Espinho Surf Destination added to European Pro Junior Series

PRAIA DE BAIA, Espinho - Portugal (Wednesday, May 28, 2014) - ASP Europe is delighted to announce the addition of the ASP 2-Star Men and Women Espinho Surf Destination Pro Junior, from June 26-29, 2014.

First stop on the 2014 Junior schedule in Europe, this new exciting event will convene the top up-and-coming surfers under-20 years old from all around the continent to the pristine white-sanded beaches of Espinho. 

“It is fantastic to return to Portugal with an ASP sanctioned Pro Junior event,” Rob Gunning, ASP Europe Tour Manager stated. “Over the years we have had some great ASP events held in Espinho and we are excited to see Europe’s top juniors take on the quality waves found there.”

The very first few days of summer will bring excitement amongst the revamped crowd in search of precious ranking points towards a qualification for the World Junior Championships.

“Portugal has and is continuing to develop some of Europe’s and the World’s best surfers,” Gunning continued. “The Espinho Surf Destination Pro Junior will allow Portugal’s current and up-and-coming juniors to show case their talents on home soil, gain important junior ranking points at this ASP Europe Pro Junior season opener.”

“Located in the North of Portugal, Espinho has some of the best waves in the region and it is a well known surf destination for Portuguese surfers,” Marcelo Martins, member of the event organization added. “It is an honour for us to welcome an ASP Pro Junior event in this friendly city that will offer the best location, great waves, fantastic gastronomy and lots of fun. We are sure that this will be a great surf event and it will bring Espinho's beaches to the center of the international surf scene.”

The Espinho Surf Destination Pro Junior is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Câmara Municipal de Espinho (City Council of Espinho), ON2 (Programa Operacional Regional do Norte), Praia Golfe Hotel, Castros and SuperBock amongst others. The official media partner is Jornal i.

Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival - Quiksilver Expression Session Announced

Caption: Wiliam Aliotti (FRA), two-time winner will defend his title next month in Ireland
Image: ©David Olsthoorn / Sea Sessions

MAIN BEACH BUNDORAN, Ireland (Tuesday, May 27, 2014) – Sea Sessions have just announced details of their surf programme for 2014. Joining music acts will be some of the best competitors on the international circuit for Ireland’s Biggest Beach Party of the Year.

The Sea Sessions Expression Session is returning in 2014 with the cream of European performance surfing taking on the best in Ireland. The event format as usual is 'best move/air' and is organised in a way to allow the surfers to express themselves and push their performance.

“It is a really spectator friendly format”, said Pete Craig event organiser. “Most surf events are quote technical and not really that engaging for non-surfers. This unique format allows for and encourages explosive surfing that everyone can get”, he said.

The competitors will range from countries such as France, Spain, Portugal the Caribbean, UK and Ireland. William Alotti (St Martin) is returning to defend his title and is an early favourite. Toby Donachie (UK) who was one of the standout performers last years with some huge boosts is also returning to challenge William for a total prize pot of €3000. Noah Lane (Australia) was the dark horse of the event last year and after having settled in Bundoran may have some local knowledge that might aid him this year.

New for 2014 is the Malin Waters fish challenge. The fish challenge will see a selection of local surfers and traveling pros attack the waves in some old school shapes that have been selected for the event.

On the music side, top international talent will also be joining the crème de la crème of Irish acts this year at Sea Sessions with Kelis, The Strypes and The Dandy Warhols all set to perform in Bundoran. Full music line up and festive activities can be found at www.SeaSessions.com

Mateia Hiquily Strikes Twice at Home in Tahiti

Caption: An in-form Mateia Hiquily took full advantage of his local knowledge in Papara, Tahiti.
Image: ASP/Will Hayden-Smith

CAPBRETON – France (Monday, April 17, 2014) - French polynesian surfer and 2013 European Junior runner-up Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 18, has won both the 1-Star ASP Qualifying Series division, and the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior just a few days ago at Papara in Tahiti. 

The powerful goofy-footer posted near-perfect scores all day, unloading powerful snaps and carves right in the power pocket of the waves, stamping his authority on the events as he became a hero to the local surf fans on the beach. We just caught up with Mateia about his recent succesful results and his goals coming into the busy European Junior season.

ASP Europe: “Hey Mateia, you must be over the moon ??”

Mateia Hiquily: “Yes, it’s been four days already but I still can’t believe I won the two events at Papara. I don’t really realize just yet, I’m so happy, especially cause I’ve trained so hard lately ! I guess it all paid off then.”

ASPE: “Last year you were runner-up in the European junior series, do you feel some sort of added pressure coming in to this leg of events ?”

MH: “No not at all actually, I’m just one of the guys.. I’ll keep on putting in the hours training, and give it my best shot. I hope to equal or better last year’s performance, but if I try my best there’ll be no place for regrets.”

ASPE: “What are you up to in the coming weeks ?”

MH: “Surfing and training I guess for the coming two weeks, then I’m off to New Zealand for the last Australasian Pro Junior.”

ASPE: “Excellent, well thank’s a lot for your time and good luck in the coming events !”

MH: “Thanks.”

Mateia Hiquily will be surfing in the upcoming ASP 2-Star Chain Resources Men's Pro Junior NZ Home Loans Surf Festival in Taranaki, New-Zealand from April 29 - May 4, 2014.

Rias Baixas Pro on STANDBY

Caption: surf schools enjoyed the competition spot to themselves on a beautiful Spring day
Image: ASP/Masurel

PLAYA DE LA LANZADA, Pontevedra – Galicia/Spain (Thursday, April 10, 2014) - Stop No.1 on the European Qualifying Series, the ASP 1-Star Men & Women Rias Baixas Pro is on STANDBY. A lay day has been called due to the lack of contestable conditions on the competition site on this opening day of the event window.

“Unfortunately the ocean hasn’t provided us with good conditions and we had to postpone the start of the event,” Marcos Rodriguez, event organizer said. “We will be back here early Friday morning for a 9am call to re-assess conditions.”

The 2014 Rias Baixas Pro is scheduled from April 10-13, 2014 at Playa de la lanzada, Pontevedra - Galicia/Spain. For more information, visit aspworldtour.com.

The Surf Rias Baixas Pro is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Diputación de Pontevedra, Concello de O Grove, Club Praia de Pantín y la Federación Galega de Surf amongst others.

Pontevedra Readies for Exciting European QS Series Launch

Caption:Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) will count on confidence built from a 3rd place at the Junior event last year.
Image:ASP/Masurel

PLAYA DE LA LANZADA, Pontevedra – Galicia/Spain (Tuesday, April 8, 2014) - Stop No.1 on the European Qualification Series, the ASP 1-Star Men and Women Rias Baixas Pro is just a short two-days away from starting action on the European coastline.

A new addition to the regional schedule in 2014, this exciting event will host some of the continent’s top talent looking to secure the precious ranking points on offer and a share of the US$17,500 combined prize-purse.

“It is fantastic to see 80 surfers participating in this first Rias Baixas Pro Qualifying event in La Lanzada over the coming days,” commented Marcos Rodriguez, event organizer. “There are many Spanish surfers and juniors along with Europe’s top athletes including Jonathan Gonzalez, Joan Duru from France, Gony Zubizarreta as well as Maud LeCar and Alizee Arnaud in the women’s event. This event along with the Pantin Classic are very important for Galicia and are the highest level ASP events held in Spain this year which makes us proud to see the best surfers competing in the quality waves that Galicia has to offer.”

Set at the western tip of the European shores, conditions are expected to bring fun, playful waves to the iconic A Lanzada beach in Pontevedra.

“We are expecting small conditions but the sand banks are quite good at the moment which should produce a marvellous playing field for all the athletes to highlight their abilities,” Rodriguez continued. “Also we expect great sunny weather and we invite everyone to come down to La Lanzada to enjoy the show.”

With Spring off to a great start in the region highlighted by a recent run of swells and light winds, everyone is amped to get the ball rolling and put the rashvest on for the first time this year.

“ASP Europe is kicking off its 2014 Qualifying Series this Thursday at La Lanzada with the Rias Baixas men and women’s events,” Rob Gunning, ASP Europe Tour Manager stated. “Everyone is really excited about this new event which will be webcast live via the event web site on aspworldtour.com. The level of participants is very high and we are sure to see some brilliant surfing over the coming days.”

The 2014 Rias Baixas Pro is scheduled from April 10-13, 2014 at Playa de la lanzada, Pontevedra - Galicia/Spain. For more information, visit aspworldtour.com.

The Surf Rias Baixas Pro is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Diputación de Pontevedra, Concello de O Grove, Club Praia de Pantín y la Federación Galega de Surf amongst others.