Beyond Boarders

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 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.

Labels: ASP World Tour, Australia, Mick Fanning, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stephanie Gilmore

Following the elimination Round 2's big upsets in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, that sent former three-time Foster's ASP World Champ Andy Irons (HAW), Fred Patacchia (HAW), Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and former event champion Michael Lowe (AUS) all home early, the race for the ASP ratings lead is on and Round 3 will showcase some of the most dynamic match ups of the event.

"We have ideal conditions this morning at Snapper Rock," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "It's about 4 foot with clean offshore winds and the men's Round 3 will hit the water at 8am local time."

Heat 4 will see last year?s Foster?s ASP World Tour rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (USA) do battle against in-form ?07 rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in a goofy-footer showdown, Heat 9 will see reigning and eight-time Foster?s ASP World Champ Kelly Slater (USA) try to avenge his first round loss in a rematch with wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS), and all the local Coolangatta boys will be looking to grab the ASP ratings lead with a big result at the Quiksilver Pro.

The event is webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com

Yesterday, 23 year old, Chelsea Hedges (formerly Georgeson), won the first event on the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung, at what amounts to her home break of Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta, Australia.

She defeated prodigious Roxy Pro Wildcard Carissa Moore (HAW), 14, the youngest finalist in ASP elite-tour history and takes an early lead in the 2007 title race. Carissa sensationally defeated seven-time ASP World Champion and 2006 number 1, Layne Beachley (AUS), veteran competitor and former World No. 2 Megan Abubo (HAW) and 2005 ASP Rookie of the Year Rebecca Woods (AUS) en route to the final of her first ever Women's ASP tour event.

Labels: ASP, Carissa Moore, Chelsea Hedges, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Roxy Pro Gold Coast, surfing, World Tour