Paige Hareb now rated #3 on the WQS after winning Margaret River comp!
Kiwi surfer Paige Hareb is well on her way to qualify for the elite Women's World Tour after her historic win at Margaret River this week.
History Created with Tom Whitaker and Paige Hareb Claiming Victory at Margarets
MARGARET RIVER, Australia (Sunday, April 13, 2008) - Surfing history was created on the final day of the Drug Aware Pro Margaret River presented by O’Neill, as two new champions were crowned at Surfers Point.
Tom Whitaker (Bronte, NSW) and Paige Hareb (New Zealand) created their own individual pieces of history, both sealing their maiden professional tour victories in style.
Whitaker, a 10-year Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Tour veteran, defeated American Chris Ward (San Celmente, USA), in a one-sided affair – winning 15.67 (out of a possible 20), to Ward’s 6.17, to take home a US$15,000 winner’s cheque and 3,000 points on offer in the 6-Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event.
The popular 28 year-old pro-surfer, often seen chairing his Aussie mates up the beach on the World Tour, was never in doubt in the Final, after opening with a 6.17 to lead from start to finish.
“I am so stoked,” he said.
Whitaker, 28, has been competing on the ASP World Tour for five years without a first place result.
“I’ve had a second on the ASP World Tour in Brazil and countless third places, but to finally win an event is so awesome. I feel like the monkey is finally off my back.
“I had a super relaxed week and the waves were really quality here,” he said.
“Margaret River has the best waves on the WQS circuit. To win here is all-time.”
In the Women’s competition, 17-year-old Paige Hareb defeated Rosanne Hedge (South Africa) in a truly international Final.
Hareb, who was extremely impressive throughout the entire competition, dazzled the crowd with an exciting brand of progressive surfing – becoming the first New Zealander in history to win a major event on the ASP Tour.
“I’m so stoked,” she said. “I can’t believe I’ve won.”
In a very close affair, Hareb, with a cumulative total of 14.5 (out of a possible 20), was able to come from behind to take the title over Hodge, who scored a 13.57 (out of a possible 20).
“I just tried to get off to a quick start and get the best waves I could to build my heat,” she said.
In addition to the US$4,000 first place prize, Hareb was awarded with 2,000 valuable WQS ratings points, boosting her fight for qualification on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.
The Drug Aware Pro Margaret River presented by O’Neill saw the world’s top 250 touring professionals from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, USA, France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil, Peru, USA, Puerto Rico, Japan, Canary Islands and Mexico fighting for a combined prize purse of $US165,000 and vital ratings points.
Major sponsors of the 2008 Drug Aware Pro Margaret River included Healthway / Drug Aware, EventsCorp and O’Neill. Support sponsors include SupaShake by Brownes, Nova 93.7, Department of Sport & Recreation, Surftech Australia, Odyssey 2020, The Sunday Times, Margarets Beach Resort, Leeuwin Estate, Corona, Pump Water, MR Law, Tracks Magazine, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Tracks, Surfersvillage.com, Surfing WA and ASP Australasia.
Visit www.drugawarepro.com for further details and to view photo and video highlights of the event
Paige Hareb now rated #5 on the WQS after opening event
Kiwi surfer Paige Hareb has finished 5th in the opening event on the 2008 Women's WQS. The result is the perfect start to Paige's campaign to qualify for the elite Women's World Tour.
Sally Fitzgibbons Wins the Roxy Surf Festival and Takes WQS Ratings Lead
PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia (Saturday Jan. 26, 2008) - ASP World Junior Champion Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW, AUS) proclaimed her arrival as Australia’s next biggest talent, taking out the 6-Star ASP World Qualifying Series Roxy Surf Festival, at Phillip Island, on Australia Day.
The 17-year-old ‘super-grom’ (young surfer) has not put a foot wrong this year. Winning three out of four events in January alone, Fitzgibbons capped it off with a sensational victory over Bruna Schmitz (BRA), simultaneously shooting to No. 1 on the WQS ratings.
“It’s been a great start to 2008,” Fitzgibbons conceded. “I won the World Junior Championships (in Sydney) which was a dream come true and to win a 6-Star WQS really caps it off.”
A top scorer from start to finish, Fitzgibbons appeared to have met her match in fellow 17-year-old Schmitz. The two surfers exchanged near perfect 9-point rides in the excellent 1-5 meter waves, before Fitzgibbons unleashed a sensational 9.75 to sail home with the win.
“Bruna surfed extremely well and I guess when you’re surfing against someone like that, one high score is never going to be enough,” Fitzgibbons explained. “I put my head down because I knew I had to get another one, and I’m just stoked to come through with the win.”
The result marked a career best for both surfers - Fitzgibbons taking home US$ 4 500 for first place, while Schmitz earned US$ 2 300 and has moved into No. 2 on the WQS ratings.
“I am really, really happy to get this far,” Schmitz beamed. “Sally is a very good competitor; she’s really strong and always gets the good waves. I still scored a 9.00 in the Final so it was close.”
The girlfriend of ASP World No. 8 Jeremy Flores (FRA), Schmitz credited her man for her outstanding achievement today.
“He teaches me a lot about competition surfing and how to complete better manoeuvres,” Schmitz continued. “He has given me boards and has been a constant support for my professional career.”
World No. 8 Jessi Miley- Dyer (Bronte, NSW, AUS) and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton (Kauai, HAW) finished equal third. The two surfers conquered by both the ocean and their rivals, when they could not find a wave in the tricky low tide conditions.
Hamilton’s remarkable equal third place finish marks the best of not only her career, but also possibly that of a physically challenged athlete, and has kicked started her full time assault on the WQS in 2008.
“I just couldn’t find any waves out there but I’m still stoked to have made the Semi’s,” Hamilton said after she was defeated by Schmitz. “I’ve needed a good result to boost my confidence and it finally happened. Now I’m just going to keep doing my best in all the events and put my heart into it.”
Despite posting the highest individual wave score of her Semifinal match-up against Fitzgibbons, Miley- Dyer simply could not find a back- up ride and was disappointed to have to settle for second place.
“I had a pretty bad heat because I waited too long for a wave,” Miley –Dyer admitted. “I guess it’s a good warm up for the Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast (ASP Women’s World Tour event) but if anything, it’s a lesson learnt on what not to do in a heat.”
Former ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges (Coolangatta, QLD, AUS) made a guest appearance at Woolamai Beach, and was amazed at the level of surfing seen in this year’s competition.
“It’s scary to think I’ll be coming up against these girls in the next few years,” Hedges, who has taken a break from elite competition due to her pregnancy, said. “The talent among the juniors is pretty unbelievable and for there to be two 17-year-olds in the Final of a 6-Star WQS, tells you that women’s surfing is about to take off.”
The 6-Star WQS Roxy Surf Festival is one of two 6-Star WQS events in Australia and one of six in the world. A 6-Star WQS is the highest rated event on the World Qualifying Series and holds the most amount of ratings points, which count towards a surfers overall standing at the end of the year.
The Roxy Surf Festival is held in association with the Victoria State Government “Play it Safe by the Water” and proudly supported by ASP Australasia, Surfing Victoria, Bass Coast Shire Council and Phillip Island Nature Park
Bobby Hansen finishes the WQS rated #79
Bobby Hansen has moved to #79 in the final 2007 WQS ratings, improving on his 2006 rating by 12 places. Bobby has ended Maz Quinn's reign as the top NZ WQS surfer, having held the position for the previous 10 years.
The final WQS event was held at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and was won by Hawaiin Makua Rothman. Bobby was unlucky not to progress further as his heat was held in very testing conditions - competition for the day was called off immediately following his heat due to the size and danger factor of the waves.
Mick Fanning is the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour Champion
IMBITUBA, Brazil (Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007) -Australian Mick Fanning clinched his maiden Foster’s ASP World Title after winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil today. Fanning was in the water about to surf a semifinal heat against childhood friend Joel Parkinson (AUS) when Taj Burrow (AUS) was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS) and his lifelong dream was realized.
“I woke up this morning and I just had a good feeling that it was going to happen today,” Fanning said. “It was so amazing to be out there with Joel. When I realized I’d won I went, ‘What do we do Joel?’ and he was like, ‘I don’t know!’ I was just so stoked to share my first ever heat as the World Champion with him. It was amazing.”
Fanning surfed a signature heat to beat Parkinson 18.70 to 12.84 in Semifinal 1 before defending his Brazilian title by beating rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in the final to win the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro. The win marks his 9th Foster’s ASP World Tour event win.
Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have monopolized the World Title for the last five years but Fanning’s win today makes him the first Australian to clinch a men’s ASP World Title since Mark ‘Occy” Occhilupo did so in Brazil in 1999.
“To take the reins over from Oc is incredible,” Fanning said. “He is pretty much the legend of the sport. He’s such a character and such a cool guy. Even when I’ve been on tour with Andy, he’s such a determined guy as well and I was there for his first world title. And then there’s Kelly – the guy who gave inspiration to every kid who surfs today, he’s amazing.”
The 26-year-old’s ascent to ASP World Champion has not transpired without tribulation. Raised by a single mother who now manages his career, Fanning lost his older brother Sean, also a gifted surfer, in a car accident as a teenager. The two were extremely close and Fanning felt his presence in the water today.
“It was so cool with Joel out there in the final and there was a dolphin out there, I’m not sure if it was my brother or what,” Fanning said. “Every heat I’ve had today there has been a dolphin right there in the lineup, just chilling.”
Born in West Sydney, Fanning, his siblings and mother moved to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast of Australia when he was very young. He grew up surfing with Parkinson and top rated surfer Dean Morrison (AUS) who are known collectively as the “Cooly Kids.”
“Joel and Dean are the reason that I train so hard,” Fanning said. “When I was a kid those guys used to smoke me all the time. I was always trying to be better than those guys.”
Fanning made his Foster’s ASP World Tour debut in 2002 after finishing No. 1 in the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) the year prior. An impressive 5th place finish his first year on the elite tour earned him highest rookie result of all time, an honor he now shares with 2006 Rookie of the Year, Bobby Martinez (USA).
Fanning’s six-year professional career has seen him make a steady ascent to the No. 1 position he held for the entirety of the 2007 season. After a 5th place debut in 2002, Fanning finished World No. 4 in 2003, World No. 3 in 2005 and 2006 and World No. 1 today.
Fanning’s lowest rating on the Foster’s ASP World Tour – World No. 7 in 2004 – came about after he suffered potentially career-ending injury half way through the season. He tore his hamstring from the bone in a freesurfing incident, but came back from that injury to win the first event of the 2005 season at his home break in Snapper Rocks.
“That’s what life is,” Fanning said. “It goes up and down. You’ve got to take the good with the bad and even though I was injured it was probably the best six months of my life. I didn’t have to worry about surfing. I had fun with my friends and at the end of it I found the girl that I love and want to marry so even though it was bad for my body it was a million more times better for my mind and my heart.”
Fanning is engaged to be married to long-time girlfriend and Gold Coast Model Karissa Dalton in February of 2008.
Fanning has epitomized consistency since winning the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa in 2006, featuring in seven finals, three semifinals and two quarterfinals in the last 15 events. He won the 2007 Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro today, along with the 2007 Quiksilver Pro France, the 2007 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the 2006 Nova Schin Festival Brasil, the 2006 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay and finished runner-up in Tahiti this year and in France in 2006.
Parkinson, who didn’t seem too fazed by his Semifinal loss was in the water when his close friend won and was moved by their heat together.
“It was pretty cool, we were speechless,” Parkinson said. “It was me Mick and a dolphin was circling around us for ages, doing laps. We were like, “Can you even believe this is happening!” He was talking about how the whole last week he’s been stressing and how ironic it was that it was us in that heat together.”
Occhilupo arrived on the scene to congratulate Fanning after hearing the news.
“I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” Occhilupo said. “Yesterday I wanted to go home, but when Mick won the title today I was straight in my car and then jumping over every single heat to give him a cuddle. It’s been eight years and we’ve got it back to Australia. I don’t want to say too much, but I think it might stay there a long time.”
Otton was another Australian who shone today. Though he was disappointed to lose the Final, the rookie couldn’t help but be pleased at cracking the Top 10 on the ratings and surfing in his first ever World Tour final. He’s rated 9th now.
“It’s been amazing,” Otton said. “To make your first final feels good. I thought getting 3rd at Teahupoo was good, now to do this here is just incredible. With all of the circumstances today, Mick winning, it’s just been a dream day for Australia really.”
Otton is now one place behind first-year surfer Jeremy Flores (FRA) and the two will have to battle it out for ‘ASP Rookie of the Year’ honors in Hawaii.
“All I wanted was a chance at ‘Rookie of the Year’ in Pipe so we’ll see what happens,” Otton said. “I got a bit rattled in the middle of the year thinking about it and I think that’s what happened. Then I’ve come here and I was thinking it was out of reach so I just tried to make heats and now we’re going to Pipe, so we’ll see what happens.”
Australian Tom Whitaker (AUS) earned a Semifinal berth against Otton when he beat Burrow in the Quarters and was in the water when Fanning clinched the title.
“I’m really close with both of those guys,” Whitaker said. “I gave Mick a big hug out there. Him and Joel are best mates and they were super stoked. Then I looked around and there’s one of my best mates paddling over who I’d effectively knocked out of the world title race.”
Though Burrow’s title hopes were dashed by Whitaker earlier in the day, the current World No. 2 was on hand to celebrate with Fanning.
“It took me a little while to smile because I was kind of in shock but I’m obviously really stoked for Mick,” Burrow said. “It’s an Aussie world champ and if it’s not going to be me I’m glad it’s Mick. He’s showed that much determination and focus that he earned it. I’m really stoked for him and I’m happy with my year. It’s the best year I’ve ever had and I’m going to roll it into next year and realize its there for the taking.”
Eight-time World Champion Slater also had a longshot at the title before losing to Otton in Round 4.
“Part of me came here for Mick because I knew he had a really good shot at winning the title in Brazil,” Slater said. “But I thought, if I’m going to show up, I’m going to give it my best shot. I had priority with 10 or 11 minutes to go and a left came and I thought there was a better one behind it so I let him go and it really sealed the deal right there. I got KOd, Kai Otton-ed.
The last event on the Foster’s ASP World Tour will commence in Hawaii on Dec. 7. Visit the media center online at www.aspworldtour.com for more details as well as www.ripcurl.com.
Bobby Hansen 17th in the La Santa Pro 6 Star Prime WQS in Lanzarote - Patrick Beven Wins
Bobby is now ranked #79 on the WQS, Maz is sitting at #86 and Jay is ranked #126.
SAN JUAN, Canary Islands (Saturday, Oct. 19, 2007) - Patrick Beven (FRA) won the third 6 Star PRIME World Qualifying Series of the year today in Lanzarote. Ranked 51st before his victory and the 3000 points coming with it, Beven achieved an amazing result for his comeback amongst the possible qualifiers for next year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour. Having to win four heats today to make it, the frenchman showed how fit and ready he was as the tour is reaching his end with only three major events only remaining on the schedule.
Taking control of the messy wind-blown conditions for the last heat of the event, Beven kept on using same tactics when he waited patiently for the fewer sets breaking, not missing any of the best potential waves to defeat Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and seize the precious US$ 15 000 winner’s prize.
Looking to throw away a low 675 points result on the ratings, Beven just went for the top and showed throughout the week he had all the skills to take the trophy home. Raised by the french crew up to the award ceremony, the triple winner even shed in tears with friend and surfer Miky Picon (FRA), realizing he accomplished one of the biggest comebacks of the tour.
“I just don’t know what to say... This is more than a dream. I was in form, I never stopped believing I could be back strong but eventhough I love this wave, I never thought I could win a 6 Star Prime after thwo months away,” started Beven.
“I want to thank Pierre Agnes, the whole french contingent especially Miky and Jeremy and my brother Yannick for taking me to this point. They helped me work my mental and I’m just back for good and will move forward to Brazil confidently.”
Shaun Cansdell (AUS) finished second of the event, getting back in the race on the ratings thanks to this second great result on the WQS after his win in the Rip Curl Pro Super Series. “I’m happy with this finish. Three months ago I wasn’t able to think of anything regarding ratings but with this one I know it’s going to push way closer to the top and I’ll be ready to surf hard and requalify.”
ASP World Tour Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) got his second best result of the year on the WQS today in Lanzarote, almost securing his requalification for next year’s elite top 45. Facing an unstoppable Patrick Beven (FRA) in semifinal #2, Dornelles could do nothing but accept the frenchman’s domination, still ripping to finish with a solid 14.06 pts total.
“I love Lanzarote, I’ve had good results here and this ones means a lot for me as it secures me another year in the top 45. I’m glad to finish this way still, and I know Patrick had a lot to win for his comeback here so I’ll share this good time with him. I’ll be back in this event eventhough we weren’t lucky with the waves, but the potential is here...”
Twenty-fourth before the Santa Pro 6 Star Prime WQS event, Royden Bryson (ZAF) surfed his way up to the semifinals, stopped by Cansdell but still securing 2250 ratings’ points and US$ 4 450 for his result, a deserved equal 3rd. Out of rythm in his heat, Bryson couldn’t find anything more than a two-wave combined total of 9.27 points.
Asked about this result, Bryson answered : “I’m stoked with this result. I came here to get rid of this 800 pts result I had and I’ve done the right way; this will get me back seriously into a requalification for next year. I’m still doing okay on both tours so this event gives me confidence before the brazilian stop of the Foster’s ASP World Tour.”
Keeping his seat firmly on top of the WQS, Jordy Smith (ZAF) failed to readh the semifinals, letting go an opportunity to extend his strong lead. At 19-years-old, Smith dominated the World Qualifying Series this year since the Quiksilver Pro Africa in Durban last April and is now moving to Hawaii for the showdown.
“I’m pretty bumped my boards got stolen the other day and I had to surf with this old one. But it’s not a reason... I didn’t get any of the better waves in these tricky conditions and my main focus is now on Hawaii. Being the WQS world champion is my goal now so I’ll move confidently there. I love big waves!” finished the undisputed leader of the year.
Fouteenth before this event, Miky Picon (FRA) had a lot to lose here knowing this event could take him much closer towards a requalification for next year’s ASP World Tour. Suffering from a back injury since the beginning of the week, Picon managed to rush into the quarters but ended losing to current top 45 surfer Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA).
“I got my qualification for the top 45 here in 2005 and I felt like I could do something big here. These precious points are going to help me a lot to requalify and I’m glad I managed to surf with no pressure. Rodrigo just got the two good waves in the beginning and I kept running after the scores for the whole battle.”
Thanks to this equal 5th place, Miky Picon secured 1950 points and jumps over the 11000 points range, getting him one big step closer to next year’s ASP World Tour where he could join at least Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Tiago Pires (PRT.
Finishing his canarian path with an equal 5th and US$ 2600 was outsider Clancy Dawson (Sydney, AUS), achieving his best result ever in the 6 Star Prime event. At 22 years of age, Dawson managed to get through five rounds and eliminate amongst others current WQS #4 Ben Bourgeois (USA) and Daniel Ross (AUS) before failing against ASP World Tour member Royden Bryson (ZAF).
“It’s the best result of my life so I’m stoked to make the quarters. It’s a bummer I couldn’t keep going but this will give me great confidence and hopefully an opportunity to be full time around the WQS events next year,” confessed Dawson.
Reaching the quarterfinals in one of his favourites venues, former regional champion and runner-up in 2005 here Justin Mujica (PRT) was stopped by Shaun Cansdell (AUS) in the first battle. In same messy however still consistent waves, mujica struggled to catch up with the ASP World Tour surfer but could not find sufficient ride, finishing with a
“I feel like I could have done better but these waves were hard to catch... Well, it’s still my best result of the year and I am glad to see the europeans in the quarterfinals. After this injury, I did good in Gran Canaria last week and now I feel like I can be on a good roll so I’ll keep going to the next events with the same feeling,” said Mujica.
Kiwi surfer Paige Hareb is well on her way to qualify for the elite Women's World Tour after her historic win at Margaret River this week. 
Kiwi surfer Paige Hareb has finished 5th in the opening event on the 2008 Women's WQS. The result is the perfect start to Paige's campaign to qualify for the elite Women's World Tour.
Bobby Hansen has moved to #79 in the final 2007 WQS ratings, improving on his 2006 rating by 12 places. Bobby has ended Maz Quinn's reign as the top NZ WQS surfer, having held the position for the previous 10 years.
IMBITUBA, Brazil (Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007) -Australian Mick Fanning clinched his maiden Foster’s ASP World Title after winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil today. Fanning was in the water about to surf a semifinal heat against childhood friend Joel Parkinson (AUS) when Taj Burrow (AUS) was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS) and his lifelong dream was realized. 
SAN JUAN, Canary Islands (Saturday, Oct. 19, 2007) - Patrick Beven (FRA) won the third 6 Star PRIME World Qualifying Series of the year today in Lanzarote. Ranked 51st before his victory and the 3000 points coming with it, Beven achieved an amazing result for his comeback amongst the possible qualifiers for next year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour. Having to win four heats today to make it, the frenchman showed how fit and ready he was as the tour is reaching his end with only three major events only remaining on the schedule.