Roxy ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard Championships (WWLC)
ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard Title Decider
La Côte des Basques, Biarritz – France
July 10-14, 2009
Joy Monahan to Defend ASP Longboard Title at Roxy Jam Biarritz
Image from www.roxyjam.com
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, July 2, 2009) – Reigning ASP Women’s World
Longboard Champion Joy Monahan (Oahu, HAW), 23, will defend her title at the
upcoming fourth edition of the Roxy ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard Championships
(WWLC), from July 10 to 14, 2009, at La Côte des Basques in Biarritz, France.
Monahan, whose first crown came with a surprise after she defeated several favorites
including 2007 ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard champion Jennifer Smith (California,
USA) en route to winning her first ASP World title, will wear the favoriteÂ’s suit
when she takes on the worldÂ’s best longboarding female surfers in Biarritz for a
try at a second consecutive crown.“I am very excited coming back to Biarritz as the defending champion,” Monahan
said. “I feel a little pressure but only from myself as I want to surf at my very
best.”
Monahan, whose quest will be tougher than ever as womenÂ’s longboarding is improving
year after year towards excellency, knows how much her opponents and other favorites
will be eager to grab their peace of glory when they paddle out in the expected good
conditions in less than two weeks, knowing the Roxy Jam is the only chance of the
year to take the prestigious trophy home.
“Every girl who qualifies for this event is a threat,” Monahan said. “The caliber
of womenÂ’s longboarding is just phenomenal. Each year I have participated in the
event, the talent level has increased! I think each region has their favorite but I
look forward to surfing with everyone, because I know each person I surf against
will help me push my own surfing.”
With a change of format for this yearÂ’s edition and 32 elite surfers only having a
chance at the ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard title, the battle promises to be tougher
than ever, MonahanÂ’s most serious threats coming from usual finalsÂ’ contenders
Kassia Meador (California, USA), 27, last yearÂ’s World No. 5, and Jennifer Smith
(California, USA), 23, event runner-up in 2006, event champion in 2007 and World No.
3 last year, the most consistent surfer of the event by far.
Monahan, who went from the position of outsider to the eventÂ’s top seed in a
year-time, will be looking to keep the crown on Oahu Island, the place she was born
and where her performance reminded how much longboarding is recognized in Hawaii.
“Surfing originated in Hawaii and to be able to bring the title back home was
something very special to me,” Monahan said. “This has been a goal of mine since I
was 13 years old and to finally accomplish it really meant a lot. Longboarding in
Hawaii has continued to grow throughout the years and has become very recognizable
with people like Bonga (Perkins, reigning ASP World Longboard Champion), the Uemura
family and the Keaulana family being great ambassadors for the sport.”
The Hawaiian, now mainland resident, knows what it takes to raise the championÂ’s
crown and her proven prowess in BiarritzÂ’s waves will be a crucial weapon when the
event gets underway.
Photos, videos and news of the Roxy ASP WomenÂ’s World Longboard Championships
(WWLC) available at www.aspworldtour.com and www.roxyjam.com