Category: ASP (WSL) Surfing News 2005-2015

ASP WORLD CHAMPION’S CROWNING

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Gold Coast, Australia

February 20, 2008

Star-Studded Night at ASP World Champion’s Crowning

Photo: ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore arrive at the ASP World Champion’s Crowning by helicopter.

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, February 20, 2008) – The atmosphere was electric this evening as the world’s best surfers converged on the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the ASP World Champion’s Crowning, honoring a bevy of last season’s accomplishments from athletes across all disciplines of the sport of surfing.Headlining the evening was the official crowning of ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) whose reception was met with a feverish response from the hundreds in attendance. The titles mark the first for both the Gold Coast surfers, with Fanning claiming his after six seasons on the ASP World Tour and Gilmore making ASP history by attaining surfing’s ultimate honor in just one year amongst the elite.… Read the rest

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach pres. by Snickers

Event 2 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour

Bells Beach, Torquay, Australia

March 18-29, 2008

Slater Steals the Show and Rings his Third Bell at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Photo: Slater earned an 8.83 and his third Rip Curl Pro Bell for this manuever.

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Thursday, March 27, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA) has further asserted that he is the best surfer on earth after winning the Rip Curl Pro pres. by Snickers today. Launching a huge air to earn a last minute score and beat Bede Durbidge (AUS)in the final, the 36-year old has claimed his 36th event win and rung the bell for the third time.“It feels awesome; it feels really good, ” Slater said. “The Bell is arguably the best trophy you can win in surfing.… Read the rest

Rip Curl Pro pres. by Snickers

Stop No. 2 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour

Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta

Stop No. 2 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour

Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia

March 18 – 29, 2008

Stephanie Gilmore Wins 2008 Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta

Pictured: Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) came from behind with five minutes remaining to defeat current World No. 1 Sofia Mulanovich and claim her second consecutive Rip Curl Women’s Pro title.

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Monday, Mar. 24, 2008) – Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has defeated 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) to claim the 2008 Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford Fiesta in classic four-to-six foot (2 metre) surf at Bells Beach today.… Read the rest

Teahupoo Bares its Teeth as ASP Top 45 Prepare for Billabong Pro Tahiti

Pictured: Damien Hobgood takes a spill at Teahupoo in 2007.

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, Apr. 23, 2008)–The next stop on the 2008 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti pres. by Air Tahiti Nui, could commence sans its defending champion Damien Hobgood (USA).Hobgood, who was free-surfing at the upcoming contest venue of Teahupoo on Monday, April 14, 2008, hesitated on an eight foot set wave, got caught on the lip and was subsequently piledriven onto the razor-sharp reef. He fractured his shoulder in three places, suffered a gash to the head and shredded his back on the coral.

“I knew I was going over,” Hobgood said. “I got pushed straight onto the reef. I knew I had hit hard and hit my head. I was trying to stay conscious and not fight it but also not blackout.”… Read the rest

ASP World Masters Championships

Barra de Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

June 30 – July 6, 2008

Pictured: Brazil will host the 2008 ASP World Masters Championships

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, May 7, 2008) – For the first time in five years, the ASP World Masters Championships will assemble some of the most legendary names in professional surfing to Rio de Janeiro’s Barra de Tijuca from June 30 through July 6, 2008 to crown the 2008 ASP World Masters and ASP World Grand Masters Champions.

The Rio Masters will feature two divisions in the ASP Masters (surfers aged over 35) and the ASP Grand Masters (surfers aged over 47). The top 14 in each division are invited directly off of ASP career ratings (points being accrued by winning ASP World Titles, Top 5 World rankings, Top 10 World rankings and time spent on the ASP World Tour).“To… Read the rest