Beyond Boarders

ASP 2008 Tour Update

2008-04-06T02:13:00.000-07:00

This year is whipping though at an incredible pace and the first two events of both the men's and women's tours are already done and dusted.
In event one for the girls, the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast, last year's world runner-up Sofia Mulanovich (PER) beat Samantha Cornish (AUS) at Australia's Snapper Rocks. However, just a few days late, in the final of the Rip Curl Women's Pro at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, reigning ASP Women's World Champion, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) came from behind with five minutes remaining to defeat Sofia, claiming her second consecutive Rip Curl Women's Pro title and jumping from 9th to 2nd in the tour ratings. A mere 600 points behind leader Sofia Mulanovich.

The 2008 ASP Women's World Tour now takes a breather until July, when the top 17 female surfers will do battle again in Brazil.

The guy's tour opened in sensational style with eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) beating reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) at his home break of Snapper Rocks. This put Kelly in the number one slot of the ratings for the first time since claiming his last ASP World Crown in 2006. Proving that the win was not a fluke, he then proceeded to take the Rip Curl Pro at Bells beach. Launching a huge air, he earned a last minute score and beat Bede Durbidge (AUS) in the final. 36-year old Slater, has now claimed his 36th event win and rung surfing's bell for the third time but even more significantly, has cemented his position as the world's number one surfer.
The next event on the men's ASP World Tour will take place in Teahupoo, Tahiti from May 8-18, 2008.

2008 ASP Tours Begin

2008-02-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

The Australian Gold Coast is the first stop for the men and women on the respective 2008 Association of Surf Professionals (ASP) world tours.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be running in conjunction, with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast starting its waiting period this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008.

Reigning men's ASP World Champion and defending Quiksilver Pro Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), is ready again to do battle with 44 of the best surfers in the world and on the Women's Dream Tour, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is equally focussed as she takes on 16 of the best female surfers, beginning in her home waves.

Both the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE and Beyond Boarders will publish regular tour reports and pictures. Subscribe to Beyond Boarders now (see bottom of page) and get free email alerts each time a new post is published.

World Junior Championships

2008-01-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

After an early strong showing by the Australians on their home ground, it was Brazilian Pablo Paulino who won through at Sydney’s North Narrabeen beach to be crowned the men's World Junior Surfing Champion for a second time and Tonino Benson (Hawaii) who came in as runner-up.

Pablo exhibited the fire and flair so characteristic of Brazilian sportsmen, putting on show-stopping performances right from the very first round and the 2004 ASP World Junior Champion, then blasted through the final to defeat Tonino with a 15.00 total heat score (out of a possible 20.00), thereby equalling World No. 4 Joel Parkinson's two ASP World Junior Title record.

Arguably, Benson was the day's top performer and he posted the only perfect 10.00 point ride of the event, tucking into a deep barrel against Australian wildcard Owen Wright in the Quarterfinals. Unfortunately, the young Hawaiian was defeated tactically in the final and was not given the waves to repeat this performance, only managing a 9.93.

Steph Gilmore World Champion

2007-12-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

The title race was not resolved until the final event of the tour but Rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) claimed the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, as other contenders for the title fell in the third round of the 2007 Billabong Pro Maui. She then went on to celebrate her victory by claiming the Billabong Pro Maui Championship, defeating defending champion Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS). Her win, in small one metre waves at Honolua Bay, marks her fourth win of the 2007 season.

The final ratings on the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour are:

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

Silvana Lima (BRA)

Samantha Cornish (AUS)

Layne Beachley (AUS)

Amee Donohoe (AUS)

Chelsea Hedges (AUS)

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

Rebecca Woods (AUS)

Melanie Bartels (HAW)

Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

Megan Abubo (HAW)

Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)

Karina Petroni (USA)

Serena Brooke (AUS)

Nicola Atherton (AUS)

Roxy Pro Hawaii 2007

2007-11-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

The girls are battling it out at Sunset Beach, Hawaii, for the Roxy Pro Hawaii, stop No. 7 of 8 on the ASP Women's World Tour and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) can clinch the 2007 world title if she wins the event while Silvana Lima (BRA) finishes 3rd or lower.

Only seven heats of surfing, including the final, remain for the Roxy Pro Hawaii, and the next call on surf status will be made tomorrow morning, Thursday, November 29, 2007. It therefore looks as if the circus could be packing up tomorrow afternoon and Steph Gilmore could be crowned world champion.

Mick Fanning World Champion

2007-11-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

Australian Mick Fanning, clinched his maiden Foster's ASP World Title today. Fanning was in the water and about to surf a semifinal heat against childhood friend Joel Parkinson (AUS), when his only remaining title threat, Taj Burrow (AUS), was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS).

It was a day for the Australians and after realizing his lifelong dream, Fanning surfed a signature heat to beat Parkinson 18.70 to 12.84 in Semifinal 1 before defending his Brazilian title by beating rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in the final to win the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil.

Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have monopolized the World Title for the last five years but Mick's win today breaks the run and makes him the first Australian to clinch a men's ASP World Title since Mark 'Occy' Occhilupo in 1999.

Full report and pictures to follow.

Martinez retains Mundaka crown

2007-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Bobby Martinez (USA) has achieved a sensational victory in the 2007 Billabong Pro Mundaka, beating Foster's ASP World No. 3 Taj Burrow (AUS) in a close fought final. The win makes Martinez the first surfer in the history of the Billabong Pro Mundaka to post back to back victories at Spain's reeling lefthander. The win also leaps the 'smiling assassin' to 6th on the ASP World Tour ratings.

Since only eight of 10 events are factored into the Foster's ASP World Tour ratings at the end of the year and Burrow is now able to drop a 33rd and a 17th place result with only two events left to run, if he wins the next event in Brazil or places one spot ahead of current ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS), the World Title will be decided at the ASP season finale, the Pipeline, Hawaii.

Fanning still on Top

2007-10-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

Mick Fanning (AUS) has won the 2007, Quiksilver Pro France, beating South Africa's Greg Emslie, in one to one and a half meter (three to five foot) surf at Les Bourdaines, Hossegor.

The tour has now moved across the border to Mundaka, Spain, where Fanning has the opportunity to clinch his maiden Foster's ASP World Title.

If Mick wins the Billabong Pro Mundaka, while Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow fail to earn Semifinal berths, then he will win his maiden World Title. Slater and Burrow need to post equal 3rd or better results to keep their world title hopes alive.

Live action from Billabong Pro Mundaka.

Surfer Ratings Mens Tour

2007-09-18T00:22:00.000-07:00

The top ten male surfers on the Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after event 6 of 10, is as follows:

Mick Fanning (AUS) 5270

Kelly Slater (USA) 5040

Taj Burrow (AUS) 4511

Andy Irons (HAW) 4331

Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4029

Damien Hobgood (USA) 3824

Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3467

Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 3462

Jeremy Flores (FRA) 3438

Dean Morrison (AUS) 3248

The surfing tour is moving on to event 7, Quiksilver Pro France, where they will enjoy the surf at Hossegor, France, from September 20 to 30, 2007. I reckon they will turn the surf red for local hero Jeremy Flores.

Kelly Slater win number 34

2007-09-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has won the 2007 Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Tresles, California. Kelly is the only surfer to score a 'Perfect 20' competition heat total, which he achieved in Tahiti, 2005, and this win takes him past legendary Tom Curren, for the highest number of elite tour wins in pro surfing history (34).

Only his first event win in over a year, he moves to current World No. 2, a mere 230 points behind current leader, Mick Fanning (AUS). Powerful Hawaiian, Pancho Sullivan, was a standout performer on the final day of competition, beating Neco Padaratz (BRA), Troy Brooks (AUS) and Jeremy Flores (FRA) on his way to meeting Slater in the Final. His second place puts him at eight in the rankings.

Also enjoying the time of his life is Frenchman, Jeremy Flores, whose third place in the event, was enough to jump him to nine in the world rankings; making him the highest-rated rookie on the 2007 tour.

Boost Mobile Pro California

2007-09-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

Heat one of the Boost Mobile Pro, which is the 6th of 10 events on the 2007 ASP World Tour, is now underway at Lower Trestles, California, USA. The surf is small, but clean, with frequent one metre sets.

Watch live streaming video.

Rip Curls Girls Festival

2007-09-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

The ASP Women's World Tour resumes tomorrow, at Santander, Spain, where the world's top female surfers will be contesting the Rip Curls Girls Festival.

This is stop four of seven competitions used to determine the world rankings. It has a waiting period through to September 9, 2007.

Samantha Cornish takes Brazil Crown

2007-08-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Samantha Cornish (AUS) has won her first ASP Women’s World Tour title since 2003, at the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré.

Cornish defeated Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (BRA) shooting her to World No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings.

Billabong Girls Pro Brazil

2007-08-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

After a blistering start to the 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré Brazil at Praia da Tiririca, which saw the girls enjoying a fun day of surfing in 1 m to 1.5 m waves and ASP ratings leader Chelsea Hedges (AUS) string together a pair of near perfect 9.00 rides, the World’s top 17 Women surfers have seen round two put on hold today because of disappointing surf.

The next call will be made at 09h00 local time, Wednesday 22 August, 2007 and you will be able to enjoy the action on live streaming video.

Taj Burrow wins in J-Bay

2007-07-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Australian Taj Burrow has beaten Kelly Slater (USA) to win the 2007 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. The victory is Burrow's second on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour and moves him to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings. Indeed, with their final place points, Slater and Burrows have blown the fight for the World crown wide open.
It is now halfway through the tour, Mick Fanning (AUS) still holds the number one spot with 4860 points but Taj Burrow moves up to second, just 524 points behind. Andy Irons (HAW) has 3921 points in position three, while Kelly Slater (USA) now sits threateningly on 3840 points, in fourth position; Joel Parkinson (AUS) is fifth in the rankings and starting to trail with 3804 points, having been stopped by Burrows in the quarter-finals.

Mick Fanning commented, "Taj surfed insanely the whole event." However, despite falling to Taj Burrow in the semis, Fanning's consistency remains unchallenged this year with three 3rds, a 1st and a 2nd.

The men's tour now enjoys a six week break before reconvening at Lower Trestles, California, USA, in September.

Jennifer Smith wins in Biarritz

2007-07-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

The 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Championship in Biarritz, France, has been won by Jennifer Smith from Pacific Beach, California, USA, who was last years runner-up. She secured the title by defeating the phenomenal 15 year old French teenager Justine Dupont in a close fought final, acknowledging that it was her greater experience that won through.
"Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She's only 15 and I have six years on her" said Smith. "She's not going anywhere. In six year's time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it."

Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal and in the other semifinal Jennifer Smith defeated Janna Irons (HAW), cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce.

Women's Longboard Championship

2007-07-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Competition has begun in the 2007 Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championship, at the beautiful French town of Biarritz.

Local hopes rest on four-time European longboard champion Claire Karabatsos (FRA), who is Biarritz born and bred. In last year’s event Karabatsos had a remarkable run, advancing through to the semifinals where she was defeated by the eventual winner Schuyler McFerran (USA).

The Championship incorporates a number of free public events, including concerts, art exhibitions, initiatives and workshops to celebrate the regions strong surfing culture.

J-Bay 2007

2007-07-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

Stop No. 5 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay gets underway tomorrow; the event waiting period is July 11-22.
If you cannot be there in person, you can join the hordes of spectators at the event by viewing on the live webcast. For those luck enough to be there, a three-day J-Bay Music Festival will keep them partying on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings,
12-14 July.

This could prove to be a vital competition for the title contenders Mick Fanning, Damien Hobgood, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson but South Africans Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson, Greg Emslie, Travis Logie and young Jordy Smith, currently rated second on the ASP World Qualifying Series, are all capable of spoiling their game plan.

Andy Irons wins in Chile

2007-07-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well the finals of the 2007 Rip Curl Pro Search lived up to expectations. Twin brothers, Damien and CJ Hobgood, met for the third time in ASP tour semifinals and this time it was Damien who came out on top in a very close heat.

Bobby Martinez clinched a 10 point ride in his quarter-final against ratings leader Mick Fanning but it wasn't enough to secure a semi-final place and Mick went through to face Andy Irons, who continued his surge to defend his Pro Search title. Then, in a hard fought final against Damien Hobgood, Irons scored a late 9.17 to grab the globe-shaped trophy for a second year in succession, moving him to 3rd in the rankings behind Damien, who jumps to the number two slot.

Andy is actually in quite a strong position in the rankings because when calculating final points total, he will be allowed to drop his last place finish in the first event of the year.

The top five ASP World Tour rankings are currently:

Mick Fanning (AUS)

Damien Hobgood (USA)

Andy Irons (HAW)

Taj Burrow (AUS)

Joel Parkinson (AUS)

Kelly Slater (USA) comes in at number six, having had a disappointing start to the year with only one semi-final show.

The Foster’s 45 are now headed to JBay, South Africa, for event 5 of the Dream Tour.

Pro Search 2007

2007-06-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

Rip Curl Pro Search, Chile, is set for an exciting finish. Andy Irons (Haw)surged into the Semis, defeating Joel Parkinson (Aus) and their are some great matches in the remaining quarterfinals.
Bobby Martinez (USA) seems to relish these conditions and takes on an in-form Mick Fanning (AUS). Then the USA Hobgood twins, CJ and Damien, face Dean Morrison (AUS) and Bruno Santos (BRA), respectively. Which means that once again, they could be going head to head in the Semi-finals.

Whatever happens, Mick Fanning has increased his hold on the top spot of the ASP World Tour. While it doesn't look as if Kelly Slater is going to be adding to his World Title count this year, again taking an early flight home.

ASP World Tour, Chile

2007-06-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Arica, Chile, is the location of the 2007 Rip Curl Pro Search, event four on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour, which begins on June 20.

Andy Irons won the 2006 Search event held in the long, barreling, warm-water rights of La Jolla Mexico but the Chilean break of Ex-Isla Alacran is distinctly cold and as Irons notes,
"Defending the Search title is unique because you’re dealing with an entirely different element than the one you won the event in; the wave in Arica is the exact opposite of what we dealt with in La Jolla last year, so it levels the playing field for sure."

The cold-water Chilean break of Ex-Isla Alacran is a right and left-hand reef break, which is so similar to Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline that it is known as the 'South American Pipeline'.

Surfing in Tahiti

2007-05-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

On Tales from Here and There about This and That, we recently posted a small video from the Tahiti Tourist Board. However, the video does not show any of the wonderful surfing available in the Tahiti waters. So here is a compilation of clips posted by emadesign that makes up for the omission.

Hobgood wins in Tahiti

2007-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Damien Hobgood from Satellite Beach, Florida, USA, defeated current ASP ratings leader Mick Fanning (Aus) by less than a point in the dying minute of a closely contested Billabong Pro final, to take his first win of the 2007 season.

The win moves Hobgood into third place on the Fosters ASP World Tour. It also set some personal daemons to rest, following the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti Final, when Damien was forced to retire after dislocating his shoulder.

Mick Fanning's second place increases his lead at the top of the ratings and he is followed in second place on the ratings by Taj Burrow. Kelly Slater and Andy Irons are back in positions six and seven, respectively.
Next stop on the tour is the Rip Curl Pro Chile, June 20 to July 1, 2007.

Billabong Pro Tahiti holds again

2007-05-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, an extension to an ASP International event waiting period has been granted. Waves today are only about half a metre or so, and with a swell forecast for Wednesday, it looks as if the seven remaining heats of the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be postponed until then.

Chopes wakes at Billabong Pro

2007-05-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

For most of the waiting period for the 2007 Billabong Pro Tahiti, at Teahupoo, the infamous 'Chopes' had decided to sleep, but it woke up yesterday to unleash a full day of surfing action and surprises.

French tour rookie Jeremy Flores, eliminated reigning and eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), who was uncharacteristically out of form.

Cory Lopez (USA) eliminated current equal Foster's ASP World Tour No. 1, Taj Burrow (AUS), by a mere 0.16 in what turned out to be the highest scoring heat of the day, 17.66.

And current world No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) lost to rookie Kai Otton (AUS), in the rather inconsistent surf of the last heat of the day.

Having won through to the Quarterfinals, Mick Fanning (AUS), who came into the event sharing Burrow's World No. 1 rating, now stands to increase his ratings lead. Of the last eight competitors, current world No. 5 Joel Parkinson (AUS) is the highest ranking surfer behind Fanning.

An exciting final day is in prospect, beginning with an interesting Quarterfinal heat between travelling buddies, Joel Parkinson and Andy Irons.

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) v. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) v. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) v. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 4: Cory Lopez (USA) v. Kai Otton (AUS)

Watch all the action live.