Swell Arrives for Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Start at Teahupoo

The swell is here and Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti is in the water. Credit: © ASP / ROBERTSON

TEAHUPOO, Taiarapu/Tahiti (Monday, August 30, 2010) – The swell has kicked up over night, and with pulsing three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves on offer, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will finally commence with Round 1 hitting the water at 6:30am.

Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti has endured seven, consecutive lay days, but will be well rewarded as the world’s best surfers do battle in clean conditions at Teahupoo.

“It’s been a long wait, but the waves have arrived and we’ll be commencing competition at 6:30am,” Richie Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We plan to utilize all the swell we have available which means a full day today. We aim to complete Round 1 and a portion of Round 2, but will monitor conditions throughout the day.”

In addition to contributing to a red-hot ASP World Title Race, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will also serve as the final event for the world’s best surfers looking to make the midyear cut-off asp the ASP Top 45 is reduced to the Top 34 (Top 32 finishers after five events plus two surfer wildcards).

A full breakdown of ASP World Title Rankings possibilities, including the ASP midyear field reduction, for the Billabong Pro Tahiti are available at ASPWorldTour.com

Up first this morning will be Damien Hobgood (USA), 31, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 25, and Jay Thompson (AUS), 28, in the opening heat of the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

The Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE via http://www.billabongpro.com/tahiti10/

FUEL TV will be broadcasting the Billabong Pro Tahiti LIVE in Australia. Check out http://www.foxsports.com.au/fueltv for details.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS

Heat 1: Damien Hobgood (USA), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Jay Thompson (AUS)

Heat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA), Luke Stedman (AUS), Nate Yeomans (USA)

Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Marco Polo (BRA)

Heat 4: Dane Reynolds (USA), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Blake Thornton (AUS)

Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Roy Powers (HAW), Tim Reyes (USA)

Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA)

Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS), Tamaroa McComb (PYF)

Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Manoa Drollet (PYF)

Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT), Tuamata Puhetini (PYF)

Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Andy Irons (HAW), Heiarii Williams (PYF)

Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW), Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 12: Owen Wright (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)

Heat 13: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Tanner Gudauskas (USA)

Heat 14: Michel Bourez (PYF), Dean Morrison (AUS), Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 15: Taylor Knox (USA), Luke Munro (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF)

Heat 16: Chris Davidson (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS)

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
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EVENT MEDIA

Billabong Pro Media Manager

Johnathan “JJ” Jenkins

email: johnathan.jenkins@billabong.com.au