Matt Banting (AUS) went back-to-back at the Australian Open of Surfing after claiming the Pro Junior division title yesterday and today winning the blue ribbon ASP 6-Star division. Banting battled hard in the Final against American Evan Gieselman (USA), with both surfers going for broke in the small, but fun surf. The 17-year-old from Port Macquarie took to the air and landed some massive air-reverses that saw him post some big scores and claim the USD$25,000 1st prize and 3,500 ASP World Tour ratings points.

Matt Banting (AUS) is on fire this week at the Australian Open Of Surfing after advancing to the Final of the Pro Junior division on the weekend and today defeating ASP World Title Series surfers – Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS).

Nat Young (USA) showed that despite the small conditions it’s still possible to earn some big scores after he posted the first perfect 10-point-ride of the Australian Open Of Surfing.
“That was the best wave I’ve had at Manly,” Young said. “I just made sure I didn’t fall because it was such a good wave and I didn’t want to ruin it. I just got here yesterday morning from Brazil and was jet-lagged all day. It was a mission to get here, but that heat was worth it, I’m glad to be here.”

Eric Geiselman (USA) landed at Sydney airport this morning and two hours later was in a heat against 1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS). Geiselman didn’t let the jet-lag slow him down, the young Floridian won the closest heat of the day scoring a 13.90 (out of a possible 20) heat total, with Hawaiian Keala Naihe (HAW) finishing 2nd on 13.20 and Occy eliminated in 3rd place with 13.06.

COOLANGATTA, QLD/AUS (Tuesday, 14th February, 2012) - Four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Lisa Andersen is throwing on the contest singlet and making a return to competition during The Moskova Trials for a spot in the Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover starting on the Gold Coast on 25th February.
The Moskova Trials will be held on 24th February and the winner will take her place in the main draw of the Roxy Pro.

Nikki Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC/AUS) advanced to the Final of the Australian Open Of Surfing Women’s Pro Junior today. Van Dijk scored a near perfect 9.80 (out of a possible 10) and back it up with an 8.35 to easily win her Semifinal over the current ASP World Junior Champion Leila Hurst (HAW) who finished equal 3rd.

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco/Brazil (Saturday, February, 11, 2012) – With consistent surfing throughout the event, Miguel Pupo (BRA), won the 26th annual ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest 2012 at Cacimba do Padre Beach, in Fernando de Noronha island, Pernambuco, Brazil. In an all-Brazilian Final, Pupo defeated Jean da Silva and took home the U$40,000 and 6,500 points to put him at the top of the ASP World Ranking 2012.

Wade Carmichael (Central Coast, NSW/AUS) is on a roll, fresh from a win at the Billabong World Junior Championships 2 weeks ago, he’s now come to the Australian Open Of Surfing Men’s Pro Junior and posted the highest wave score of the day a 9.00 (out of a possible 10).

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (Friday, February 10, 2012) – Another day of incredible waves in the 3-5 foot range (1-1.5 meters) and sweltering temperatures greeted the privileged athletes competing in the ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest 2012 at Cacimba do Padre Beach, in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Three Brazilians and a Puerto Rican will contend tomorrow for the U$ 40,000 in prize money and take an early lead in the 2012 ASP World Ranking with the 6,500 points going towards the event winner.

Josh Kerr (world number 8), Julian Wilson (world number 9), Bede Durbridge (world number 16) and Kieren Perrow (world number 15 ) all put the rash vest back on for the first time in 2012 and all advanced through their round four heats in the good clean 3 feet plus (1.5m) waves.
Perrow is fresh off the biggest win of his career at last December’s Pipeline Masters and he looked in superb touch posting a solid heat win over Portugal’s Vasco Ribeiro.
Perrow’s 15.43 heat score included one of the day’s top scoring rides of an 8.93.

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (Thursday, February 9, 2012) - Another day of epic conditions was on hand for the ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest 2012. To the delight of the competitors, barreling waves in the 6-8 foot range (2-2.5 meters) breaking in both directions produced the first 10-point rides of the event at Cacimba do Padre beach, in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil.

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (Wednesday, February 8, 2012) – Cacimba do Padre beach is known for its transparent water and barreling waves. Once again, it did not disappoint as new records were set by Chris Ward (USA) and Dion Atkinson (AUS) at the ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest 2012 on the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (Tuesday, February 7, 2012) - Cacimba do Padre beach on the islands of Fernando de Noronha located 545 kilometers off the coast of Brazil is home to the ASP Prime Hang Loose Pro Contest. After a full week of poor conditions, sunny skies and a swell in the 4-6 foot range (1.5-2 meters) welcomed 96 of the world’s top surfers for the first ASP PRIME event of 2012.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (7th February, 2012)- A fit, well rested and relaxed Mick Fanning is poised to strike at the Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover starting on the Gold Coast on 25th February.
The two-time World Champion missed the season-ending Pipe Masters in 2011 because of a neck injury and burnout, but after an extended period away from the surf can’t wait for the World Tour’s opening event in his backyard at Snapper Rocks.

North Stradbroke Island, Queensland (Sunday 5th February, 2012) - PETERSON Crisanto (Brazil) has taken out the 2012 5-Star, AUD$30,000 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Oakley Pro Junior in thrilling fashion defeating reigning Junior Series champion Thomas Woods (Burleigh Heads, Qld).
Epic one-metre, right-hand pointbreak waves again rolled through North Stradbroke Island’s Cylinders Beach, as last year’s event runner-up Crisanto went one better in 2012, winning a nail-biting 30-minute decider.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Friday, February 3, 2012) – California standout Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 30, put on a domineering performance at the ASP 5-Star Volcom Pipe Pro, battling through massive Pipeline conditions to finish 4th overall. Yeomans’ spot in the Final marked him as the last non-Hawaiian standing at one of the world’s most deadly waves.

CENTRAL COAST, New South Wales/Australia (Friday, February 3, 2012) – Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan (AUS), 29, has been an elite ASP World Title competitor for six years now. He’s been a two-time Top 10 finisher, navigated injuries and scalped event titles. In addition to his impressive work in the water, Ace is also a regular contributor to the ASP Technical Committee as well as to several charity organizations in and around Australia. SurfingSays.com recently caught up with Adrian to see where his head is at heading into 2012. This…is their story…

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – Brett Simpson (USA), 27, has been building momentum throughout his experience among the world’s best surfers and with the 2012 season just around the corner, Simpson is about to embark on his third year on the ASP World Title Race. The Huntington Beach standout kicked off 2011 with a 5th at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Simpo is fired up and ready to start his season in top form again.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – The 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) is heading to New Zealand to contest the Hyundai Tour this week for the first event of the Australasian ASP Longboard Qualifying Series. The Hyundai Tour event is being held at Sandy Bay, Whangarei from Friday this week and will run through to Waitangi Day on Monday (3 – 6 February).
Jensen confirmed his entry late last week and will travel from California to contest the ASP 1-Star rated event.

HONOLULU, Oahu/Hawaii (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – Hawaii’s John John Florence created one of professional surfing’s most dramatic moments today to claim his second consecutive Volcom Pipe Pro title, completely flipping the table on former Pipe Pro champion Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii) in the final seconds. O’Brien had held the lead for 34 minutes and 45 seconds of the 35-minute final… and then it evaporated before his eyes.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – For the past 3 years Michel Bourez (PYF), 26, has been one of the standout performers at just about every stop on the elite ASP World Tour. The surfer known as ‘The Spartian’ has improved in leaps and bounds with every year he’s been on tour; in 2009 his rookie year he finished 21st, in 2010 11th and then last year 6th. We got in touch with Bourez while he was at home in Tahiti to congratulate him on the new addition to his family and talk about his goals for 2012.

Bede's back and ready for 2012. How will Durbo rank against the world's best this season?
GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) – It’s amazing what a bit of adversity can do…like motivating you for starters.
Last year was a rough one for me on the ASP Tour. I was carrying a few injuries and getting used to a life that completely changed for me and my wife in having our baby while also building our new house. It was a lot to juggle while trying to compete on a global tour.

GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Monday, January 30, 2012) – Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, is finally back in the water following months of intense rehab on his broken ankle and on his way to a full recovery just in time for the season opening Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast which kicks off at the end of February. With his rookie year amongst surfing’s elite ahead of him, Australia’s Surfing Life caught up with Nicol to get the update on his injury, what he’s most looking forward to in 2012 and his predictions on who will be the one to beat this season. This… is their story…

North Shore, Oahu (January 29th, 2012): After running 7 heats of competition yesterday, and having to call off the event due to massive surf, we are ready to run the second day in clean 6-8 foot Pipe. The first heat of the morning will start at 8:00 am (HST) - Go here to watch it LIVE.

Click on the image to watch the 2012 Volcom Pipe Pro!

Leila Hurst (HAW) and Caio Ibelli (BRA), the 2011 ASP World Junior Champions. Pic ASP/Kirstin

Nage Melamed (HAW) posted the highest wave score of the women's event thus far a 9.80 (out of a possible 10). PIC: ASP/Kirstin.

BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Friday, 27 January, 2012) – A massive day of competition saw all Quarterfinalists decided in both the men’s and women’s draws at the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast today. Competitors battled the rain, stormy seas and each other in an exciting day of surfing in 2 – 3 foot (1 – 1.5 meter) surf at the world famous Burleigh Heads.

Jack Freestone (AUS), the reigning ASP World Junior Champion posted the highest heat total of the event today, 18.00 (out of a possible 20). PIC: ASP/Kirstin.

Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) opened the day with a win over Kalani David (USA). Pic ASP/Kirstin.
BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, 24 January, 2012) – The rain poured, the wind howled, but that didn’t stop the world’s best junior surfers from putting on a show and the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast today. The young men took to the stormy seas to do battle in the 3 foot (1.5 meter) waves at Burleigh Heads for the completion of the Men’s Round 2 and the first 2 heats of Round 3.

Caio Ibelli (BRA) eliminates ASP World Junior Title contenders with every Round he progresses through. PIC ASP/Kirstin.

BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Monday, 23 January, 2012) – The first man-on-man elimination Round at the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast got under way today in 2 foot (1 meter) runners at Burleigh Heads. The conditions were tricky with good waves on offer, but surfers were forced to be selective and battle for the best waves.

Ellie-Jean Coffey was one of the goofy-footers who took control of Burleigh today. Pic ASP/Dunbar.
BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Sunday, 22 January, 2012) – Today saw a slight decrease in swell size at Burleigh Heads for Day 2 of the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast, and the call was made to run Rounds 1 and 2 of the Women’s event. The women went for it in the fun 2 foot (1 meter) surf, putting on a good show for the hundreds of onlookers lining the Burleigh Headland.

Jack Robinson (Margaret River, WA/AUS), the youngest surfer in the Men's draw. Pic ASP/Dunbar.

BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Saturday, 21 January, 2012) – The opening day of the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast was treated to 2 – 3 foot (1.5 meter) surf rolling through the Burleigh Heads rock break. Competitors were reviling in the super clean conditions that offered a mix of long walls, ramps for airs and even a couple of tube sections.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, with one of the finest styles in the business.

Fernando Aguerre (third from left), congratulates Team Australia after winning the ISA China Cup and the team gold medal. Photo: ISA/Billy Watts

Talks of a Bigger and Better Festival for 2013 Are Well Underway

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival presented by Quiksilver
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

GOLD COAST, Queensland/ AUS (Wednesday, January 18, 2012) – Davey Cathels (AUS), 20, is currently tied in the race for the 2011 ASP World Junior Title with Brazilian talente Caio Ibelli (BRA), 18. With the final stop on the ASP World Junior Tour relocating to his native country, the young Aussie was setting himself up as a favorite to take out the coveted title, until Cathels suffered a high ankle-sprain while surfing the other day, making his status questionable for the upcoming Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

Davey Cathels (North Narrabeen, NSW/AUS) competing at last year's Billabong World Junior Championships. Credit: © ASP/Kirstin.
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Monday, 16 January, 2012) – The world’s best junior surfers are descending on Burleigh Heads for the third and final stop on the 2011 ASP World Junior Tour, the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast – the event that will decide the 2011 Men’s and Women’s ASP World Junior Champions.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Friday, January 13, 2012) – Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 26, had his 2011 season cut short at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco when he sustained an ankle injury after launching a flip to surpass Jordy Smith (ZAF), 24, that forced the Californian to withdraw from the Billabong Pipe Masters. With the recent flurry of solid swells that lit up the California coastline, Mr. Gudauskas was seen charging around Nor. Cal and basically blowing up all over everywhere else. The ASP caught up with the West Coast talent to get the final details of his recovery.

Reef McIntosh has conquered the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout 2012, held in splendid surfing conditions, in Pipeline, Hawaii. Intense heats were surfed in the famous big wave arena, in eight-foot glassy sets. It was an hard fought victory for the Pipe connoisseur. Bruce Irons, Jamie O'Brien and Marcus Hickman were right behind McIntosh until the last surfed wave.

"I just stopped watching because I thought Jamie, and then John, passed me," McIntosh laughed. "I don't want to ever experience that pressure again."

Ireland's Glenn Hall, who qualified for the semifinals, has been opting to takeoff deep and float over the rock where his fellow competitors have been sitting. Photo: ISA/Agustin Munoz

Every Quarterfinal Heat Close as Four Surfers Advance to Final Day

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival Presented by Quiksilver
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

Surfers all around the world like to go out there and charge long, hollow barrelling waves. Billabong Europe and Monster Energy bounded their riders together on a trip to Morocco where they scored big time. Check out Monster Energy's benjamin sanchis charging true some insane long barrels!

Kelly Slater (USA), 39, will be at the 2012 ASP World Surfing Awards to officially claim his historic 11th ASP World Title.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Tuesday, January 10, 2012) – Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, battled for years to qualify for the ASP World Tour and achieved his goal, finishing within the top 34 at the midyear rotation last year, which should have seen the highly-awaited arrival of the progressive Aussie for the back half of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, Nicol suffered a career-threatening injury while on a surf-trip which led to four months of rehab.

Scooby surfs Mexico and huge Tahiti from scooby on Vimeo.

Freesurfer Pedro Scooby surfing good waves in La Punta, Puerto Escondido (Mexico) and huge waves in Teahupoo, Tahiti.

On finals day, there's a lot of smiling happening. Heath Joske (AUS) and Sofia Mulanovich (PER) celebrate their respective gold medals, while ISA President Fernando Aguerre rejoices in an event well-run. Joske is holding the ISA China Cup trophy won by Team Australia. Photo: ISA/Billy Watts

Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich Wins Second Individual ISA Gold Medal

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival presented by Quiksilver
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

2011 ASP Top 34 rookie Kolohe Andino - lots of moves, lots of boards.

Pipe delivers another great day for the opening of the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout with 8-10ft glassy conditions greating the competitors. Surfers in the clip include Bruce Irons, Mark Healey and Jamie O’Brien.

2012 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout Day1 Highlights from Prickett Films on Vimeo.

Jan Juc, Victoria/Australia (Monday, 9 January, 2012) - The 2012 Championship Moves Surfing Festival was treated to epic 4 foot (2 meter) surf at Bells Beach today for the crowing of event champions across the Men’s Open and Pro Junior divisions.
In stark contrast to the conditions at Jan Juc beach for the earlier rounds of the competition, today saw competitors doing battle at the world renowned Bells Bowl, with rail carves and power hacks earning the biggest scores from the judging panel.

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival presentado por Quiksilver
Lunes 9 de enero de 2012
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

Continúan las buenas condiciones en Riyeu Bay y hoy en el día 2 del ISA China Cup, vuelve la acción con rondas principales y de repechaje. Además, en las últimas dos horas de competencia se llevará a cabo el Aloha Cup, donde participarán las ocho naciones.

También, en vivo, se transmitirá el Paddle Out en conmemoración a Sean Collins en cuanto termine hoy la competencia. Hoy se llevarán a cabo las siguientes rondas:

Nikki Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC/AUS) winner of the 2012 EVO Women's Pro Junior. Pic ASP/Will H-S
Jan Juc, Victoria/Australia (Sunday, 8 January, 2012) - Victorian local surfer Nikki Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC/AUS) has taken out the first event on the ASP Calendar for 2012, the EVO Women’s Pro Junior Presented by Ghanda, over Bronte Macaulay (Margaret River, WA/AUS). Competition was once again moved to Jan Juc beach today where the surf was a crisp and clean 2 foot (1 meter).

El apretón de manos entre el Presidente de la ISA, Frenando Aguerre y el Secretario del Partido Comunista de China, Boaming Lao, simbolizó integración de China al surf mundial por primera vez en la historia de este país. Foto Agustín Muñoz.

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival Presentado por Quiksilver
Del 7 al 14 de enero de 2012.
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

South Africa's Royden Bryson has been one of the many talented surfers getting to know the lefthand pointbreak at Riyue Bay. Photo: ISA/Billy Watts

Day Before the Inaugural Surfing Festival Begins, Energy Levels are Rising

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival Presented by Quiksilver
January 7 to 14, 2012
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Friday, January 6, 2011) – Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, charged massive Pipe this year in his first season at the Billabong Pipe Masters. The ASP Rookie of the Year went for broke while hunting down a massive barrel of his own and despite a few stitches and some heavy wipeouts, Wilson’s efforts at Pipeline punctuated his rookie year with an exclamation point. Following the Billabong Pipe Masters, the Aussie prodigy stuck around the North Shore for awhile and posted a video of his down days on Oahu. This… is his story…

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, 3 January, 2012) – The hallowed waters of Bells Beach, Victoria will host the opening event of the 2012 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) calendar with the ASP 1-Star Championship Moves Open and Pro Junior Presented by CHIKO, and the EVO Womens Pro Junior Presented by Ghanda.
The 5-day surfing festival will play host to the first ASP Star rated event in Victoria in four years, a 3-Star boys ASP Pro Junior and 3-Star girls ASP Pro Junior, with a total prize pool of $35,000 USD.

With the deactivation of the midyear rotation in 2012, Gabriel Medina (BRA), 18, will be a mainstay amongst the world’s elite throughout the whole of next season.
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Wednesday, December 28, 2011) – The ASP Board of Directors has voted to deactivate the midyear rotation in 2012, citing scheduling uncertainties as the primary reason.

2012 ASP World Title Series:

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – Australia (February 25 – March 7, 2012)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – Australia (April 3 – 14, 2012)

Billabong Rio Pro – Brazil (May 9 – 20, 2012)

Volcom Pro Fiji – Fiji (June 3 – 16, 2012)

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay – South Africa (July 11 – 22, 2012)

Billabong Pro Teahupoo – Tahiti (August 16 – 27, 2012)

Hurley Pro at Trestles – USA (September 15 – 23, 2012)

Quiksilver Pro France – France (September 26 – October 6, 2012)

Adrian "Ace" Buchan taking the drop at Teahupo'o.

The 2011 Quiksilver Pro New York scored excellent waves, but unfortunately will not be back in 2012.
LONG BEACH, New York/USA (Friday, December 16, 2011) – Quiksilver and the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) today announced that the Quiksilver Pro New York will not return to the East Coast of the United States as a stop on the 2012 ASP World Title Series. The 2011 Quiksilver Pro New York marked the 6th of 11 events on the elite ASP World Title Series.

BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii/USA (Saturday, December 10, 2011) – After two historic days at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, the ASP Top 32 surfers have been determined for 2012. The ASP Wildcard Committee will determine the two wildcards in the coming week, rounding out next season’s ASP Top 34. The following list of names are the confirmed ASP Top 32 for 2012 (in ASP World Ranking order, but could change depending on final event results):

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Saturday, December 10, 2011) – The Billabong Pipe Masters is on for a third consecutive day with four-to-six foot (2 metre) waves and today’s schedule is expected to see a champion crowned by day’s end.

The Final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, the Billabong Pipe Masters also represents the third and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown. Still in the running for the prestigious Hawaiian title are John John Florence (HAW), 19, and Michel Bourez (PYF), 25.

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Friday, December 9, 2011) – The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons is on for the second consecutive day with firing 10 foot (3-4 metre metre) waves. Today’s proceedings will commence with Round 3 and possibly complete Rounds 4 and 5 as well by day’s end.
The Final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series and the third Jewel of the Vans Triple Crown, the Billabong Pipe Masters plays a vital role in both qualification campaigns for the ASP Top 34 for 2012 while representing the deciding event for the prestigious Hawaiian trifecta title.

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Tuesday, December 6, 2011) – The opening day of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons is LIVE this morning in big 10-to-15 foot waves at the iconic Hawaiian barrel of the Banzai Pipeline and today’s action is slated to see several Pipe specialist take to the water against many of the ASP Top 34 and expects to complete both Rounds 1 and 2 of competition.

The Banzai Pipeline in all its glory awaits the world’s best surfers for the 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters in Honor of Andy Irons.
BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii/USA (Monday, December 5, 2011) – The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, will commence its waiting period this Thursday, December 8, 2011 and a solid West Northwest swell is expected to see competition get underway in the opening days of the window.

SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii (Friday, December 2, 2011) - Hawaii’s John John Florence has stood on the sand here at Sunset Beach watching the crowning of surfing champions since he was 6-years-old. Today, at 19, he stood on the podium, having realized his childhood dream of winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, and taking the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink series ratings. It was an overwhelming victory for Florence, who surfed in his first Vans Triple Crown event at the tender age of 12.

Dane Reynolds was on point in solid Sunset Beach today.
SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii (Dec. 1, 2011) - When he’s on, he’s really on. Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA) took a gnarly Sunset day by the horns today, and put on the show of the contest in the final heat of the Vans World Cup of Surfing’s Round of 64. His turns were on point, his carves were outrageous.

Will Miguel heal in time for Pipeline?