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ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic On Standby

ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic On Standby

27/11/2014, Riyue Bay (Hainan), Surfing, ISA China Cup, Article # 5972007
 
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CAPTION: Chinese statues watching, waiting for swell at Riyue Bay, Wanning, Hainan. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)
 

ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic On Standby

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Thursday, November 26, 2014) - The Hainan Classic, a men’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Qualifying Series (QS) event has been called off for the day due to near flat conditions. The event is likely to finish tomorrow with contest officials eyeing an increase in swell by event partners Surfline. The third annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival combines both ASP and International Surfing Association (ISA) events offering the athletes the chance to compete for national pride and personal QS rankings points plus valuable prize money.
 
“We’ve put the event on standby today due to nearly un-surfable conditions,” said ASP Australasia General Manager Dane Jordan. “There’s an increase in surf on the charts tomorrow and we’ve only got eight more heats to run before crowning a champion, we’ll make a call at 6:30 am for a possible 7 o’clockstart.”

The ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic will run from November 25 - 28. More information http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic
Small Surf, Intense Pressure at ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic

Small Surf, Intense Pressure at ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic

26/11/2014, Riyue Bay (Hainan), Surfing, ISA China Cup, Article # 5953130
 

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CAPTION: South Africa's Dylan Lightfoot getting vertical in China. PIC ASP/Will H-S.(Click here to download HI-RES image.)
 

Small Surf, Intense Pressure at ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic 

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Wednesday, November 26, 2014) - The Hainan Classic, a men’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Qualifying Series (QS) event resumed in challenging 1 - 2 foot surf after moving down the beach because the primary event location was too small. The third annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival combines both ASP and International Surfing Association (ISA) events offering the athletes the chance to compete for national pride and personal QS rankings points.

Dale Lovelock (AUS) battled through two heats and was in solid form all day, posting excellent scores while his counterparts struggled to adapt to the conditions. Lovelock has advanced into the Quarterfinals and will be one to watch as the event transitions from four-man heats to man-on-man.

“My plan was to try and get off to an early lead and so far so good,” Lovelock said. “You can’t get down about the conditions because everyone has to deal with the same thing. You just go out there with confidence and stick to the game plan and hope that it all comes together.”


CAPTION: Japan's Reo Inaba booking a spot in the Quarterfinals. PIC ASP/Steve Robertson. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Deivid Silva (BRA) looked right at home in the small surf at the Riyue Bay beach break today, finding speed and turn sections seemingly with ease. Silva has advanced into the Quarterfinals where he will match-up against fellow Brazilian Luan Wood when competition resumes.

“This is like the surf at home in Brazil sometimes so I feel comfortable,” Silva said. “It’s small and difficult at times, but I was still having fun this morning when the waves were clean. I’m happy to be into the Quarterfinals and I’m excited to get back out there.”

Miguel Tudela (PER) advanced in second position behind Lovelock in Round 3 in one of the most intense heats of the day. All four surfers held one good score, so the advancing positions were decided by their backup waves.

“That could be the toughest conditions I’ve ever surfed in a heat!” Tudela said. “I was going to just try to go left because that’s what all the guys were doing in the heat before mine, then Dale (Lovelock) caught a really good right and got a big score. Then the other two guys got big scores and I was in third for most of the heat — luckily I was able to get a good one of my own at the end and jump into second.”


CAPTION: Harrison Mann (AUS) going big on his backhand. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Harrison Mann (AUS) relied on his explosive backhand surfing to advance at the Hainan Classic today. Mann’s Round 3 heat was close and intense as all four surfers fought hard for a two spots in the next Round. Mann sealed his spot in the last minute when he unloaded a barrage of vertical turns. He will now surf in Round 4 for a place in the Quarterfinals.

“The left running into the rocks was way better than the point today, I’m really happy we moved down here,” Mann said. “All the guys were hassling for waves because it was a small take off spot, you just had to try to be on the inside when a good one came through. This is my first time to China and I’m having a great time, the surf has been small but I’ve still had a lot of fun so far.”

Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) wasn’t hampered by the small surf on offer, using both his backhand and forehand attack to secure a solid heat win. Lightfoot is now just one heat away from a Quarterfinal berth and will take on Harrison Mann (AUS), Kai Hing (AUS) and Miguel Tudela (PER) in the next heat when competition resumes.

“That was hard work out there,” Lightfoot said. “That’s what it takes to be a professional surfer, you sometimes get to surf perfect waves, but you also have to be on point in small surf. I’m happy that I’m still in the event and I’m hoping we get some fun surf later in the week.”

The ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic will run from November 25 - 28. More information http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic
 
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CLICK HERE FOR HI-RES PRESS IMAGE GALLERY

CAPTION: South Africa's Dylan Lightfoot getting vertical in China. PIC ASP/Will H-S.(Click here to download HI-RES image.)
 

Small Surf, Intense Pressure at ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic 

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Wednesday, November 26, 2014) - The Hainan Classic, a men’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Qualifying Series (QS) event resumed in challenging 1 - 2 foot surf after moving down the beach because the primary event location was too small. The third annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival combines both ASP and International Surfing Association (ISA) events offering the athletes the chance to compete for national pride and personal QS rankings points.

Dale Lovelock (AUS) battled through two heats and was in solid form all day, posting excellent scores while his counterparts struggled to adapt to the conditions. Lovelock has advanced into the Quarterfinals and will be one to watch as the event transitions from four-man heats to man-on-man.

“My plan was to try and get off to an early lead and so far so good,” Lovelock said. “You can’t get down about the conditions because everyone has to deal with the same thing. You just go out there with confidence and stick to the game plan and hope that it all comes together.”


CAPTION: Japan's Reo Inaba booking a spot in the Quarterfinals. PIC ASP/Steve Robertson. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Deivid Silva (BRA) looked right at home in the small surf at the Riyue Bay beach break today, finding speed and turn sections seemingly with ease. Silva has advanced into the Quarterfinals where he will match-up against fellow Brazilian Luan Wood when competition resumes.

“This is like the surf at home in Brazil sometimes so I feel comfortable,” Silva said. “It’s small and difficult at times, but I was still having fun this morning when the waves were clean. I’m happy to be into the Quarterfinals and I’m excited to get back out there.”

Miguel Tudela (PER) advanced in second position behind Lovelock in Round 3 in one of the most intense heats of the day. All four surfers held one good score, so the advancing positions were decided by their backup waves.

“That could be the toughest conditions I’ve ever surfed in a heat!” Tudela said. “I was going to just try to go left because that’s what all the guys were doing in the heat before mine, then Dale (Lovelock) caught a really good right and got a big score. Then the other two guys got big scores and I was in third for most of the heat — luckily I was able to get a good one of my own at the end and jump into second.”


CAPTION: Harrison Mann (AUS) going big on his backhand. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Harrison Mann (AUS) relied on his explosive backhand surfing to advance at the Hainan Classic today. Mann’s Round 3 heat was close and intense as all four surfers fought hard for a two spots in the next Round. Mann sealed his spot in the last minute when he unloaded a barrage of vertical turns. He will now surf in Round 4 for a place in the Quarterfinals.

“The left running into the rocks was way better than the point today, I’m really happy we moved down here,” Mann said. “All the guys were hassling for waves because it was a small take off spot, you just had to try to be on the inside when a good one came through. This is my first time to China and I’m having a great time, the surf has been small but I’ve still had a lot of fun so far.”

Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) wasn’t hampered by the small surf on offer, using both his backhand and forehand attack to secure a solid heat win. Lightfoot is now just one heat away from a Quarterfinal berth and will take on Harrison Mann (AUS), Kai Hing (AUS) and Miguel Tudela (PER) in the next heat when competition resumes.

“That was hard work out there,” Lightfoot said. “That’s what it takes to be a professional surfer, you sometimes get to surf perfect waves, but you also have to be on point in small surf. I’m happy that I’m still in the event and I’m hoping we get some fun surf later in the week.”

The ASP 4-Star Hainan Classic will run from November 25 - 28. More information http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic
 
Surfers Power Through Challenging Conditions at Hainan Classic

Surfers Power Through Challenging Conditions at Hainan Classic

25/11/2014, Riyue Bay (Hainan), Surfing, ISA China Cup, Article # 5931126

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CAPTION: Brazil's Deivid Silva was one of today's standout surfers and is through to the Round of 16. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)
 

Surfers Power Through Challenging Conditions at Hainan Classic

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Tuesday, November 25, 2014) - The Hainan Classic, a men’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Qualifying Series (QS) event hit the water today in small 1 - 2 foot surf. The third annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival combines both ASP and International Surfing Association (ISA) events offering the athletes the chance to compete for national pride and personal QS rankings points.


CAPTION: Peter 'PT' Townend getting into China life. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Peter Townend, the first ever ASP World Champion (1976) was on hand at this year’s Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival to give the Chinese surfers some coaching and is pleased with what he saw for the future of surfing in China.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in China coaching Chinese surfers,” Townend said. “This is my first time surfing in the ocean in China, I’ve been to the river wave - they call it the Silver Dragon. China’s surf culture is in its infancy, but the roots are being put down and they are doing some fantastic things here. I’ve spoken with Government officials from Beijing and they love the sport and lifestyle and they see the benefits for the youth and the environment.”

When asked about this year’s ASP World Titles, he added.

“Being from the Gold Coast I’m always happy to see Mick Fanning win, but I think it would be fantastic for the sport to see Gabriel Medina win his maiden Title and think he’s going to do it after seeing the way he won Fiji and Teahupoo. On the women’s side, I’m 100% behind Stephanie Gilmore.”

Nick Squires (AUS) won the individual gold medal in yesterday’s ISA China Cup and his good form continued today in the Hainan Classic. Squires easily advanced through two Rounds with big scores and solid surfing and is hungry to once again be on the top of the podium at this event.

“Winning the gold medal yesterday was fantastic, it’s something I’ll never forget, but I had to quickly switch that off and get back into competition mode,” Squires said. “First place wins 15 Grand and I want the winner to be me. This is a really important competition and I’m feeling fit and focused.”


CAPTION: Medi Viminadi (REU) throws his weight on his back foot. PIC ASP/Will H-S. (Click here to download HI-RES image.)

Bruno Galini (BRA) and Medi Veminardi (REU) both powered through their Round of 64 heat at Riyue Bay today. Both surfers left their mark on the heat with Galini advancing in 1st position, while Veminardi advanced in 2nd with the highest single wave score of the heat — 7.83 (out of a possible 10) for a series of sharp and fast frontside turns.

“The surf is really challenging,” Veminardi said. “At one point in the heat there hadn’t been a wave for five minutes and I couldn’t believe we were out there for a competition. I was lucky to get the best wave that came through, it allowed me to open up and do a couple of turns. I was trying to put myself in position for the best waves and that heat worked out for me.”

Michael February (ZAF) was another of the day’s standout surfers, tearing through the tough conditions to post a 7.33 and a solid heat win over Harrison Mann (AUS) who also advanced in 2nd position and Gilbert Lopez (CRI) who was eliminated. February will now match-up against Dale Lovelock (AUS), Kaisa Kawamura (JPN) and Miguel Tudela (PER) when competition resumes.

“I’ve never stared so hard at the ocean hoping for waves,” February said. “I finally got a good one after a while. It feels good to post some good scores, if the surf stays small at least I know that I’m capable of getting scores.”

After surfing in today’s small conditions Miguel Tudela (PER) has now competed in some of the biggest and smallest surf of 2014 — Tudela also competed in the Pico Alto Big Wave World Tour event in his home country of Peru. In yesterday’s ISA China Cup Tudela added another accolade after his team took out the Gold Medal No. 1 position.

“I surfed through four or five heats in the ISA event so I know this wave pretty well,” Tudela said. “I like that I can surf both big and small waves, you never know what you’re going to get in a competition so it’s good to be well rounded.”