Media Release: Friday, 27 March 2008

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Thursday, March 27, 2008)  Kelly Slater again proved he is the best surfer on earth by earning the winner's right to ring the Bells trophy for a record equaling third time after defeating Bede Durbidge (AUS) in the final of the Rip Curl Pro pres. by Snickers today.

Launching a huge air to earn a last minute score, the 36-year old American improved on his own record by recording his 36th event win and heads the 2008 ASP World Tour ratings after back to back victories in the first two events of the year.

"It feels awesome, really good," Slater said. "The Bell is arguably the best trophy you can win in surfing.  I do have a couple, but to get there and have the chance and get a third one feels really good."

Slater trailed Durbidge for the first 27 minutes of the 30-minute final but paddled from the Bells Bowl up to Rincon where he found a wave that enabled him to launch a daring double-grab aerial. He was awarded an 8.83 (out of 10.00) for the massive maneuver and took the lead.

Claiming victories in the first two events of the year, Slater has now replicated the 2006 season-start that eventuated in his 8th ASP World Title. He confirmed that's he's made plans to attend the next event in Tahiti and is thinking about No. 9.

Slater extended his lead at the top of ASP World Tour rankings and fellow finalist Durbidge has moved to World No. 2 with the result.

"There are murmurs of Bede being a world title contender and I would say he's up to that challenge," Slater said.

Durbidge was disappointed with the loss but his performance at Bells Beach has positioned him as a clear contender.
"It's pretty frustrating, but he's the champ and freakish things happen to him," Durbidge said of Slater. "I saw him paddle up to Rincon and I just let him go. He just got one and went pretty freakish, did a big air, rode it all the way through and got the score."

Durbidge eliminated California's Bobby Martinez (USA) in a one sided semifinal affair today after the Californian had earlier caused the upset of the event by outscoring reigning World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) in their quarterfinal encounter.

Slater defeated defending Rip Curl Pro champion Taj Burrow in the other semifinal after ousting Andy Irons (HAW) in the quarters.

Dane Reynolds (USA) fell to Burrow in the Quarterfinals but still leaves the event with his best result in an ASP World Tour event. Sitting equal 11th, Reynolds is the highest rated rookie on tour and his performance in the Rip Curl Pro did not go unnoticed.

"I think Dane might arguably be the best surfer in the world right now," Slater said. "Just everything from barrels to airs to carves, he's really got the whole bag of tricks and power and everything.  He's so well rounded, and I think that's got us all pretty fired up."

Only Jordy Smith (Durban) of the SA quartet in the event reached Round 3 where the rookie bowed out to seasoned campaigner Danny Wills (AUS). Smith occupies 21st position on the ASP World Tour ratings while Travis Logie (Durban), Royden Bryson (East London) and Ricky Basnett (Bluff) added second successive 33rd places at Bells to their tallies and hold equal 39th spot on the ratings.

All the heats during the Rip Curl Pro for both men and women can be seen in the Video on Demand section of the Rip Curl Pro webcasts. Go to www.aspworldtour.com, choose the Men or Women's event. South African viewers are recommended to click on the Low Band option and then choose the Round and Heat you want to watch from the list.

The next ASP World Tour event takes place in Teahupoo, Tahiti from May 8-18, 2008.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results:
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.63 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.16

Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.50 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 4.50
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.33 def. Taj Burrow (BRA) 7.96

Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.00 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.33
Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) 17.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.67
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.33 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 10.67
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.34 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 2.80

Ratings after Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach - Event No. 2 on the ASP World Tour
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 2400 points
2. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 1908 points
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 1764 points
4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 1476 points
4. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 1476 points
6. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 1464 points
6. Andy Irons (HAW) 1464 points
8. Bobby Martinez (USA) 1286 points
9. Kai Otton (AUS) 1200 points
9. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 1200 points

South Africans:
21. Jordy Smith (Durban) 825 points
39. Travis Logie (Durban) 450 points
39. Royden Bryson (East London) 450 points
39. Ricky Basnett (Bluff) 450 points

Shaun Joubert pockets season opening Oakley Pro Junior title in Durban

Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) overcame a strong challenge from Nick Godfrey (Cape St Francis) to snatch victory at the internationally rated ASP Grade 2 Oakley Pro Junior at Durban's New Pier on Sunday.

The two 16 year-olds put on a great display in clean one-metre offshore waves with Joubert waiting 10-minutes before his first ride. Opening with an 8.5 (out of 10), Joubert consolidated his lead with a 6.17 leaving Godfrey needing a near perfect 9.67 for the lead as time ran out.

Joubert pocketed US $2 500 (R20 000) while Godfrey earned R8 800 and both qualify for the finals of the R600 000 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge to be held in Bali in September.

Joubert was ecstatic, saying winning was "the best feeling ever" and thanked all involved for the effort put into the contest and in particular Seth Hulley, Oakley Africa's Core Sports Manager, for his assistance in furthering Joubert's surfing career.

Equal third after losing out in the man-on-man semifinals were Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) and Haydn MacNicol (Scottburgh) with equal fifth going to Chad du Toit (Berea), Reunion Island's Medi Veminardi and Capetonians Michael February (Kommetjie) and Jaco Steyn (Melkbosstrand).

The Oakley Pro Junior was the first of eight events on the 2008 ASP Africa schedule. Next up is the Grade 2 Quiksilver Pro Junior pres. Virgin Mobile in association with Resolution on 11 & 12 April followed by the 6 Star Prime ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) rated Quiksilver Pro Durban pres. Virgin Mobile in association with Resolution (13-20 April).

Both events will be staged at New Pier in Durban with the R1 million WQS event having the backup venue of the Bluff – from Ansteys to Cave Rock – should conditions be appropriate.

See www.aspafrica.com for further details, the full schedule for 2008 and entry forms.

A dozen SA surfers competing in Newcastle, Australia, this week

An even dozen of the country's WQS campaigners will be competing in three of the four events that make up the annual Newcastle Surfest in New South Wales, Australia, this week.

Damien Fahrenfort is the 21st seed for the 4 Star WQS rated Mark Richards Pro and will start in the Round of 64. He will be joined by fellow Durbanite Brandon Jackson, Rudy Palmboom Jnr (Bluff), Josh Redman (Umdloti), Clinton Gravett (East London) and Dave Richards (Kommetjie) in the R360 000 event

ASP World Tour member Rosanne Hodge heads the SA challenge in the 6 Star Women's WQS Midori Pro where she is seeded 6th. Others in the event include fellow East Londoner Nikita Robb, Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand), Tammy-Lee Smith (Chaka's Rock), 14 year-old Sarah Baum (Athlone Park) and ASP Africa Pro junior champion Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie).

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Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:        021 534 5738
Email:    aspafrica@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life's a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:        +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:       +27 (0) 86 684 6250
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Email:      lifesabeach@mweb.co.za