ASP GUIDE 2011

THE OFFICIAL

TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD’S BEST SURFERS AND THE WAVES THEY COMPETE IN.

TAJ BURROW. STEVE RYAN

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28/1/11 11:53:08 AM

DANE REYNOLDS RE-SHAPING THE FACE OF A SNAPPER ROCKS WALL. ASP/CESTARI

FACELIFT THE ASP WORLD TOUR HAS HAD SOME WORK DONE

As professional surfing launches into the second decade of the new millennium it’s worth reflecting on how far the tour has evolved. In 1976 a group of near-broke surfers scrounged their way around what Peter Townend described as a “gypsy tour of contests”. Throughout ‘76 someone kept a scrapbook record of results and at year’s end Townend was named the first World Champion of the modern era. When Pete went to pose for an official World Title photo with IPS chairman, Fred Hemmings, Hemmings opportunistically grabbed a nearby piece of unrelated silverware to make the shot work.

Things are certainly different now. In 2011, 34 men and 17 women surfers will traverse the globe, flanked by an adoring media and an entourage of managers and trainers. Running a modern WT event requires the involvement of hundreds of staff, and surfing’s innovative use of webcast technology provides one of the most unique platforms for sports viewing in the world. “The gypsy tour” it certainly ain’t. Not failing to mention that professional surfing now provides a legitimate and often lucrative career for surfers. When you combine the prize money on offer for a WT event that hosts men and women, there’s over half a million dollars in total up for grabs in a single contest. For pro surfing followers it’s an exciting time. The World Tour format and judging criteria have been modified to reflect the rapid evolution in performance taking place on beaches around the world. The new single-ranking system rewards competitors who turn on their best surfing in heats but will be more unforgiving than ever on those who don’t step up and go for it. Below are a few fast facts to make sure you’re up to speed when it comes to watching the 2011 World Tour.

THE JUDGING CRITERIA The judges tweaked it a little last year to accommodate the recent progression in performance surfing. It’s worth reading through the copy below a couple of times so that when you are watching an event you have a more informed view of what good contest surfing is and exactly what the judges are looking for.

Judges analyse the following major elements when scoring waves.

- Commitment and degree of difficulty - Innovative and progressive manoeuvres - Combination of major manoeuvres - Variety of manoeuvres - Speed, power and flow

NOTE: It’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.

NOTE: The following scale may be used to

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describe a ride that is scored 0–1.9 = Poor 2.0–3.9 = Fair 4.0–5.9 = Average 6.0–7.9 = Good 8.0–10.0 = Excellent 34 IS THE NEW 45 After a soft launch of the new-look tour last year, the ASP has committed to a leanerlooking list of WT competitors. The only way to really guarantee your slot on the WT is to finish in the top 32 on the world ranking system. Another two surfers are awarded ASP wildcards, which guarantees them entry in all events until the next rotation [that’s 34]. But it’s still logistically better to start an event with 36 surfers and therefore each contest will feature two additional wildcards who get a one-off shot at winning a WT event.

THE ROTATING TOUR After the sixth event on this year’s elite circuit any surfer not ranked in the top 32 of the World Rankings, will be relegated.

The World Rankings takes into consideration per formance in both the WT and WQS events. Therefore a sur fer who begins the year on the WQS and per forms well in major WQS contests can theoretically leap-frog on to the elite World Tour after the sixth event. At each rotation the ASP will also award two wildcards.

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MEET THE WORLD’S TOP CONTENDERS FOR 2011

1

KELLY SLATER

REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 39 Form Guide: This is the equivalent to writing a form guide for Phar Lap, although you don’t win ten world titles by being a one trick pony. Kelly’s surfing repertoire is so diverse he can win a contest at any wave on the planet. In fact Kelly has won a major event at nine of the eleven locations listed on this year’s tour and the only reason he hasn’t won events at the other two locations is because they are new additions to the circuit. But Kelly is more vague than a question-dodging politician when it comes to tour talk and nobody [ not even Kelly] really knows what his plan is this year.

Tracks Fact: Given how heavily Kelly has invested in wave-pool technology it would be no surprise if his next goal is to become the first wave-pool world champ in a pool he designed.

ASP/CESTARI

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2

JORDY SMITH

REPRESENTS: STH AFRICA AGE: 23 Form Guide: The lanky South African who surfs like a lion that just swallowed a live gazelle came one step closer to reaching his full potential last year. Jordy has learned to marry his abundance of talent with a much smarter contest act and after his victory in front of a home crowd at JBay in 2010, Jordy also now has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to win a WT event. Outwardly relaxed in his pursuit of the title last year, expect Jordy’s killer instinct to be even more in tune in 2011.

Tracks Fact: Jordy shares his birthday with Kelly Slater.

ASP/ROWLAND

3

TAJ BURROW

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 32 Form Guide: Taj falls into the bittersweet category reserved for the best surfers never to win a world title... yet. In the past few years he has travelled full time with trainer, John Gannon in an attempt to secure the one major milestone missing from his career. When he led the title race early last year it seemed that perhaps his time had finally come but he ultimately took a back seat to the race between Jordy and Kelly. A pioneer in his own right, few surfers punch the tail beyond the lip as consistently as Taj. And despite having ten years on some of the younger tour cubs he can still go move for move with them when it comes to progressive surfing. Last year’s Quiksilver Pro, Snapper rocks winner is definitely capable of winning two years in a row.

Tracks Fact: Taj recently re-signed with long-term board sponsor Firewire, making him one of the few surfers riding alternative construction craft on tour.

ASP/CESTARI

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4

MICK FANNING

ASP/KIRSTIN

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 29 Form Guide: From a physical point of view Mick is one of the best prepared surfers on tour. Coupled with an intense mental focus Mick’s surf-specific CHEK training regime has been an integral part of his two world titles. His surfing has very few chinks and he performs each turn with an attention to form and biomechanics that some of his tour compatriots don’t always display. The twotime world champion has also demonstrated his ability to lose and then regain the title. The fact he isn’t reliant upon the momentum from a previous year means he is always a world title contender.

Tracks Fact: Mick was born in Sydney’s Western Suburbs.

5

BEDE DURBIDGE

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 28 Form Guide: Bede’s gritty tactical act coupled with a style that delicately blends raw aggression with contemporary moves and a certain tall man’s finesse, make him a definite title contender. One of the few surfers to perform consistently well against Kelly Slater, he also has a reputation for being ruthlessly selective when it comes to wave choice. Although he is a former Pipe Master his other tour victories [Brazil and Trestles] have come in punchy beach-breaks. With second place finishes at Snapper and Bells, going one better and claiming victory at one (or both) of these events could be the key to Bede’s chances in the title race.

Tracks Fact: Bede is a massive fan of Aussie hip-hop.

ASP/CESTARI

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ASP/KIRSTIN

6

DANE REYNOLDS

REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 25 Form Guide: The reluctant king of modern surfing and the most dynamic performer on tour. At his best Dane’s surfing is a perfectly orchestrated symphony of channelled power and spontaneous innovation. However, his refusal to do anything but free-surf his heats and the level of difficulty he aspires to in almost every turn can make consistency an issue. Dane is becoming more heat savvy but is yet to win a contest. The question is: does anyone really want to see him change his tactics? As it is his heats send viewers screaming towards their screens for web coverage like teenage band fans. After undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year, Dane is out for the first event but we’ll hopefully see him pulling on a singlet by the second or third event.

Tracks Fact: Dane once told Tracks that if he wasn’t surfing, being a fire-fighter with a few of his friends back home would be fun.

7

OWEN WRIGHT

REPRESENT: AUS AGE: 21 Form Guide: After Owen finished 7th in his first year on tour he is already being talked about as a title contender. He is another who contradicts the notion that shorter, lower centre of gravity surfers have an advantage. Instead, Owen compresses and extends his malleable frame in a manner that gives his surfing a spring-loaded look and feel. Although he’s yet to win an event, he isn’t intimidated by big name competition, as he’s proven with multiple heat victories over Kelly Slater. He beat Slater twice in 2009 and then again in the no knockout fourth round at Trestles last year. Owen’s confident in all conditions but it would be great to see Teahupoo and Pipe turn on this year so he can thread his elastic limbs into some legitimate stand-up barrels.

Tracks Fact: Last time we measured Owen was 6’2” but there’s probably a few cm of growing left in those trunks.

ASP/CESTARI

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8

ADRIAN BUCHAN

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 28 Form Guide: The mercurial goofy footer from the NSW central coast has one of the most precise backside attacks in surfing and will be ready to unleash his scything snaps at the Quiksilver Pro. The secret to performing consistently on tour is really about being able to adapt you surfing to constantly changing conditions. Ace is a master of getting the most out of his surfing and two years ago tasted world tour success in France. However, if he is going to step up and contend for a top five slot or a world title, self-belief is the key. Ace has to see himself as belonging there.

Tracks Fact: At school Ace was a handy spin bowler.

ASP/CESTARI ASP/CESTARI

9

JERMEY FLORES

REPRESENTS: FRA AGE: 22 Form Guide: The fiery Frenchman has long been heralded as a potential world title contender and his dramatic last minute victory in the 2010 Pipe Masters demonstrated his capacity to win big. Jeremy’s strong desire to win is an asset but sometimes his passion can mutate into emotional overload and interrupt his focus. The grab rail reverse or ‘club sandwich’ has become something of a favourite move for Jeremy and his barrel riding is solid but if he’s going to be a genuine contender then ensuring that his surfing satisfies the section of the criteria that asks for variety of manoeuvres will be essential.

Tracks Fact: Jeremy digs his Brazilian Ju Jitsu.

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10

ADRIANO DE SOUZA

REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 24 Form Guide: The diminutive natural footer arrived on tour heralded as Brazil’s big hope for a world title and hundreds of his drum-beating countrymen still follow him everywhere he goes in Australia. Adriano is most lethal in right hand points and random, punchy beachbreaks, which mirror the conditions in which he served his Brazilian surfing apprenticeship. For Mineirinho, as he is known to his fans, speed is never a problem but he must remember that the criteria has changed and the judges want maximum commitment on bigger, critical sections.

Tracks Fact: Adriano is a former Billabong World Pro Junior Winner.

ASP/KIRSTIN

11

CJ HOBGOOD

REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 31 Form Guide: The 2001 world champion is now a legitimate tour veteran after plying his loose-limbed trade on the world tour for over a decade.

One of the savviest competitors on tour, CJ will demolish inexperienced competitors for their mistakes. Although he learned to surf in mushy beach-breaks on the southeast coast of America, CJ has made barrel riding his bread and butter, registering tour victories at both Mundaka and Teahupoo. CJ is still capable of factoring in the race, particularly if he already has rhythm and points on the board going in to the Teahupoo event. He surfed through to the finals at Chopes last year, eventually going down to the late Andy Irons.

Tracks Fact: CJ and twin brother, Damien have probably the best site of any of the surfers. Check out www.blog. thegoodss.com.

ASP/CESTARI

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12

MICHEL BOUREZ

REPRESENTS: TAHITI AGE: 25 Form Guide: Michel is the only Tahitian to make the tour since Vetea David buried rails on boat-thick boards back in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Michel shares Vetea’s imposing physical stature but has a more refined style and rides slender craft. In fact at times it can seem that the surfer they dub the Spartan dwarfs his modern toothpicks. Not surprisingly Bourez fancies himself riding backside in thick barrelling lefts like Pipeline and Teahupoo. Unfortunately since his debut on tour in 2009 the waves haven’t given him the opportunity to demonstrate his prowess in his preferred conditions. Michel is best placed to utilize his power when the waves thicken up and hit the six foot mark, as he demonstrated with his quarter final finish in overhead beachies at the 2010 Quiksilver Pro France.

Tracks Fact: Michel’s younger brother Kevin also rips.

ASP/CESTARI

13

CHRIS DAVIDSON

ASP/KIRSTIN

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 34 Form Guide: When it comes to the tour Davo has been on and off more times than a bathroom light. However the Narrabeen evergreen is undergoing something of a late career purple patch and this is the third year in a row he has qualified for the elite level tour. In addition to his clean style and abundance of talent Davo’s key asset is his self-belief. Davo is not intimidated by any competitor and genuinely sees himself as a contender for every contest he takes part in. Unfortunately self-belief can sometimes morph into self-implode and Davo becomes his own worst enemy. Davo surfed through to the semis in Portugal last year and his crisp attack is best suited to medium sized punchy rights. Ensuring there is variation in his attack will be critical to him making it to the business end of events in 2011.

Tracks Fact: Davo’s character in iconic surf film Doped Youth, Kingswood Black was pretty much spot on.

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14

JADSON ANDRE

REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 20 Form Guide: With a style based heavily around variations on rotations and tail wafts, Jadson Andre is the proverbial Whirling Dervish of the world tour.

By taking out Kelly in the final of the Hang Loose Pro in Brazil last year, Jadson proved he is capable of winning at the highest level. If Jadson can complement his progressive approach with committed full rail carves then we will likely see him climb the ratings this year. It’s crucial however that his aerial moves preserve that element of surprise as opposed to just being telegraphed. Given his penchant for casting his hands high after a completed move, Jadson is also the tour’s unofficial chief of the claims department.

Tracks Fact: Jadson has been known to rock a traffic-light orange wettie in contests.

ASP/ROWLA

15

DAMIEN HOBGOOD

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 31 Form Guide: Damien’s two career-defining results came at world tour events in Fiji. He won there in both 2004 and 2006. Although at home threading his pliable torso through hollow lefts, he is equally adept in down-the-line rights. Damien’s lightning quick backside snaps enabled him to surf through to the quarters in challenging J-Bay conditions at last year’s Billabong Pro. Of the goofies in the event only he and Owen Wright made it that far.

Damien’s unique back-foot heavy style enables him to tweak the tail at will and throw a little variation into each snap.

Tracks Fact: Damo temporarily held the record for the highest two-wave total in a heat – 19.90 – scored in the 2004 Globe Fiji Pro. A year later at Teahupoo Kelly broke the record with a perfect 20.

ASP/CESTARI

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16

KIEREN PERROW

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 34 Form Guide: Kieren is one of the shrewdest and most experienced competitors on the tour, however most of his peers would acknowledge that his forte is big, heavy waves. When the Pipe Masters is on Kieren has a habit of upstaging competitors by pulling into giant barrels at Off The Wall during free-surfs.

Kieren finished in the top ten in both 2002 and 2003 and in a year where all of the heavy-wave locations fire he’d be looking for a top five finish. In the past Kieren has juggled his competitive career with the responsibility of being the surfer’s rep and was heavily involved in the negotiations associated with changes to the tour.

Last year he came heartbreakingly close to his maiden world tour victory when he led in the final of the Pipe Masters until the final few minutes.

Tracks Fact: Kieren is a part-time scribe for Tracks.

ASP/CESTARI

17

BRETT SIMPSON

REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 26 Form Guide: The unassuming Californian proved last year that he is capable of producing the most impressive aerial manoeuvre of a contest or trading top turns in a power jam. The Huntington Beach surfer has also shown that he has the ability to beat the world’s best by winning the Six-Star Prime, US Open of surfing in 2009 and 2010. However Brett still needs to find a way to translate his WQS success to a WT setting.

He made the semis last year in France, surfing dredging barrels at the Quiksilver Pro but had difficulty matching Slater’s tube mastery to make the final.

Tracks Fact: Brett is coached by Aussie ex-pat and former ‘Bronzed Aussie’, Ian “Kanga” Cairns.

ASP/CESTARI

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18

JOEL PARKINSON

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 29 Form Guide: Joel’s competitive year underwent an extended hiatus after nearly cutting his right heel clean off in July 2010. But, despite missing six of ten events last year, Parko still managed to qualify without the help of an injury wildcard. Like Taj, Joel falls into that list of “best surfers never to win a world title (yet)” and he will be hell-bent on having his name carved into some championship silverware in 2011.

Tracks Fact: Former world tour surfer, Luke Egan is an integral part of the Parko team.

ASP/KIRSTIN

19

TAYLOR KNOX

REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 39 Form Guide: Taylor turns 40 this year and will subsequently partake in his 17th year on tour. None of this stops him from being one of the most formidable competitors on tour. Taylor may be the last of the pure power surfers on tour but Kelly Slater calls Knox one of his favourite surfers because of his commitment to surf every wave better than the last. While finding a rhythm is sometimes Taylor’s biggest obstacle when Taylor’s in a groove he can look untouchable.

Tracks Fact: Taylor is a baseball fanatic and was once invited to throw the first pitch for his beloved San Diego Padres.

ASP/CESTARI

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20. HEITOR ALVES REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 26 Form guide: After dropping off the tour at the end of 2009 Heitor returns to the big leagues after a highly successful year on the WQS. Heitor’s rotationfocussed surfing can make him resemble the love-child of a helicopter blade and an electric fan, however he will have to learn to adapt his approach to the bigger, more challenging waves that typically feature on the world tour.

21. MATT WILKINSON REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 22 Form guide: Second time around Wilko will be more experienced and probably feeling less pressure, a scenario that better suits his laid-back temperament. Matt can pull off inventive manoeuvres that redefine the surfing possibilities or bury the rail with the best of them. Once he learns to incorporate the various influences in his surfing into a single fluid attack we should see him ranked in the top ten.

Tracks Fact: Heitor won consecutive six-star WQS events in 2010 to help secure his position on the World Tour.

Tracks Fact: Matt’s Rip Curl deal includes a clause that guarantees a spot for his van at the Bells car park during events.

22. BOBBY MARTINEZ REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 28 Form guide: Bobby knows how to ride the barrel and lays claim to arguably the most fluid backside snap on tour. When he qualified in ‘06 many were touting him as a genuine world title contender. And with four world tour event wins in as many years he seemed on track to live up to expectations.

But after a winless 2010 and slipping down the rankings by 14 places from 8th in 2009, he will be looking to regain some of the form that had people talking about him as a world title threat.

23. FREDRICK PATACCHIA REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 29 Form guide: One of the tour’s most charismatic figures and a favourite amongst the girls [although he just got married in the off-season]. Freddie’s blog insurfnews.com helped launch his media profile but recently he has returned his focus to his act in the water – a blend of Hawaiian, heavy wave nous and widestance, small wave power surfing.

Unsurprisingly his best results have come in long hollow, reefbreak lefts, including a second to Bobby M. at Teahupoo.

Tracks Fact: Despite being a seppo Bobby loves a meat pie.

Tracks Fact: The only surfer on tour who calls the North Shore home.

MATT WILKO. ASP/KIRSTIN

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24. KAI OTTON REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 31 Form guide: Kai Otton was an obvious choice for one of the 2011 injury wildcards after incurring a major neck injury last year. And Otts won’t waste the lifeline that’s been thrown his way. The hard working goofy footer has an act that’s versatile enough to apply to any conditions and he certainly won’t shy away from big barrels.

Kai can also boost with the best of them when free-surfing but the challenge will be incorporating this into his contest act. One of the goofies to watch in the Quik Pro Snapper.

Tracks Fact: Kai’s Dad was a gun abalone diver.

28. DANIEL ROSS REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 28 Form guide: After falling off the tour at the end of 2008 Dan went back to work on the WQS and was eventually crowned 2009 WQS, champion. Dan is most dangerous in performance waves around the six-eight foot region, as he demonstrated in last year’s Quiksilver Pro, France with a quarter-final finish. Big Dan has hit a new level since his first appearance on tour and when he really lays it on rail it’s one of the finest sights in surfing.

Tracks Fact: Morning of The Earth star, Baddy Treloar is one of Dan’s best mates.

25. PATRICK GUDAUSKAS REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 25 Form guide: Although younger brother Tanner was a victim of the post-Teahupoo tour clip, Pat survived in dramatic circumstances, completing a Rodeo in round three of the Chopes event to retain his position on tour. Given the context it was arguably the move of the year.

But one manoeuvre does not the man maketh and Pat will be aiming to refine his power carves and land the clown more consistently to rise up the rankings in 2011.

Tracks Fact: The Gudauskas brothers are commonly referred to as the Gudangs.

26. TIAGO PIRES REPRESENTS: POR AGE: 30 Form guide: The Portuguese man of war recently signed a ten year deal with Quiksilver – vindication for being one of Europe’s most consistent pro surfers over the past decade. Tiago’s polished style is his biggest asset but complementing it with variation will have to be a focus in order to climb the ratings on a tour which increasingly demands dynamic surfing. Aside from ratings Tiago will also be looking to break his hometown hoodoo and make it through a few rounds when the WT comes to his place in October.

27. ADAM MELLING REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 25 Form guide: Although recognised by peers and fans alike as one of the most stylish and powerful surfers on tour, Adam was slow to get going last year. However, his second place finish at the Billabong Pro, J-Bay confirmed that Adam belongs in the elite ranks and if he can find a rhythm early in the year and capitalise on his point-break skills at Snapper, a top ten spot should be well within his reach in 2011.

Tracks Fact: Adam is the proud owner of a Braveheart-style sword courtesy of a victory in the 2009 Highland Pro held in Scotland.

Tracks Fact: Tiago’s nickname is Saca.

29. RAONI MONTEIRO REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 28 Form guide: After a few years in the WQS wilderness one of the most widely popular Brazilian surfers returns to the tour.

With an eye-pleasing style [that borrows from Brazilian legend Fabio Gouveia] Raoni should be welcomed back with open arms. But the judging criteria’s changed since Raoni was last in the elite ranks and it will be interesting to see how he adapts his surfing to the new system.

Tracks Fact: Raoni capped off his 2010 year with a victory at the Oneill, World Cup at Sunset.

PAT GUDANG. ASP/KIRSTIN

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30. JOSH KERR REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 26 Form Guide: Josh’s aerial repertoire makes him one of the most exciting surfers on the planet. When he made the tour in 2009, he never really found his niche but the judging and format modifications made since his absence seem custom-made for Josh’s highly progressive approach and a heat between an in-form Josh and Dane Reynolds could be a pinnacle moment in modern pro surfing.

31. ALEJO MUNIZ REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 21 Form guide: Along with Julian Wilson, Alejo will be one of only two legitimate rookies on tour next year. The compact natural footer has typical South American flare but surfs with more power than many of his compatriots. Alejo has defeated good friend and tour member Jadson Andre in junior events but as a low seed will have the more formidable task of facing big names like Kelly Slater, Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow or Mick Fanning in his first event.

32. DUSTY PAYNE REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 22 Form guide: Dusty provided one of the competition highlights of 2010 with his dying seconds, third round win over Mick Fanning at the Pipe Masters to requalify for 2011 in front of a screaming local crowd. There were other glimpses of Dusty’s brilliance on tour last year but for the most part he failed to translate his stellar free-surfing act to contest settings, and his Hawaiian countrymen will be looking for a little more magic from Dusty in 2011.

Tracks Fact: Josh’s wife is the Kelly Slater of the Facebook word challenge boggle.

Tracks Fact: Alejo was actually born in Argentina.

Tracks Fact: Dusty’s dad has been known to score macking barrels at Honolua Bay.

33. JULIAN WILSON REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 22 Form guide: Although he’s a WT rookie, the Noosa wonderkid has been one of the most hyped surfers in the world for the last five years. His experience as a WT wildcard should help him avoid the rookie mistakes but the other surfers certainly won’t be giving him an inch. Julian can combine muscular carves with altitude climbing moves and it’s going to be intriguing to see which gear he does most of his surfing in.

Tracks Fact: Julian is good mates with former Australian cricketer, Matt Hayden.

34. GABE KLING REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 30 Form guide: The easy-going east coaster returns to the tour courtesy of an injury wildcard but truth be told Gabe was only just shy of a straight-up qualification. Gabe is great on rail but will want to step it up this year and make more of an impact on the elite tour. He proved he can take down the big guns, when he won the Nike 6.0 event at lower Trestles last year, defeating Jordy Smith and Chris Davidson along the way.

Tracks Fact: Gabe once dated a former Miss Tracks.

JULIAN WILSON. ASP/KIRSTIN

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“GETTING MY 11TH WORLD TITLE BY WINNING 11 EVENTS IN 2011... HMMM”. KELLY SLATER CONTEMPLATES THE SYMMETRY AND WONDERS HOW HARD IT IS TO GROW AN EXTRA FINGER. NATE SMITH

THE PREMIER LEAGUE 2011 MEN’S WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE Quiksilver Pro

Gold Coast, Feb 26 – Mar 9 www.quiksilverpro.com.au The World Tour kicks off in style and with a bit of luck the points of the Gold Coast will come alive with the helping hand of a cyclone. Join the masses in waist-deep water only metres away from the surfers and at one of the many GC parties after dark.

Rip Curl Pro

Bells Beach, April 19 – 30 www.ripcurl.com.au Don your beany and dust off your wetty, the Rip Curl Pro turns 50 this year. The Southern Ocean tests the surfers’ resolve in iceycold water as they all vie for a ring of that shiny bell.

Billabong Pro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 11 – 22 www.billabongpro.com Surf fanatics, Brazilian bikinis and Brazilian waxes, oh and there is some surfing too. The locals flock to the beach like animals to an ark on a rainy day and get behind their countrymen like no other nation.

Billabong Pro

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa July 14 – 24 www.billabongpro.com “Ebselootley cooking bru”, that pretty much sums it up. Cold water, one long point and 34 of the best surfers in the world tearing it to pieces. You’re in Africa, so if there’s no waves, there’s heaps to do, like looking at lions.

Billabong Pro Tahiti

Teahupoo, Aug 20 – 31 www.billabongpro.com The contest with the best backdrop on the planet, sit in the safety of the lagoon while slabs of the Pacific Ocean unfold onto Teahupoo’s reef. Chopes has been a sleeping giant for a couple of years now, so we’re all hoping it will come alive in 2011.

QUIKSILVER PRO

New York, USA, Sept 4 – 15 Start spreading the news. The tour heads to the Big Apple on the

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tenth anniversary of the Twin Tower attacks. And to honour the occasion there’s a million dollar prize purse up for grabs, so jump on a plane or set yourself up for a night in with the webcast ‘cause this one is going to be exciting.

Hurley Pro

Trestles, California, Sept 16 – 24 www.hurley.com Everything is bigger in the States, the cars, contests and upsized meals. The Hurley Pro is a combination of all those things and yet each year Trestles provides a natural playground for the surfers to put on a show.

Quiksilver Pro France

South West Coast France, Oct 4 - 13 www.quiksilver.com A favourite for all involved, France tempts your senses with wine and women whilst delivering sandy, gut-churning barrels only metres from the beach.

Rip Curl Pro

Peniche, Portugal, Oct 15 – 24 www.ripcurl.com The beautiful little fishing town of Peniche in Portugal has continued to deliver amazing waves over the last few years and is now a permanent fixture on tour, much to the delight of local surfing fans.

Rip Curl Search

Somewhere, Nov 1 – 11 www.ripcurl.com Now in its sixth year, the Search has already unveiled some amazing locations. Where will it be this year? Who knows, we certainly don’t.

Billabong Pipe Masters

Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, Dec 8 – 20 www.triplecrownofsurfing.com/pipelinemasters Welcome to the thunderdome, well our version there of anyway.

Hawaii is the Mecca of surfing and it centres around this one scary, yet amazing wave. As always our fingers are crossed for the title to go down at Pipe.

25/1/11 5:21:13 PM

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TR1103 027 NEW BRUT.indd 27

25/1/11 5:17:51 PM

TIME TO MEET THE WORLDS TOP CONTENDERS FOR 2011

1

STEPH GILMORE

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 23 Form Guide: How can you draw up a form guide for someone who has four world titles to her name and won four of the eight events of 2010? Steph Gilmore can win anywhere in any conditions. You can’t go past her for a win at home on the Gold Coast and if the title goes down in Hawaii she will definitely be a threat.

Tracks Fact: Not only is Steph sponsored to surf, renowned guitar- manufacturer, Cole Clark supplies her with guitars.

ASP/CESTARI

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25/1/11 5:22:10 PM

ASP/KIRSTIN

2

SALLY FITZGIBBONS

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 20 Form Guide: In 2010 Sally Fitzgibbons displayed form well worthy of a title. Her worst result was a fifth and despite her smaller stature she has the ability to hold her own in bigger waves. Watch out for Sally down at Bells and as another standout in Hawaii.

Tracks Fact: Sally has represented both her state and country as a long distance runner but due to it keeping her out of the water so much, decided to follow a career in surfing instead.

3

CARISSA MOORE

REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 18 Form Guide: Your 2010 World Tour rookie of the year, Carissa Moore is the full surfing package. In 2007 Carissa sent chills down the spines of tour veterans when she finished runner up at the Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast. With a combination of powerful, new-school surfing, Carissa Moore is not only a threat at the Gold Coast but for the world title as well.

Tracks Fact: Carissa Moore has won 11 NSSA [National Scholastic Surfing Association] titles and has also been featured on ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’.

ASP/KIRSTIN

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25/1/11 5:22:23 PM

4

SILVANA LIMA

REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 26 Form Guide: At 26 and in her sixth year on tour, Silvana Lima is fast becoming a World Tour veteran. Her experience and knowledge came to fruition in 2009 when she became the first Brazilian to win the Rip Curl Pro at Bells. With World Tour blood on her tongue Silvana will be a staunch contender at Bells and also at home in Brazil.

Tracks Fact: Silvana Lima has her Bell’s Trophy tattooed on her side.

ASP/CESTARI

ASP/KIRSTIN

5

SOFIA MULANOVICH

REPRESENTS: PERU AGE: 27 Form Guide: In just her second year on tour, Sophia Mulanovich became the first South American to win an ASP World Title. With four podium finishes in 2010, she continues to prove herself as a worthy title contender. With scalps to her name on the Gold Coast and in Hawaii, Sofia is a serious threat and with an event tentatively set to go down in Peru, you can’t go past Sofia for a win on home soil.

Tracks Fact: Sophia can speak three different languages; English, French and Spanish. Pretty impressive really, considering most of us struggle with just English.

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27/1/11 3:06:01 PM

6

CHELSEA HEDGES

REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 27 Form Guide: Your 2005 ASP World Champion, Chelsea Hedges is dangerous on her backhand. If the Roxy Pro goes down at Snapper Rocks and not its southern neighbour, Duranbah, Chelsea’s vertical snaps and backhand barrel riding ability at her home break will hold her in good stead for a win at home on the Gold Coast.

Tracks Fact: Originally from Avalon, Chelsea would regularly take on the boys in her local boardriders contests.

ASP/KIRSTIN

7

COCO HO

REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 19 Form Guide: With the bloodlines of Michael and Derek Ho coursing through her veins, Hawaiian Princess, Coco Ho has a genetic code that is a threat in itself. But Coco has also carved her own name into surfing by taking out Rookie of the Year in 2009, and by winning the Rip Curl Search event that same year. Coco will be hard to beat at home in Hawaii and with previous form shown in the Search events, she would definitely be worth a bet.

ASP/KIRSTIN

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Tracks Fact: A bloke by the name of Connor Thuotte wrote a song about Coco, you can find it on youtube, it’s not too bad.

25/1/11 5:22:52 PM

ASP/CESTARI

8

MELANIE BARTELS

REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 28 Form Guide: It’s hard to pinpoint a single event in which Mel Bartels excels; her approach to any wave is so explosive, it makes her a threat in every event. With a second on the Gold Coast and five appearances in the quarterfinals throughout the year, it shows that Mel could chalk up a win at any time and any event.

Tracks Fact: After Mel made a pulic appeal to Oprah to help her pay to compete on the World Tour, Hawaiian Princess Kawaananakoa put up the funds to keep Mel in a contest rashy.

ASP/KIRSTIN

9

PAIGE HAREB

REPRESENTS: NZ AGE: 20 Form Guide: Paige is still the lone Kiwi on tour and with the third stop located right at her home beach of Taranaki, she will be looking to stamp a win in front of her countrymen [and women]. 2011 will be her third year on the World Tour and with the kinks in her armour ironed out, the results are sure to pour in.

Tracks Fact: Paige is the first female surfer from New Zealand to ever qualify for the World Tour.

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25/1/11 5:23:07 PM

10. REBECCA WOODS REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 26 Form guide: Bec Woods is a veteran of the World Tour and in 2010 didn’t place lower than ninth at any event. Hailing from Copacabana in NSW, Bec has spent a lot of time around Sydney and will be a force to be reckoned with at the Beachley Classic at Dee Why and is also a consistent performer up on the Gold Coast.

Tracks Fact: When she was just nine months old, Bec nearly drowned and lived with a collapsed lung for a year.

14. COURTNEY CONLOGUE REPRESENTS: USA AGE: 18 Form guide: If her first crack at the Qualifying Series is anything to go by, Courtney Conlogue may well win the World Title in 2011.

Last year was her first attempt at qualifying and she did so with ease. Courtney is the USA’s only hope on the women’s World Tour and you can be sure their faith is in safe hands.

Tracks Fact: Courtney trains for surfing by UFC fighting. Perhaps one not to be messed with.

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11. JESSI MILEY-DYER REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 24 Form guide: Jessi Miley-Dyer has been plagued with injuries over the last two seasons; in 2010 she suffered a knee injury that would see her out of the water for half of the year.

In 2011 she is more pumped than ever and with a clear bill of health, will be a force to be reckoned with at all events.

Tracks Fact: Jessi was chosen to be a torchbearer in the 2000 Olympics torch relay. She was only 14.

12. LAURA ENEVER REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 19 Form guide: With two ASP Junior World Titles under her belt, Laura Enever joins the tour with a great deal of promise. Her home of North Narrabeen is just around the corner from Dee Why, which will also give her the hometown advantage at the Beachley Classic. Laura has spent a lot of time travelling and will be dangerous as a rookie on tour this year.

Tracks Fact: Laura was a dedicated gymnast up until the age of nine where she traded in the leotard for a bikini and focused her efforts into surfing.

15. JACQUELINE SILVA REPRESENTS: BRA AGE: 31 Form guide: Jacqueline Silva is back on tour in 2011 after a one-year hiatus. At 31 she is another veteran of the World Tour and beat a field of 130 women to requalify in 2010.

When the Tour heads to Brazil, you can bet your house the locals will get behind Jacqueline and may even spur on a victory at home.

16. PAULINE ADO REPRESENTS: FRA AGE: 20 Form guide: 2009 ASP World Junior Champion, Pauline Ado is the only French competitor on the women’s World Tour and in 2011 will be looking to become the first French competitor to win the ASP Women’s World Title. Look out for Pauline down at Bells this Easter; she may be a dark horse but is definitely worthy of an upset.

Tracks Fact: Jacqueline Silva represented Brazil at the ‘96 Olympics as a Volleyball player.

Tracks Fact: Pauline made history by becoming the first non-Australian female to win a World Junior title.

13. TYLER WRIGHT REPRESENTS: AUS AGE: 17 Form guide: At just 17 Tyler Wright already has some major scalps to her name. As a wildcard, Tyler competed in both the Roxy and Rip Curl Pro’s last year, finishing ninth in both, she then went on to win the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach in Hawaii.

Now a permanent fixture on the World Tour, Tyler is sure to cement her position and give her elders a run for their money.

Tracks Fact: Tyler Wright is the younger sister of the men’s World Tour competitor Owen Wright.

17. ALANA BLANCHARD REPRESENTS: HAW AGE: 21 Form guide: Alana Blanchard is the final requalifier for the 2011 World Tour and you can’t go past her for a win at home in Hawaii. She has had wins at both the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach and at just 15, won a women’s event, held at Pipeline. One of four Hawaiian girls on tour.

Tracks Fact: Alana was sitting right next to Bethany Hamilton when she was attacked by a tiger shark at Tunnels Beach in Kauai.

25/1/11 5:23:22 PM

THE KIND OF BLANK WAVE CANVASES THE GIRLS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO AT THE ROXY PRO. JOLI

THE WAHINE WORLD TOUR 2011 WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE roxy Pro

Gold Coast, Qld Feb 26 – Mar 9 www.roxypro.com.au The women of the surfing world kick off their tour on the Gold Coast along with the men. Is there any better way to start back at work than in a bikini at Snapper Rocks?

Rip Curl Women’s Pro presEnted by ford fiesta

Bells Beach, Vic, April 19 – 25 www.ripcurl.com.au The bikinis are well and truly packed away now and the ladies rubber up against the elements of Torquay. It’s not always cold though because when the ladies hit the Bells bowl, things are sure to heat up.

SUBARU PRO Tsb bank women’s surf festival

Taranaki, New Zealand, April 27 – May 1 www.nzsurffestival.co.nz In the spirit of cold water the tour heads across the ditch to New Zealand. In its second year the TSB Women’s Surf Fest is quickly becoming a favourite amongst the girls.

commonwealth bank beachley classic

Dee Why, NSW, May 3 – 8 www.beachleyclassic.com Back on Aussie soil and the home of seven-time World Champion, Layne Beachley’s event, the girls set the Northern Beaches alight – always a crowd favourite.

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BILLABONG RIO PRO

Rio de Janiero, Brazil, May 12 - 16 They love surfing in Brazil, more fans turn up to an event there than anywhere else on tour and with a strong Brazilian contingent back on home soil this event is sure to impress.

Movistar, Peru Classic presented by IPD

San Bartolo, Lima, Peru, Dates TBA *Tentative This is event is tentative for the moment but fingers crossed we’ll see it go down on Sophia Mulanovich’s home turf.

TBA

San Sebastian, Basque country, Sept 7 – 13 The ladies head to Europe and rocket into the punchy beachbreaks of the Basque country.

rip curl search

Somewhere, Nov 1 - 11 *Tentative www.ripcurl.com.au Tentative at this stage but no one knows where it is anyway, it’s a secret. Stay tuned.

World cup

Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii Nov 24 – Dec 6 *Tentative www.triplecrownofsurfing.com Another tentative event for now but hopefully another year of amazing surfing will culminate in the cyan waters of Hawaii. The girls get tested by the bombs of Sunset and the movers and shakers of the tour toast the end to another season.

25/1/11 5:39:20 PM

FORGET STAGE FRIGHT, THE QUIKSILVER PRO CAN’T WAIT FOR THE CURTAIN TO RISE

The Quiksilver Pro is the first port of call for the planet’s top surfers, thus bestowing upon Quiksilver the responsibility of cooking up an event that will get the saltwater saliva flowing after a couple of months hibernation. And when you look at the set of surfing ingredients they have to work with on the Gold Coast it’s little wonder that every year the surfing world comes to the table ready for a feast. The Gold Coast is Australia’s surf city, and the sport seems to infuse itself into every facet of the place. Combine that with one of the world’s best pointbreaks, the tropical climate, beautiful women, endless parties and the 34 best surfers on the planet, and you’ve got yourself one hell of an event.

It’s the Quiksilver Pro, and you’d best come prepared for anything.

QUIKSILVER PRO BY NUMBERS 200 Average number of beers drunk before lunchtime on a competition day on the deck of the Rainbow Bay Surf Club 100 The average decibel reading of the banter on the deck at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club 3 The number of trips to the chiropractor you’ll have to make after developing RSI of the neck from perving 34 The number of the world’s best surfers you’ll be able to watch destroy one of the highest performance waves on the planet 3400 The number of other surfers you’ll be competing with for a wave outside contest hours 50,000 Average number of hangovers on any given day during the Quiksilver Pro 1 The total number of goofy footers who have won the event in its history – Michael Lowe in 2004 4am The time you’ll have to get up in the hope of scoring a set wave at Snapper 2 the distance in kilometres you face on the run back to Snapper should you surf down to Kirra 3 The layers of skin missing from the thighs and groin after succumbing to boardie

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rash at the end of a day surfing the superbank 10 The intensity on the Pain scale when said rashes hit a hot shower 425,000 The $US up for grabs at this year’s Quiksilver Pro 0 The square feet of beach available for spectating when the comp is in full swing 37 the average time in seconds spent in the tube by each competitor during the Quiksilver Pro 11 The number of years the Quiksilver Pro has been running 5 The number of times the Quiksilver Pro has been won by a local – twice by Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson and once by Dean Morrison 4 The number of separate surf spots that combined to form the superbank – Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Kirra 7 The average number of attempts needed by the Tracks team to make it out on a solid swell 5 Kilograms of sand you’ll wash from your orifices after coming to grief at solid Kirra 2 The litres of Betadine you’ll need if you mistime the rock jump at snapper.

25/1/11 5:15:42 PM

KELLY IS THE ONLY PERSON OTHER THAN THE LOCAL DUO OF JOEL PARKINSON AND MICK FANNING TO HAVE WON THE QUIKSILVER PRO TWICE. NATE SMITH

WHEN: FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 9 WHERE: SNAPPER ROCKS, COOLANGATTA TOTAL PRIZE MONEY: $US 425,000 WEBCAST: QUIKSILVERPRO.COM.AU MOBILE OPTIONS: D-BAH - STRADBROKE ISLAND

NATE SMITH

TRASP11 036-37 QUIK PRO 01.indd 37

STEVE RYAN

NATE SMITH

25/1/11 5:15:59 PM

SALLY FITZGIBBONS IN THE ZONE AT LAST YEAR’S ROXY PRO. JOLI

WHEN: FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 9 WHERE: SNAPPER ROCKS, COOLANGATTA TOTAL PRIZE MONEY: $US 110,000 WEBCAST: ROXYPRO.COM.AU MOBILE OPTIONS: D-BAH - STRADBROKE ISLAND

LIQUID DANCEFLOOR THE ROXY PRO IS IN TOWN, AND IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN. BY JESSI MILEY-DYER

It’s once again time for the girls to hit the waves and as always the best women surfers in the world will be kicking off the season on Australia’s Gold Coast. The event has become a favourite amongst the girls and the competition is fierce. It is a contest that can make and break careers. Just ask Steph Gilmore, who at 17 years of age won the 2005 event as a little-known wildcard. Or Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, who at only 14 years defeated seven-time world champion Layne Beachley on her run to a semi final finish in the 2007 event. 2011 sees the Roxy Pro celebrate its tenth birthday and you can bet the top 17 women will all be vying to make their own mark on surfing history. Be there!

A FRESH START Oh the excitement! The Roxy Pro Gold Coast is like the first day back at school when you’re a kid. Catching up with friends, discussing what we’ve done over the holidays, and instead of a new pencil case, I’ve got a new boardbag filled with fresh sticks. There’s always a buzz in the air on the Goldy, and I love a bit of positive energy!

ASP BANQUET There’s nothing like a good party to start the year, and the banquet is usually just what the doctor ordered [even though I need a good day to recover from jumping around like an idiot in heels for most of the night]. It’s always good fun to see your mates get their trophies too.

COFFEE SHOPS The stretch of shops at Greenmount is usually pretty amazing for coffee, and half the ASP Women’s World Tour

TRASP11 038 ROXY PRO.indd 38

can generally be found in either Sean Scott, Raw Energy or Bellakai, smashing six coffees, some toast and maybe a brownie or five.

CROWD The Snapper event is one of the few stops where I see the crowd really get into it. I reckon it’s awesome that they get so behind the surfers, especially their local stars. The crowd also provides cover so I can stalk Kelly Slater during his heats. I’ve got some awesome shots of him running from me from last year.

EXPRESSION SESSIONS I spend half my time down at the contest waiting for my heats to run, and the other half trying to twist Rod Brooks’ arm into giving us an hour long expression session every day. Who wouldn’t want to surf the superbank with no one out? You can’t blame me for trying.

25/1/11 5:14:31 PM

THE BELLS EASTER CLASSIC CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

If there’s ever a surf festival you wanted to be part of, this it. 2011 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Bells Easter Classic, the longest running professional surfing event in the world. Rip Curl have invited every past champion to attend and as you wander through the famed Bells/Winki carpark you’ll spot the likes of Simon Anderson, Michael Peterson, Jeff Hakman, Tom Curren, Mark Richards, Sunny Garcia and Damian Hardman, staring fondly towards a lineup they have all tamed. The planned expression session between the past winners promises to be one of the highlights of the event, as does the release of the book commemorating 50 years of Bells. Meanwhile 34 of the best surfers in the world, along with two wildcards will be duelling it out for the most coveted trophy in surfing. There’s still no better place on the globe to stand on a cliff-top and watch the world’s best surfers take apart a lineup. If you can’t be there to soak up the nostalgia and Southern Ocean stoke, make sure you are parked in front of a TV or computer over Easter.

RIP CURL PRO BY NUMBERS 34 Number of WT surfers at the Tracks party 24 Number of WT surfers praying for a lay day the night after the Tracks party 8 Average number of hours spent by surfers with foxtel in front of TV during The Rip Curl Pro 180 Number of random visits you will likely receive from mates without foxtel during the Rip Curl Pro 14 The age of Nicky Wood when he finished 17th at Bells 16 Nicky’s age when he won the event 300 Number of metres travelled on a Winkipop ride that links up all the sections 350 Number of stairs climbed at Winki after several 300 metre rides 3 Number of people required to help you walk for the next three days after a Winkipop session 49 Number of past winner autographs secured by the keenest kid at the contest 50 The number of autographs claimed by his sister and no she’s not trading them for anything 86 The year which played host to the heat between Tom Curren and Mark Occhilupo, arguably the greatest heat in Rip Curl Pro history 6 The total number of colours which appeared on their wetsuits in that monumental heat 4 Bells titles won by Mark Richards, who has rung the prestigious trophy more times than any surfer 5 The number of times Sunny Garcia and Damian Hardman each made the final of Bells. Sunny won three. Damian won two 0 The number of kooks who have won at Bells, according to 1990 Bells winner, Shane Dorian 10 Minutes. According to Nick Carroll’s 1981 Tracks report, this is how long you could see a set coming for on Big Saturday, 1981 at Bells.

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JOLI

25/1/11 5:41:39 PM

2001 BELL RINGER, MICK FANNING WILL BE TRYING TO TORQUE HIS WAY INTO AN INTIMATE REUNION ON THEIR TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY. NATE SMITH

WHEN: APRIL 19 - 30 WHERE: BELLS BEACH, TORQUAY TOTAL PRIZE MONEY: $US 425,000 WEBCAST: RIPCURL.COM.AU MOBILE OPTIONS: WINKIPOP, JOHANNA AND PHILLIP ISLAND

JOLI

TRASP11 040-41 RIP PRO.indd 41

JOLI

NATE SMITH

27/1/11 4:34:40 PM

ASP/KIRSTIN

WHEN: APRIL 19 - 25 WHERE: BELLS BEACH, VICTORIA TOTAL PRIZE MONEY: $US 110,000 WEBCAST: RIPCURL.COM.AU MOBILE OPTIONS: WINKIPOP, JOHANNA AND PHILLIP ISLAND

BLUEBELLS THE GIRLS HEAD SOUTH FOR A CHANCE TO ENGRAVE THEIR NAME ON ONE OF SURFING’S GREAT TROPHIES.

BY JESSI MILEY-DYER

Time to ditch the bikinis for some serious rubber. As the Easter bunny goes through his final training before hopping around the globe, the world’s first ladies of the waves will be hopping about two-and-a-half hours south on a flight from the Gold Coast. The girls won’t be the only things heading south, as the temperature in Victoria is significantly cooler in and out of the water. As with the men, the trophy at Bells Beach is one of the most sought after on the tour. So much so that 2009 winner Silvana Lima promptly went out and had the Bells trophy inked down the right hand side of her torso after taking the title. So you can look forward to some passionate competition from the girls in one of the world’s great surfing amphitheatres.

IT’S SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO WEAR UGG BOOTS OUT OF THE HOUSE.

I love Victoria [or Mexico as Sydney-siders such as myself like to call it] because of the fact that it is so cold all the time. Usually this would be a negative but it gives me an excuse to wear my ugg boots everywhere. The Bells carpark, dinner, shopping… everywhere! I think if I had to choose between bringing a boy and taking my uggies, they might win.

EVENT SPONSOR PRODUCT

The Ripcurl Pro at Bells always has awesome sponsors. Great support from Chiko Rolls and Snickers equates to the girls and I scoffing chocolate and mystery meats in post-event celebrations.

There’s no other time of year I’d let myself eat a Chiko Roll before 4am.

13TH BEACH

When the contest is on at small Rincon, there’s always a little

TRASP11 042 RIP PRO WOMENS.indd 42

peak for the girls and I to share at my secret spot – 13th Beach.

Now that I’ve told you about it, you better not all rock up there at the same time as me. Though I don’t mind if I get to call shotgun on the sets.

DRIVING TO THE COMP WHEN IT’S BIG

The drive down to the comp site in the early hours of the morning is almost the best thing about Bells when it’s good. Racing [I mean, driving at the speed limit of 70] down the hill you can just see the peak of each set. Add an offshore wind and you may just choke on your coffee [six shots, three sugars] in excitement.

EASTER SUNDAY

Every year the event runs through the Easter long weekend, and I love it when we run on Easter Sunday because there’s always a few eggs and hot cross buns in the competitor’s area. I always worry that the Easter Bunny won’t know where to find me when I’m away, but every year he delivers to my door!

25/1/11 5:15:03 PM

MR’S TROPHY SHOULD THE MARK RICHARDS TROPHY BE ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER IN SURFING? Surfers have been travelling to the Newcastle Pro since 1985, hunting valuable ratings points and revelling in the goodwill shown to them by some of the most hospitable people in the country. “It’s the sort of town where you give a smile and get a smile in return,” suggests Warren Smith, who has been involved in organising the event since it begun. Warren’s real mission is to see the Newcastle Pro looked upon with a new level of prestige, if not for the prize money offered then certainly on the basis of the man handing out the trophy. “I realise these guys deserve to be paid well for what they do but we are hoping that a Mark Richards trophy will mean more to any surfer than any amount of money… It would be great to see the ASP move in a direction where certain trophies have a higher value because of what they represent rather than how much you win.”

Taj Burrow and Bede Durbidge are two of the world’s best surfers who will be doing everything they can to win silverware named in honour of Mark Richards. The world numbers three and five respectively have confirmed they will be heading south after the Quik Pro. The contest is now held at Merewether Beach, which has the capacity to hold massive swells, but whatever happens wave-wise the Burton Toyota Pro will be the feel-good contest of the Australian tour leg.

A COUPLE OF BIG MOMENTS IN NEWCASTLE PRO HISTORY 1986: SOUTHERLY BUSTER

The Tom Curren, Mark Occhilupo rivalry is in full swing when both surfers paddle out for the final of the Newcastle, BHP, Steel City Pro in 1986. Occy has been informed that a southerly is going to hit during the final. Consequently he catches two waves in the first five minutes and shoots to the lead. When the southerly hits and the waves turn to mush, Curren is left blowing in the wind. Occy goes on to tell the press he sensed the southerly coming because of the spray in his eyes. In his recent book by Tim Baker he admits that part was bullshit.

2010: LOCAL LEPRECHAUN

Perhaps you could put it down to the luck of the Irish but there was no faulting Glenn “Micro” Hall’s performance in the final of last year’s Newcastle Pro. Although Micro lived just down the road at Umina he was competing under an Irish passport. Micro’s history with the event goes way back. 14 years earlier a 14 year-old Hall had won $300 and convinced his mum to let him use it to enter the event. So you can be sure he’ll be back this year to defend his title.

MEREWETHER CAN SERVE UP A LOT MORE THAN JUST PRESTIGE. BOSKO

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PRIME RIVER SIX STAR PRIME EVENTS HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. TELSTRADRUGAWAREPRO.COM Surfing’s elite will take on the iconic big waves at Surfer’s Point, Margaret River this April to compete in Western Australia’s biggest ever surfing event. The 2011 event brings about some major changes with the introduction of the newly created ASP One World Tour format. Australia’s leading telecommunications company, Telstra will join current sponsor Drug Aware in the shared naming rights. This, along with an increase in funding from state government body, Healthway, has resulted in the men’s event now being upgraded to the Prime Tour [after meeting the new ASP criteria] and the prize purse being increased to a massive US$250,000.

self into a massive air reverse followed by another two forehand punts, scoring a perfect 10 and the win.

2. MARGARET RIVER GETS BIG

THREE GOOD REASONS TO GO TO THE TELSTRA DRUG AWARE PRO AT MARGARET RIVER

Surfer’s Point, Margaret River is considered to be one of the world’s premier big wave destinations, with waves ranging from four-to-20 foot. Giant swells are generated by big storms way down in the roaring forties as they traverse across the vast Indian Ocean. The swells travel uninterrupted up along the Western Australian coastline, and as they come out of the deep water and hit the ancient limestone reefs of Surfer’s Point they unload with fierce power. Surfers will need to wax up their big boards when they take on Margs.

1. THE WEST PROMISES EXCITEMENT

3. THERE’S MORE THAN JUST SURFING

While not traditionally known as an air show, last year’s final saw two masters of the skyways – Taj Burrow and Josh Kerr – go head to head for the crown. An in-form Taj dominated for most of the final in front of his local crowd, until in the dying minutes Josh sniffed out a last-gasp lump of ocean and proceded to propel him-

If there’s no waves or you’re after a bit of a break from the action in the water, then never fear. The Telstra Drug Aware Pro is part of a total package of events that includes a music and arts festival. And let’s not forget; you’re in wine country with some of Australia’s finest drops located in Margaret River.

LAST YEAR’S CHAMP, JOSH KERR FLYING HIGH AT MARGS. NICK WOOLACOT

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SUB ZERO NEW ZEALAND RUGS UP FOR THE COLDWATER CLASSIC

A LONG GREEN WALL LINES UP IN THE LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD. NATE SMITH

The O’Neill Coldwater Classic series continues to get bigger and better. Last year, the Apple Isle hosted the first event of the season as it was ironically confronted with a rare heat wave [by Tasmania’s standards anyway]. But the event soldiered on with Stuart Kennedy pocketing US $20,000 for the win.

This year the Coldwater Classic heads over to Gisborne on the North Island of New Zealand and it’s the first time our eastern cousins have hosted a Six-Star Prime event.

“To have an event of this stature come to New Zealand is absolutely awesome,” says Clint Daley, President of the Gisborne Boardriders. “Not only will we get to view the best surfers in the

world but we have a great opportunity to put our best local and national surfing talent in the event.”

Last year’s series winner Shaun Cansdell will be looking to make an impact right from the first event. “It is amazing to have New Zealand in this year’s Coldwater Classic Series lineup. The locations we have been to over the last two years have been spectacular in terms of scenery, surf, and the local reception to us being there. I know Gisborne will add to this and I can’t wait to get there,” said an enthusiastic Shaun who will be looking to stick another 50 grand in his wallet this year by taking out a second consecutive series win.

BREAKA LEG COMPETITION RETURNS TO ITS SPIRITUAL HOME OF BURLEIGH FOR THE BREAKA PRO In 2010 Breaka brought competitive surfing back to its spiritual home for the inaugural Breaka Burleigh Pro. In decades past the headland at Burleigh has provided a perfect vantage point for punters, with the boulders littering the shoreline proving a great spot to plant one’s backside and watch a day of action-packed surfing.

And not much has changed. Like a flashback to the iconic Stubbies events of the 70s last year saw summer-filled, bronzed Aussies lining the point and frolicking in the rockpools while some of the world’s greatest surfers did their thing only metres away. This is the event where last year’s winner, Taj Burrow carried over his white-hot form [and his winning streak] from Pipe to the first World Tour event of the year at Snapper Rocks, “It’s so great to be back at Burleigh Heads,” beamed Taj after his win, “I’ve spent a lot of time here over the years and it’s such a great wave, so to be able to win the very first competition here in so long is great.”

For pro surfing enthusiasts this four-star event will once again have a star-studded lineup, attracting some of the biggest names in the surfersphere. Last year’s inaugural event attracted half of the top 45 and even a host of past champions like Mark Occhilupo and Nicky Wood.

To top it off in 2011 there is an US$85,000 prize pool up for grabs and a weather prediction of up to six cyclones set to hit Queensland, so all the stars are aligned for a Burleigh barrel shootout.

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LAST YEAR’S WINNER, TAJ BURROW BOOSTS FOR THE BURLEIGH CROWD. J

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