Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Launches 2009 ASP World Tour
February 28th 2009 02:07
Kelly Slater
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is a mobile event, with Snapper Rocks serving as the primary venue, but utilizing nearby Duranbah Beach, Greenmount, Kirra, Burleigh Heads and as far north as Stradbroke Island should conditions call for it. The event also incorporates the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.
Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will see the return of reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in his bid for an unprecedented tenth crown.
Taj Burrow (AUS) current ASP World No. 3, is one contender who could threaten Slater’s dominance, and Burrow’s reputation in righthand pointbreaks such as Snapper Rocks is unrivaled by most.
“The first couple of weeks I was having a hell time and enjoying the summer, but beginning in January, I’ve been training full on,” Burrow said. “I’ve been working with Johnny Gannon, and he’ll be traveling the season with me. We’ve been training harder than ever before and I’ve been working on my flexibility and fitness and I feel like I’m surfing better than ever before.”
“To get to surf Snapper Rocks with only one or two guys out is really special and I hope we get waves.”
Joel Parkinson (AUS), current ASP World No. 4 and former Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, said he is excited to start off the 2009 season at home on the Gold Coast.
“It’s such a bonus to start the season here at home where I’m familiar with everything and know the banks really well. I’m really excited.”
Jeremy Flores
Jeremy Flores (FRA), current ASP World No. 10, will enter into his third season on the ASP Dream Tour in 2009, and after two Top 10 finishes, the prodigious natural-footer is emerging as one of the rising stars.
“I am very happy with the way my past two years have gone, finishing in the Top 10,” Flores said.
“I’m only 20, so I’m just taking it in, gaining experience and training hard. Maybe in a couple of years I will go for the ASP World Title, but until then, I am just living the Dream.”
Mick Fanning
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, presented by LG Mobile, will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Roy Powers (HAW), Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Damien Hobgood (AUS), Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBA
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), TBA
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Mikael Picon (FRA), TBA
Heat 11: Luke Stedman (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Mick Campbell (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 13: Chris Ward (USA), Nathaniel Curran (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 14: Kai Otton (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
| 47 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog