The ‘Circle One Portrush Open’, to be held 27th– 28th October 2007 in Portrush, Northern Ireland, is a brand new event, the 7th of 8 UK Pro Tour competitions being held this year at some of the best surf venues in the country. For the first time ‘Circle One’ will be the main sponsor of a professional surf competition- a ground breaking new tour venue, the first ever seen in Northern Ireland.

Dave Reed, Director of the UK Pro Surf Tour states,” Expanding the tour further a field up from Thurso, Scotland and overseas to one of the most scenic countries alone and more challenging waves opens such an array of opportunities for our field of international athletes on tour. With great support from our main event sponsor, Circle One, this leg of the tour is expected to be a success”.
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(Sep. 16th Zarautz, Basque Country – Spain) Aritz Aranburu (EUK) won the first edition of the Zarautz Pro Surf 3 Star WQS event this afternoon in his home village of Zarautz, giving the thousands of spectators an intense surprise.

Always consistent throughout the four days of competition, the Basque surfer confirmed his favourite status with his current World Qualifying Series 11th rank. Starting slowly in the thirty-minute decider Aranburu faced an impressive level of surfing from his closest opponents Marlon Lipke (DEU) and Shaun Gossmann (AUS).

Posting an excellent 8.27 pts ride halfway through the battle, Aranaburu waited not more than three minutes before catching up with the german leader and powerhouse surfer Lipke when he secured another excellent 9.07 single wave score to post the second highest two wave combined tally of the event with 18.00 points out of possible 20.

“So stoked to get this title at home… I really felt no pressure and having the whole crowd behind me pushed me further to get these highscores. Marlon surfed really well and it wasn’t easy to catch up but it all came to the best end possible for me.”
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LOWER TRESTLES, California (Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007) – Reigning and 8X Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has won his first event in over a year, moved to current World No. 2, and broke a world record after beating Pancho Sullivan (HAW) in the Final of the 2007 Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley today.

“It’ll be nice to go and sit down and think about this one,” Slater said. “This will be a neat little tournament for my career. I’m a little bummed because I didn’t feel like I capitalized on the waves I had, and it was frustrating, but just to get that win was important. We had similar conditions to 1990 when I won out here, so it was pretty magical.”

The victory marks Slater’s 34th ASP World Tour win and earns him the record for the most elite tour event victories in history.  Former three-time ASP World Champion Tom Curren (USA) set the record with his 33rd event win 16 years ago.  Slater tied Curren with his 2006 Bells Beach victory and, despite featuring in four finals in the 16 months since, hadn’t broken the record until today.

“Part of me is kind of sad,” Slater said. “I was hoping Tom and I would end up on the same number forever, but somebody is bound to come along and get to where I got. You’ve got to surf to the standards, but someone else is always going to be coming along that has the time and desire.”

Slater has been in the last four Boost Mobile Pro finals. He finished runner-up in 2004 and 2006, and claimed wins in 2007 and in 2005. His win today puts him 230 points behind Foster’s ASP ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) and has positioned him as a strong contender for the 2007 World Title.

“Now I’ve almost got as many points as I had accrued last year,” Slater said. “I didn’t think I was that intensely focused this week, I felt calm and happy. We’ll see what happens in France. After this I could really capitalize on everything.”

Sullivan, who is into his sophomore year on tour, posted his best result to date with his runner-up finish to Slater.  The powerful Hawaiian was a standout performer on the final day of competition, besting Neco Padaratz (BRA), Troy Brooks (AUS) and Jeremy Flores (FRA) on his way to meeting Slater in the Final. He needed a medium-scoring ride – a 6.98 – to take the heat from Slater.

“It was a little frustrating, especially needing such a small score at the end and having priority and not being able to do anything, but that’s the surfing competition,” Sullivan said. “I still made it to the Final and hopefully I can carry some momentum into Europe and keep improving. It was really inconsistent but there were a few moments where we saw some spectacular surfing. I think all in all it turned out to be a great event.”

Sullivan has jumped eight spots from World No. 16 to World No. 8 with his runner-up finish today.

“I feel really good to get a good strong result like this,” Sullivan said. “I feel like my preparation was really good, I’ve been to every event this year and my scores have been really good. I felt it was just a matter of time before everything clicked. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a really good opportunity in the Final, but next week is another event and hopefully I can keep going.”

Flores, 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie, put in a stunning finals day performance, attacking the roping Lowers righthanders with style, punch and bite.  The Frenchman dispatched of Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) and C.J. Hobgood (USA) en route to his first career Semifinal berth and 3rd place finish.

“I was so happy until that heat; it was the best result of my life,” Flores said. “I have been having the best time of my life. That was the worst way to lose, the worst way. I actually had a good wave, a real fun wave, and I surfed it bad the whole way. I couldn’t believe it, the waves were so good before my heat that I was jumping around, feeling so lucky that I was going to be able to surf man on man in those conditions. I was so, so stoked.”

Despite going down to Sullivan in the Semifinal, Flores has jumped to 9th on the Foster’s ASP World Tour – a move that puts him as the highest-rated rookie on the 2007 tour. Kai Otton (AUS) and Ben Dunn (AUS), rated 18th and 19th respectively, are his closest ‘Rookie of the Year’ competition.

Tom Whitaker (AUS) had to fend off countrymen Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and Ben Dunn (AUS) to meet Slater in the Semifinals, but the fleet-footed Australian was unable to match the Champ’s prowess.

“It’s disappointing, but its fun to surf against Kelly,” Whitaker said. “You’ve got to bring your A-game. He looks at waves that you think he should get a 6.0 or 7.0 but he makes them 8.0s and 9.0s. I caught a couple of edges and didn’t get my way.”

Whitaker’s equal 3rd finish today is a far cry from the two 33rd (last place) results he posted at the two world tour events previous to the Boost Mobile Pro. He’s moved to World No. 15 after the result.

“I dropped one of those 3s off the end of a 33rd, those were terrible,” Whitaker said. “It’s good to start the second half of the year off like that.”

The next stop on the Foster’s ASP World Tour will be the Quiksilver Pro France running from Sept. 20-30, 2007.

For more information, log on to www.aspworldtour.com.

FINAL:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 13.40
2 – Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 10.60

BOOST MOBILE PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 15.24 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 5.33
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.83 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.33

BOOST MOBILE PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.17 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 8.00
QF 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.17 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.67
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.60 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 16.67
QF 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.83 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 14.93

BOOST MOBILE PRO ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Troy Brooks (AUS) 14.00 def. Chris Ward (USA) 11.40
Heat 2: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 13.47 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 11.17
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.94 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 9.83
Heat 4: C.J Hobgood (USA) 17.57 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 9.23
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.74 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 8.50
Heat 6: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.67
Heat 7: Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.67 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.40
Heat 8: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 16.77 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 12.93

Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after Stop No. 6 the Boost Mobile Pro pres. by Hurley
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 5270
2. Kelly Slater (USA)  5040
3. Taj Burrow (AUS)  4511
4. Andy Irons (HAW)  4331
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4029
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3824
7. Bede Durbidge (AUS)    3467
8. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)  3462
9. Jeremy Flores (FRA)    3438
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 3248

Movistar Pantin Classic 20th Edition
ASP Men’s 4 STAR / Women’s 3 STAR World Qualifying Series (WQS) event
ASP Men’s European Pro Surf Tour Stop #9 / Women’s Final Stop
Pantin - Spain
Prizemoney US$ 75,000 / US$ 15,000
4 September – 9 September 2007

MARLON LIPKE (DEU) AND PAULINE ADO (FRA) WIN MOVISTAR PANTIN CLASSIC !
LEE ANN CURREN (FRA) CLINCHES 2007 WOMEN’S EUROPEAN PRO SURF TOUR TITLE !
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Rip Curl Girls Festival Spain
Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour
Santander, Liencres, Spain
September 4-9, 2007

SOFIA MULANOVICH CROWNED RIP CURL GIRLS FESTIVAL CHAMPION

LIENCRES, Spain (Friday, Sept. 7, 2007) – 2004 ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) stepped up to the poduim’s highest block at the Rip Curl Girls Festival in Liencres today, when she defeated Silvana Lima (BRA )to win Stop No. 4 of 7 on surfing’s elite ASP Women’s World Tour.
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BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA
Mundaka, Euskadi (North of Spain)
October 2-14, 2007
8th stop on the ASP Fosters World Championship Tour (WCT)
USD $ 300 000 prize money
www.billabongpro.com
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Young British surfers across the country are putting in hours of training in preparation for the 2007 Billabong British Junior Championships. The teams at the British Surfing Association (BSA) and sponsors Billabong, Calypso and North Cornwall District Council are also planning the final arrangements and preparing themselves for what is expected to be the biggest ever entry. The championships, widely recognised as one of the key events on the British surf calendar and selection event for the World Junior Surfing Games 2008, will take place on 15th and 16th September at Widemouth Bay in Bude in North Cornwall. (more…)

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

LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.boostmobilepro.com

BOOST MOBILE PRO PRESENTED BY HURLEY GOES LIVE WORLDWIDE SEPT. 9-15

LOWER TRESTLES, California (Monday, Aug. 27, 2007) The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley, the only 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour event on the U.S. Mainland, brings the planet’s best surfers to the world via a live webcast at www.BoostMobilePro.com. Last year’s Boost Mobile Pro webcast set new standards in live online viewing and in 2007 the webcast experience will be elevated yet again as the World’s top surfers compete for $300,000 in prize money.
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What a great start to the bank holiday weekend with the third leg of the UK Pro Tour undergone at Widemouth Bay. With excellent summer conditions and small 1-2 ft clean waves the tour riders showed off their incredible talent in what was seen as quite challengeable surfing conditions. With the contest kicking off early doors sat morning and surfers and spectators flooding down Friday night to enjoy the event, the first heat of the day was the groms under 12’s followed by the under16 girls and boys.

The u12’s divisions once again saw a mass of entries with our youngsters becoming even more enthusiastic and involved in surfing. A great final was seen with youngster Harry Timson taking the title for yet another year running. Newquay based surfer Timson went on to say;

“I’m stoked I’ve had a good time in Widemouth Bay Bude, I’ve been having lots of fun and getting some very good results,” said young Timson. “I couldn’t have expected anything more, so I’m happy and confident for the next events.”

The u16 boys winner Josh Piper proved himself after a close final between Jack Butler, 2nd, Tom Good, 3rd and Alex Baker, 4th.Local Watergate Bay Boy Piper eventually came to the front after an exceptional surf with dropping conditions he pulled through to take the u16’s title. The last heat of the day was the u16’s girls with Gwen Spurlock once again shocking the crowds with her dominant surfing style hitting her bottom and top turns with force and with style, Gwen caught two good waves early in the heat, Holly tried to catch up but couldn’t quite get there resulting in a win from Gwen.

Sunday saw the men’s open heats in the water, starting off with round two of the men’s divisions great surfing was seen by all contenders who were putting all they had into surfing well and seeking to take the title for this event. Mark “Egor” Harris who is currently seeded in first position in ratings surfed well making it through to the semi-finals where he unfortunately was knocked out by “Hot Tuna’s” Micah Lester and Johnny Fryer. Hot tuna team riders Toby Atkins and Micah Lester showed a great performance with Micah throwing his spray all the way to the finals. With an unfortunate lack of waves and loss of momentum, the budding 27 year old found it hard to catch the waves needed to put him in to the leading positions.

Previous tour winner, Micah went on further to say;

“I am so excited to be back here for yet another year running, the tour is getting better every event location I come to. Widemouth Bay is a great mobile location with stunning views and waves to be had. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the waves I needed to win, coming from Australia I find the tides hard to work with and the waves I needed just didn’t seem to come through for me.”

The Hot Tuna women’s final took to the water also with a fantastic new entry by Dara Penfold from Australia dominating the final, scoring a perfect ten on her last wave. However a fantastic performance was put in by Beth Maison who was the runner up followed by Irelands Easkey Britton and Croyde based surfer Kathleen Spears.

While conditions were even more challenging for the final, given the light on-shore winds that made the ocean surface bumpy, wave size and consistency was there, making for highly contestable surf. Known for his powerful surfing and strong rail-to-rail turns, Lamiroy commandeered the 25-minute final to bring home the win. “It was a satisfying result”, Lamiroy went on to say;

“I’m stoked to still be going strong. I hope I’m out there when I’m 70.”

“I guess they were looking for big turns and hard turns, I had to be on top of my game in the final, if you lose one inch in conditions like this with these guys out there- they’ll just take it over, so I’m feeling pretty lucky.”

The Relentless Money Move for the most progressive maneuver went to Ollie Adams with his incredible air reverse winning him the £250 prize money
“I had a fantastic event and look forward to winning an event tittles on the tour in the future”, Ollie quoted.

What a great Bank holiday weekend with Hot Tuna being our main sponsor for this event and our new on going tour sponsors G-Shock, Skinners ale and relentless energy drink providing us with great entertainment, refreshments and food throughout the weekend. Not to forget to mention K38 rescue services that provided safety cover.

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