Florence in Fine Form at Vans World Cup of Surfing

Courtesy of Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii – (Monday, December 3, 2012) – North Shore’s John John Florence, the defending champion of the VANS World Cup of Surfing and the VANS Triple Crown series title, posted the highest heat score of the event at Sunset Beach today – 17.8 points out of 20. This is the third of four days of competition and Florence heads into tomorrow’s World Cup final rounds as the man to beat.

Florence, 20, hit the waves immediately after 11X world champion Kelly Slater returned to the beach with a heat win, thinking he was the top scorer of the event: 17.04 points. As Slater sat in the VANS LIVE interview chair, he watched the tables turn right in front of his eyes.

Florence had reason to be motivated in the 10-foot surf (wave face heights), finding himself out with fellow Sunset surfer Billy Kemper, younger brother Nathan Florence, and VANS Triple Crown contender Fred Patacchia.

Kemper opened with a perfect 10 wave score after a couple of high risk lip gouges, and John John knew he had no time for warming up in the shifty, lumpy conditions. He answered back with a succession of deep, carving rides. He eventually took the win with Kemper second, Patacchia third, and Nathan Florence fourth. Patacchia’s loss likely takes him out of contention for the VANS Triple Crown series title after his top-4 finish at Haleiwa.

“I saw the heat draw come up and in the beginning I was just thinking about my brother and I was kinda psyched for it,” said John. “It was fun to surf with him and I was really hoping it would be me and him making it through the heat, but it didn’t work out. The waves ended up kinda being weird and Billy ended up getting that 10 right in the beginning.

“Sunset is nearly impossible because something’s always changing. I went out there thinking I was gonna catch as many waves as I could. There ended up being bigger waves than I thought. It’s just totally different when you get out there. Especially when you have this bump in it from these west winds that have been blowing and it just makes it real difficult.

“I had fun at Haleiwa and I got a lot of confidence there, and then coming here I had fun in that heat and have a lot of confidence going into the next heat.”

Florence’s main competition for the $100,000 bonus Triple Crown title, hydrated by vitaminwater, is Haleiwa winner Sebastien Zietz (HAW), finalist Alejo Muniz (BRA), and 6X VANS Triple Crown champion Sunny Garcia (HAW), all of whom advanced today.

“I have a really good connection with Sunset,” said Alejo Muniz after his heat win. “The two times that I’ve surfed this contest I got into the quarter finals, so I love this place. I’m really happy to surf in this contest because last year I was injured, so I think that’s what’s been pushing me to get good waves and get in good results.”

While Slater isn’t in contention for the 30th Anniversary Triple Crown title, a solid crowd turned out to see him back in action at Sunset Beach today. Riding a board a good 12 inches or more shorter than anyone else, he looked fast and light as he carved up the lineup, even finding a rare, clean 3-second barrel on the inside.

“It’s a tricky wave,” he said of Sunset. “I don’t surf it a lot and usually it doesn’t weigh into the World Title, so I haven’t put a lot of importance on getting to know the line up – exactly where to sit and which waves to go on during which swell directions and all that. There’s no excuse, I just haven’t put my time in at Sunset and it’s never been one of my favorite waves, but it’s a challenge for sure and there’s guys that are clear standouts out here… Sunny (Garcia), Pancho (Sullivan), John John.”

The Australian contingent was hit hard at Sunset today; of the 16 who competed today, only half survived. Among them were Kieren Perrow, Perth Standlick, Julian Wilson, and Jay Thompson.

“It’s a football-sized playing field and you can be sitting 100 meters from the person and they can still get a 9 or you can get a 9, so it’s not just like your regular peak,” explained Thompson. “It’s tricky but I enjoy it, that’s what I like. It eliminates the hassling unless it gets much smaller, which tomorrow it could, so there might be a bit of jostling going down. But I guess that’s what makes the sport pretty fun to watch.”

Thirty-two surfers remain and organizers expect to push ahead with the finals tomorrow and complete the second of the three Triple Crown jewels.

H1 : Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 12.56pts ; Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.33pts ; Alex Smith (HAW) 10.90pts ; Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.
H2 : Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.00pts ; Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.74pts ; Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.34pts ; Jean Da Silva (BRA) 13,24pts
H3 : Jamie O’Brian (HAW) 13.67pts ; Chris Ward (USA) 10.36pts ; Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.60pts ; Bede Durbidge (AUS) 9.17pts
H4 : Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.33pts ; Glenn Hall (IRL) 13.46pts ; Gabe Kling (USA) 12.50pts ; Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.10pts
H5 : Taylor Knox (USA) 12.30pts ; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.43pts ; Nathan Hedge (AUS) 9.84pts ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 8.90pts
H6 : Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.54pts ; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 12.63pts ; Yadin Nicol (AUS) 12.03pts ; Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 11.17pts
H7 : Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.83pts ; Jay Thompson (AUS) 11.86pts ; Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5.64pts ; Granger Larsen (HAW) 4.77pts
H8 : Kelly Slater (USA) 17.04pts ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 12.33pts ; Jack Freestone (AUS) 12.20pts ; Kalani Chapman (HAW) 8.17pts
H9 : John John Florence (HAW) 17.80pts ; Billy Kemper (HAW) 15.77pts ; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 7.67pts ; Nathan Florence (HAW) 7.37pts
H10 : Perth Standlick (AUS) 14.66pts ; Brett Simpson (USA) 12.00pts ; Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.93pts ; Evan Valiere (HAW) 7.90pts
H11 : Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.67pts ; Nat Young (USA) 15.20pts ; Joan Duru (FRA) 9.30pts ; Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 5.74pts
H12 : CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.83pts ; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 9.93pts ; Tiago Pires (PRT) 5.43pts ; Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 4.17pts
H13 : Marc Lacomare (FRA) 12.70pts ; Adam Melling (AUS) 10.83pts ; Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.00pts ; Garrett Parkes (AUS) 6.16pts
H14 : Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.80pts ; Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.87pts ; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 7.50pts ; Dusty Payne (HAW) 6.80pts
H15 : Kai Otton (AUS) 11.86pts ; Nathan Yeomans (USA) 11.60pts ; Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.40pts ; Heitor Alves (BRA) 4.26pts
H16 : Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.76pts ; Sunny Garcia (HAW) 13.66pts ; Koa Smith (HAW) 13.26pts ; Nathaniel Curran (USA) 8.20pts

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OFFICIAL: Current ASP WCT No. 5 Adriano de Souza Signs with Corinthians Sport Club

Courtesy of Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Friday, November 30, 2012) – Adriano de Souza (BRA), 25, current ASP WCT No. 5, has announced a new sponsorship deal between himself and Corinthians Sport Club out of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Corinthians Sport Club is Brazil’s most financially-successful sporting club, reporting a current value of US$496 million (R$1.005 billion) in 2012. Bolstered by a hugely successful football club (claiming a nation’s best US$145 million in revenue in 2011), the Corinthians Sport Club has recently branched out into aquatics and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Their latest move into the surfing world with Brazil’s top-ranked surfer is unprecedented at this level of competition. Official word below:

The Sport Club Corinthians Paulista continues to expand its action sport athletes. After investing in MMA, with the hiring of Anderson Silva and Junior Dos Santos, as well as construction of a new training center, Timão (Sport Club Corinthians) has a new champion and a different discipline: the surfer Adriano de Souza, “Mineirinho”.

The 25-year-old will now train on the premises of the Parque São Jorge. With the support of trainers of Timão, Adriano will do specific workouts with Academy Anderson Silva / Corinthians Club and swimming pools. Currently in fifth place on the ASP World Championship Tour rankings, the Brazilian surfer leads the South American charge amongst the world’s elite

“It is an honor to wear the shirt of Corinthians, mainly defending that flag into the sea from now,” De Souza said. “I have always tried to align myself with big names and brand and Corinthians is one of the largest in the country. Also, being a new Corinthiano, it is a tremendous honor to defend and club to be a part of worldwide to all my fans and all those who follow the sport.

“I will defend tooth and nail my position which is now the world’s top five,” De Souza said. “Maybe we can be world champion. No other athlete has achieved the championship for Brazil. I have finished in the Top 10 for the last four years and feel like I will have a good chance with this extra support. Now, with the entire structure provided by the Corinthians for me to improve my performance, I’m even more motivated. Being here is a great opportunity.”

“To the Corinthians, having another champion athlete is a massive achievement. The surf, plus a sport, is also a lifestyle. The partnership with Adriano helps take the name of the club to the whole world,” commented Director of Aquatics, Oldano Gonçalves de Carvalho.

The first competition of the athlete as Mineirinho Sport Club Corinthians Paulista happens between days 08 and 20 December in Hawaii. The surfer competes in the Billabong Pipe Masters, which closes the 2012 ASP WCT season.

No word yet on how this move will affect De Souza’s relationships with his other sponsors.

For more on Adriano de Souza, check out his ASP WCT PROFILEDe Souza will first represent the Corinthians Sport Club at the season-ending Billabong Pipe Masters from December 8 – 20, 2012.

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Cylde Aikau and Greg Long Welcome New Young Crew at Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

Courtesy of Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

WAIMEA BAY, Oahu/Hawaii – (Thursday, November 29, 2012) – The opening ceremony for The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave invitational took place on the sands of Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, today. The 28 Invitees and 28 Alternates of this year’s event shared in the celebration with the family of Eddie Aikau to celebrate the life of one of Hawaii’s most respected big wave riders and heroes.

The holding period of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau begins this Saturday, December 1, and runs through February 28, 2013. It is a one-day event that is only held if waves hit 40 feet (wave face height) or more. This is the 28th year of the event and it has only been held a total of eight times – the last being in December of 2009. California’s Greg Long won that year and today he addressed all who gathered at Waimea Bay with an emotional message.

“You win competitions and with that comes excitement, but in my eyes, this isn’t a competition. It’s a celebration of the legacy of Eddie Aikau and the waves we share out here. We are the luckiest people in the world to be able to do what we do and be a part of this family of big wave riders.

“Eddie encapsulated all of it to the highest level. He’s a hero, a legend, and he has touched the lives of myself and so many others. You can’t put words to that. This is the amazing celebration of Eddie’s life.”

Eddie’s younger brother Clyde, 63, is still an active surfer in this event, and today he welcomed the new, young Invitees to the event – like Alex Gray (Ca., USA), Ian Walsh (HAW), and John John Florence (HAW), the youngest surfer of the group at just 20 years of age.

Aikau said he looked forward to the new generation of big wave riders taking the helm and attributed his longevity in big wave riding to the inspiration and motivation they provide.

“My message to all you older surfers out there is to get out there with the young guys,” said Clyde.” For me it is my son who keeps me going, keeps me pushing the boundaries, and the young guys I see alongside me in the lineup.

“I look forward to riding in the same heat as John John Florence,” he said, receiving cheers from the 1,000 people gathered for the ceremony. “Let’s rock and roll!”

As is also the tradition on this day, two outstanding watermen were recognized for heroic rescues they made during the past twelve months: They were surfer Gavin Sutherland, and ocean cinematographer Mike Prickett.

To view the full list of Invitees & Alternates, please visit http://www.Quiksilver.com/Eddie .

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Hawaii and Australia Hold the Power at Vans World Cup of Surfing

Courtesy of Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii – (Friday, November 30, 2012) – The VANS World Cup of Surfing pre-dates the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series, this being the 38th year of the event. In that time, surfers from Australia and Hawaii have claimed 16 titles each at Sunset Beach.

Today’s powerful surf with wave face heights of up to 15 feet favored those who have invested the time and relish in the power that this expansive, shifting lineup is feared for: predominately local Hawaii surfers and visiting Australians.

Billy Kemper (HAW) was the day’s top scorer – 17 points out of a maximum 20. Jay Thompson (AUS) was close behind on 16.56, and Frenchman Marc Lacomare on 16.33. Tomorrow, Kemper draws the Florence brothers – John and Nathan, and Fred Patacchia. John and Fred are 2012 Triple Crown contenders and John is the defending champion of this event.

“I’ve been surfing here since I was eight years old,” said Kemper. “To me it’s local knowledge of surfing out here and putting in your time. I mean this morning there was a bunch of kids out here who surf unbelievable – some of the best surfers in the world – but they’re out here the day before the contest practicing rather than those of us who are out here year round. We surf out here everyday, it’s our backyard and I think that’s what really comes into play.”

Aussie Jay Thompson’s is fired up by the power on tap and Sunset and draws his own confidence from having put in the time over many years. He posted the highest individual wave score of the competition today: 9.7 points.

“Sunset’s built for a bigger bloke like myself,” said Thompson. “We grow up on a lot of right hand points. In Australia there’s a lot of big waves and a lot of power. We spend a lot of time out here too, whenever there’s swell. I just like coming here. Big waves are something we don’t get to surf all year round in events and everyone just looks forward to it. Perfect Haleiwa, perfect Sunset, and perfect Pipeline… at the end of the day it’s what we’re here for and it’s just beautiful to surf here in waves like that.”

There has only ever been one surfer from the US Mainland to win here: CJ Hobgood (Florida), in 2008. Even Kelly Slater, who returns to compete at Sunset Beach tomorrow for the first time in six years, has struggled at this venue – his average result after 12 attempts is 25th; his best a 3rd in 1998.

While this event consists of 4-man heats, most will tell you you’re on your own when it comes to Sunset. And who would know better than Sunny Garcia, who also enters the fray tomorrow. Sunny has been competing here for 27 years and won in 1994 and 2000. He has his own ideas on why Slater has never tasted the success here that he has become so accustomed to over his 20+ year career.

“Kelly surfs every wave in Hawaii exceptionally well, but with 4-man heats and such a big playing field, he’s not able to get into guys heads like he does on a small peak,” says Garcia. “Sitting next to Kelly on a small peak can be very intimidating. At Sunset you’re not worried about Kelly Slater, you’re worried about the West Peak. I think he’s the greatest surfer of all time. Do I think he’s beatable? Yes. Do I want to beat him? Absolutely. Every chance I get, I want to give him a ribbing.”

There are 64 surfers in contention for the VANS World Cup: Hawaii holds 24 spots, and Australia 21, along with athletes from USA, Brazil, France, Tahiti, South Africa, Ireland, and Portugal.

Other top seeds entering the draw tomorrow include: John Florence (HAW), Gabriel Medina, and Triple Crown title contenders Sebastien Zietz (HAW) and Alejo Muniz (BRA).

The second jewel of the 30th anniversary VANS Triple Crown of Surfing hydrated by vitaminwater – the VANS World Cup is expected to resume tomorrow in slightly smaller quality waves than today.

In celebration of 30 years of world class surfing, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing hydrated by vitaminwater offers $1million in prize money this year, including a $100,000 bonus, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and a $10,000 custom Nixon watch for the overall series champion. Each of the three events of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing has a two-week holding period within which to run, requiring just 3-4 days of excellent surf to be completed. To find out when the event is running, log on to www.VansTripleCrownOfSurfing.com
The events will also be broadcast live on Oceanic Time Warner Cable around Hawaii on channels 250 & 1250HD; in Los Angeles on channel 101*; in San Diego on channel 411*; and in Desert Cities on channel 111*. *
partial live coverage, subject to pre-emption for local CIF prep sports playoffs

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is made possible with the support of: vitaminwater; Nixon; Skullcandy; GoPro; Turtle Bay Resort; Clif Bar; Mauli Ola Foundation; wavejet; the Association of Surfing Professionals; JN Automotive Group; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Oahu Visitors Bureau; Surfline.com; Surfing Magazine; Hawaiian Airlines; truth®; Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

RESULTS
Surfers listed in order of 1st through 4th

Round of 96
H1 : Ian Gentil (HAW) 12.20pts ; Jean Da Silva (BRA) 9.74pts ; Dion Atkinson (AUS) 8.40pts ; Kai Barger (HAW) 0.00pts
H2 : Tom Whitaker (AUS) 11.83pts ; Alex Smith (HAW) 11.23pts ; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 10.00pts ; Charles Martin (GLP) 7.74pts
H3 : Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 10.83pts ; Glenn Hall (IRL) 7.60pts ; Mitch Crews (AUS) 5.30pts ; Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 2.23pts
H4 : Gabe Kling (USA) 13.04pts ; Chris Ward (USA) 12.60pts ; Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 11.73pts ; Jano Belo (BRA) 4.53pts
H5 : Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.43pts ; Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 8.10pts ; Keanu Asing (BRA) 6.86pts ; Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 4.74pts
H6 : Jesse Mendes (BRA) 14.73pts ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 13.10pts ; Tim Reyes (USA) 12.67pts ; Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.44pts
H7 : Jay Thompson (AUS) 16.56pts ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 11.14pts ; Willian Cardoso (BRA) 8.57pts ; Love Hodel (HAW) 7.27pts
H8 : Jack Freestone (AUS) 16.10pts ; Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.57pts ; Makai McNamara (HAW) 11.36pts ; Cory Arrambide (USA) 7.40pts
H9 : Billy Kemper (HAW) 17.00pts ; Perth Standlick (AUS) 12.97pts ; Brian Toth (PRI) 8.00pts ; Myles Padaca (HAW) 0.00
H10 : Evan Valiere (HAW) 13.16pts ; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.66pts ; Dale Staples (ZAF) 10.60pts ; Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 4.33pts
H11 : Nat Young (USA) 11.44pts ; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 9.00pts ; Matt Banting (AUS) 8.67pts ; Evan Geiselman (USA) 3.86pts
H12 : Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 14.33pts ; Joan Duru (FRA) 13.14pts ; Hank Gaskell (HAW) 12.84pts ; Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 11.30pts
H13 : Marc Lacomare (FRA) 16.33pts; Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.10pts; Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 9.47pts; Tomas Hermes (BRA) 8.34pts
H14: Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.67pts; Garrett Parkes (AUS) 11.86pts; Gavin Gillette (HAW) 10.84pts; Dane Gudauskas (USA) 8.10pts
H15: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 14.70pts; Nathaniel Curran (USA) 11.77pts; Mason Ho (HAW) 6.43pts; Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 5.63pts
H16: Koa Smith (HAW) 12.90pts; Nathan Yeomans (USA) 11.87pts; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 8.50pts; Heath Josks (AUS) 7.00pts

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