “I’ve got nothing to lose, and
with a world title up for grabs, you can’t afford to play it safe. You just
have to go for it and try and stick it every time.”

Like his fellow giant killer Roach, Close’s thoughts have now turned to bigger
and better things. 

“That’s what I’m here for, you know, to win the thing,” Close said.

In the remaining heats of Round 3, the old world order was restored with former
world champions Colin McPhillips (USA), Bonga Perkins (HAW), Mathew Moir (ZAF)
and world number 3 Harvey Ingleby (AUS) all advancing to the next round.

McPhillips, who was in danger of missing the event after a knee injury only
last week, scored an impressive 16.50 pts out of 20 in his heat and looks
dangerous, especially considering the fall of some of his biggest competitors.

“Yeah that was a little bonus,” said McPhillips, referring to Constable and
Snow’s elimination. “But it’s great to see. I mean I haven’t even heard,
let alone seen, these guys before and yet here they are taking out the old
established guys. They are really shaking things up and it’s great for the
sport.”

Bonga Perkins (HAW) the 1996 world champion also reflected on the upsets after
his heat win against Dodger Kremel (USA).

“Well I suppose there are couple of big dogs that I don’t have to worry about
now,” Perkins said, before adding a cautionary warning. “Still, there are so
many good surfers left in the competition and you can’t take anything for
granted.”

The world ranked number three, Ingleby, agreed with the veteran Hawaiian, after
his heat win over Bryce Young. 

“I’m pretty sure everyone left in the event has their eyes on the prize,”
Ingleby said. “But with these variable conditions and the incredible standard
of surfing, I’ll just be taking it heat by heat.”

That just left the strong Brazilian contingent to provide the majority of the
final 16 places left in the event. Surfers like Jeremias de Silva, Phil
Rajzman, Carlos Bahia, Eduardo Bage and Danilo Rodrigo, all firm friends, are
looking strong and determined. Such is their collective talent it’s hard not
seeing one of these surfers making the final.

“We have always travelled and surfed together,” said Eduardo Bage, who took
out his fellow countrymen Jonas Lima in heat 12. “While individually we all
want to win, it is good to be together and support each other.”

With two days remaining and 16 surfers left, organisers will aim to run Round 4
tomorrow before finishing the event on Sunday. After a day of upsets and the
elimination of the current world champion, one thing now is certain; come the
end of the weekend we will have a new ASP International 2007 Men’s Longboard
World Champion. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Round 4 Match Ups
Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) vs Jeremias da Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Jensen Taylor (USA)
Heat 3: Jamie Viudes (BRA) vs Keegan Edwards (HAW)
Heat 4: Carlos Bahia (BRA) vs Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 5: Jackson Close (AUS) vs Colin McPhillips (USA)
Heat 6: Bonga Perkins (HAW) vs Eduardo Bage (BRA)
Heat 7: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Romain Maurin (FRA)
Heat 8: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)

Results Round 3, 1st progress, 2nd eliminated
Heat 7: Carlos Bahia (BRA) 15.10 d Ben Skinner (GBR) 8.00 
Heat 8: Harrison Roach (AUS) 13.05 dJosh Constable (AUS) 11.50 
Heat 9: Jackson Close (AUS) 14.25 d Ned Snow (HAW) 13.00 
Heat 10: Colin McPhillips (USA) 16.50 vs Roger Barros (BRA) 11.50
Heat 11: Bonga Perkins (USA) 11.50 Dodger Kremel (USA) 8.30
Heat 12: Eduardo Bage (BRA) 10.00 d Jonas Lima (BRA) 8.00
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) 12.75 vs Bryce Young (AUS) 12.15
Heat 14: Romain Maurin (FRA) 11.35 vs Tom Lloy (USA) 7.80
Heat 15: Mathew Moir (ZAF) 13.50 vs Kai Sallas (HAW) 13.05
Heat 16: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA) 12.25 vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN) 2.70

LONGBOARD STARS TRY TO ADD TO THEIR WORLD TITLE COLLECTIONS AT OXBOW PRO

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

ANGLET, France (Fri., May 4, 2007) – The Oxbow Pro World Longboard
Championship continues today with a host of the stars of the sport competing in
a bid to add to their collection of world titles.

The championship winner will be crowned the Association Of Surfing
Professionals (ASP) International Mens World Champion for 2007. 

The man that holds that title currently, defending event champion Josh
Constable (AUS) will feature in the early heats this morning, and is primed for
a big event.

“I suppose there is a bit of pressure being the current world champion, but
I’m not feeling it too much,” said Constable. “I’m feeling strong and
confident and enjoying the French beachbreaks.”

Constable will face up against 17-year-old wild card Harrison Roach (AUS) in a
classic David and Goliath clash. 

Following Constable’s clash, most of all the tournaments favourites will be
surfing back-to-back in what promises to be an incredible day of red hot
longboarding. 

Two-time world champion Colin McPhillips (USA) will also be in the water taking
on Roger Barrros (BRA). McPhillips injured his knee last week, but such is the
importance of the event that he is surfing through the pain barrier to try and
secure his third world title.

Speaking of world champs, the next heat after McPhillips will feature the 1996
champion Bonga Perkins (HAW). Perkins is one of the leaders of the strong
Hawaiian contingent over here in France, entrusted by the elders back in the
Pacific to uphold the integrity and respect of Hawaiian surf culture, from
which the art of longboarding derives.

Organisers are aiming to finish all of the Round 3 heats today and then make a
decision on Round 4 later in the day. The Oxbow Pro World Longboard
Championships are scheduled to finish on Sunday May 6, with a new world
champion raising the trophy and taking home the $US10,000 winner’s cheque. For
more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Round 3 match ups
Heat 7: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs Carlos Bahia
Heat 8: Josh Constable (AUS) vs Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 9: Ned Snow (HAW) vs Jackson Close (AUS)
Heat 10: Colin McPhillips (USA) vs Roger Barros (BRA)
Heat 11: Bonga Perkins (USA) Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 12: Jonas Lima (BRA) vs Eduardo Bage (BRA)
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Bryce Young (AUS)
Heat 14: Romain Maurin (FRA) vs Tom Lloy (USA)
Heat 15: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Kai Sallas (HAW)
Heat 16: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA) vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop No 3. of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour 
Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti
May 4-14, 2007

EARLY ACTION LIKELY AT BILLABONG PRO TEAHUPOO

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Thursday, May 3rd, 2007) – The waiting period for the
Billabong Pro Teahupoo begins tomorrow, May 4, and a solid swell forecast to
build overnight may see the ASP Foster’s 45 hit the water as soon as early as
7:30am.

Former World Tour stalwart turned Billabong Pro Teahupoo event director Luke
Egan (AUS) is hoping to get the action for event No. 3 on the 2007 Foster’s
ASP World Tour underway on the first day of the 11-day waiting period.

“For the opening day of the waiting period, we’re telling everyone that
we’re going to be pushing extremely hard for a start tomorrow morning,” Egan
said.  “Surfline is indicating that the bump is coming tonight and it will be
enough to get us a start tomorrow morning.  We’re looking at sitting through a
bit of average weather with average swell so we’re pushing very hard to get
the first heat out in the water at 7:30am Tahitian time.”

Local surfer Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF), 25, was awarded the Billabong Pro
Teahupoo wildcard for his stunning performances in previous years. 
Teriinatoofa will join Air Tahiti Nui Von Zipper Trials winner Manoa Drollet
(PYF) and runner-up Anthony Walsh (AUS) in the main event.

“I am really happy to get the wildcard but I kind of wish I would have been in
the Trials too because they had such great surf,” Teriinatoofa said.  “I am
back in there and my goal is to beat the result I got last year.  I have got to
do better than that.  Once I do that, I will just take it day by day.”

The young Tahitian, who lost to Fred Pattachia (HAW) in the quarters last year,
will have his work cut out for him when he draws current Foster’s ASP World
Tour ratings leader Taj Burrow (AUS) and ’07 rookie sensation Jeremy Flores
(FRA) in his Round 1 heat.

Locals taking it all in from the famous Teahupoo channel will no doubt be
cheering wildly when their home-grown hero paddles out for his Heat 10 battle.

“The local advantage here is really cool because having all the people here to
cheer for me makes it really comfortable,” Teriinatoofa said.  “It doesn’t
matter if there are big names in my heat or not.  They are all good anyway –
they are all Top 45, that’s why they’re here.  I just need to be careful and
not be overconfident.  I’m just going to take it one by one and with the
support of Tahiti, I hope to do well.”

When action hits the water, past Billabong Pro Teahupoo champions Bobby
Martinez (USA), Andy Irons (HAW), Kelly Slater (USA), Cory Lopez (USA) and Mark
Occhilupo (AUS) will be looking to once again take top honors at what is widely
considered ‘the world’s heaviest wave.’

Surfline.com, the official forecaster of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, is calling
for surf to remain in the head-high range tomorrow before dropping slightly
over the weekend.  It is very possible that Round 1 of competition may hit the
water at 7:30am local time.

The Billabong Pro Teahupoo will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and
www.billabongpro.com.

ROUND 1 BILLABONG PRO TEAHUPOO MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW), Chris Ward (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 7: Andy Irons (HAW), Frederick Patacchia (HAW), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF)
Heat 11: Daniel Wills (AUS), Cory Lopez (USA), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Michael Campbell (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 13: Ben Dunn (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 14: Travis Logie (ZAF), CJ Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 15: Taylor Knox (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS), Michael Lowe (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

MASTERS FALL TO THE APPRENTICES AT OXBOW PRO WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Thur., May 3, 2007) – Once again it was the sandbanks at les
Cavalier, the fabled European beachbreak near Anglet, which provided many of
the highlights on the third day of the Oxbow Pro World Championship.

In a day of incredible waves, one wave stood out though, caught by Hawaiian
Keegan Edwards. Edwards took off on a pristine righthander and pulled in behind
the curtain. For what seemed an eternity he travelled through tube only to exit
to the roar of the crowd.

“Well, I am from Hawaii, so that’s we do, we ride tubes,” said Edwards
matter-of-factly. “I saw that little double up and it was there, so I just
rode it out. When I came out I gave a little shaka, like, ‘bring on France’
you know. I was pretty stoked.”

That wave scored a 9.50 from the judges and was the highest score of the day.

In other heats, it tended to be a tale of youth and endeavour taking out the
aged and the experienced. 

The last heat of Round 2 saw the elder statesmen of Brazilian surfing Alex
“Picaruta” Salazar taking on the next big thing in Brazilian surfing, the
powerful 24-year-old Phil Rajzman (BRA). This time though the young gun was too
strong for his good friend and mentor.

“It was difficult because I have learned so much from Picaruta. He is my
master,” Rajzman said.” Still, I wasn’t too nervous, I’ve been surfing
competitions since I was 14 and also the beach in front of my house in Brazil
is a lot like this, powerful beachbreaks, so I really enjoy these type of
waves.”

In the following heat, Round 3, Heat 1, it was similar sets of circumstances
with 18-year-old local hope Antoine Delpero (FRA) taking on the 41-year-old
veteran Amaro Matos (BRA). Matos was the form surfer having scored the highest
two-wave heat score yesterday. Again though, it was a case of youth overcoming
experience with the wildcard Delpero advancing.

“It was a hard heat, with quite difficult waves,” said Delpero, “but I was
lucky that I found some waves with nice open walls.”

After the heat, his father, coach and a whole host of friends congratulated
Delpero, who was born in Marseille but has been adopted by this part of the
Basque coast, on the beach. The most conspicuous of the entourage though was
one man who was dressed in a head-to-toe white-feathered suit. 

“Yes, that is my friend Jilou, he is perfect,” laughed Delpero. “He came to
congratulate me with his super suit and will be there for every heat. He is my
lucky charm.”

The other upset of the round saw perennial contender Duane de Soto (HAW),
knocked over in the final minutes by Brazilian goofyfooter Jamie Viudes. The
big Brazil contingent on shore went absolutely crazy when Viudes scored an 8
point ride to sink the respected Hawaiian’s hopes.

The winner of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship will be crowned the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 2007 Men’s World Longboard
Champion, the highest accolade in longboard surfing. The event is set to
continue tomorrow with organizers aiming for a 9.30am start. For more
information go to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Round 3 match ups
Heat 7: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs Carlos Bahia
Heat 8: Josh Constable (AUS) vs Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 9: Ned Snow (HAW) vs Jackson Close (AUS)
Heat 10: Colin McPhillips (USA) vs Roger Barros (BRA)
Heat 11: Bonga Perkins (USA) Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 12: Jonas Lima (BRA) vs Eduardo Bage (BRA)
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Bryce Young (AUS)
Heat 14: Romain Maurin (FRA) vs Tom Lloy (USA)
Heat 15: Mathew Moir (ZAF) vs Kai Sallas (HAW)
Heat 16: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA) vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN)

Today’s Results
Round 3: 1st progress to Round 4, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.75 d Amaro Matos (BRA) 6.10
Heat 2: Jeremias de Silva (BRA) 7.65 d Josh Baxter (USA) 6.00
Heat 3: Phil Rajzman 13.75 d Timothee Craignout 10.85
Heat 4: Taylor Jensen (USA) d Jonathan Larcher (FRA) 6.00
Heat 5: Jamie Viudes (BRA) 13.75 d Duane de Soto (HAW) 10.85
Heat 6: Keegan Edwards (HAW) 11.25 d Marcelo Freitas (BRA) 6.00
Round 2, 1st place progress, 2nd place eliminated
Heat 9: Noah Shimabukuro (HAW) 9.05 d Dodger Kremel (USA) 11.50
Heat 10: Ben Skinner (GBR) 10.40 d David Kinoshita (JPN) 6.25
Heat 11: Keegan Edwards (HAW) 15.75 d Kekoa Uemura (HAW) 8.75
Heat 12: Carlos Bahia (BRA) 14.50 d Brett Heimstra (USA) 5.90
Heat 13: Roger Barros (BRA) 11.50 d Dennis Bourg (USA) 4.60
Heat 14: Tom Lloy (USA) 9.15 d Joe Aaron (USA) 6.40
Heat 15: Anri Nabeshima (JPN) 7.15 d Jed Morouse (USA) 5.50
Heat 16: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 11.75 d Alex Salazar (BRA) 6.00

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

ESTABLISHED STARS AND YOUNG GUNS TAKE TO THE WATER IN OXBOW PRO WORLD LONGBOARD
CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Thur., May 3, 2007) – The Oxbow Pro World Longboard
Championship, the event which will determine the Association of Surfing
Professionals (ASP) International World Longboard Champion for 2007, is set to
start again today at les Cavaliers, Anglet, an area that is known as the cradle
of European surfing. 

The event has already seen some remarkable performances, both from the
established stars of the sport, and from a new generation who have taken the
deep surfing heritage that longboarding represents and made it their own. 

For example young Australian Bryce Young is set to surf later in the day. The
16-year-old is a surfer with more heritage than most, being the son of
legendary surfer and patron of this event Nat Young, as well as brother to
two-time world champion Beau Young. He will face fellow Australian and current
number three in the world, Harley Ingleby in his Round 3 heat.

Meanwhile Young’s good friend, 17-year-old Harrison Roach (AUS) came through
the trials, before winning his first round heat in his debut in a world rated
event. Both young surfers represent a new era in longboarding and a significant
threat to the old world order.

That was reflected when Roach was asked whom he was afraid of in the event.

“Nobody. It’s great to be around all these great surfers, but I’m going to
just keep doing my own thing,” Roach responded confidently.

But the threat of the established guard must never be underestimated. For
example defending world champion Josh Constable (AUS) won his heat yesterday in
a commanding display.

“I didn’t feel any nerves and I surfed strong, so right now, it's all good,”
said Constable, ominously.

But in a stacked field including former world champions Colin McPhillips (USA),
Bonga Perkins (HAW) and Mathew Moir (SAF), plus three-times runner up Alex
Salazar (BRA), it is almost impossible to pick a winner. 

With an amazing field and prime location, this event has all the hallmarks of
being a classic. The Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship is scheduled to run
through to Sunday May 6. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Round 2 Match Ups
Heat 9: Noah Shimabukuro (HAW) vs Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 10: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs David Kinoshita (JPN)
Heat 11: Kekoa Uemura (HAW) vs Keegan Edwards (HAW)
Heat 12: Carlos Bahia (BRA) vs Brett Heimstra (USA)
Heat 13: Roger Barros (BRA) vs Dennis Bourg (USA
Heat 14: Tom Lloy (USA) vs Joe Aaron (USA)
Heat 15: Jed Morouse (USA) vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN)
Heat 16: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Alex Salazar (BRA)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

ROOKIES AND BIG GUNS SHARE HONOURS ON EPIC DAY 2 OF OXBOW PRO WORLD LONGBOARD
CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Wed., May 2, 2007) – It was another classic day of
action-packed surfing as a mix of perennial contenders and young rookies shone
in epic conditions at the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship.

The 48-man championship event held in Anglet, France will determine the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 2007 Men’s World Longboard
Champion. The importance of the event was reflected in the standard of surfing
with incredible performances on show in the large, 6 to 8 foot (2 -2.5 metre)
offshore, powerful conditions.

The sudden death Round 2 started with the current world champion Josh Constable
(AUS) absolutely dominating his opponent, young wildcard entrant Troy
Mothershead (USA). Constable used his considerable size and strength, showed no
nerves and looked in awesome form.

"I wasn’t too nervous," said Constable after his win. "I mean there is a
little pressure being the current world champ and all that, but my first wave
was a good one and my plan worked well.”

Constable scored a solid heat score of 16.25 points out of 20.00 and never
looked like losing.

"For me it’s unreal to have a little size and to surf at beachbreaks, which I
love,” Constable said. “I didn’t feel any nerves and I surfed strong, so
right now, it's all good.”

Hawaiian John Snow, the man Constable beat in last year's Oxbow Pro World
Longboard Championship final, surfed in the following heat. In this heat Snow
was too strong for the trials wildcard Jared Neal (AUS). He surfed incredibly
well illustrating that both he and Constable look like favorites for a final
berth again this year.

In the first heat of the day young Australian wildcard entrant Harrison Roach
put in a performance way beyond his years to win his Round 1 heat and progress
straight through to the third round.

His Round 3 heat will be his first ever man-on-man heat, something that the kid
from Noosa didn’t seem too concerned about. When asked who he was afraid of
surfing against, the 17-year-old responded confidently:

"Nobody. I’m just going to go out and do my own thing and hopefully get the
waves that count." 

Another rookie and wildcard to progress was French hopeful Antoine Delpero.
With a big crowd on hand to watch the local surfer, he didn’t disappoint,
mixing some stylish traditional longboarding moves with radical closeout
re-entries.

“I’ve surfed around here for a few years and I love this spot,” Delpero
said. “It’s powerful and it is one of my favorite spots. I actually felt the
pressure more yesterday, but today I caught a really good wave at the very
start and from then on had no nerves.”

Delpero scored a solid two-wave total of 15.25 out of 20.00 and defeated
experienced Australian Grant Thomas.

The best wave of the day, and the whole competition, was a 9.65 scored by Amaro
Matos (BRA). Matos took off on a solid set wave and performed a classic soul
arch hang ten, before dropping down, moving his feet back, pulling into a
barrel and traveling for three seconds through a classic tube. It was probably
only a fall right at the end of the wave that cost him a 10-point ride. That
wave helped him overcome his opponent Alban Meric (FRA) who is now eliminated
from the event.

"Wow, I’m so happy," Matos said. "I was very nervous before the heat and I
think so much about this heat, and I asked for God to help me and he helped
with that wave. You know I am 41-years-old and my heart is too old for all this
kind of thing," Matos laughed.

By late afternoon, with the high tide causing the waves to deteriorate,
organizers opted to finish the day with eight heats of Round 2. Conditions are
predicted to be similar tomorrow at the fabled beachbreaks of les Cavaliers, so
another epic day of longboard surfing will be on offer. For more information go
to www.oxboworld.com

Remaining Round 2 match ups
Heat 9: Noah Shimabukuro (HAW) vs Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 10: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs David Kinoshita (JPN)
Heat 11: Kekoa Uemura (HAW) vs Keegan Edwards (HAW)
Heat 12: Carlos Bahia (BRA) vs Brett Heimstra (USA)
Heat 13: Roger Barros (BRA) vs Dennis Bourg (USA)
Heat 14: Tom Lloy (USA) vs Joe Aaron (USA)
Heat 15: Jed Morouse (USA) vs Anri Nabeshima (JPN)
Heat 16: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Alex Salazar (BRA)

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship Results
Round 2: Winners progress to Round 3
Heat 1: Josh Constable (AUS) 16.25 d Troy Mothershead 10.25(USA)
Heat 2: Ned Snow (HAW) 15.20 d Jared Neal (AUS) 11.35
Heat 3: Taylor Jensen (USA) 11.00 d Nobuhiro Ogashira (JPN) 7.1
Heat 4: Amaro Matos (BRA) 16.15 d Alban Meric (FRA) 6.0
Heat 5: Jonathan Larcher (FRA) 13.75 d Diego Rosas (BRA) 12.40
Heat 6: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 15.25 d Grant Thomas (AUS) 9.75
Heat 7: Josh Baxter (USA) 12.35 d Michael Detemple (USA) 10.30
Heat 8: Romain Maurin (FRA) 12.35 d Takuji Masuda (JPN) 10.30

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

INCREDIBLE WAVES FOR DAY 2 OF OXBOW PRO WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGLET, France (Wed, May 2, 2007) – A solid six-to-eight foot swell and clean
conditions greeted competitors at les Cavaliers this morning for the Oxbow Pro
World Longboard Championship. After yesterday's stormy conditions, today the
sun is shining and powerful, crunching rights and lefts are rifling across the
triangle sandbank here at Anglet, on the Basque coast of southwest France.

The conditions are worthy of a competition of this importance. With no world
longboard tour in effect, the winner of this event will be crowned the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International 2007 World Longboard
Champion. 

The remaining eight heats of Round 1 will kick off this morning with organisers
hoping to run through to the second round this afternoon. It looks like there
will be a full day of incredible longboard surfing ahead of us. 

The judges are rewarding those surfers that combine the traditional longboard
moves like putting the toes on the nose, with more modern, quickfire
manoeuvres. It is a fusion of surfing’s ancient heritage and all the modern
day radical advances.

Former world champion and all round surfing legend Nat Young was on hand this
morning, both as a patron of the event and also to watch the progress of his
youngest son Bryce, who is surfing in the championship.

“The waves are incredible and with this style of surfing you really get to
appreciate the style of the surfers. It is not so quick as the shortboard
surfing and so you can really take it all in. It’s a beautiful mix.”

With good conditions predicted for the rest of the week there will be plenty of
time to appreciate this, “beautiful mix”. And by the end of what should be an
epic day’s surfing today, we should have a better indication of just who will
be crowned the ASP’s International 2007 World Longboard Champion. Go to
www.oxboworld.com for more information.

Heat Draw 
Round 1; 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd surf Round 2
Heat 9: Ned Snow (HAW), Noah Shimbakuro (HAW), Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 10: Harley Ingleby (AUS), Ben Skinner (GBR), Jared Neal (AUS)
Heat 11: Grant Thomas (AUS), Jeremias da Silva (BRA), Michael DeTemple (USA)
Heat 12: Jonas Lima (BRA), Arni Nabeshima (JPN), Takuji Masuda (JPN)
Heat 13: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA), Joe Aaron (USA), Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 14: Josh Baxter (USA), Dennis Bourg (USA), Jamie Viudes (BRA)
Heat 15: Tomothee Creignout (FRA), Brett Heimstra (USA), David Kinoshita (JPN)
Heat 16: Romain Maurin (FRA), Eduardo Bage (BRA), Keegan Edwards (HAW)

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
ASP World Longboard Championship
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
April 30 – May 6, 2007

OXBOW PRO WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF

ANGLET, France (Tuesday, May. 1, 2007) – The first round of the Oxbow World
Pro Longboard Championship got underway this afternoon, following the
completion of the trials event, which determined the four remaining wildcard
spots for the main event. 

The four wildcard spots were all taken by rookies, and they will each now surf
in an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International rated longboard
main event for the very first time. The winner of the Oxbow Pro will be crowned
the 2007 world longboard champion. The youngest of the four rookies to gain a
wildcard spot was Harrison Roach (AUS), who is only 17 years old.

"I am sooo stoked," said Roach after his win. "I just can't wait to surf
against all the best longboarders in the world in the main event. I've already
achieved what I set out to do, so now I'll just do my best and hopefully do
okay. Harrison Roach, world champion!!" The youngster laughed.

He will be joined by two other rookie Australians wildcards, 23-year old Jared
Neal and 22-year-old Jackson Close. 

"This was my first time ever to Europe," said Neal. "But I've been loving it. I
like it when the surf is bigger and I felt pretty comfortable out there. But
now, surfing in the main event, I'll have to surf way better to match these
guys."

His compatriot Jackson Close was also comfortable in the solid conditions and
performed a whole range of radical turns under pressure.

"I can't believe I've made the main event," Close said. "Now it's time to step
it up. I'll have to mix it up more and surf way harder. This is my first event
at this level, so yeah I'll have to adjust, but I can't wait."

He certainly did just that when he performed a radical aerial maneuver in the
dying moments of his first round heat of the main event to secure a nine point
wave score and an amazing win.

“What a day, I can’t really believe it,” said a stunned Close afterwards.
“From surfing the trials to now, making it through my first round heat. I just
went for a big air and somehow made it and obviously the judges liked it. It’s
been one of my best days ever.”

San Clemente surfer Troy Mothershead earned the final wildcard slot. The
18-year-old is traveling with his parents and girlfriend and was over the moon
at his efforts.

"It's my first time at an ASP world championship rated event so I'm so happy
right now. I usually go for nose rides straight up, but these guys seem to be
just power turning from the start, so I might have to mix it up more. But I'm
here just to surf and have fun, so I'll just keep doing that," said
Mothershead.

As mentioned though, the rookies didn't have much time to reflect on their
efforts with the round 1 one of the main event kicking off straight away.

This saw the return of some of the legends of the sport and they didn’t
disappoint. Former world champions Bonga Perkins (HAW) and Colin McPhillips
(USA) led the way, winning their heats and so progressing straight through to
round 3 and avoiding the sudden death round 2.

McPhillips’ efforts were particularly noteworthy as he had recently suffered a
major knee injury and was rumoured to not even be competing.

“I thought I blew my knee out last Tuesday,” said McPhillips. “Even on
Thursday, I couldn’t make my flight. But I straightened it out, and arrived
just last night. That was my first surf in the competition area and I went
through, so I’m stoked. Now I’m not thinking about my knee till after the
event, it will start hurting afterwards, but for now it’s all good,” said the
two-time world champion.

The only real major upset apart from the previously mentioned Close, came from
Bryce Young (AUS). Bryce, the son of surfing legend Nat and also brother to
former longboard world champ Beau, had been given a wildcard into the event by
Oxbow and surfed radically to progress straight through to the third round.

“I was a little nervous, but the waves were so strong and punchy and I managed
some good waves. It’s so good to be here, all my family are here, so I just
want to do my best, find the best waves and see how I go,” said the
17-year-old Young.

His father Nat, a patron here for the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship,
nervously watched his son surf his heat.

“Yeah I had all the butterflies of being a father, plus all the butterflies of
being a surfer, because I can think what I would be doing in the same
situation,” said the elder Young.

“But he was so radical out there, continued Nat. “He does much more radical
moves than Beau or I can do on a longboard. In fact, he is a much better surfer
than Beau and I. He can go straight up and straight down.”

The round was halted after heat 8 due to deteriorating conditions. Organisers
have predicted more swell and improved winds for tomorrow, with the heat 9 of
round 1 set to start at 8.00am local time. With the mix of radical rookies and
all the established best longboarders in the world all still in the event, it
promises to be another classic day of longboard surfing. For more information
go to www.oxboworld.com

Heat Draw 
Round 1; 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd surf Round 2
Heat 9: Ned Snow (HAW), Noah Shimbakuro (HAW), Harrison Roach (AUS)
Heat 10: Harley Ingleby (AUS), Ben Skinner (GBR), Jared Neal (AUS)
Heat 11: Grant Thomas (AUS), Jeremias da Silva (BRA), Michael DeTemple (USA)
Heat 12: Jonas Lima (BRA), Arni Nabeshima (JPN), Takuji Masuda (JPN)
Heat 13: Danilo Rodrigo (BRA), Joe Aaron (USA), Dodger Kremel (USA)
Heat 14: Josh Baxter (USA), Dennis Bourg (USA), Jamie Viudes (BRA)
Heat 15: Tomothee Creignout (FRA), Brett Heimstra (USA), David Kinoshita (JPN)
Heat 16: Romain Maurin (FRA), Eduardo Bage (BRA), Keegan Edwards (HAW)

Results
Trials
Quarter finals: 1st and second advance
Quarter 1: Jackson Close (AUS) 13.25; Jared Neal (AUS) 12.50; Robledo de
Oliveira (BRA) 9.50; Sam Bleakley (GBR) 8.30
Quarter 2: Elliot Dudley (GBR) 13.50; Troy Mothershead (USA) 10.25; James Parry
(GBR) 7.50; Dino Miranda (HAW) 5.95
Quarter 3: Harrison Roach (AUS) 13.75; Tony Silvagni (USA) 12.25; Eduard
Delpero (FRA) 11.55; Claude Maki (JPN) 6.15
Semi finals: 1st and 2nd progress to main event
Semi 1: Jared Neal (AUS) 14.75; Jackson Close (AUS) 10.65; Dudley Elliot (GBR)
8.15
Semi 2: Harrison Roach (AUS) 11.90; Troy Mothershead (USA) 11.75; Tony Silvagni
(USA) 10.55

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
Round 1; 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd surf Round 2
Heat 1: Kai Sallas (HAW) 16.15; Alex Salazar (BRA) 12.85; Diego Rosas (BRA)
11.75
Heat 2: Marcelo Freitas (BRA) 16.50; Phil Razjman (BRA) 16.35; Antoine Delpero
(FRA) 11.50
Heat 3: Duane de Soto (HAW) 12.00; Jonathan Larcher 4.70; Jed Morouse (USA)
4.70
Heat 4: Bonga Perkins (HAW) 13.35; Alban Meric (FRA) 12.60; Tom Lloy (USA) 8.50
Heat 5: Mathew Moir (SAF) 16.10; Nobuhiro Ogashira (JPN) 9.25; Roger Barros
(BRA) 8.75
Heat 6: Bryce Young (AUS) 13.00; Amoro Matos (BRA) 12.00; Carlos Bahia (11.05)
Heat 7: Jackson Close (AUS) 15.25; Taylor Jensen (USA) 11.35; Kekoa Uemura
(HAW) 6.75
Heat 8: Colin McPhillips (USA) 14.60; Josh Constable (AUS) 13.60; Troy
Mothershead (USA) 10.25