Rip Curl Pro Search Will Relocate Somewhere In the Caribbean in 2010

Monday, 1 February 2010 (Torquay, Australia): Rip Curl International has today revealed that the Rip Curl Pro Search – the ASP World Tour’s only globally-mobile surfing tournament – will call “somewhere in the Caribbean” home this year, from October 30 to November 10.

The announcement comes on the eve of this season’s first ASP World Tour event (Gold Coast, February 27) and is exciting news for the world’s best male and female surfers as they finalize preparations for the busy year ahead. Although the official location won’t be unveiled until the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event in April, today’s leak is sure to silence some of the potential destination rumors.

“We’re excited to get that news off our chest,” says Scott Hargreaves, Rip Curl International Event Manager. “There have been rumors galore and lots of gossip, but we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping things secret yet again.”

“This year’s event is going to be a new experience for everyone and will definitely take a few people by surprise. The Caribbean is home to some beautiful countries and many A-grade waves, so it’s sure to be an exotic and eventful adventure.”

The Rip Curl Pro Search has enjoyed a colorful and very successful few years since it’s launch in 2005. The event has moved from Reunion Island to Mexico, Chile, Bali and Portugal respectively, scoring amazing surf at each spot.

“The Rip Curl Pro Search is always the event I most look forward to and I know it’s also a favorite for the rest of the guys and girls tour,” says Mick Fanning, reigning ASP World Champion and two-time defending Rip Curl Pro Search champion.

“It’s exciting checking out somewhere new each year and seeing how the world’s best surfers adapt to the new waves. Throwing a random stop in the schedule evens the field too, because generally speaking nobody on tour has spent much time at the spots Rip Curl chooses to run these Search events.”

“The Caribbean looks insane! I’ve never been there but I’ve been checking out a lot of footage on the net and there definitely seems to be plenty of quality breaks down that way,” continued Fanning. “Everyone I’ve asked about the place says the waves can get super punchy, which I love, so fingers crossed it delivers when we’re there.”

Rip Curl and the ASP will announce the official location for the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Search during the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach live webcast, in the break between the semi-finals and the final, March 30 to April 10.
* Image attached: 1st place Mick Fanning (AUS) and runner-up Bede Durbidge (AUS) celebrate onstage in Portugal at the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search.