Snow Wins Yakult HB Pro, Schumacher takes Gidget PLA Pro
June 20-21, 2009
Huntington Beach, California (Sunday, June 21, 2009) - Ned Snow (Waialua, HI), 23, won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1-Star Yakult HB Pro today over former ASP World Longboard Champion Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA), 34, in two-to-three foot surf at South Huntington Beach Pier. Cori Schumacher (Cardiff, CA), 32, took out her fellow finalists to claim the ASP LQS 2-Star Gidget PLA Pro, which ran in conjunction with the men's event.
Surfers competing on the ASP LQS are eligible to earn a spot on to the prestigious ASP World Longboard Tour by finishing within the top two on their regional tour by year's end. Once qualified, all surfers compete for the chance to be crowned ASP world Longboard Champion.
Snow proved to be unstoppable throughout the event's entirety and successfully tackled the tough afternoon conditions on offer at South Huntington Beach Pier to top McPhillips by a score of 13.67 to 10.66.
"Being able to surf in the man-on-man format really helped my mindset," Snow said. "Surfing against guys like McPhillips, I can just go out there and I feel like it's me against the ocean instead of battling a bunch of other guys. I'm really happy that I was able to come over here and get the win at Huntington since there is no U.S. Open for Longboarding this year."
McPhillips dominated his early round heats, but was unable to find a rhythm in the hard Final against Snow. The San Clemente local's second place finish at the Yakult HB Pro keeps him on top of the ASP North America LQS ratings.
"It was a great event and I had a lot of good heats leading up to the Final," McPhillips said. "I think I peaked before the Final and I couldn't buy a wave out there. It seems to happen a lot to me at Huntington. I either do really good or really bad, but Ned got the waves and congratulations to him."
McPhillips used the Yakult HB Pro as a warm-up for the upcoming ASP WLT event in Tahara, Japan, the Oxbow ASP World Longboard Tour, and is hoping to utilize the momentum built in this weekend's event as a building block for the prestigious international competition.
"It's a great warm up for Japan," McPhillips said. "I've been feeling good the whole time, so it's nice to have that feel in a contest and I want to keep it rolling. The next stop is Japan, so hopefully I can do well there also."
Schumacher earned a come-from-behind victory when she jumped from last place to first in the latter half of the Gidget PLA Pro Final to claim a victory over fellow finalists Bianca Valenti (Dana Point, CA), 22, 2004 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion Summer Romero (San Diego, CA), and Lindsay Steinriede (Dana Point, CA), 23.
"It feels good to take the win," Schumacher said. "The waves deteriorated pretty quickly out there and I'm happy that I was able to come back to win in the last half of the heat."
The Cardiff Reef local is also using the early season ASP LQS events to help prepare for the ASP WLT. Schumacher is out the carry the confidence from today's victory at the Gidget PLA Pro over the Biarritz, France where she will compete for the ASP Women's World Longboard title.
"I feel pretty solid going into France," Schumacher said. "I know that it's going to be summer surf in France, so it's good to get as much variety in as I can in the summer surf. It's definitely a confidence booster and I'm really looking forward to the event."
After a seven-year hiatus from competition, Schumacher has been dominating the ASP LQS and the current ratings leader continued to extend her lead over the field with today's victory.
"I'm super stoked," Schumacher said. "I'm doing better than I thought I would after coming out of retirement for so long. I'm just trying to keep focused and keep my mind and body going."
The next ASP LQS event will be the Yakult HB Pro and Gidget PLA Pro at Crystal Pier in San Diego, California from October 3-4, 2009.
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
PLA Welcomes Yakult USA as New Title Sponsor
June 15, 2009
YAKULT HB PRO - The Professional Longboard Association is pleased to announce Yakult U.S.A. Inc. as a new sponsor to the 2009 PLA surf series, and as new Title Sponsor to the PLA event to be held this weekend in Huntington Beach on June 20 and 21. In honor of its newest sponsorship title, PLA has renamed this weekends event to "Yakult Huntington Beach (HB) Pro."
"The PLA is excited to have a company like Yakult on as a sponsor and a partner. Our organization understands the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body, in a sport such as surfing. We search for sponsors that help promote that lifestyle and cannot be happier to have Yakult aboard for the remainder of the year," said Jeff Stoner, Executive Director of the PLA.
Yakult is one of the leading probiotic beverages originally created in Japan in 1935 by microbiologist Dr. Minoru Shirota. Its key ingredient is a beneficial culture, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, has been shown to help improve digestive and immune health. Today, Yakult is sold in more than 30 countries and regions and consumed by more than 25 million people daily.
"We are pleased to support the PLA and their commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles in the community," says Mr. Masaaki Sunami, Yakult USA's vice president of sales and marketing. "For more than 70 years, The Yakult Company has been working towards a similar mission: to contribute to the health and happiness of every person in the world through the pursuits of health, science and education."
Yakult U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Torrance, CA. It supports Yakult's business in the United States and Canada. Scientists all over the world continue to confirm and expand knowledge regarding the benefits of probiotics and Yakult. Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. was established in Japan in 1955 and is regarded as the world's pioneer of probiotics. For more information, please visit www.yakultusa.com.
The "Rabbit" is Coming Home
June 10, 2009
Newport Beach, California - After 13 years in Costa Rica, the Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic is moving to Waikiki, the hometown of its namesake luminary, Albert "Rabbit" Kekai, August 23 to 29, 2009.
As Kekai, surf legend and original Outrigger Boys Club member, prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday, women's surf brand Gidget Worldwide, Inc and classic surf brand Toes on the Nose is relocating the 14th annual "Rabbit Classic" to Toes' famed team rider's stomping grounds.
"It only made sense to bring the Rabbit home," said Henry Ford, the Special Events and Promotions Director with Gidget Worldwide, Inc.
In conjunction with The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation's OceanFest 2009, the Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic will be a featured event bringing authentic surfing roots to the celebration. The pairing is bittersweet, as Kekai is one of the last living Beach Boys and friends of Duke Kahanamoku.
The tournament will feature two points rated PLA- and ASP-sanctioned world-class events including the men's Toes on the Nose longboard event with a $10,000 purse, and the women's Gidget Open Pro event, boasting a $7,500 purse.
"It's great to have the event come full circle," said Randy Rarick, Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown and surfboard shaper. "It's back to surfing's roots. It's back to where it all started."
Seen as a gathering of the tribes, the event pulls traditional longboarders from around the world. With more than 15 countries represented at last year's event this year, with the more easily accessible location, is expected to draw even more. As some of the world's top surfers make their rounds in the ASP circuit, many plan to hit the Rabbit Classic.
"Rabbit is a god in Waikiki," added Richard Allred, Toes on the Nose president. "The event is all about celebrating Rabbit and his legacy; we are honored to bring the Rabbit Classic to where it all began."
Taylor Jensen and Kaitlin Maguire Win Ventura Pro Classic presented by NoHo Surf Trainer and Gidget PLA Pro
April 26, 2009
Ventura, California - Two-time and defending Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) Champion Taylor Jensen (Oceanside, CA), 25, and Kaitlin Maguire (Del Mar, CA), 21, won the ASP LQS 1-Star PLA Ventura Pro Classic presented by NoHo Surf Trainer and Gidget PLA Pro today in peaky two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at C Street in Ventura, California.
The ASP LQS is a regional qualifier for the ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT). Each region sends their top performers at year's end in an attempt to claim the coveted title of ASP World Longboard Champion each following year.
Jensen continued his tear through the ASP LQS today, notching another impressive victory on his belt in Ventura this afternoon. The powerful longboarder saved his best performance for the final, netting the event's highest heat total of a near-perfect 18.57 out of 20, placing fellow finalists Tony Silvagni (Kure Beach, NC), 22, Brendan White (Dana Point, CA) and Joe Aaron (Capistrano Beach, CA), 18, in a combination situation on the way to his convincing PLA Pro win.
"The conditions were tricky with the south swell in the water here at C Street," Jensen said. "I feel really good right now and in tune with my equipment and I've had such a good year so far, it's great to win another event."
The Oceanside local has been in stellar form throughout the beginning of the year and has already claimed a victory at the prestigious Noosa Pro event in Australia.
"I'm so stoked with how things went in Australia," Jensen said. "Winning Noosa was amazing and I got a second and a third in the following events, so I'm really happy to continue to do well in America now.
Jensen is now chasing his first ASP WLT Championship and is hoping that his success on the ASP LQS will help him achieve his goal of an ASP World Longboard title.
"I've always stressed more about the WLT," Jensen said. "In the past I had felt pressure about winning the World Title, but I've had a few great accomplishments that have made me happy so far, so I feel there is less pressure this year."
Silvagni, who finished second overall on last year's regional ASP LQS continued to shine throughout the day's entirety and finished in the runner up position behind Jensen by combining new school flare with classic noseriding.
"I always try to get 10 right away on the outside and connect each wave through to the inside," Silvagni said. "I know that the first maneuver is the most critical, so I always try to get to the nose right away."
The down-time Silvagni spends training continues to pay off for the young East Coaster, as he constantly outlasts his fellow competitors on the lengthy final day of competition.
"I train a lot and try to keep my head on straight and stay focused," Silvagni said. "The last day is always a marathon, you've got to surf three rounds to make it to the Final and you've got to be ready for a long day in order to do well."
Although 2009 will be Silvagni's first year competing on the ASP WLT, he wants to make sure to continue to secure a top seed on the ASP LQS as well.
"I just got back from Australia and missed that first regional event," Silvagni said. "It's really important for me to stay on top of the ASP LQS in case I don't finish within the top 16 on the ASP WLT."
Maguire convincingly won the Gidget PLA Pro today in a stacked Final over former ASP Women's World Longboarding Champions Jen Smith (Pacific Beach, CA), 23, who finished in second, defending regional champion Cory Schumacher (Cardiff, CA), 33, and 2006 regional champ Lindsay Steinreide (Dana Point, CA), 23.
"It was a really tough heat," Maguire said. "There were some of the best surfers in the world in that heat with two former world champions in the event, I felt like it could have been a Final for the world championships out there."
Maguire is looking to use the victory in Ventura to help her cause towards qualification for the ASP WLT.
"I'm really hoping to do well on the regional series and qualify for the Women's World Longboard Championships," Maguire said. "I'm trying to focus on competing while going to college and trying to travel as much as I can as well."
The next ASP LQS will be held at Huntington Beach Pier from June 20-21, 2009.
Gidget PLA Pro and Ventura Pro Classic presented by NoHo Trainer Underway
April 25, 2009
Ventura, California - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North American Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) kicked off the second stop on its regional ASP LQS men's and women's tour today in peaky two-to-three foot (1 metre) conditions at C Street in Ventura, California with the ASP 1-Star PLA Pro and Gidget PLA Pro events.
The ASP LQS acts as a regional qualifier for ASP World Longboard Tour, with each respective region sending their top men's and women's competitors to compete against the world's finest longboarding talent in a chance to earn the title of ASP World Longboard Champion.
Josh Mohr (Huntington Beach, CA), 33, who is currently rated third overall on the ASP North American LQS, crushed the highest scores of the men's PLA Pro today by combining powerful rail-to-rail surfing with stylish noserides on two peaky C Street righthanders to post an impressive 16.17 out of 20 heat total.
"I stayed just a little behind the section before I did my turns to give me some extra speed coming out of the turns and it worked out," Mohr said. "I almost rode a thicker, wider board today because of the soft conditions, but I went with my normal board so I could throw it around."
Since the Huntington Beach local has not been competing consistently over the last few years, he utilizes his early round heats as warm-ups before tackling the event's top seeds.
"Surfing in the earlier heats helps me warm up," Mohr said. "I have not been competing over the last few years, so it's good not to have to go against the top seeds right away. Plus, it just allows me to surf extra heats and I want to surf as many heats as possible right now."
Geoff Wong (Honolulu, HI), 21, convincingly won both of his early round heats today in the peaky Ventura surf. The Hawaiian regular-footer patiently waited for the best set-waves in his heats and his selective strategy helped him earn some of the day's best scores.
"I just got lucky with getting the best set waves and was fortunate enough not to fall," Wong said. "I was trying to be selective. The surf is not as good as yesterday, but it's still fun."
The young surfer from Oahu is surfing in his first ASP LQS event of the 2009 season and hoping he can build upon his early success throughout the year.
"I'm staying in Santa Barbara right now with some family," Wong said. "I'm hoping that I can do well here in Ventura and continue to do all of the ASP LQS longboard events this year."
Wong will tackle top seed and fellow Hawaiian Ned Snow (North Shore, HI), 23, tomorrow in the Round of 32.
Jen Smith (Pacific Beach, CA), 23, 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, donated the day's highest single wave score of a near perfect 9.50 out of 10 with a beautiful noseride on a long Ventura wall. The San Diegan continued to dominate her heat, posting another excellent score, earning the day's highest heat total of 17.67 out of 20.
"The conditions are good for longboarding and the surf was fun," Smith said. "I got those two really nice rights and got a few good scores, so it was a great warm up for tomorrow."
The talented longboarder seems to be easily adjusting to the cold Ventura water after recently competing in warmer climates such as Australia and Hawaii.
"It's always tough to adjust to the change in conditions when traveling and it feels good to be back in California," Smith said. "I was in Australia and then competing in Hawaii, so Ventura is a big change, but it's nice to be home."
Tomorrow's action will see PLA Pro and Gidget PLA Pro champions crowned by day's end. The event will be webcast LIVE via www.surfpla.com