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Season Opener Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
by Melissa Buckley
19/02/2008:// The Gold Coast of Australia, the first stop on the 2008 ASP World Tour, has been hammered by large swell in recent weeks. Unfortunately, the abundance of waves has also adversely affected the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast main event site at Snapper Rocks.
“Since New Year's we have had multiple swell, storm and even flood events which have ripped the sand out of Snapper,” ASP President Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew said. “Two weeks ago I was still concerned, but desirable conditions have since cooperated in streaming sand back into Snapper and with another week's pumping I think we will be okay.”
Early forecasts indicate that the La Niña* conditions, prevalent on the Coast since January, should stick around and that there could be some serious swell on tap for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast waiting period, which begins this Saturday, February 23, 2008.
“If the Quiksilver Pro receives a nice east swell like last year, I'm confident that Snapper will perform,” Bartholomew said. “That said there are some quality back-up mobile sites as part of the event contingency, including Rainbow Bay, Super Bank/Kirra and Duranbah, as well as Burleigh to the north.”
Burleigh hosted elite ASP World Tour events for years and Duranbah was the back-up site utilized for the Quiksilver Pro in 2006.
Local surfer and ASP World No. 4 Joel Parkinson (AUS) won the event at Snapper Rocks in 2002 and is crossing his fingers that Snapper sets itself up again this year.
“We have had all of this swell and even though it was so much fun I almost wish we hadn’t had it because it’s wreaked havoc on the banks.” Parkinson said. “I surfed Snapper a week and a half ago when there was a solid groundswell and it was really fun, but that’s the only time I’ve surfed it in the last six weeks. I love Snapper so I hope we get to surf there.”
Parkinson, like fellow ‘Coolangatta Kids’ reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and Dean Morrison (AUS), grew up within walking distance of the famed Snapper Rocks. ASP World Tour surfers Bede Durbidge (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS), Daniel Wills (AUS) and Kieren Perrow (AUS), also live within a short drive of the venue.
Julian Wilson (AUS) and Michel Bourez (PYF) were awarded automatic wildcards into the event and the third and final wildcard will be given to the winner of the Kommunity Project Trials to be held on Friday, February 21, 2008.
The 16 trialists competing are Dale Richards (AUS), Clay Marzo (HAW), Chris Salisbury (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Garrett Parkes (AUS), Alain Riou (PYF), Ry Craike (AUS), Shane Bevan (AUS), Tamaroa McComb (PYF), Jadson Andre (BRA), Trevor Tripcony (AUS), Corey Ziems (AUS), Jay Phillips (AUS), Mitch Coleburn (AUS) and Blake Ainsworth (AUS).
Visit www.aspworldtour.com to watch the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast LIVE!
[Carissa Moore (in yellow) receiving the winner's prize]
[The number of high-rated Australian surf competitions are set to increase]
[Pablo Gutierrez winner of the Superbock Pro]
Hawaiian Carissa Moore won the Roxy Pro Junior surfing in her first ever contest in France
ASP International has announce the inception of their fourth regional branch, ASP Australasia
Twenty-six-year-old Pablo Guitierrez took top honours in the Superbock Pro in Portugal after defeating fellow Portugeuse surfer Eduardo Fernandes in the final
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