Beyond Boarders

Joel Parkinson (AUS), continued his winning start to the 2009 season, claiming the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach by defeating local surfer Adam Robertson (AUS), trials winner and event wildcard, in pumping 2m (6ft) waves at Bells Beach, Australia.

This was the second stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour and capacity crowds turned out to watch a historic final. The next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pro Teahupoo from May 9 ? 20, 2009.

Labels: 2009, ASP World Tour, Australia, Bells Beach, Joel Parkinson

Here are the pictures I promised of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast held at Kirra, Australia, March 2009. Sorry for the delay, let's just say that there have been a few distractions.

Thanks to Cyclone Hamish, the historic pointbreak offered churning barrels with massive scoring potential in the final and local favorite, Joel Parkinson, proved to be very much at home in the challenging conditions. Parkinson buckled his board on the first wave but returned to the lineup to nail a perfect 10, his second of the day. Taking him to victory over former ASP World Junior Champion, young Brazilian, Adriano de Souza, who was surfing in his first ASP World Tour final.

In the women's final of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, another local, who happens to be the reigning two-time ASP Women's World Champion, Stephanie Gilmore, defeated Melanie Bartels from Hawaii. The final was held at Snapper Rocks and was her fourth consecutive win on the ASP Women?s World Tour.

Labels: 2009, ASP World Tour, Australia, Gold Coast, Joel Parkinson, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stephanie Gilmore, surfing

The 2009 professional surfing season has kicked off for both the men and the women, on Australia's Queensland, Gold Coast. And both opening events saw wins for Australian surfers.

21 year old Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), reigning two-time ASP Women's World Champion, won the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile, defeating Melanie Bartels (HAW), in the Final. Then, fellow Australian, Joel Parkinson (AUS), claimed victory in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, defeating fellow finalist Adriano de Souza (BRA).

I will post detailed reports and pictures for both events. The tours now move on to Bells Beach, Australia, in April.

Labels: 2009, ASP World Tour, Australia, Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore, surfing