Beyond Boarders

The world's top women surfers are taking a break from their world tour until the end of August, when they descend on the south west coast of France.

Remaining events on their tour are:

• Aug 28-Sep 1 at Hossegor,Landes-France Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle


• Sep 10-18 at Barra da Tijuca/Macumba,Rio de Janeiro,RJ-Brazil Billabong Girls Pro Rio


• Oct 9-14 at Northern Beaches,Sydney, NSW-Australia Beachley Classic


• Oct 27-Nov 3(TBC) at Lobitos,Mancora,Piura-Peru Mancora Peru Classic


• Nov 24-Dec 6 at Sunset Bch,Oahu-Hawaii Roxy Pro


• Dec 8-20 at Honolua Bay,Maui-Hawaii Billabong Pro

Labels: 2008, ASP, women's, World Tour

Rip Curl Pro Search, Chile, is set for an exciting finish. Andy Irons (Haw)surged into the Semis, defeating Joel Parkinson (Aus) and their are some great matches in the remaining quarterfinals.
Bobby Martinez (USA) seems to relish these conditions and takes on an in-form Mick Fanning (AUS). Then the USA Hobgood twins, CJ and Damien, face Dean Morrison (AUS) and Bruno Santos (BRA), respectively. Which means that once again, they could be going head to head in the Semi-finals.

Whatever happens, Mick Fanning has increased his hold on the top spot of the ASP World Tour. While it doesn't look as if Kelly Slater is going to be adding to his World Title count this year, again taking an early flight home.

Labels: 2007, ASP, Chile, surfing, World Tour

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

Next week, February 27, the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour for men and the ASP Women's World Tour both kick off at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast of Australia with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros presented by Samsung.

The preceding Saturday night, February 24, the world?s best surfers will swap wetsuits for lavish gowns and penguin suits, for the ASP World Championship Crowning Banquet at the famous Jupiter?s Casino on Australia?s Gold Coast. That said, I once attended a ball where a dedicated surfer refused to surrender his beach gear and who's only concession to dressing up, was to wear a bow-tie.

The evening will see the crowning of the 2006 Foster?s ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA), and 2006 ASP Women?s World Champion, Layne Beachley (AUS), as well as the ASP World Junior champions Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS), plus a host of other awards and no doubt a good deal of revelry.

Labels: ASP, championship, men's, surfing, women's, world, World Tour