2010 Full Suits
Header

Back to Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Event Page...

By Press Release:

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) INTERNATIONAL

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Event No. 1 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour
Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta, Australia
February 27 – March 11, 2007

ASP FOSTER'S 45 GEAR UP FOR QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST

1999 ASP world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) had the crowd at the opening press conference for the Quiksilver Pro laughing with his candid comments and speculation on being an expectant father. Pic Credit Tostee
1999 ASP world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) had the crowd at the opening press conference for the Quiksilver Pro laughing with his candid comments and speculation on being an expectant father.

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007) – With the clock ticking down for event No. 1 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour – the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – many of the world’s biggest surfing superstars have descended upon the world class wave of Snapper Rocks, Australia to get in some early practice.

With a solid swell pounding the coastline in the week leading up to the event, the world’s best have had ample opportunity to become acquainted with the famed break’s sandbar and with a forecasted swell on the way, the Quiksilver Pro could begin as early as day one of the official waiting period – Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007.

Reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) will be back to defend both his World and Quiksilver Pro Titles when competition commences.

Slater took out Taj Burrow (AUS) to win the Quiksilver Pro last year and despite the extra media attention he’ll receive when he’s honored at this weekend’s Foster’s World Champion’s Crowing at Conrad Jupiters Casino, Slater remains focused on the job at hand.

“You have to just get into the surf and the vibe, and not worry too much about the hoopla,” Slater said. “There's a lot of music, gambling, etc., but the best thing about the Gold Coast is the surf; getting excited thinking about the waves is the best way to prepare.”

Slater is the only non-Australian in the five-year history of the event to walk away with a Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast crown. He has acknowledged that defending his title may prove slightly more difficult citing a number of Australian challengers eager to see the trophy back in the hands of a countryman.

“Joel (Parkinson) could be a threat, coming off a great end of the year run,” Slater said. “Mick (Fanning) is always ready and I think Taj (Burrow) was amongst those thinking they may have let some opportunities pass them by last year.”

Of the 11 rookies on this year’s tour, five are Australian and two, Josh Kerr and Luke Munro, are local.

“The rookies will surprise some people too,” Slater said. “Josh is the dark horse because the World Tour guys don't know much about him and Luke, who has surfed Snapper as a wildcard, has already had some experience here.”

The Quiksilver Pro will also host the inaugural exhibition of the Foster’s Surf Showdown specialty event.

This innovative new exhibition format will pit nation against nation in an exciting team competition.

The world’s best will be divided into five national teams: North America, South America, Hawaii, South Africa, Australia and Foster’s Rookie team.

Captained by Taylor Knox (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Foster’s Rookie Josh Kerr (AUS) respectively, the captains will select two members from their teams to compete in the new format which replaces the Foster’s Expression Session.

“The Foster’s Surf Showdown will provide an excellent forum to showcase the already friendly yet passionate rivalries between the different nations on tour,” said ASP CEO Brodie Carr. “The exhibition will provide the perfect compliment to the high-performance action that spectators get through the Foster’s ASP World Tour events already.”

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Trials will be held on Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 and will feature an array of internationally recognised and dynamic surfers.

Competing for highly-coveted event wildcard will be 16 trialists: Joan Duru (FRA), Clay Marzo (HAW), Teale Vanner (AUS), Maz Quinn (NZL), Ry Craike (AUS), Dale Richards (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Mar Ohno (JPN), Dean Bowen (AUS), Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS), Corey Ziems (AUS), Brent Dorrington (AUS), Wade Goodall (AUS), Kirk Flintoff (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS) and a final trialist to be determined later in the week.

The winner of the trials will join Julian Wilson (AUS) and Jake Paterson (AUS) as one of three Quiksilver Pro Wildcards – each will draw top seeds in round one of competition.

The waiting period for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros begins February 27th, 2007. Be sure to catch all the action LIVE at www.aspworldtour.com, www.quiksilver.com and www.roxy.com

For a full list of surfer profiles, season schedules, event profiles, news stories and much more, be sure to log on to the new and improved www.aspworldtour.com.

 

APS WCT Tour 2010 Schedule

Mens's Division

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Feb 27-Mar 10, Gold Coast Qld-Australia
Rip Curl Pro Bells
March 30 -April 10, Bells Beach Victoria-Australia
Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro
April 23-May 2, Santa Catarina Brazil
Billabong Pro J-Bay
Jly 15-25, Jeffreys Bay South Africa
Billabong Pro Teahupoo
Aug 23 - Sept 3, Teahupoo Taiarapu-Tahiti
Hurley Pro Trestles
Sep 12-21, Trestles California-USA
Quiksilver Pro France
Sep 25-Oct 5, South West Coast France
Rip Curl Pro
Oct 7-18, Peniche, Portugal
Rip Curl Pro Search
Oct 30-Nov. 10 - Somewhere?
Billabong Pipeline Masters
Dec 8-20, Banzai Pipeline Oahu-Hawaii

Women's Division

Roxy Pro Gold Coast
Feb 27-Mar 10, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells
Mar 30-April 10, Bells Beach Victoria, Australia
TSB Bank Women's Surf Festival
Apr 11-16 Taranaki – New Zealand
Commonwealth Bank Beachly Classic
Apr 21-26, Dee Why,Northern Beaches, NSW-Australia
Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl
June 8-13, Lobitos-Peru
Rip Curl Pro
Oct 7-11, Peniche-Portugal
Rip Curl Search
Oct 30-Nov 4, Somewhere
Gidget Pro
Nov 24-Dec 6, Sunset Beach Oahu, Hawaii
Billabong Pro Maui
Dec 8-20 Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii

Pro Surfing Archives

Pro Surfing 2009 |Pro Surfing 2008 | Pro Surfing 2007 | Pro Surfing 2006