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Ahhhh, Cobras! Posted: August 2, 2008
I am lucky to be alive. Last night on my way home from dinner, me and my friend Travis were walking between a sewer infested gutter and a Bali road when I stepped on a Cobra. I picked it up and it was about to bite me and so I threw it on Travis, and it bit his neck! It was classic.
Nah..just kiddin, but we did see a big snake... don't know what kind it was. Tiago Pires beat Kelly today, that was good. Now Andy has a good chance to win his 3rd seach event in a row. I surfed after the contest today and the waves were good but super tricky. My brother Alex just got here and I'm psyched to see him.--Koa
Express Yourself, Posted: August 1, 2008
Today was an interesting day, it started with eating breakfast at 10:15 after sleeping in, Dylan Slater called and said he wanted to put me in the expression session that started in 45 minutes. Usually it takes 35 minutes to get to Somewhere in Indo, but Made, our driver, raced there as fast as he could, and we got there just in time. On the way out, I saw a Kamodo dragon, clinging to the cliff 3 feet away from us. It was kind of nuts!
In the Expression session, there were 12 of the best local indo surfers, Tom Curran, his kids and me. It was suppose to be a 35 minute session, but turned out to be a hour and 20 minute session. We spent the rest of the day watching the CT, until 4, then we went to another wave Somewhere else, it was small, cold and barreling! We surfed til dark! I got dry docked a few times but it was worth it!--Koa
Kelly Switch, Posted: July 30, 2008
Whatsup World. Today the Rip Curl Search started off with epic waves somewhere in Indo. From the heats I watched Andy, Joel, and Kelly stood out with amazing barrel riding skills. Kelly did this weird switch foot thing between barrels and proved he's a freak.
How random is this? During the contest a parade of six monkeys walked through the contest area scavenging for waters and cokes.
Today was the hottest day yet. After watching a bunch of heats, I needed to get wet, so I went and surfed another epic wave....somewhere in Indo.
After I surfed I met the Octopus Man. He was a 4' 6", 70 year old and he had no teeth. They call him the Octopus Man, because he is the master at catching octopus. He said he would take me to his secret spot..somewhere in Indo! --Koa
Dinner Time, Posted: July 27, 2008.
So I’ve been in Bali seven days now and the waves have been really, really good the whole time. I’ve pretty much been hanging out at Bingin every day until about two days ago when I got pretty smashed on the reef. While I’ve been healing up, I caught up on my sleep and went golfing. Our Balinese friend Nyomen (aka Jimmy) took us to his place on the beach at Balangan and we had dinner with his whole family. It was an awesome experience and one of the best dinners I have ever had. We had snapper, prawns, tuna, and calamari. So I’m pretty much healed up and am ready to go back in the water today! Thanks for listening! --Koa
Check out all the live action from The Rip Curl Search...And While You're At It, Don't Forget About Your Fantasy Surfer Squad.
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 HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Saturday, July 26, 2008) - Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), 14, has claimed the GO211 LIVE featuring the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill over fellow finalist Coco Ho (North Shore, HI), 17 both young Hawaiians making ASP history as the youngest finalists in a U.S. Open event,in two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Huntington Beach Pier.
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event saw some incredible performances today, but none as impressive as the young Hawaiians taking down some of the biggest names in professional surfing.
“I’m so stoked right now,” Manuel said. “My sponsors gave me the wildcard into this event and I was just happy to be here. To get to surf against some of my heroes and to be in the Final with my friend Coco (Ho) is just something I would have never dreamed of.”
Sticking to her game plan throughout the event, Manuel started strong in the opening moments of the Final, securing two lengthy righthanders to post solid scores while her opponent struggled to find her footing in the challenging afternoon conditions.
“There weren’t many waves out there this afternoon which was too bad,” Manuel said. “I just got lucky that a couple linked up for me and I was able get some scores under my belt.”
Manuel issued huge upsets today, defeating former ASP Women’s World Champion and 2006 U.S. Open Champion Sofia Mulanovich (Lima, PER) in her Quarterfinals heat before posting a dominating heat win over current ASP WQS ratings leader Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS) as well as an impressive win over Ho en route to becoming the youngest U.S. Open Winner ever.
Ho issued her share of shocking upsets as well, defeating ASP Women’s World Tour veteran Melanie Bartels (Makaha, HI) and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending U.S. Open Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, AUS) on her way to the final. Ho’s potential sweep of both the women’s events was stopped by Manuel’s Honda U.S. Open Final victory.
“The conditions really came down to the one who got the wave with the wall,” Ho said. “I couldn’t find my feet and I had to watch her catch a really good right. It was just cool being in the Final, because it was my goal to just make the Quarters, so I’m over the moon.”
Fitzgibbons, who has already qualified for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, finished in equal third-place behind Manuel, increasing her ASP WQS ratings lead over the field.
“Malia was surfing really well and got off to a great start and just kept going from there,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was hard to play catch-up with the waves that were coming through and she’s the deserving heat winner.”
Fitzgibbons will take a break and miss the ASP WQS 6-Star event in Portugal to recharge, but will be back and ready for when competition resumes in Hawaii.
Gilmore, who finished equal third as well, was defeated in her Semifinals heat by event standout Ho. Gilmore put in a hard-fought battle against the young North Shore native, but could not find the score she needed to advance over her opponent.
“I’ve been watching Coco (Ho) the whole event and she’s probably my favorite up-and-coming surfer,” Gilmore said. “It was cool to have a heat with her and see what her strategies are. These are some really valuable points on my WQS seeding. I’m bummed I didn’t get the win, but that’s competition.”
Gilmore will travel from the Honda U.S. Open in Huntington to France for the next ASP Women’s World Tour event, where the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle will take place from August 28-September 1, 2008 in Hossegor, France.
The ASP WQS women’s competitors will head from Huntington to Portugal for another ASP WQS 6-Star event, the Billabong Girls Cascais Festival, which will be held in Guincho, Portugal from July 31 – August 3, 2008
In addition to the finale of the U.S. Open Women’s event, the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior came to a close today with Honda U.S. Open Finalist Ho claiming victory over fellow finalists Nikita Robb (East London, ZAF), Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA) and Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA) with a come-from-behind victory over Robb, edging out prodigious South African by seven tenths of a point.
“To be here standing on the beach with the crowd with the Pro Junior Title and the runner-up finish in the WQS, I’m really happy.” Ho said. “It’s been a long week of surfing and I’m going to Indo tomorrow with all of the girls that surfed in women’s Quarterfinals and just going to relax after the week.”
Robb jumped out into a commanding lead to open the ASP Grade-2 Women’s Pro Junior, but was unable to stave off the young Hawaiian.
“I started off really well and after I got those first two good waves I couldn’t find anything else,” Robb said “All the girls that were surfing out there were such amazing surfers, so you can’t really take it away from anyone. Coco is surfing well and she’s on fire and it’s just one of those things”
Erickson and Conlogue had solid showings throughout the entire event, but were unable to capitalize in the Final.
The GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill moved through the Round of 24 today, narrowing it down to the sweet 16 for tomorrow’s culmination. Today’s action saw local standout Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA) and fellow Californian Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA) dominated the Round of 24, both putting in impressive performances as they moved one step closer to clinching the 2008 Honda U.S. Open title.
Reyes, current No. 14 on the ASP World Tour, finished in first over event standouts Damien Fahrenfort (Durban, ZAF), who advanced in second, and Basque native Hodei Collazo (Basque Country, ESP), by posting a solid heat total of 16.67 out of a possible 20 point score.
“I was going to miss this event because the World Tour events are so close together,” Reyes said. “It’s home and you’ve got to make time for home. Obviously it brings a little bit of stress because you want to perform well in front of your family. I’m stoked with how things went today. I was in rhythm and that’s what you have to do.”
Curran posted the day’s highest Round of 5 heat total of 17.00 out of 20 points in an action packed heat against Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA) and Tahitian Michael Bourez (PYF).
“I knew I had two okay waves and I was just trying to back it up with a bigger score,” Curran said. “I made it through my heat so I’m stoked. I’m rated fourth on the WQS right now and this will be a good score for me, so I’m super excited.”
The final day of GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill can be seen LIVE at www.usopenofsurfing.comFor any other ASP inquires, check out www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.orgGO211 LIVE feat. the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill
Results:
Final:
1 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.34
2 – Coco Ho (HAW) 7.90
Semifinals Results (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.10 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.67
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 10.83 def Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6.83
Quarterfinals (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.83 def. Sofia Mulanovich (USA) 13.10
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.00 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 1.60
Heat 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.00 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.23
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.67 def. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 9.17
S-3 Supergirl Pro Junior Results:
Final:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 14.07
2 – Nikita Robb (ZAF) 14.00
3 – Sage Erickson (USA) 12.26
4 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 9.60
GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill Results:
Round of 24 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Tim Reyes (USA) 16.67, Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 12.33, Hodei Collazo (ESP) 10.00
Heat 2: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.84, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.13, Nick Rozsa (USA) 9.94
Heat 3: Brett Simpson (USA) 14.03, Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.00, Chris Davidson (AUS) 5.50
Heat 4: Dane Gudauskas (USA) 12.20, Cory Lopez (USA) 12.13, Adam Melling (AUS) 8.40
Heat 5: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 17.00, Chris Waring (USA) 12.10, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.33
Heat 6: Torrey Meister (HAW) 10.80, Roy Powers (HAW) 10.67, Kirk Flintoff (AUS) 9.67
Heat 7: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 13.83, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 12.27, Yuri Sodre (BRA) 6.13
Heat 8: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.67, Gabe Kling (USA) 12.23, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 8.94
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 HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, July 20, 2008) – The GO211 LIVE featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill saw an increase in swell today hitting in the two-to-four foot (1 metre) range, as finalists for the ASP Grade-2 O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda, the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior, and the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding pres. by Honda were decided today, as well as the eight advancing trialists who will receive entry into the ASP WQS 6-Star men’s event
International standouts Julian Wilson (Coolum, AUS) and Chris Salisbury (Newport, AUS) continued to display top-level surfing today, both advancing through the Semifinals of the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior and earning spots in next weekend’s Final. The feat marks an outstanding effort by both surfers, who began their respective campaigns in Round 1, surfing through five heats to make the Final.
Wilson, who claimed the ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior in Huntington Beach last month, proved once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the States, eliminating current ratings leader on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, Cory Arrambide (Ventura,CA), in the Quarterfinal bout this afternoon.
“This is the second time I’ve had Cory (Arrambide) in my heat, and I don’t really see him much out there," Wilson said. "It’s really just whoever gets the waves gets through the heats today. I got a couple fun waves and was able to get through my heats."
Wilson locked in the highest heat totals shown today with 17.34 out of 20 points in his Quarterfinals victory and 17.73 out of 20 in his Semifinals win. The young Australian will use the momentum he has built throughout the event to combat fellow finalists Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) and Salisbury in next week’s Final.
Gudauskas was another standout in today’s ASP Pro Junior event. The young goofy-footer qualified for his first ever ASP North America Pro Junior Final with a win over Salisbury, who advanced behind Gudauskas in second.
“It’s my first ever ASP North America Pro Junior Final, so I’m stoked,” Gudauskas said. “Everyone is surfing really well in this event and I can’t wait to get out there in front of everyone and give it my best shot.”
The O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda will wrap up competition on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 2:05 pm.
Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA) led the charge for the women in the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior, posting the highest heat total in the women’s Semifinals of 15.56 out of 20 points. The Californian wunderkind dominated a stacked heat against fellow Semifinalists Coco Ho (North Shore, HI), who advanced in second, Lee Ann Curren (Hossegor, FRA) and Quincy Davis (Montauk, NY).
“Being from California, I’m pretty used to these conditions out at Huntington since we have so many local events here,” Erickson said. “The current can definitely be a factor, but it can work for you or against you, and it helped me out there today.”
Erickson, who finished fourth at the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior held earlier this year will look to improve on her result at this ASP Grade-2 women’s Pro Junior event.
“I’m really excited to make this final because there’s quite a few good international surfers in this Pro Junior,” Erickson said. “By getting fourth in the final at Sebastian, I missed getting into the ASP World Junior Championships, so the only way I can get in is by getting a wildcard. If I have a good showing here, I’m hoping that it will help me get into that event. It’s also a huge factor for me to get the points towards qualification towards next year’s ASP World Junior because we don’t have many events, so it makes each one really important.”
Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 2007 ASP North America Pro Junior Champion, put her local knowledge to good use today as she defeated ASP WQS ratings leader and qualifier for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS), South African prodigy Nikita Robb (East London, ZAF), who advanced into the finals behind Conlogue, and Floridian Haley Watson (Jacksonville Beach, FL).
“She (Fitzgibbons) has had an amazing year and it’s pretty tough, it can make or break you out there,” Conlogue said. “You’ve got to be hunting for waves, and today it’s just whoever gets the best waves. I didn’t event think I got good waves, but I got what I needed to get through. Local knowledge is a big part of it, but there’s a lot of luck out there today just trying to find an open face and trying to chase it down with the current.”
The S3 Supergirl Pro Junior Champion will be crowned on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
The U.S. Open of Longboarding presented by Honda saw Noah Shimabukuro (Oceanside, CA), Ned Snow (North Shore, HI), Tony Silvagni (Kerry Beach, NC), and Taylor Jensen (San Clemente, CA) advance through their Semifinals heats and into the Final, which will be completed next Sunday.
Jensen, who combined traditional smooth longboarding style with a series of aggressive off-the-lip attacks, dethroned retuning 3X U.S. Open of Longboarding champion Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA). Jensen finished second last year in this event behind McPhillips in the Final, and will now look to claim the U.S. Open Title.
“Any time you come out ahead of Colin (McPhillips), you’re doing something right,” Jensen said. “I’m stoked with the way it went. This is basically the biggest longboarding event in California and for us to be able to come out and surf in front of a decent crowd, with people who don’t usually see longboarding, it really helps evolve the sport. It helps to get our names out there and it’s a lot of fun.”
Noah Shimabukuro (Oceanside, CA) who is originally from Maui, earned a finals spot by defeating last year’s event finalist Kai Sallas (Honolulu, HI).
“I’m stoked to be in the Final because this might be the biggest longboarding event in the world,” Shimabukuro said. “It’s unofficially considered the world title because there are so many past world champions in the event and all the best guys come out. So to get into the finals feels like quite an accomplishment.”
The O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding champion will be decided at 2:35 p.m on Sunday, July 27, 2008
The eight trialists receiving a seed into the ASP WQS 6-Star GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill were decided today, with Pablo Gutierrez (ESP), Granger Larsen (Lahaina, HI), Nick Rozsa (Oxnard, CA), Macy Mullen (Milileni,HI), Alejo Muniz (Florianopolis, BRA), Kyle Ramey (Poipu Beach, HI), Dane Ward (San Clemente, CA) and Tyler Stanaland (Laguna Beach, CA) advancing through today’s Quarterfinals and earning seeds into the main event
Muniz, who posted some of the Trials’ highest scores, claimed a victory today despite being under the weather.
“That heat was really fun, but it was hard because there’s a lot of current,” Muniz said. “I got lucky out there, and just tried to do my best. When I arrived here I got sick, but my friends gave me some medicine and I’m feeling better.”
Muniz will face an international field of competitors in the Round of 192 in the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill which begins tomorrow.
Ramey, who finished second behind Muniz will look to grab some valuable ratings points in his first ASP WQS 6-Star appearance.
“I’m stoked to make it through the Trials,” Ramey said. “I’ve never been in an ASP WQS 6-Star before, so it’s huge. Conditions are tough out there. The south is really straight and walled, but I just tried to make the most of it.”
Ward earned his main event berth with tight heat victory over his fellow Quarterfinalists Dege O’Connell (Hana, HI), Jody Davis (Jacksonville, FL) and Stanaland (who advanced in 2nd).
“There’s a lot of current, but at least there’s waves,” Ward said. “This is the first ASP WQS 6-Star event I’ve ever competed in and I haven’t done many events this year, so I was feeling like I had nothing to prove. I just wanted to go out there and surf and have fun, so I’m excited to have my first experience in the 6-Star."
The ASP WQS 6-Star GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill main event will begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. with the Round of 192.
O’Neill U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by Honda Pro Junior Results:
Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.73, Nat Young (USA) 11.20, Andrew Doheny (USA) 10.26, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 4.40
Heat 2: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 15.67, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 11.27, Matt Pagan (USA) 10.73, John John Florence (USA) 7.40
Quarterfinals (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.34, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 13.83, Cory Arrambide (USA) 13.33, Noah Erickson (USA) 5.03
Heat 2: Andrew Doheny (USA) 17.10, Nat Young (USA) 15.83, Mason Ho (HAW) 13.50, Luke Davis (USA) 10.10
Heat 3: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.34, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 9.13, Marshall Alberga (USA) 8.36, Keetin Devine (USA) 6.24
Heat 4: Matt Pagan (USA) 8.43, John John Florence (HAW) 7.96, Dillon Perillo (USA) 5.90, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 2.77
Round of 32 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Noah Erickson (USA) 12.83, Andrew Doheny (USA) 12.67, Jason Harris (USA) 5.60, Nick Rupp (USA) 2.66
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS), 16.50, Nat Young (USA) 11.34, Evan Thompson (USA) 10.74, Spencer Regan (USA) 5.33
Heat 3: Mason Ho (HAW) 10.50, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 9.73, Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 8.20, Christian Saenz (USA) 3.23
Heat 4: Luke Davis (USA) 13.26, Cory Arrambide (USA) 11.20, Joan Duru (FRA) 9.23, Evan Geiselman (USA) 8.32
Heat 5: Chris Salisbury (AUS) 13.50, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 11.33, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 10.43, Colin Schildhauer (USA) 7.17
Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.84, Dillon Perillo (USA) 9.06, Taylor Thorne (USA) 6.33, Kellen Ellison (USA) 5.56
Heat 7: Matt Pagan (USA) 12.57, Keetin Devine (USA) 6.97, Taylor Brothers (USA) 6.70, Ryan Burch (USA) 4.46
Heat 8: John John Florence (HAW) 12.83, Marshall Alberga (USA) 12.70, Rob Kelly (USA) 12.70, Gabe Garcia (USA)
S3 Supergirl Pro Junior Results:
Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 15.56, Coco Ho (HAW) 10.97, Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 6.33, Quincy Davis (USA) 5.07
Heat 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 9.00, Nikita Robb (ZAF) 8.63, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.67, Haley Watson (USA) 1.33
O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding pres. by Honda Results:
Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Noah Shimabukuro (USA) 17.37, Ned Snow (USA) 12.97, Harley Ingleby (AUS) 11.17, Kai Sallas (HAW) 10.13
Heat 2: Tony Silvagni (USA) 13.63, Taylor Jensen (USA) 13.60, Justin Quintal (USA) 11.60, Christian Clark (USA) 5.47
Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Kai Sallas (HAW) 15.50, Ned Snow (USA) 13.33, Kevin Osborne (USA) 5.23, Linden Broccoli (USA) 4.27
Heat 2: Noah Shimabukuro (USA) 17.37, Harley Ingleby (AUS) 16.90, Josh Muhr (USA) 13.66, Cole Robbins (USA) 10.20
Heat 3: Tony Silvagni (USA) 17.53, Justin Quintal (USA) 13.37, Troy Mothershead (USA) 10.40, Darren Ledingham (USA) 7.93
Heat 4: Taylor Jensen (USA) 17.00, Dodger Kremel (USA) 13.50, Colin McPhillips (USA) 12.50, Christian Clark (USA) 7.67
Round of 32 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Kai Sallas (HAW) 15.50, Josh Mohr (USA) 14.83, Joe Aaron (USA) 8.17, Dylan Andrews (USA) 5.66
Heat 2: Ned Snow (USA) 16.26, Noah Shimabukuro (USA) 12.50, Harrison Roach (USA) 11.86, Mike Stidham (USA) 10.27
Heat 3: Cole Robbins (USA) 14.50, Linden Broccoli (USA) 10.33, Keegan Edwards (HAW) 8.67, Artie Castro (USA) 0.33
Heat 4: Harley Ingleby (AUS) 14.84, Kevin Osbourne (USA) 10.60, Chris Koerner (USA) 5.50, Jordan Thomas (USA) 4.40
Heat 5: Darren Ledingham (USA) 13.76, Colin McPhillips (USA) 13.10, Sterling Foxcroft (USA) 6.10, Brett Heimstra (USA) 3.60
Heat 6: Troy Mothershead (USA) 14.16, Christian Clark (USA) 12.96, Josh Baxter (USA) 10.83, Nobuhiro Ogashira (JPN) 4.53
Heat 7: Taylor Jensen (USA) 15.34, Justin Quintal (USA) 11.27, Billy Harris (USA) 7.00, Dennis Bourg (USA)
Heat 8: Dodger Kremel (USA) 14.33, Tony Silvangni (USA) 12.27, Justin Hugron (USA) 11.37
Round of 48 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 5: Sterling Foxcroft (USA) 11.00, Nobuhiro Ogashira (JPN) 8.00, Billy Compton (USA) 5.44
Heat 6: Christian Clark (USA) 11.93, Darren Ledingham (USA) 10.67, Kevin McNicol (USA) 5.60, Scott Shannon (USA) 5.07
Heat 7: Justin Quintal (USA) 16.17, Justin Hugron (USA) 11.17, Jack Sabala (USA) 8.33, Tommy Witt (USA) 7.86
Heat 8: Tony Silvagni (USA) 12.00, Billy Harris (USA) 10.10, Shane Van Herk (USA) 6.57, Patrick Giles (USA) 4.57
GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing Trials Results:
Quarterfinals (1st and 2nd advance to main event)
Heat 1: Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) 15.33, Granger Larson (HAW) 10.17, Andrew Doheny (USA) 7.10, Kyle Kennelly (USA) 6.73
Heat 2: Nick Rozsa (USA) 16.10, Macy Mullen (HAW) 8.34, Dillon Perillo (USA) 6.90, Clay Marzo (HAW) 4.00
Heat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.33, Kyle Ramey (HAW) 9.84, Chase Newsom (USA) 9.40, John John Florence (HAW) 8.93
Heat 4: Dane Ward (USA) 8.83, Tyler Stanaland (USA) 8.56, Jody Davis (USA) 7.60, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 6.23
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 VICTOR HARBOR, South Australia (Saturday, July 19, 2008) - Paige Hareb (NZL) and Owen Wright (Culburra Beach, NSW) made history at the inaugural ASP Grade-2 Men’s and ASP Grade-1 Women’s Fantastic Cup Pro Junior presented by Nippy’s today, claiming victory in South Australia for the first time in over ten years.
In perfect, offshore three-to-four foot (1-1.5 metre) conditions at Waitpinga, on the South Australian south coast, the finalists revelled in the grinding, left-handers as professional surfing returned to South Australia.
Owen Wright was unstoppable throughout the event, defeating current ratings leader on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head, NSW) in the final.
Both finalists were easily the form surfers of the event, proving that the hype surrounding their future is more than justified.
After racking up a number of nine point rides in the early rounds, Kennedy was rewarded by the judges for his phenomenal surfing, awarded a 10 point ride in the quarter final stages.
Using blistering speed, critical backhand re-entries and awesome wave ion Kennedy left a wake of competitors behind him, defeating Mitch Crews (Currumbin, QLD) and Tom Salveson (Gerringong, NSW) en-route to the final.
For Wright, his route to the final went past Teale Vanner (Kangaroo Island, SA) and Lincoln Taylor (North Stradbroke, QLD) in the quarter and semi-finals respectively – showcasing aerial manoeuvres in critical situations.
“I’m wrapped,” Wright said, beaming after his victory.
“It wasn’t the final that Stuey (Kennedy) and I wanted, but we still managed to put on a good show,” he said.
After missing the early stages of 2008 with injury, Wright has excelled in recent months, with today’s victory marking his third of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series.
“I struggled early in the year with injury, but now I’m back to full health and enjoying my surfing,” he said retrospectively.
“I’m just stoked to have three wins under my belt this year after the start I had,” Wright said, now sitting 7th on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series rankings.
For Wright, the next stage for 2008 will be exciting.
“I’ll be heading over to Europe to compete in the Rip Curl ASP WQS events in France and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Being the first ASP-rated event held in South Australia for over ten years, the Fantastic Cup Pro Junior Presented by Nippy’s was a success, with awesome waves and mind-blowing surfing.
In the girls division it was New Zealander Paige Hareb who took the title, defeating current ASP World Junior Champion Laura Enever (North Narrabeen, NSW) in the final.
“I’m so stoked right now,” she said after claiming her second ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series victory of the year.
Attacking the left hand waves with her renowned powerful style, Hareb accrued a series of high scores throughout the entire event, showing her class.
“It was a bit slow in the final, so I just tried to remain patient,” Hareb admitted.
“I got off to a good start with a 7.5 (out of a possible 10) and it just flowed from there.”
Having had a bumper year in 2008, which so far includes two ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series titles and the ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME Margaret River Drug Aware Pro crown, Hareb is showing no signs of slowing down as she gears up for a busy campaign.
“I’ve had such a good year so far, I’ve been on a roll since coming second at the Billabong ASP World Junior Titles in February,” Hareb added.
“I’m off to Huntington Beach after this event then I’m following the ASP WQS (World Qualifying Series) through Portugal and France,” she said.
Currently ranked third on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior after her victory at Waitpinga, and on the ASP WQS Hareb is looking at finishing off the year in style.
“I just want to surf as well as I can in any event I in, right now my goal is to get as good a ranking as possible in the Junior’s and qualify for the ASP World Tour.”
Hareb found her way to the final via Kirstie Jones (Ulladulla, NSW), whilst Enever defeated Brit Nichol (Cabarita, NSW) in hotly contested semi-final affair.
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Friday, July 18, 2008) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America fired off its first day of non-stop action with the GO211 LIVE featuring the Honda U.S. Open presented by O’Neill this morning in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) conditions.
Today saw the first two rounds of the GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill men’s trials as well as the first 12 heats of Round 1 of the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda.
International ASP Pro Junior athletes Julian Wilson (Coolum, AUS), Kiron Jabour (North Shore, HI) and Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) proved the standouts in today’s competition, making quick work of their opponents and collecting the highest scores of the day
Wilson, who is fresh off an ASP Grade-4 Pro Junior victory held in Huntington Beach last month, picked up where he left off with a solid performance in Round 1 today. Wilson’s form surfing proved he is hungry for a repeat performance. The prodigious natural-footer is currently rated No. 5 on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series and is continuing to stay fresh in the U.S. for his domestic ASP Pro Junior campaign.
“There’s some swell filling in for this contest, but it’s really gutless out there,” Wilson said. “I’m just trying to find my feet and get a feel for what the waves are doing because I haven’t been surfing much in the past few weeks because the waves have been so bad. I’m glad to get back into things and I’m looking forward to the rest of the event.”
Jabour, who entered the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior event as an alternate took full advantage of his Round 1 entry, dominating a stacked heat against Australian standout Chris Salisbury (Newport, AUS) and highly-touted Hawaiian Clay Marzo (Lahaina, HI). The North Shore dark horse put the young standouts in a combination situation with a total heat score of 17.50 out of possible 20 points.
“I had been standing around watching heats, and I didn’t know if I was going to get into the event or not,” Jabour said. “I got out there and got a few good ones, and got a few good scores. It’s fun out there. Compared to the past few days, it’s way better. There are some fun waves.”
Jabour will use the momentum gained by his overwhelming heat victory today to take on 2006 ASP North America Pro Junior Champion Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) in Round 2 tomorrow.
Gudauskas, who is currently rated No. 65 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), took a break from his ASP WQS campaign to compete in the ASP Pro Junior event this morning. Gudauskas proved his experience in the big leagues is paying off, as he surfed his heat with a confidence beyond his years. The young goofy-footer held a commanding attack throughout his heat, as he laid a blistering attack on the waves offered at South Huntington Beach Pier.
“It was fun to be out in the water again and get the ball rolling,” Gudauskas said. “I knew it was going to be a good heat today, and I just tried to go out there and get busy and get some good waves.”
The Trials for the ASP WQS 6-Star event saw 96 competitors combat each other for the eight spots available in the GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill. Round 2 seeds Granger Larsen (Maui, HI), Nick Rozsa (Ventura, CA), and Clay Marzo (Lahaina, CA) moved effortlessly into Round 3, while Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), Jesse Evans (Huntington Beach, CA), Tyler Newton (Hanalei, HI) and Macy Mullen (Milileni, HI) advanced through both rounds of competition.
Tomorrow will see the completion of Round 2 and Round 3 of the men’s ASP WQS 6-Star event, as the GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill will narrow down the field to 16 competitors all vying for the eight positions available in the main event, decided on Sunday.
Alongside the men’s trials, tomorrow’s competition will host an eclectic array of surfing including the completion of Round 2 and Round 3 of the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda, the first two rounds of the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding, and the first round of the S3 Supergirl Pro Junior.
Action will begin at 8 a.m. at the south side of Huntington Beach Pier.
For all of your GO211 Live feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill needs log on to www.usopenofsurfing.com
For other ASP information check out www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org.
O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior presented by Honda Results:
Round of 96: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Spencer Regan (USA) 12.34, Balaram Stack (USA) 9.27, Dylan Kawalski (USA) 6.40, T.J. Mortellaro (USA) 5.43
Heat 2: Victor Donne (USA) 12.34, Charly Martin (GLP) 11.93, Mike McCabe (USA) 10.94, Ramain Cloitre (REU) 8.30
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.50, Eli Visolay (USA) 6.67, Matt Chellemi (USA) 4.83, Sam McGee (USA) 2.86
Heat 4: Noah Erickson (USA) 12.34, Cale Johnson (USA) 9.90, Thomas Clarke (USA) 6.27, Alex Gullet (USA) 5.50
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.33, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.00, Chase Wilson (USA) 9.87, Daniel Shea (USA) 6.23
Heat 6: Charlie Brown (USA) 10.83, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 9.66, Brad Hagglund (USA) 7.20, Tanner Deprin (USA) 5.73
Heat 7: Christian Saenz (USA) 12.43, Fisher Heverly (USA) 8.17, Shaw Koayashi (USA) 7.93, Brendan Buckley (USA) 5.37
Heat 8: Tyler Newton (HAW) 12.67, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 10.60, Dane Zaun (USA) 9.27, Ian Crane (USA) 7.33
Heat 9: Taylor Thorne (USA) 11.00, Nick Suhadolnik (USA) 8.93, Keto Burns (USA) 7.67, Matt McCabe (USA) 6.97
Heat 10: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 17.50, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 11.86, Clay Marzo (HAW) 7.43, David Price (USA) 3.73
Heat 11: Dillon Perillo (USA) 16.73, Ford Archbold (USA) 10.60, Billy Hopkins (USA) 7.36, Thomas Petriken (USA) 5.36
Heat 12: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.67, Kelsey Strickland (USA) 9.33, Conner Coffin (USA) 8.56, Colton Larson (USA) 6.97
GO211 LIVE featuring the Honda U.S. Open presented by O’Neill Trials Results:
Round of 96 Trials: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Ryan Sakal (USA) 1, Danny Miskin (USA) 2, Raymond Reichle (HAW) 3, Fisher Heverly (USA) N/S
Heat 2: Dustin Willman (USA), Ray Reichle (HAW), Ryan Sakal (USA), Victor Donne (USA)
Heat 3: Jeff Hurley (USA) 12.67, Jesse Evans (USA) 12.26, Danny Estes (USA) 7.83, Javier Swayne (PER) 5.00
Heat 4: Macy Mullen (HAW) 13.50, Tyler Newton (HAW) 10.07, Brandon Tipton (USA) 7.80, Gianfranco Gasparro (ITA) 0.00
Heat 5: Gary Wheeler (USA) 10.33, Sean Tubbs (USA) 9.20, Dave Post (USA) 4.30, Cody Sammons (USA) 1.43
Heat 6: Byron Barlett (AUS) 13.56, Micah Mullen (USA) 10.16, Jason Magallanes (HAW) 9.83, Jared Thorne (USA) 8.5
Heat 7: Brendan Buckley (USA) 11.50, Ryan Burch (USA) 7.30, Henrique Saltes (USA) 4.63, Greg Kaplan (USA) 4.50
Heat 8: Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.00, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 10.00, Yosuke Kodama (JPN) 4.07, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 0.00
Heat 9: Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) 12.23, Ryah Arthur (USA) 11.60, Heath Walker (AUS) 11.20, Sam McCowan (USA) 2.79
Heat 10: Matt Pagan (USA) 9.43, Matt Turner (USA) 6.23, Nick Rupp (USA) 6.10, Chris Eneim (HAW) N/S
Heat 11: Chase Newsom (USA) 13.67, Marshall Alberga (USA) 8.30, Shaw Kobayashi (USA) 7.03, Andres Flores (DOM) 5.40
Heat 12: Dege O’Connell (HAW) 11.66, Takayuki Wakita (JPN) 10.56, Rick Gannon (USA) 8.84
Heat 13: Kekoa Cazimero (HAW) 12.10, Justin Swartz (USA) 11.67, Cru Surratt (HAW) 6.60, Peter Minko (USA) 4.73
Heat 14: Taylor Thorne (USA) 12.50, Victor Donne (USA) 11.00, Dane Zaun (USA) 7.94, Alex Gullett (USA) 4.52
Heat 15: Derek Ho (HAW) 10.33, Keito Matsuoka (JPN) 6.73, Mark Gabriel (USA) 3.87, Jeshua Stevens (USA) N/A
Heat 16: Fisher Heverly (USA) 11.34, Eddie Lester (USA) 9.26, Keale Chung (HAW) 7.74, David Price (USA) 6.00
Round of 64 Trials: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Jason Harris (USA) 11.90, Jesse Evans (USA) 9.07, John Daniels (USA) 8.17, Ryan Sakal (USA) 8.13
Heat 2: Granger Larsen (HAW) 16.26, Jeff Hurley (USA) 10.20, Phillip Goold (USA) 9.83, Danny Miskin (USA) 6.27
Heat 3: Nick Rozsa (USA) 13.77, Macy Mullen (HAW) 12.83, Matt Keenan (USA) 9.33, Sean Tubbs (USA) 6.43
Heat 4: Kyle Kennelly (USA) 12.50, Tyler Newton (HAW) 11.00, Hunter Heverly (USA) 10.80, Gary Wheeler (USA) 6.93
Heat 5: Peter Mel (USA) 7.94, Tony Adams (USA) 7.00, Ryan Burch (USA) 6.33, Byron Bartlett (AUS) 5.56
Heat 6: Clay Marzo (USA) 12.17, Michael Hoisington (USA) 11.94, Micah Mullen (USA) 8.40, Brendan Buckley (USA) 6.73
Heat 7: Andrew Doheny (USA) 11.16, Ryah Arthur (USA) 9.67, Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 6.03, Colin Schildhauer (USA) 5.34
Heat 8: Sean Taylor (USA) 12.10, Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) 12.00, Tom Rezvan (USA) 7.97, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 7.50
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By Jeff Mull
Click Here For Exclusive Photo Gallery
 With the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific churning out 3- to 4-foot blue walls with machine-like precision, the towheaded groms took to Waikiki’s Queens as if it was opening day at Disneyland. In what has come to be regarded as one of the most relaxed, carefree, and good-natured contests around, groms from around Hawaii relished the sun, surf, and summer in Town and Country’s annual Gromfest this weekend.
If there was ever any skepticism about where the future of surfing is headed, I’ve got one word for you: up. In the highly anticipated Air Show, some of Hawaii’s best-known groms put on an above-the-lip aerial seminar that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. For starters, the finalists consisted of 13-year-old Westside female sensation Alessa Cuizon going head-to-head with her male counterparts in the forms of Kalani David, Isaiah Moniz, and Keanu Asing. Although Queens isn’t typically regarded as the “puntiest” of waves, the groms found plenty of ramps to get the job done.
The in-flight groms weren’t just sticking to the standard front and backside airs of days past, they were upping the ante. After the first two waves of the Air Show final were ridden, it was clear that they brought every trick in their bag to the heat. Shuvits, One Motions, and full-rotation airs were attempted on almost every wave ridden. The crowd, numbering in the hundreds on the beach, cheered and hooted every time fins were set free.
 Alessa Cuizon was the clear crowd favorite. Marked as the “underdog,” even in her own words, Cuizon laid it all on the line and went pound for pound with the boys. Upon coming in from her heat, Alessa summed up what it felt like to be the only girl surfing in the Air Show and what role the Gromfest plays in shaping the next generation of Hawaiian surfers. “It felt really good to be surfing with the boys…I’m not really that good at airs, but I was just stoked to be out there with the boys. This is just such a fun event, it’s good to do well, but there’s definitely not a lot of pressure. It’s just good to get the little kids out there and let them get a feeling for what it’s like to be in a heat. This is such a good contest.”
In the end, despite the valiant and progressive efforts of the rest of the competitors, 10-year-old Kalani David would take the Air Show win and a cool $1,000 paycheck. Watching these kids surf, it’s easy to forget that although they surf with all the style and testosterone of full-grown men, they’re still kids at heart. After winning the Air Show, young Kalani remarked that, “…I’m super psyched to have won the Air Show. Feels good…my dad said that if I won the event, he would quit smoking! So that’s good. Now he’s got to quit.”
The usual Hot 100 groms weren’t the only ones making their presence felt at Queens. More than 100 competitors entered the event in more than a dozen classes ranging in everything from 12 and Under Girls Shortboard to a tandem event. There were as many smiles seen in the lineup and at the event as there are grains of sand on the beach in Waikiki.
At its core, the T and C Gromfest is not about giving the kids who are already standout surfers a venue, it’s about giving the kids who don’t have all of the stickers on their boards and trophies in their room a place to go out there and compete. Tony Moniz, one of the most influential surfers on Oahu today, couldn’t help but smile as he watched heat after heat of stoked-to-the-core-grom paddling out in their oversized singlets. “In a word, this contest is just about having fun. It’s an introductory-level contest for all the kids to go out there and just have fun. No pressure.”
With tons of prizes for the contestants, at the end of the event Waikiki looked and felt like more like Christmas morning than a surf contest. T and C founder Craig Sugihara summed up the atmosphere. “This whole event is for the kids. It’s for the kids who want to compete and have fun and go out there and get a trophy without all of the pressure. It feels good to give back to these kids, get them stoked to go out there and have fun.”
11th ANNUAL T&C SURF GROM CONTEST
JULY 12-13, 2008
QUEEN’S – KUHIO BEACH
BODYBOARD GIRLS & BOYS 9 & UNDER
1. HONOLUA BLOOMFIELD
2. KAINEHE HUNT
3. NOAH BRADBURY
4. DYLAN ELLIS
5. DEVIN BRUEGGEMANN
6. NAHE APO
BODYBOARD GIRLS & BOYS 10-14
1. TITUS LAFRADEZ
2. KALEI AKIONA
3. BRANDON LEE AMAYA
4. KEONE BLOOMFIELD
5. RENESH WAINSCOAT
6. KAWENA AKIONA
SHORTBOARD BOYS 7 & UNDER
1. KEOLA AUWAE
2. MAKANA PANG
3. KANIELA STEWART
4. REEF TSUTSUI
5. ISAAC BLAKE
6. RIECE MYERS
SHORTBOARD BOYS 8-11
1. DANE RUST
2. KEONE BLOOMFIELD
3. FINN MCGILL
4. WENDELL LEONG TITCOMB
5. BARRON MAMIYA
6. D`ARMAN NOTOA
SHORTBOARD BOYS 12-14
1. COLE YAMAKAWA
2. CONNOR JENSEN
3. LUCAS GODFREU
4. TYLER MCCOY
5. GEN ASANO
6. THOMAS WILLIAMS
SHORTBOARD GIRLS 9 & UNDER
1. MOANA JONES
2. KAHANU DELOVIO
3. KAILEE GRAF
4. HONOLUA BLOOMFIELD
5. NAMIKA COURTOIS
6. GABRIELA YESTER
SHORTBOARD GIRLS 10-14
1. CAYLA MOORE
2. J-SEA PALIRACIO
3. AMBER BADE
4. MAKANI ANDRIC
5. KINI SHARPNICK
6. KELLY GRAF
LONGBOARD BOYS & GIRLS 9 & UNDER
1. FINN MCGILL
2. HONOLUA BLOOMFIELD
3. KAINEHE HUNT
4. KANIELA STEWART
5. GABRIELA YESTER
6. KEOLA AUWAE
LONGBOARD BOYS & GIRLS 10-14
1. EALA STEWART
2. SETH MONIZ
3. JOSH MONIZ
4. MO FREITAS
5. ELIJAH GATES
6. EJ MITSUI
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 A Q&A with the World Tour Qualifier By Janna Irons
Next year, 17-year-old Sally Fitzgibbons will join the ranks of the Top 17 as the youngest competitor on the ASP World Tour. There she will compete against women who began their competitive careers before she was even born. And although her success at such an early stage of her career is itself impressive, add to the equation the fact that her consistent finals finishes on the ’QS have placed her in a qualifying position long before the tour has neared its midpoint, and you have the recipe for a possible future world champ. We caught up with Fitzgibbons to get her thoughts on the women on tour, her homeland, and what’s next on the agenda for the Aussie phenom.
Do you think the average age of ’CT qualifiers is just going to get younger and younger as surfers get better at an early age?
Yes, I think it is going to get younger but there is a limit as school requirement need to be met and the natural progression from Junior events to the Qualifying Series takes time. It is hard to say what the average age will go down to as it will be different for everybody.
Who do you look up to most?
I look up to the likes of Kelly Slater and Layne Beachley, their accomplishments have pushed the boundaries of surfing continuously, while racking up a record number of world championships, which is inspiring.
You’ll be competing with all the veterans next year, does anyone intimidate you?
No one intimidates me in particular, but I respect the achievements of the women that have been on the tour for a long time.
For the next women’s ’CT contest in France, who would you place your bets on?
For the next women's event in France, I’d have to say the surfers to beat would be Silvana Lima, coming off back to back WQS wins, Steph Gilmore as she is the current world champion and won the last event at Bells beach and Sofia Mulanovich the current world tour ratings leader.
Which country do you think produces the best surfers?
Naturally I'm biased, as I’m an Aussie. Everyone likes to think their country produces the best surfers. Australia’s record is pretty good though. If you are looking at the young surfers Australia has won the last three ISA World Championships and on the women’s side they have won the last three ASP World Titles and they have dominated the Women’s WCT for some time. The US has dominated the top position in the Mens, but Mick Fanning’s win last year on the men’s WCT puts Australia at the top for my pick.
What’s next for you?
In the near future I hope to finish my WQS campaign this year with some strong results, and make a good transition on to the WCT. I'm enjoying traveling around the world surfing different locations and wish to continue doing that for as long as possible.
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