Big board performances became a key factor in their nations standing as the Longboard division opened today at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games fueled by Monster Energy.
Under cloudy skies, sometimes pouring rain and choppy, shifting beachbreak, the big favorites along with a few small determined dark horses advanced to the next round in the most difficult conditions yet.
Underdogs like New Zealand and Venezuela who already have surfers qualified through to the next round, kept them competitive with advancing longboarders. Venezuela's team gathered as a group every time they had a heat in the water, chanting, cheering and waving their flags like men possessed.
“The enthusiasm from the Venezuelan team is so motivating,” said Ronald Reyes. “The support from my coach and my country makes a big difference.”
Big surf powerhouses Hawaii, Australia, France and the USA all placed Longboard team members into the next round, making up for costly losses inflicted yesterday. Both Hawaiians Kekoa Uemura and Bonga Perkins advanced to the next round after Hawaii lost two of its stars in Tuesday's final eliminations elevating them into 3rd place with 16,960 points. The Americans and Australians also advanced both their longboarders, and are in a first place deadlock with 19,080 points each. France was helped hugely by early wins from both their Longboard teammates, but South Africa and Costa Rica were hurt when their men did not make the cut. Brazil and Costa Rica are neck and neck with 15,890 and 15,640 respective points.
Unexpected wins from complete dark horses were still a frequent result in the repercharge heats. The Great Britain got both their men through, and surprise chargers like Tahiti and Argentina are also qualified. Bombshell surprise Mexico blasted through two repercharges and still fighting to make the next round. “The deciding factor for me was doing some really big floaters” said Tzabui Poo, from Mexico. “Earlier I was falling when I tried them, but in this heat I went big and landed them!”
The biggest upset of the day was Dieter Gerards from Cologne, Germany, who made it through round 1 and 2 of the main event.
“I'm really amazed that I was able to beat to Brazil and Tahiti,” said a still stunned Gerards. “Ten minutes went by without a wave late in the heat - but I stayed calm, waiting for the waves and watching the other surfers very carefully. When a good wave finally came my way I just tried to do put it all together,” said Gerards.
Despite the fact that 15 countries are already out of the running and another 10 have very slim chances, enthusiasm is running wild for individuals still advancing in the contest.
“When I came out of the water my teammates said to me that it had won and couldn't believe it,” said a super-stoked Gerards. “I can't believe it! It is really total madness! Now I am going to call my family and friends in Germany, to tell them what happened!”
SurferMag.com
http://surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/longboards-isa-world-games-costa-rica-2009/
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
PacSun USA Surf Team Takes Gold At Billabong ISA World Surfing Games
PacSun USA Surf Team Takes Gold At Billabong ISA World Surfing Games
Official ISA News Release
Billabong ISA World Surfing GamesPlaya Hermosa, Costa RicaAugust 8, 2009
USA took top honors at the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games. WIth two individual medals in the Mens (Cory Lopez, silver and Ben Bourgoeis, copper) and the Womens (Courtney Conlogue, GOLD and Sage Erickson, bronze) and a bronze in the Longboard final (Tony Silvagni), Team USA asserted their dominance on Saturday. It’s the first time they’ve won a Team Gold medal since the ‘96 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach. Congrats USA! Great job and we’re proud of you guys for bringing home the gold!
It was a fitting end to an event steeped in a mix of camaraderie and tough competition as Team USA took the overall gold medal today over Team France at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games presented by Monster Energy in Costa Rica. It was the first time that the Americans have won an overall gold medal in since the 1996 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California.
From the opening heats of the Games at Playa Hermosa that began eight days ago, Team USA appeared committed and focused, as they competed against 34 other teams for a spot on the podium. With the final day of competition looming overhead, Team USA stood firm and was able to place five or their eight team members into the three finals, hence becoming the team to beat.
The team was led by Ian Cairns who assumed the position as Coach less than one month ago. “We had good surfers and what we did was to stay very concentrated,” said a low-key Cairns. “This is a long event and it was very important to preserve your energy.”
“I am really very happy” said Cairns of the first American title in more than a decade. “My goal was to come here and win. But also I wanted to establish a different personality for American surfing. I didn’t want to make a lot of noise until things were happening. We built the support, the calmness and we focused on being together and concentrating on doing things well. Later, at the final, we went to the beach to wave the flag.”
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said about the amazing Billabong ISA World Surfing Games: “This was a great event. The new team format (4 open men, 2 open women and 2 longboarders) proved to be the right decision. The inaugural Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will go down as a historical moment for surfing, with record number of competitors and national teams in attendance. Congratulations to all the nations and see you next year!”
Hot on the USA’s heels was the French team, led by ASP World Tour surfer Jeremy Flores. He looked in stellar form throughout the entire contest. France managed to put a one athlete in each of the Open, Women’s, and Longboard divisions.
Kick-starting the final day of the contest was the ISA Aloha Cup, run as a tag-team event with five surfers from each team taking turns competing in the hour-long final. The unique format brought the national pride and overall competitiveness that had been simmering to a roaring boil.
Historically, one of the strongest teams in the event and last year’s overall event winner, Team Australia, took the lead in the Aloha Cup at the outset of the heat and managed to hold on to it despite a strong rally from the French Team. It was a bittersweet moment for the Aussies as the team was not able to secure the ISA Team World Championship gold medal as it’s done many times in the past. The Aloha Cup was the only gold medal for the Australians.
Following the Aloha Cup, the Longboard finalists took to the tepid 4 to 5 foot Costa Rican lineup and put on a tremendous show. The final, that included an American, a Frenchman, an Australian, and a British surfer, brought the thousands of fans that swarmed the beach to their feet, blending old-world noserides and iconic style with modern high-speed turns and speed floats. In the end, France’s Antoine Delpero came out on top as he narrowly edged out Aussie surfer Harley Ingleby with a two-wave combined score of 15.50 points.
“I feel unreal� I’m so happy I can’t say a word,” said a beaming and visibly shaken Delpero following his win. “This is so cool for me and Team France.”
In the Women’s final, 16-year-old American Courtney Conlogue was surfing on a higher plane as she dismantled her competition with a determined backhand attack on the lefts that earned her a slew of 8- and 7-point rides along with a gold medal.
Heading into the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, Conlogue was coming off monumental performances this year, including silver medal at the ISA World Junior Championship in Ecuador, and a victory at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA. Judging from her recent competitive dominance, Conlogue has proven that she will be a formidable figure in the sport for years to come.
With her face partially shaded behind a pair of aviator sunglasses, Conlogue remained poised following her gold medal win. “To be surfing in front of all these people is amazing. It’s been such a great event. To be in the final I had to put it all on the line,” she said. “The conditions were really good out there�it’s just really been such a fun journey so far.”
Highlighting the final day’s action was the Open final. Comprised of two Americans—Floridian Cory Lopez and North Carolina native Ben Bourgeois—a Peruvian and a Frenchmen, the level of surfing in the Men’s final showcased just how technically advanced surfing has become throughout the world.
Opening up the heat with a barrage of mind-numbing turns was American Cory Lopez. Throughout the Games, Lopez looked extremely relaxed and confident—a dangerous mix in the game of competitive surfing. Despite Lopez’s stellar rail work and progressive turns, France’s Jeremy Flores was the man to beat. Surfing like a man possessed, Flores seemed untouchable, putting his trademark low center of gravity style and lightning fast turns to good work in the final. That surfing earned him a pair of 8-point rides that the other competitors couldn’t touch as Flores went on to win the gold medal.
Following his win, Flores appeared proud and confident as he reflected on the impact of bringing home a gold medal. “I haven’t won too many contests, I’ve always done well, but I hardly ever seem to win. For me this is huge. This was more than a victory for me. I never win anything�I can’t believe I just won. Wining the gold medal for my country, is the best feeling I ever had in my surfing career.”
Then the Medals and Closing Ceremony took place. The nations anthems were played honoring the gold medalists with the crowd applauding each one of them. The event was d officially closed by ISA Vice-President, Alan Atkins, who said: “The global surfing family has come together again and has tightened more than ever. I want to thank, in the name of the ISA to all those who were involved in the contest, the sponsors, the local Federation and all the volunteers that worked hard during this week. I am now declaring officially closed the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.”
Another edition of one of the biggest and important surfing events in the world came to an end. It will come again in 2010. The next ISA event will be the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship to be held in New Zeland in January. For more information log on isasurf.org.
FINAL Team Results: GOLD - United States – 14910 pointsSILVER - France – 13280 pointsBRONZE - Australia - 10996 pointsCOPPER - Hawaii – 10856 points
INDIVIDUAL FINAL RESULTSOpen MenGold: Jeremy Flores (FRA)Silver: Cory Lopez (USA)Bronze: Gabriel VIllarán (PER)Copper: Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Open WomenGold: Courtney Conlogue (USA)Silver: Rosanne Hodge (RSA)Copper: Sage Erickson (USA)Bronze: Pauline Ado (FRA)
Longboard Gold: Antoine Delpero (FRA)Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)Copper: Ben Skinner (GBR)Bronze: Tony Silvagni (USA)
Aloha CupGold: AustraliaSilver: FranciaBronze: PeruCopper: Tahiti
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS 1 - USA - 14910 points2 - France - 13280 points3 - Australia - 10996 points4 - Hawaii - 10856 points5 - South Africa - 10666 points6 - Peru - 10180 points7 - Costa Rica - 9650 points8 - Venezuela - 9040 points9 - Brazil - 9000 points10 - Puerto Rico - 8820 points11 - New Zealand - 8100 points12 - Argentina - 7160 points13 - Tahiti - 6688 points14 - Ecuador - 6170 points15 - Panama - 5952 points16 - Italy - 5670 points17 - Mexico - 5560 points18 - Japan - 5324 points19 - Chile - 5208 points20 - El Salvador - 4784 points21 - Ireland - 4568 points22 - Austria - 4320 points23 - Barbados - 4128 points24 - Germany - 4024 points25 - UK- 3810 points26 - Guatemala - 3696 points27 - Switzerland - 3440 points28 - Jamaica - 2912 points29 - Canada - 2784 points30 - Nicaragua - 2656 points31 - Colombia 2544 points32 - Trinidad & Tobago - 2240 points33 - Bahamas 2240 points34 - Rep. Dominican - 1680 points35 - Aruba- 384 points
Official ISA News Release
Billabong ISA World Surfing GamesPlaya Hermosa, Costa RicaAugust 8, 2009
USA took top honors at the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games. WIth two individual medals in the Mens (Cory Lopez, silver and Ben Bourgoeis, copper) and the Womens (Courtney Conlogue, GOLD and Sage Erickson, bronze) and a bronze in the Longboard final (Tony Silvagni), Team USA asserted their dominance on Saturday. It’s the first time they’ve won a Team Gold medal since the ‘96 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach. Congrats USA! Great job and we’re proud of you guys for bringing home the gold!
It was a fitting end to an event steeped in a mix of camaraderie and tough competition as Team USA took the overall gold medal today over Team France at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games presented by Monster Energy in Costa Rica. It was the first time that the Americans have won an overall gold medal in since the 1996 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California.
From the opening heats of the Games at Playa Hermosa that began eight days ago, Team USA appeared committed and focused, as they competed against 34 other teams for a spot on the podium. With the final day of competition looming overhead, Team USA stood firm and was able to place five or their eight team members into the three finals, hence becoming the team to beat.
The team was led by Ian Cairns who assumed the position as Coach less than one month ago. “We had good surfers and what we did was to stay very concentrated,” said a low-key Cairns. “This is a long event and it was very important to preserve your energy.”
“I am really very happy” said Cairns of the first American title in more than a decade. “My goal was to come here and win. But also I wanted to establish a different personality for American surfing. I didn’t want to make a lot of noise until things were happening. We built the support, the calmness and we focused on being together and concentrating on doing things well. Later, at the final, we went to the beach to wave the flag.”
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said about the amazing Billabong ISA World Surfing Games: “This was a great event. The new team format (4 open men, 2 open women and 2 longboarders) proved to be the right decision. The inaugural Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will go down as a historical moment for surfing, with record number of competitors and national teams in attendance. Congratulations to all the nations and see you next year!”
Hot on the USA’s heels was the French team, led by ASP World Tour surfer Jeremy Flores. He looked in stellar form throughout the entire contest. France managed to put a one athlete in each of the Open, Women’s, and Longboard divisions.
Kick-starting the final day of the contest was the ISA Aloha Cup, run as a tag-team event with five surfers from each team taking turns competing in the hour-long final. The unique format brought the national pride and overall competitiveness that had been simmering to a roaring boil.
Historically, one of the strongest teams in the event and last year’s overall event winner, Team Australia, took the lead in the Aloha Cup at the outset of the heat and managed to hold on to it despite a strong rally from the French Team. It was a bittersweet moment for the Aussies as the team was not able to secure the ISA Team World Championship gold medal as it’s done many times in the past. The Aloha Cup was the only gold medal for the Australians.
Following the Aloha Cup, the Longboard finalists took to the tepid 4 to 5 foot Costa Rican lineup and put on a tremendous show. The final, that included an American, a Frenchman, an Australian, and a British surfer, brought the thousands of fans that swarmed the beach to their feet, blending old-world noserides and iconic style with modern high-speed turns and speed floats. In the end, France’s Antoine Delpero came out on top as he narrowly edged out Aussie surfer Harley Ingleby with a two-wave combined score of 15.50 points.
“I feel unreal� I’m so happy I can’t say a word,” said a beaming and visibly shaken Delpero following his win. “This is so cool for me and Team France.”
In the Women’s final, 16-year-old American Courtney Conlogue was surfing on a higher plane as she dismantled her competition with a determined backhand attack on the lefts that earned her a slew of 8- and 7-point rides along with a gold medal.
Heading into the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, Conlogue was coming off monumental performances this year, including silver medal at the ISA World Junior Championship in Ecuador, and a victory at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA. Judging from her recent competitive dominance, Conlogue has proven that she will be a formidable figure in the sport for years to come.
With her face partially shaded behind a pair of aviator sunglasses, Conlogue remained poised following her gold medal win. “To be surfing in front of all these people is amazing. It’s been such a great event. To be in the final I had to put it all on the line,” she said. “The conditions were really good out there�it’s just really been such a fun journey so far.”
Highlighting the final day’s action was the Open final. Comprised of two Americans—Floridian Cory Lopez and North Carolina native Ben Bourgeois—a Peruvian and a Frenchmen, the level of surfing in the Men’s final showcased just how technically advanced surfing has become throughout the world.
Opening up the heat with a barrage of mind-numbing turns was American Cory Lopez. Throughout the Games, Lopez looked extremely relaxed and confident—a dangerous mix in the game of competitive surfing. Despite Lopez’s stellar rail work and progressive turns, France’s Jeremy Flores was the man to beat. Surfing like a man possessed, Flores seemed untouchable, putting his trademark low center of gravity style and lightning fast turns to good work in the final. That surfing earned him a pair of 8-point rides that the other competitors couldn’t touch as Flores went on to win the gold medal.
Following his win, Flores appeared proud and confident as he reflected on the impact of bringing home a gold medal. “I haven’t won too many contests, I’ve always done well, but I hardly ever seem to win. For me this is huge. This was more than a victory for me. I never win anything�I can’t believe I just won. Wining the gold medal for my country, is the best feeling I ever had in my surfing career.”
Then the Medals and Closing Ceremony took place. The nations anthems were played honoring the gold medalists with the crowd applauding each one of them. The event was d officially closed by ISA Vice-President, Alan Atkins, who said: “The global surfing family has come together again and has tightened more than ever. I want to thank, in the name of the ISA to all those who were involved in the contest, the sponsors, the local Federation and all the volunteers that worked hard during this week. I am now declaring officially closed the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.”
Another edition of one of the biggest and important surfing events in the world came to an end. It will come again in 2010. The next ISA event will be the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship to be held in New Zeland in January. For more information log on isasurf.org.
FINAL Team Results: GOLD - United States – 14910 pointsSILVER - France – 13280 pointsBRONZE - Australia - 10996 pointsCOPPER - Hawaii – 10856 points
INDIVIDUAL FINAL RESULTSOpen MenGold: Jeremy Flores (FRA)Silver: Cory Lopez (USA)Bronze: Gabriel VIllarán (PER)Copper: Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Open WomenGold: Courtney Conlogue (USA)Silver: Rosanne Hodge (RSA)Copper: Sage Erickson (USA)Bronze: Pauline Ado (FRA)
Longboard Gold: Antoine Delpero (FRA)Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)Copper: Ben Skinner (GBR)Bronze: Tony Silvagni (USA)
Aloha CupGold: AustraliaSilver: FranciaBronze: PeruCopper: Tahiti
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS 1 - USA - 14910 points2 - France - 13280 points3 - Australia - 10996 points4 - Hawaii - 10856 points5 - South Africa - 10666 points6 - Peru - 10180 points7 - Costa Rica - 9650 points8 - Venezuela - 9040 points9 - Brazil - 9000 points10 - Puerto Rico - 8820 points11 - New Zealand - 8100 points12 - Argentina - 7160 points13 - Tahiti - 6688 points14 - Ecuador - 6170 points15 - Panama - 5952 points16 - Italy - 5670 points17 - Mexico - 5560 points18 - Japan - 5324 points19 - Chile - 5208 points20 - El Salvador - 4784 points21 - Ireland - 4568 points22 - Austria - 4320 points23 - Barbados - 4128 points24 - Germany - 4024 points25 - UK- 3810 points26 - Guatemala - 3696 points27 - Switzerland - 3440 points28 - Jamaica - 2912 points29 - Canada - 2784 points30 - Nicaragua - 2656 points31 - Colombia 2544 points32 - Trinidad & Tobago - 2240 points33 - Bahamas 2240 points34 - Rep. Dominican - 1680 points35 - Aruba- 384 points
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW AFFINITY REWARDS CREDIT CARD !!
Surfrider Foundation Launches New Affinity Rewards Credit Card
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW AFFINITY REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Credit Cards Help Fund Surfrider Foundation’s Mission To Protect and Preserve Our Oceans, Waves and Beaches
San Clemente, CA (July 30, 2009) – The Surfrider Foundation and CardPartner, Inc. have joined forces to launch the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards credit card. For every card activated, the Surfrider Foundation receives $50, and following the activation, a percentage of all purchases. “Using the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards credit card for everyday purchases is an easy way for supporters to raise funds that will help the Surfrider Foundation protect and preserve our oceans, waves and beaches,” says Steve Blank, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Development. Applicants can choose one of five Aaron Chang images for their credit card: “Del Mar,” “Blue Wave,” “Pipeline,” “Teahupoo,” and “Isabell.” “We are extremely grateful that Aaron Chang allowed us to use his images for the credit cards,” says Blank. “The photos reflect the beauty and power of the ocean and highlight why we need to continue preserving it for future generations.” The Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards cards offer qualified cardholders exceptional benefits:
No annual fee
0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months
Earn points at hundreds of participating retailers
Earn up to 15 bonus points per dollar at select merchants
Redeem points for FREE airline tickets, merchandise and more
Purchase protection
Zero liability protection for unauthorized purchases
Emergency cash and card replacement
24-hour roadside assistance
For additional information on the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards card, visit www.cardpartner.com/app/surfrider-foundation <http://www.cardpartner.com/app/surfrider-foundation> . To view Aaron Chang’s photography, visit www.aaronchanggallery.com <http://www.aaronchanggallery.com/> .
http://www.surfshot.com/Surf+News/Surfrider+Foundation+Launches+New+Affinity+Rewards+Credit+Card-173146.html
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW AFFINITY REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Credit Cards Help Fund Surfrider Foundation’s Mission To Protect and Preserve Our Oceans, Waves and Beaches
San Clemente, CA (July 30, 2009) – The Surfrider Foundation and CardPartner, Inc. have joined forces to launch the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards credit card. For every card activated, the Surfrider Foundation receives $50, and following the activation, a percentage of all purchases. “Using the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards credit card for everyday purchases is an easy way for supporters to raise funds that will help the Surfrider Foundation protect and preserve our oceans, waves and beaches,” says Steve Blank, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Development. Applicants can choose one of five Aaron Chang images for their credit card: “Del Mar,” “Blue Wave,” “Pipeline,” “Teahupoo,” and “Isabell.” “We are extremely grateful that Aaron Chang allowed us to use his images for the credit cards,” says Blank. “The photos reflect the beauty and power of the ocean and highlight why we need to continue preserving it for future generations.” The Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards cards offer qualified cardholders exceptional benefits:
No annual fee
0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months
Earn points at hundreds of participating retailers
Earn up to 15 bonus points per dollar at select merchants
Redeem points for FREE airline tickets, merchandise and more
Purchase protection
Zero liability protection for unauthorized purchases
Emergency cash and card replacement
24-hour roadside assistance
For additional information on the Surfrider Foundation Visa Platinum® Rewards card, visit www.cardpartner.com/app/surfrider-foundation <http://www.cardpartner.com/app/surfrider-foundation> . To view Aaron Chang’s photography, visit www.aaronchanggallery.com <http://www.aaronchanggallery.com/> .
http://www.surfshot.com/Surf+News/Surfrider+Foundation+Launches+New+Affinity+Rewards+Credit+Card-173146.html
Sunday, August 2, 2009
McPhillips Finishes Fifth at Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara
McPhillips Finishes Fifth at Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, August 2, 2009) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Tour (WLT) completed its first of two stops of the year with the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara and saw three-time ASP WLT champion Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA), 34, lead the American front with a fifth place finish amongst the world’s finest competitive longboarders.
Surfers competing on the ASP WLT qualify for the prestigious tour by finishing on the top of their region’s respective ASP Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) ratings. Once qualified, they earn the chance to claim the title of ASP World Longboard Champion.
McPhillips surfed impressively throughout the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara, combining traditional noseriding and powerful carves throughout his heat wins over ASP WLT rookie Tony Silvagni (Kure Beach, NC), 22, and French competitor Alexis Deniel (FRA) before falling to eventual event winner Harley ingleby (Coffs Harbour, AUS), 26, in the Quarterfinals.
“I’ve been to Japan about 10 times, but this is the first time I’ve been here for a contest,” McPhillips said. “It’s hard for me because I’ve been doing it for a long time and have been at the top, so if I don’t do so well, I get down on myself because I want to win. As long as I can keep it at the top, it makes me happy.”
The veteran campaigner has been a standout performer on the international longboard scene for some time now and the unique event location choices of Oxbow have rekindled a competitive spark in McPhillips’ desire to contend for an additional ASP World Title.
“I’m more fired up to compete this year than I have been in a while,” McPhillips said. “Having an event here in Japan and the next one in the Maldives and hearing them talk about next year and knowing there will be more events helps me keep my interest. In past years there was a contest here or there so it was harder to care, but this gives us something to look forward to.”
The San Clemente local is utilizing the several regional ASP LQS contests to keep his skills sharp in between ASP WLT contests and will continue to do so until the next event, the Oxbow ASP WLT, which will be held in the ideal lefthand pointbreak of Pasta Point in the Maldives.
“All of the LQS events have been great because the last few years, we’ve had nothing,” McPhillips said. “You would just show up and do one event and everything is riding on it, and having some more events to do at home is great. It helps you keep yourself in tune and it’s perfect.”
For images and highlights from the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara log on to www.oxbowpro.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or http://www.aspnorthamerica.org/
Longboard News, ASP NorthAmerica
http://www.aspnorthamerica.com/news_show.php?id=669
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, August 2, 2009) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Tour (WLT) completed its first of two stops of the year with the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara and saw three-time ASP WLT champion Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA), 34, lead the American front with a fifth place finish amongst the world’s finest competitive longboarders.
Surfers competing on the ASP WLT qualify for the prestigious tour by finishing on the top of their region’s respective ASP Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) ratings. Once qualified, they earn the chance to claim the title of ASP World Longboard Champion.
McPhillips surfed impressively throughout the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara, combining traditional noseriding and powerful carves throughout his heat wins over ASP WLT rookie Tony Silvagni (Kure Beach, NC), 22, and French competitor Alexis Deniel (FRA) before falling to eventual event winner Harley ingleby (Coffs Harbour, AUS), 26, in the Quarterfinals.
“I’ve been to Japan about 10 times, but this is the first time I’ve been here for a contest,” McPhillips said. “It’s hard for me because I’ve been doing it for a long time and have been at the top, so if I don’t do so well, I get down on myself because I want to win. As long as I can keep it at the top, it makes me happy.”
The veteran campaigner has been a standout performer on the international longboard scene for some time now and the unique event location choices of Oxbow have rekindled a competitive spark in McPhillips’ desire to contend for an additional ASP World Title.
“I’m more fired up to compete this year than I have been in a while,” McPhillips said. “Having an event here in Japan and the next one in the Maldives and hearing them talk about next year and knowing there will be more events helps me keep my interest. In past years there was a contest here or there so it was harder to care, but this gives us something to look forward to.”
The San Clemente local is utilizing the several regional ASP LQS contests to keep his skills sharp in between ASP WLT contests and will continue to do so until the next event, the Oxbow ASP WLT, which will be held in the ideal lefthand pointbreak of Pasta Point in the Maldives.
“All of the LQS events have been great because the last few years, we’ve had nothing,” McPhillips said. “You would just show up and do one event and everything is riding on it, and having some more events to do at home is great. It helps you keep yourself in tune and it’s perfect.”
For images and highlights from the Yumeya presents Oxbow ASP WLT at Tahara log on to www.oxbowpro.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or http://www.aspnorthamerica.org/
Longboard News, ASP NorthAmerica
http://www.aspnorthamerica.com/news_show.php?id=669
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