Nic Jones (AUS) at the recent Rangi Pro Junior in French Polynesia. Pic ASP/Will H-S

ASP Australasia caught up with Nic for a quick chat about competing in both disciplines.

Tell us about the similarities and differences competing on longboards and shortboards.

They’re similar in that you have to go out and try to surf your best against other really talented surfers, but they’re so different it’s hard to explain. Shortboarding is a bit more aggressive in the way that you surf and also the vibe of the competition. Longboarding is more of a fun vibe, everyone is having fun and the surfing is more relaxed.

Which do you prefer?

I’m lucky that I’m able to surf in both types of competitions because there’s not as many longboard or shortboard comps as there used to be, and doing both keeps me busy. I like them both for different reasons. I’ve been doing longboard comps since I was little and I love them, the competitions have a big community vibe and everyone is there to have fun. The good thing about shortboarding is I just got back from two competitions in Tahiti and some of the waves were amazing, it was a great trip, but the competition and level of surfing can be intense.

You’ll be competing for an ASP World Longboard Title in China later this year, how does that feel?

I’ve never been to China so I’m excited to go. I’ve heard a lot about the place and I can’t wait to experience it for myself. I’ve been surfing against ASP Longboard World Champions like Taylor Jensen and Harley Ingleby for the past few years on the ASP Australasia Longboard Qualifying Series and I really look up to them. I’ll be in a heat thinking that these are the guys I used to want autographs from and now I’m in the water with them, it’s unreal! Winning the ASP World Longboard Title is the ultimate goal, it’s my dream, but being my first year I’m just hoping to make a few heats and start to feel comfortable and see how I go from there.

Tell us about your plans for the rest of 2013.

I’ll be finishing off the QCC series and doing some local longboard competitions in-between doing my Bachelor of Commerce degree at Uni. There’s also the final ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series event for the year, the Be The Influence Surf Pro at Coffs Harbour which I really want to do well at. I’m also going to Taiwan for the Taiwan Open longboard event before going to China for the ASP World Longboard Title event in November. It’s going to be busy, but I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.

Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, winner of the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro and current rankings leader on the ASP Women’s WCT.

BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio De Janeiro/Brazil (Saturday, May 11, 2013) – Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, has defeated Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, in a high-scoring final of 17.80 to 15.67 to win the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro in peaky two-to-three foot waves, simultaneously taking the frontrunner position on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT).

Wright dominated the Barra Da Tijuca lineup from start to finish, posting the high scores of each round with incredible progressive combinations on the punchy righthanders. The Australian’s efforts against Fitzgibbons in the Final were no different, as Wright unloaded committed forehand combinations and was rewarded a 9.33 and 8.50 to secure the win.

“This feels pretty good,” Wright said. “This whole event has been stepping stones for me. I started off a bit shaky and this is my first even where my family is not here with me. Brooke Farris was here looking after me and thanks to everyone for all of their support. After I lost that Round 3 heat I just wanted to catch waves and I stayed busy from then on. It’s just the way it worked out. I just love catching waves. I just kept building and building and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is just fantastic to come to Rio, I love it.”

Wright’s victory in Rio marks her second of the season following a win on the Gold Coast and the two victories combined with two additional runner up finishes have launched Wright to the No.1 position over Carissa Moore (HAW), 20.

“It’s awesome to move to the top of the rankings, but I’m honestly not thinking about the World Title,” Wright said. “I’m just having fun surfing and enjoying each event and we’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”

Sally Fitzgibbons, defending event champion, put in an amazing effort in an attempt to retain the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro Title, seamlessly linking fluid backhand combinations on the Barra Da Tijuca lefts en route to another Final. Fitzgibbons ousted Oahu talent Carissa Moore in their Semifinals bout, but was unable to put a stop to Wright’s momentum in the Final to finish runner-up overall.

“I’m happy to progress though to the Final,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s always exciting to come in to a final against Tyler (Wright) and I knew she’d be tough to beat out there. I love coming to Rio and I always get good results here. Unfortunately I fell at the last hurdle, but I’ll come back bigger and better next year.”

Fitzgibbons’ runner-up finish at the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro moves her to No. 3 on the ASP Women’s WCT.

Carissa Moore, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion, donated another strong performance this season at the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro, finishing equal 3rd overall. The Hawaiian champion was looking dangerous for yet another Final appearance this season after defeating Laura Enever (AUS), 21, in the Quarterfinals, but fell to Fitzgibbons in their Semifinal match up.

“It was good heat with Sally, but there were just not that many waves,” Moore said. “We paddled all over the beach and sometimes it turns in to strategy and paddle battling and unfortunately I was on the other end of it today. It’s alright though and I’ll take this on to the next event.”

Moore, who was leading the women’s ASP WCT rankings entering Brazil, has been relegated to the No. 2 position following Wright’s victory, but is still well within contention of the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title.

“I have never been thinking that I’m running away with the World Title at all,” Moore said. “I’m just happy to be in the race. I know it’s going to be tough if I want to win the World Title again and other girls want it just as bad.”

Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), 19, ASP Women’s WCT Rookie, earned the best result of her young career, finishing equal 3rd overall. Buitendag displayed crisp surfing on both her forehand and backhand while besting hungry American Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, in the Quarterfinals, but was unable to surpass Tyler Wright in the Semifinal.

“I think it’s the best result of my professional career,” Buitendag said. “I’m really happy with my result and happy to be here in Brazil. It’s good to get my head above water for a change. I’d been in a tough mental space over the last few events and kind of putting myself down and this allowed me to think and surf smarter. Now that this event is over I’ll be able to go back and analyze my performance.”

Highlights from the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro will be available via http://wctbrasil.com/rio13

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am local time for a possible start to Round 2 of Billabong Rio Pro Men’s competition.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.80
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.67

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.90 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.97
SF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.94 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.64

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.50 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.34
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.10 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 10.24
QF 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.83 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.74
QF 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 12.20 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.33

ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 (Following Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro):
1. Tyler Wright (AUS) 40,000 points
2. Carissa Moore (HAW) 38,200
3. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 34,200
4. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 32,100
5. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 26,450

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA)
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (BRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1, is into the Quarterfinals of the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro.

BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Friday, May 10, 2013) -The Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro completed a massive opening day of competition, running through four rounds of competition to decide the Quarterfinalists in peaky two-to-four foot waves at Barra Da Tijuca.

Stop No. 5 of 7 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro saw dominant performances from the event’s top seeds, tightening up an already exciting ASP World Title Race as the world’s best surfers move through the back half of the season.

Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion, displayed an amazing variety of power and progression to open her Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro campaign. Moore dominated both her Round 1 and Round 3 affairs today, securing her Quarterfinals berth.

“It feels good to move onto Quarterfinals,” Moore said. “With a beachbreak situation it can be tricky and random so it’s a relief to skip that Round 4.”

Moore, current frontrunner for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title Race, is out to further the gap over the field in Rio in hopes of securing a second crown, but knows this year’s race is far from over.

“I’m not thinking about the world title when I’m in the water, but I’ve definitely thought about it and I’m excited to be in the race,” Moore said. “My whole family is behind me, but I’ve got a long road ahead of me and still have a lot of work to do.”

Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, was another ASP World Title contender to standout in the shifty Barra Da Tijuca beachbreak today. Wright was responsible for the day’s highest scores including a 9.27 for a barrel-to-turn combo as well as a 17.04 heat total and eventually found her way to the Quarterfinals, topping Coco Ho (HAW), 22, in Round 4.

“I felt in my last heat that I didn’t get started at all and I hate losing like that,” Wright said. “I wanted to make sure I caught a lot of waves in that heat. I knew Coco (Ho) had a 6 and a 7 so I knew I was going to have to catch a lot of waves. I was frustrated with my last heat and I really wanted to push my turns.”

Wright, current No. 2 on the ASP Women’s WCT, is well within the hunt for a maiden ASP Women’s World Title, but the Australian remains casual in her approach for the frontrunner position.

“I’m not paying attention to the World Title at all,” Wright said. “All I want to do is surf. I’m having fun, surfing is what I love doing and I have a good board. I’ve just surpassed my best result in Rio and there’s no sense in thinking about the numbers for the World Title because in the end it just makes you come undone.”

Lakey Peterson (USA), 18, current No. 6 on the ASP WCT, was lethal on the opening day of competition, taking commanding Round 1 and Round 3 wins with some of the day’s top scores. Peterson wasted little time in her Round 3 bout, notching an 8.97 and 7.17 within the first 10 minutes to leave Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, and wildcard Alessa Quizon (HAW), 19, chasing massive scores for the remainder of the heat.

“It’s always nice when you get two great waves sent to you,” Peterson said. “It was looking really small for Round 2 and it’s picked up again for Round 3. I’m just having fun and although I had the early lead there was 20 minutes for the other girls to get back in to it, so I was watching them too. It was a good heat for me and it’s always nice to skip Round 4.”

Malia Manuel (HAW), 19, was in deadly form throughout the day despite being relegate to Round 2 in a heated exchange with Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, in Round 1. The talented Hawaiian built momentum throughout the rounds, eventually advancing to the Quarterfinals with a convincing Round 3 heat win in a rematch against Wright.

“I saw these rights that keep peeling down the beach, but my highest score was on a left,” Manuel said. These beachbreak conditions change so much with the tide and different swells so you just have to trust your instincts and move around if it’s not working for you.Tyler and I had a good battle this morning and that round was good payback for me.”

Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, took an impressive buzzer-beating heat win in Round 3 to earn her Quarterfinals berth. In need of a solid score in the dying seconds, Conlogue unleashed a series of committed backhand turns on a racing lefthander, earning a 7.33 ride and the heat win over Pauline Ado (FRA), 22, and Coco Ho (HAW), 22.

“That last heat was a battle,” Conlogue said. “It was more a battle against myself in that heat though. I was feeling off in that heat with the conditions, there was chop and I was catching my edge everywhere. With 15 seconds left I thought I’ll just give it a shot and milk it to the beach. It ended up being a good wave and I’m happy to get through.”

When competition resumes, up first will be Lakey Peterson (USA), 18, up against Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, in Quarterfinal 1.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:15am for a possible 6:30am start.

Highlights from the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro will be available via http://wctbrasil.com/rio13

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.04, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.34, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 9.33
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.27, Sage Erickson (USA) 12.83, Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.20
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.74, Alessa Quizon (BRA) 11.63, Silvana Lima (BRA) 6.70
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.04, Malia Manuel (HAW) 16.77, Phillipa Anderson (AUS) 7.77
Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.77, Laura Enever (AUS) 9.20, Alize Arnaud (FRA) 7.93
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.30, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 8.00, Pauline Ado (FRA) 7.06

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.60 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.47
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 15.77 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 15.13
Heat 3: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 13.60 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 12.83
Heat 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 14.84 def. Phillipa Anderson (AUS) 9.57
Heat 5: Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.37 def. Alize Arnaud (FRA) 10.23
Heat 6: Pauline Ado (FRA) 14.77 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.43

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 16.14, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.77, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 13.03
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.20, Laura Enever (AUS) 10.33, Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.34
Heat 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.90, Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.30, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 5.20
Heat 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.50, Pauline Ado (BRA) 13.20, Coco Ho (HAW) 11.73

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) def. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 15.10 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 12.10
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 14.60
Heat 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 10.77

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Laura Enever (AUS)
QF 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA)
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (BRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1, continued his dominant form this season in today’s Round 1 of the Billabong Rio Pro.

BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Thursday, May 9, 2013) – Round 1 of the Billabong Rio Pro was completed today in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca with the world’s best surfers navigating the at-times challenging barrels on offer and thrilling the crowd on the beach.

Stop No. 3 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Rio Pro continues this year’s campaign for the world surfing crown and the perennial threats were in form on the opening day of competition.

Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1, returned to Rio de Janeiro today after a 2012 absence due to a foot injury.

“Based on the years prior, I thought last year was going to be turns and maneuvers and there were a lot of barrels,” Slater said. “I had stitches in my heel last season and could probably have attended if it was just barrels, but I couldn’t really do turns with the stitches in my heel. Lesson learned and I’m here this year.”

The iconic natural-footer was completely dominant in his Round 1 bout this morning, threading a number of impressive forehand barrels to collect a 16.30 out of a possible 20 heat total and advance directly into Round 3.

“I saw a bunch of good waves down the beach and just kept that to myself,” Slater said. “You can take off on that foam ball out the back on the reef and get one or two turns and you’ve already got as good a score as you can get on some of the ones on the right side of the scaffolding. Most of the waves this morning have been closeouts, but I figured at some point today it’s going to get good. There were some unbelievable barrels down the beach.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32, reigning ASP World Champion, opened up the 2013 season with a runner-up finish to Slater on the Gold Coast before an uncharacteristic Equal 13th at Bells Beach. Currently sitting at No. 5 on the ASP WCT rankings, Parkinson is further focusing his efforts on defending the ASP World Title.

“I’ve had a little time to reflect on the world title but it’s only a few months break and once this year started it was game on again,” Parkinson said. “I enjoyed it for sure. Nothing was going to wipe the smile off of my face. I just cruised it and didn’t surf for about three weeks. Once the bug came back though I was just pumped. It’s one thing to win your first one, it’s an entirely different beast to defend one. The fact that the performance level on tour has never been higher doesn’t make it any easier.”

Parkinson was joined by Gold Coast stablemate and current ASP WCT No. 2 Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, in Round 1 victories today.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, winner of the previous event at Bells Beach and current ASP WCT No. 4, continued his 2013 momentum on home soil today, netting a solid Round 1 win over Australians Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, and Yadin Nicol (AUS), 27.

“I’m so happy to be back in Brazil and have all the support of my friends and family,” De Souza said. “The waves are challenging out here today but I’m fit and I’m motivated to do well. Winning Bells was a huge confidence for me – to be the first Brazilian male to win it. I came home and then went to the Mentawais after and have been training very hard for this event. The world title is the goal and hopefully I can bring one home to Brazil.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, complimented De Souza’s win this morning with a Round 1 victory of his own, posting the day’s high heat-total, 18.00 out of a possible 20, for a series of excellent backhand tube rides. Following an injury at the opening event of the season on the Gold Coast and a less-than-successful run at Bells Beach, Medina now appears fit and focused at home in Brazil.

“After Bells Beach, I came home and worked with lots of doctors and rested for this event,” Medina said. “It’s home in Brazil for me and I want to do well in front of my family and friends. I’m feeling pretty good – getting stronger every day. Stoked to get a win in Round 1 and hope I can keep going throughout the event.”

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, current ASP WCT No. 7, long-heralded as one of the premiere surfers on the planet, has been in blistering form in 2013 and opened up his Billabong Rio Pro campaign with an impressive 16.94 out of a possible 20 showing today to advance directly into Round 3.

“I just started the year off at home,” Smith said. “I wanted to let last year go. I have incredible people around me at the moment from my friends to my girlfriend. I also did a trip and I felt like I’d been behind the speed bump and couldn’t get past my injury. I was still feeling one step behind and then I went on a trip to Mozambique with my best friend and it changed everything for me. It got me over that hump and put a smile on my face again. It got me stoked again and I’m pumped.”

Rounding out today’s action was a stellar showing from the 2013 rookie class with Sebastian Zietz (HAW), 25, Glenn Hall (IRL), 31, and Nat Young (USA), 21, all posting Round 1 wins.

When competition resumes, up first will be Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, and Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) in the opening heat Round 2 of the Billabong Rio Pro.

Highlights from the Billabong Rio Pro and Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro will be available via http://wctbrasil.com/rio13

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.27, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 1.40
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.07, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 7.56, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 1.83
Heat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.66, Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 8.93, Taj Burrow (AUS) 8.67
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.20, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.27, Jack Freestone (AUS) 7.96
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.34, , Messias Felix (BRA) 9.83, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 2.47
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.30, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 4.63, Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) 1.46
Heat 7: Glenn Hall (IRL) 15.46, Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.00, Julian Wilson (AUS) 1.46
Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.00, Dusty Payne (HAW) 7.26, Damien Hobgood (USA) 4.04
Heat 9: Nat Young (USA) 11.46, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.74, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.37
Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.94, Adam Melling (AUS) 12.44, Kai Otton (AUS) 5.53
Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.27, Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.77, Brett Simpson (USA) 9.27
Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.43, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 8.56, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 7.43

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA)
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (BRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA), TBD
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Phillipa Anderson (AUS)
Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Alize Arnaud (FRA)
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)

Watch DRIFT trailer here – http://vimeo.com/56066304

More info on the movie – www.driftthemovie.com

Mitch Parkinson (AUS), current No.2 ranked surfer on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series. Pic ASP/Will H-S

An initiative of Surfing Australia, the ASP 2-Star rated men’s and women’s event at Coffs Harbour from 12th – 14th July will be the fourth and final event of the 2013 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series.

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said it was critical there were more opportunities to compete for Australia’s huge talent pool of Pro Junior (20 and under) surfers and the organisation was determined to help ASP Australasia establish a new event.

Surfing Australia are investing heavily into their new high performance scholarship program through the new state of the art Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre so it was critical to ensure there was a competition pathway provided for the athletes this year.

The new ASP Pro Junior in Coffs Harbour is also an absolute perfect start to Surfing Australia’s brand new partnership with Be the Influence a national campaign tackling binge drinking. The Pro Junior age demographic is a perfect target market to educate with this important health message. Surfing Australia and ASP Australasia would like to thank the Federal Government through the Be the Influence program for their support and also Surfing NSW for running the event.

Dane Jordan, ASP Australasia General Manager is grateful for the continued support from Surfing Australia and is looking forward to crowning the men’s and women’s 2013 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series Champions at Coffs Harbour at at the inaugural Be the Influence Surf Pro.

“ASP Australasia, our fans and the surfers are grateful for the hard work and dedication from Surfing Australia to make this event happen,” Jordan said. “The ASP and Surfing Australia have a long history of working together and we’re looking forward to continuing that tradition at the Be the Influence Surf Pro, while at the same time adding two new ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series Champions names to the history books.”

Surfing Australia National Coaching Director Martin Dunn said the new event would provide an important step in the development of Australia’s leading junior surfers.

“Surfers get a lot of practise in local and regional competitions, but having a Pro Junior is the next big step for these kids to experience competition at this next level,” Dunn said. “It’s great that Surfing Australia has stepped up and backed the event.”

The event is backed by the Be the Influence – Tackling Binge Drinking initiative, which is a Federal Government campaign addressing youth binge drinking and the influence of alcohol promotion on young Australians by promoting anti-binge drinking messaging through sport sponsorships.

The Be the Influence – Tackling Binge Drinking sponsorship is managed through the Australian National Preventive Health Agency. The Be the Influence Surf Pro is proudly supported by Be the Influence – Tackle Binge Drinking, Coffs Harbour City Council, Surfing Australia, ASP Australasia and Surfing NSW.

For more information log on to www.aspaustralasia.com & www.surfingaustralia.com

Steph Single (AUS) and William Aliotti (FRA) winners at papara today. Pic ASP/Will H-S

The second annual Tahiti Nui Pro Junior carries an ASP 3-Star rating for the men’s division and for the first time the event has added a women’s ASP 3-Star division, the Vahine Pro Junior. This event offers vital points and prize-money towards qualifying for the ASP World Junior Championships.

The Tahiti Nui Pro Junior final saw Frenchman William Aliotti (FRA) take on the hometown hero Enrique Ariitu (PYF). Aliotti has been the most consistent performer throughout the event and he got off to an early lead, Ariitu fought back hard, launching and landing some massive airs but his scores fell just short and Aliotti took the title.

“This is my first ASP Pro Junior win, I’m really happy!” Aliotti said. “To be in Tahiti for it makes the win event better. Everyday I was focussed and I didn’t fall much. Two years ago I did really good on the ASP Europe Pro Junior Series and then last year I did really bad so this win will give me confidence when I go home to compete.”

Ariitu lives right near Papara and used his local knowledge to advance all the way to his best ever result on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series, finishing runner-up today. This result moves him to No. 3 on the ratings doing the Tahitian contingent proud.

“It’s hard to go all the way to the Final and fall short,” Ariitu said. “I’m still happy with the result, I have had a lot of Semifinals, but no Finals. I think I caught too many waves and I probably should have waited for the bombs. It was a great event, I love Papara, I live here and surf it a lot. The Tahitians and everyone were all surfing really good all week. I just really want to thank my Mum for all he help and support, she’s the best!”

The Vahine Pro Junior final was an all-Australian battle, natural verse goofy-footer, with both girls tearing apart the clean running walls at Papara rivermouth. Coffey used her powerful backhand attack, while Single unleashed her gouging forehand snaps. In the end it was Single who edged out Coffey by less than one point on the last wave of the event! This is Single’s first ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series event win and sees her move to No. 1 on the ratings.

“I’m really happy right now!” Single said. “I’ve never won one of these before and I was hoping this would be my first win! When I first got here the surf was small and I was worried because I’m not very good in small waves, but as the surf got bigger I feel like I’ve kept improving. This win is going to give me a big confidence boost as I go off and try to do some ASP World Tour 6-Star events later in the year.”

Coffey is having a breakthrough year, starting with a win at the ASP Pro Junior in Newcastle and now a runner-up here at the Vahine Pro Junior. She held the lead for 28 minutes of the 30 minute final, letting Single steal the lead on her last wave.

“I really wanted to win!” Coffey said. “I’m disappointed with second, but it happens. I’m in Tahiti and I love it here so I shouldn’t let it get me down. This was a great event, the waves were fun and it’s paradise here.

Mitch Parkinson (Gold Coast, QLD/AUS) has finished equal 3rd place at the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior today after losing to local hero Enrique Ariitu (PYF) in the Semifinals. Parkinson had been one of the event standouts, launching some of the event’s best aerials and slicing through the open face with his signature smooth style. This result moves Parkinson to No. 2 on the rankings just behind Jake Sylvester (AUS).

“My best result before I came on this trip was a 5th and that was only a month ago in Newcastle,” Parkinson said. “To come to Tahiti and get a second and then a third here is way better than I was expecting. I’m over the moon with my performance and with the way I surfed. I can’t believe I’m second on the rankings, I’ve never been that high, I finished last year ranked 30 something, so I’m really happy.”

News and photos available via – http://papara.prosurfinglive.com

VAHINE PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT:
1st: Stephanie Single (AUS) 15.20 def. 2nd Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 14.50

VAHINE PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 10.90 def. Mauarii Maro (PYF) 10.85
SF 2: Stephanie Single (AUS) 15.50 def. Karelle Poppke (PYF)

TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT:
1st: William Aliotti (FRA) 16.40 def. 2nd Enrique Ariitu (PYF) 15.80

TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: William Aliotti (FRA) 17.25 def. Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) 14.75
SF 2: Enrique Ariitu (PYF) 15.00 def. Mitchell Parkinson (AUS) 13.75

TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: William Aliotti (FRA) 13.75 def. Massin O’Neil (PYF) 11.25
QF 2: Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) 14.50 def. Keoni Yan (PYF) 14.40
QF 3: Enrique Ariitu (PYF) 12.40 def. Chris Robertson (AUS) 12.25
QF 4: Mitchell Parkinson (AUS) 16.50 def. Paul Cesar Distingui (FRA) 16.40

ASP Australasia Rankings
Men’s
1 – Jake Sylvester (AUS)
2 – Mitch Parkinson (AUS)
3 – Enrique Ariitu (PYF)
4 – Soli Bailey (AUS)
5 – William Aliotti (FRA)
Women’s
1 – Stephanie Single (AUS)
2 – Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS)
3 – Karelle Poppke (PYF)
4 – Mauarii Maro (PYF)
5 – Ella Williams (NZL)

Mitch Parkinson (AUS) advancing into the Quarterfinals yesterday. Pic ASP/Will H-S

The second annual Tahiti Nui Pro Junior carries an ASP 3-Star rating for the men’s division and for the first time the event has added a women’s ASP 3-Star division, the Vahine Pro Junior. This event offers vital points and prize-money towards qualifying for the ASP World Junior Championships.

“There’s a great mix of surfers left in the draw, a couple of Australians, Tahitians and Frenchmen,” ASP Australasia General Manager Dane Jordan said. “There’s been some fantastic surfing at this event and I’m excited about what the final day might offer, good luck to all the competitors and once again thanks to the Tahitian Surfing Federation for putting on two excellent competitions in French Polynesia.”

News and photos available via – http://papara.prosurfinglive.com

UPCOMING VAHINE PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINALS:
SF 1: Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) vs. Mauarii Maro (PYF)
SF 2: Karelle Poppke (PYF) vs. Stephanie Single (AUS)

UPCOMING TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: William Aliotti (FRA) vs. Massin O’Neil (PYF)
QF 2: Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) vs. Keoni Yan (PYF)
QF 3: Chris Robertson (AUS) vs. Enrique Ariitu (PYF)
QF 4: Mitchell Parkinson (AUS) vs. Paul Cesar Distingui (FRA)

Enrique Ariitu (Tahiti) advancing through to the Quarterfinals in the last heat of the day. Pic ASP/Will H-S

The second annual Tahiti Nui Pro Junior carries an ASP 3-Star rating for the men’s division and for the first time the event has added a women’s ASP 3-Star division, the Vahine Pro Junior. This event offers vital points and prize-money towards qualifying for the ASP World Junior Championships.

Keoni Yan (Tahiti) caused the upset of the event when he eliminated the winner of the last two ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series events and current No. 1 Jake Sylvester (AUS). Yan’s powerful carves and inverted aerials saw him jump from last to the lead in the last two minutes of the heat.

“To beat Jake (Sylvester) feels good because he’s number one and he’s a good surfer,” Yan said. “He’s also a good friend so it’s unfortunate, but it’s a competition and that’s what happens. This is the closest beach to my house so I surf here often. I lost in this same round last year so I’m very happy to be through to the Quarterfinals.”

Chris Robertson (Cronulla, NSW/AUS) advanced into the Quarterfinals after winning his Round of 16 heat alongside Mitch Parkinson (Gold Coast, QLD/AUS) who finished second. Less than half a point separated the pair of Australians who eliminated Heimana Buisson (PYF) and Nathan Specht (AUS) who finished third and fourth respectively.

“This is the best result I’ve ever had on the ASP Junior Series so I’m super stoked,” Robertson said. “There’s a little wave at home that’s exactly like this and I surf it pretty much everyday so I feel really comfortable. I’m excited about the Quarterfinals tomorrow, I’ve never surfed a man-on-man heat before and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.”

William Aliotti (FRA) is proving to be the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior dark horse as he stormed through both his heats today with explosive, fast and critical surfing. Aliotti competes on the ASP Europe Pro Junior Series and entered this event as he happened to be on a surf trip to Tahiti and he’s doing some damage as he takes his spot in the Quarterfinals.

“The waves were fickle in that heat so I had to surf smart,” Aliotti said. “Everyone was getting good scores and I felt the pressure. From now on it will be easier surfing man-on-man heats because you can wait for the best waves. I have been training in Hawaii for the last two months and I wanted to come to Tahiti because I’ve never been here before. I came for a Teahupo’o swell and I got some good waves and I thought it would be good to do this event while I’m here. I love it here, it’s my best trip so far!”

Ellie-Jean Coffey (Gold Coast, QLD/AUS), current No. 1 on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series after winning the season opening event, continues to surf with power and flow as she today advanced into the Vahine Pro Junior Semifinals. Coffey eliminated New Zealand’s Ella Williams (NZL) in an evenly matched affair, but Coffey caught the best waves, both lefts and rights unloading multiple critical turns to take the win.

“This is by far my best year on the ASP Pro Junior Series,” Coffey said. “I’m leading the ratings and I feel really comfortable right now. I love it over here in Tahiti, it’s a competition, but it’s so beautiful that it doesn’t feel like one. Ella (Williams) and I are friends and she’s lovely, I was more trying to focus on getting the good waves than what she was doing. It feels really good to be through to the Semifinals.”

Mauarii Maro (PYF), Karelle Poppke (PYF) and Stephanie Single (AUS) also advanced through to the Semifinals after winning their respective Quarterfinal clashes with each of the girls throwing down multiple powerful carving turns and wraps.

News and photos available via – http://papara.prosurfinglive.com

UPCOMING VAHINE PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINALS:
SF 1: Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) vs. Mauarii Maro (PYF)
SF 2: Karelle Poppke (PYF) vs. Stephanie Single (AUS)

UPCOMING TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: William Aliotti (FRA) vs. Massin O’Neil (PYF)
QF 2: Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) vs. Keoni Yan (PYF)
QF 3: Chris Robertson (AUS) vs. Enrique Ariitu (PYF)
QF 4: Mitchell Parkinson (AUS) vs. Paul Cesar Distingui (FRA)

Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) was one of yesterday’s standouts. Pic ASP/Will H-S

The second annual Tahiti Nui Pro Junior carries an ASP 3-Star rating for the men’s division and for the first time the event has added a women’s ASP 3-Star division, the Vahine Pro Junior. This event offers vital points and prize-money towards qualifying for the ASP World Junior Championships.

“The surf has bumped up a little from yesterday and it’s looking perfect for a full day of high performance surfing,” ASP Australasia General Manager Dane Jordan said. “We’re planning on running all the way through two rounds of both the men’s and women’s draws and have the field of nearly 70 surfers down to just 12.”

News and photos available via – http://papara.prosurfinglive.com