Brett Barley Charges to Semifinals Finish at ASP 5-Star Volcom Pipeline Pro

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Monday, February 1, 2010) – Brett Barley (Buxton, NC), 20, posted a bold statement at one of the world’s most infamous waves by fearlessly charging past some of the world’s most well known pipe specialist and big wave chargers to finish equal 7th at the ASP 5-Star Volcom Pipeline Pro.

Barley, who entered the event as somewhat of a dark horse, smashed the events highest heat total by surfing a nearly flawless heat. The Outer Banks local threaded a perfect 10 and following up with another near-perfect 9.67 at backdoor in the Round of 96 while eliminating Hawaiian heavies and pipeline specialist including Kamalei Alexander (HAW), David Wassel (HAW) and Reef McIntosh (HAW) en route to posting his career-best result.

“It’s not about how far I get, the money or anything, I just want to go out there and surf, I enjoy it and this is definitely the most fun I’ve ever had in a contest, that’s for sure,” Barley said. “No doubt, hands down, this is the best result of my life, for sure. ”

The East Coast barrel riding talent has spent a little time out at Pipeline throughout previous winters, but had to adjust to the opportunity of choosing the best waves on offer in comparison to his free surfing sessions where he’s usually out to pick up on a few scraps.

“Normally, because it’s so crowded, I have to go sit super deep and I end up just catching closeouts all day,” Barley said. “It’s been hard to get used to being able to catch good waves.”

While Pipeline was pumping, several other American ASP competitors were out to kickoff their season with a good start to the year at the ASP 6-Star Maresia Ceara Surf International at Paracuru, Ceara, Brazil.

Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA), 25, who won the ASP WQS in 2008 and was a rookie on the ASP World Tour last year, marched to an equal 9th place finish at the ASP 6-Star event and was the top Mainland American finisher amongst the tough international competition.

The California regular-footer defeated a mass of top talent including French standout Joan Duru (FRA), 20, before falling to eventual event runner up Alejo Muniz (BRA), 19, while picking up the crucial points he will need to find his way back amongst the world’s best surfers.

Competitors will continue their quest to find a slot on the ASP Dream Tour this week at the first ASP 6-Star PRIME event of the 2010 season at the Hang Loose Pro in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil from February 2-9, 2010.

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspnorthamerica.com or www.aspworldtour.com