IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Friday, July 3, 2009)

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion, has claimed the 2009 Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro over an in-form Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at the main site of Praia Vila.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose culminated in a dramatic finale with perennial ASP World Title threats all pushing one other towards the finish line.

Despite the Brazilian smashing his way out to an early lead, Slater found his form mid-heat with a 9.27 out of a possible 10 for a series of high-risk maneuvers, exhibiting a near-perfect variety of repertoire. Not satisfied with only one high score, Slater nailed the coffin shut with an 8.67 in a dying minutes to secure his 41st ASP World Tour victory.

“There were much better waves in the Final than there were for my Semifinal,” Slater said. “Adriano (de Souza) found a pretty good rhythm early on and posted some pretty good scores, but I felt comfortable out there and felt that the waves would come to me if I were patient. Both of my scoring rides allowed me to a bunch of maneuvers and I felt that the scores were maybe a little high, but I haven’t had many good scores this year, so it was bound to go my way at some point.”

Nearly pulling out of both the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro and the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay altogether, Slater made a last-minute decision to come to Brazil for the fans, but his journey here was riddled with delayed flights, visa complications and missing baggage. After a Round 1 loss on a borrowed board, the Slater juggernaut built momentum throughout the event, riding everything from self-shaped, asymmetrical quad-fins to epoxies to his bread and butter performance boards.

“I definitely feel like I sharpen as the event moves into the later rounds,” Slater said. “I started out pretty slow in Brazil, and I wasn’t even planning on coming initially. I rode borrowed boards, ones that I shaped, epoxies, everything and I definitely think I found my formula today. I actually called my girlfriend before the Final and said, ‘every time I show up to an event after trying to pull out, I win.’ I guess that held true today. I have less pressure on myself and am free to perform to the best of my abilities.”

Slater’s win today breaks his worst slump ever as an ASP World Tour campaigner, three 17ths in three events in 2009, and rockets the Floridian from 25th to No. 9 on the ASP World Tour ratings. Although a mountain of challenges still stand between Slater and an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title, today’s victory has re-ignited the competitive fire for him.

“I feel like I have all those guys (ASP World Title contenders) right where I want them,” Slater said. “I don’t feel like I have any pressure on me, and I tend to do my best when I have no pressure. We’re coming up on Jeffreys Bay, which is probably my best event historically and hopefully I can build off my result here today.”

With the support of Brazil evident in the thousands on the beach, De Souza wasted no time in putting the Floridian on the ropes in their Final, collecting a 6.67 and an 8.00 in the opening half. However, despite an impressive opening, Slater would ultimately eclipse De Souza throughout the back half of the affair, rendering the Brazilian with his second Runner-Up finish of 2009.

“I felt like I peaked in the Final,” De Souza said. “I don’t think I could have surfed any better. I thought I had him (Slater), but he’s the nine-time world champ, and you have to be perfect to beat him. I’m still very happy with my Runner-Up finish. It is my second of the year and puts me in a really good position heading into the next event.”

Today’s finish advances De Souza from ASP World No. 5 to ASP World No. 2 heading into the next stop on the ASP Dream Tour, rendering the former ASP World Junior Champion (2004) a major threat in the race for this year’s ASP World Title.

“It is a huge deal for me to represent my country so well here today,” De Souza said. “I could feel them supporting me on the beach every time I stood up. It was an amazing feeling. I felt strong and confident and I think I made Brazil proud with my performance today.”

Having failed to advance out of Round 3 at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in several years of attempts (first as a wildcard, then as an ASP World Tour competitor), De Souza’s Runner-Up finish today marks the first time a Brazilian has made the Final since 2005.

“When I was a little kid I used to come to the event and dream of competing here,” De Souza said. “To be here today, in front of all my friends and family, competing against my hero in the Final, is a very special moment for me and one I will remember for the rest of my life.”

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, former ASP World Champion (2001) and current ASP World No. 3, edged past Michael Campbell (AUS), 35, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, en route to his first Semifinals berth of the season, but inconsistent conditions would give the nod to eventual winner Slater, resulting in Hobgood’s equal 3rd finish at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

“There just wasn’t anything I could do out there,” Hobgood said. “There were no waves that allowed me the opportunity to even get a decent score. We were talking about holding out for a restart, but Kelly (Slater) took a bad wave and that sort of ended that possibility. A 3rd is a good result, but I’m just really bummed about my Semi. I keep telling myself that I tend to get my best results at the end of the year so hopefully that will complement my good start.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, was in sensational form through the final day of competition, dispatching of ASP Dream Tour rookies Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, and Dustin Barca (HAW), 27, in his Round 4 and Quarterfinal heats respectively. In a grudge match re-igniting their Final bout on the Gold Coast during the season opener, Parkinson and De Souza went blow-for-blow in Semifinal 1, with the Brazilian claiming victory this time around, advancing in front of an ecstatic hometown crowd.

“I’m really frustrated as I wanted to win that one,” Parkinson said. “I had an okay start, but Adriano (de Souza) picked up a few good scores towards the end. I got him at home and the Goldy and he got me here in his home country – that’s what is great about the tour, everyone surfs in their own country at some point. I’m disappointed, but an equal 3rd is a good result for me and I’m feeling confident heading into the next event at Jeffreys Bay.”

Next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa from July 9 – 19, 2009.

Highlights from the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 17.94
2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.67

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.97 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.86
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.16 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 6.93

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.33
QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.73 def. Dustin Barca (HAW) 13.04
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.60 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.17
QF 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.87 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 9.17

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 4 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.90 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.50
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.60 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.00
Heat 3: Dustin Barca (HAW) 11.17 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 8.80
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.66 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.33
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.20 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 12.33
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.10 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 11.67
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.84 def. Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.16
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.20 def. Chris Ward (USA) 8.14

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:

1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3876 pts
2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3206 pts
3 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3072 pts
4 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 3050 pts
5 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 2940 pts
6 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 2625 pts
7 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 2532 pts
8 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2486 pts
9 – Kelly Slater (USA) 2430 pts
10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 2342 pts

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Friday, July 3, 2009)

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro is underway as the final day of competition will hit the three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves on offer at Praia Vila with Round 4 ning at 7:30am.

Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro has enjoyed a variety of conditions as the event narrowed the competitive field down to the final 16 surfers, and with the ASP World Title race on the line as well as ASP Dream Tour requalification campaigns, today’s finale is sure to be a dynamic affair.

“The surf has ped slightly but there are still very contestable waves coming through so we’ll be getting underway with the final day of competition ning at 7:30am,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “We’ve got 15 heats to complete as well as a break between the Semis and Final, so if conditions hold, we’re looking to crown a winner by day’s end.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, will look to pick up another strong result today as the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro comes to an end. The Australian will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, in Round 4 this morning.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 25, has already secured his best result of the season with his Round 4 berth and will look to salvage his year in Brazil, first facing current ASP World No. 8 Tom Whitaker (AUS), 29, in his opening heat of the day.

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Thursday, July 2, 2009)

Challenging three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves pulsed through the main site at Praia Vila today as the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro completed Round 3 of competition, narrowing the remaining field down to the final 16 surfers.

Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro saw the ASP’s top seeds take command during Round 3, with seven of the current ASP Top 10 advancing through to Round 4.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, former ASP World Junior Champion (2004) and current ASP World No. 5, was in sensational form this morning, navigating the pulsing lefthanders with ease to net the highest heat total of the day, a 16.20 out of a possible 20.

“The surf is still pretty difficult but there are good lefts coming through and I was able to find two high-scoring ones,” De Souza said. “Greg (Emslie) is such a dangerous competitor and is capable of getting really good scores. I knew I would have to surf at my highest level. My equipment feels good and I am feeling much more confident after getting through that last round.”

With the advancement into Round 4 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, De Souza has already netted his best finish in six seasons of competing in Brazil (first as a wildcard, then as an ASP World Tour competitor). With today’s eliminations of countrymen Heitor Alves (BRA), 27, and Neco Padaratz (BRA), the young natural-footer is the sole remaining Brazilian left in competition.

“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and almost feel like I won the contest,” De Souza said. “I was very nervous before that heat and felt like I had a big rock mentally preventing me from getting past that round. Now that I’m through, I feel like I can get a big result here. I am sad that Heitor (Alves) has been eliminated – he is such a good surfer and needed a result here. Hopefully I can keep going and get a big result for Brazil.”

De Souza will face Jeremy Flores (FRA), 21, in Round 4 when competition resumes.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion, continued to experiment with equipment in his Round 3 victory over Ben Dunn (AUS), 23, today. Having stretched the boundaries on competitive surfboards for the last several months, including his Round 2 victory on a self-shaped, asymmetrical quad-fin, the Floridian’s equipment has been a central topic of much-heated debate within the surfing world.

“I seem to be riding a new board every time I go for a surf,” Slater said. “This one I just rode was an epoxy swallow-tail and seemed to go really well in these conditions. I’ve spent the lay days hanging with some friends here in Brazil and having a few fun surfs around town. I’ve pretty much just been cruising and testing out some equipment.”

After suffering three, uncharacteristic equal 17th place finishes thus far in 2009 (his worst competitive run since becoming an ASP World Tour competitor), Slater now finds himself with a current ASP World No. 25 rating and a mountain of challenges between him and an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title this season.

“I obviously haven’t had the results I desired this season so a lot has to happen for me to even be in the running for the world title,” Slater said. “But I guess that takes the pressure off for me at these events. I go into heats and I’m more looking to play the spoiler than net a result myself. I’m stoked to be getting through heats though. This is my best result of the year already and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Slater will face current ASP World No. 8 Tom Whitaker (AUS), 29, in Round 4 when Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition resumes.

Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, defending Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro winner and current ASP World No. 14, survived a hotly contested Round 3 bout with ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

“Conditions were pretty tough out there and Michel (Bourez) started out pretty strong before I was able to put some scores up,” Durbidge said. “He got me last year in France so it was good to get another one back on him. He’s such a strong competitor and really dangerous is most conditions. I feel like I’m surfing well though and hopefully I can put together a solid result here in Brazil and get a bit of momentum going in my season.”

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, former ASP World Champion (2001) and current ASP World No. 4, punctuated the afternoon’s competition with the highest single-wave score of the day, a 9.17 out of a possible 10, for a series of fully-committed forehand power gaffs on a roping lefthander.

“Michael (Picon) always does well here and I wanted to make sure I got the first wave on him,” Hobgood said. “The last time we surfed against one another was in Indonesia and he got the first wave on me and that won the heat for him. So getting the first wave was my strategy heading into the heat and it paid off. The wave really stood up and allowed me to get a bunch of turns in. There are still good waves out there and this is probably the most contestable I’ve ever seen Praia Vila. Hopefully the waves stay good tomorrow.”

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences, first up will be defending Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro winner Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against another past winner in Brazil (2005) Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, in Heat 1 of Round 4.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am for a possible 7:30am start to the (potentially) final day of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

Highlights from today’s Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.83 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.83
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.00 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 4.50
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.67 def. Tim Boal (FRA) 12.53
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.20 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.87
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 11.00 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 7.10
Heat 6: Dustin Barca (HAW) 13.07 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.33
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.40 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.74
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.17 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 14.67
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.24 def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 12.16
Heat 10: Tim Reyes (USA) 14.50 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 12.07
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.53 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 10.46
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 11.50 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 7.00
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.17 def. Michael Picon (FRA) 9.24
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) 14.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.10
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.00 def. Roy Powers (HAW) 3.87
Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) 13.50 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 10.86 HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 4: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Thursday, July 2, 2009) -

Following three consecutive lay days, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro is back on with Round 3 hitting the water at 8am in clean three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves at the main site of Praia Vila. Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will feature the remaining 32 surfers in Round 3 as they vie for advancement through to the final day of competition.

“We’ve got some pretty rippable surf coming through today so we’ll be getting underway at 8am with Round 3,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “There’s a good lefthander coming off the rock at about three-to-four feet, and we’ll be looking to complete Round 3 by the end of the day.”

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition s, first up will be defending event champ Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be web LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Wednesday, July 1, 2009) –

With only small conditions in the two-to-three foot (1 metre) range still on offer at the main site of Praia Vila, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro has called its third consecutive lay day for competition.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro enjoyed solid swell for the opening two days of competition, completing Rounds 1 and 2, but has since been in a holding pattern awaiting more optimal conditions.

“This morning is the smallest we’ve seen so far so competition is off for the day,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “We’re still tracking that swell model that is coming from a pretty good direction so we could be on as early as tomorrow. We’ll be back in the morning to assess conditions.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am to review conditions for a possible Round 3 8am start.

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences, first up will be defending event champ Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

Highlights from past days’ Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Tuesday, June 30, 2009)

Another lay day has been called for the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, with only small two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Praia Vila this morning.

Swell models are projecting some solid pulses to tomorrow and Thursday, and with only two days of competition remaining in the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, event organizers will look to finish in the best conditions possible.

“The winds have calmed since yesterday but the surf has ped as well,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “We’ve called competition off for today, but are tracking some swell models that look to be coming from a better direction over the next couple of days so we’ll be back tomorrow morning for a possible Round 3 start.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am to assess conditions for a possible Round 3 8am start.

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences, first up will be defending event champ Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

Highlights from past days’ Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Monday, June 29, 2009)

After two full day’s of competition which saw the world’s best surfers whittled down to the remaining 32, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro has called a lay day this morning with offshore winds but a projected in swell on offer at Praia Vila today.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro plays a crucial role in both the ASP World Title race and the requalification campaigns of the world’s best surfers for the world’s most elite tour.

“The surf has ped a bit today and we have a very stiff offshore wind this morning making things difficult,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “The surfers opted not to compete today and since we’ve completed half the competition in the opening two days of the waiting period, we feel that we have time to wait for more optimal conditions.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am to assess conditions for a possible Round 3 8am start.

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences, first up will be defending event champ Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

Highlights from past days’ Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Sunday, June 28, 2009)

The elimination Round 2 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro was completed today, with the world’s best surfers tearing into the four-to-six foot (2 metre) waves on offer at Praia Vila.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro enjoyed sunnier weather and marginally better manageable ocean conditions for Round 2, allowing for some electrifying performances.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, former ASP World Junior Champion (2006) and current ASP World No. 6, was devastating this morning during his Round 2 bout against Ben Bourgeois (USA), 30. Building momentum throughout the heat, Smith exploded with the day’s highest single-wave score of a 9.00 out of a possible 10 for a barrage of fully committed power turns on his forehand.

“It’s still pretty tough out there and it’s difficult to find a spot to line up,” Smith said. “There are some pretty good waves coming through the bowl though and if you can get on them, you can open up a bit. I just got lucky with my wave ion and was able to put up a couple of scores.”

Long-touted as one of the most progressive surfers on the planet, Smith struggled during his rookie season on the ASP Dream Tour, finishing 26th in 2008. Since then, the South African has re-ignited through the opening events this year, collecting two ninths and a third en route to his current ASP World No. 6 rating.

“I think I put a lot of pressure on myself last season and I’m trying not to do that this year,” Smith said. “I’m just having fun and that seems to be working out pretty well. I’ve had a couple of pretty good events and I’m only looking to improve.”

Smith will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Dustin Barca (HAW), 27, in Round 3 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro when competition resumes.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion, has struggled in 2009, collecting three consecutive 17th place finishes resulting in his current ASP World No. 25 rating. Despite a Round 1 loss yesterday, Slater rallied in Round 2 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, dominating the righthanders to edge past wildcard Bernardo Miranda (BRA).

“I’ve been feeling a bit burned out on competition and I wasn’t planning on coming to Brazil or Jeffreys Bay,” Slater said. “I was planning on spending a bit of time with my family, but I spoke with Renato (Hickel) and he told me that all the fans in Brazil were looking forward to it, so I decided to come and make the journey down here.”

Running into setbacks with delayed flights, visa issues and missing baggage, Slater arrived only hours before yesterday’s Round 1 heat, eventually going down to compatriot Tim Reyes (USA), 27, on borrowed equipment. With his surfboards arriving late last night, Slater looked well in-form this morning, even uting an impressive aerial 360 on his forehand.

“Well, it took me about three days to get to Brazil and my boards didn’t event show up until 11pm last night,” Slater said. “I’ve definitely been tinkering with my equipment this season, and the board I’m on is actually one I shaped – it’s an asymmetrical, swallow-tail quad-fin. It worked pretty well out there, but the conditions are tough. There’s not really a defined bank out there, so really anyone can win.”

Despite a slow start in 2009 and the absence of his renowned competitive drive, Slater acknowledges the possibility of a turning point here at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro given his history in Brazil (rallying against Andy Irons in 2003, winning the ASP World Title in 2007).

“I think it was pretty obvious yesterday who was surfing well,” Slater said. “Joel (Parkinson) and Mick (Fanning) got some really good waves, but really anybody can win out here. I’ve had some good moments here in the past and hopefully I can spark something here and get on a bit of a roll. I’m happy to get through a heat and we’ll see what happens in Round 3.”

Slater will battle Ben Dunn (AUS), 23, in Round 3 when Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences.

Nathaniel Curran (USA), 24, winner of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) in 2008, posted his first career victory at the ASP World Tour level today, besting veteran Kieren Perrow (AUS), 32, 13.50 to 8.67 in their Round 2 heat.

“It’s been a difficult transition for me from the WQS to the World Tour,” Curran said. “I’ve been playing around with boards, finding out what works best for me. The level of surfing on tour is also a major step above, but I think that the ’QS prepared me really well for it. Sometimes you just get tough heats. I’m stoked to get through the heat and hopefully I can build a bit of momentum for a result here.”

Also scoring his first win of 2009 was Michael Picon (FRA), 30, who eliminated Kai Otton (AUS), 29, 14.07 to 8.34.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, current ASP World No. 5, scored a solid victory over wildcard Gustavo Fernandes (BRA), to advance through to Round 3. With the elimination of the three wildcards as well as ASP World No. 20 Jihad Khodr (BRA), 26, De Souza now leads fellow ASP Dream Tour campaigner Heitor Alves (BRA), 27, and replacement surfer Neco Padaratz (BRA) as the remaining Brazilians in the event.

“For sure you can feel the support of everyone on the beach when you’re in the water,” De Souza said. “It feels great to be competing on this level in Brazil, but I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself. I’m through to the third round, which is as good as I’ve ever done in this event after six years of competing here. I’m feeling confident though, and I hope I can add another good result at home.”

De Souza faces Greg Emslie (ZAF), 32, when Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition resumes.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am to assess conditions for a possible Round 3 8am start.

When Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro competition recommences, first up will be defending event champ Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, up against ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

Highlights from today’s Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.00 def. Guilherme Ferreira (BRA) 9.17
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.84 def. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) 8.70
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.04 def. Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 11.16
Heat 4: Neco Padaratz (BRA) 13.40 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.90
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.07 def. Ben Bourgeois (USA) 9.17
Heat 6: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.50 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.67
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.00 def. Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.40
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.60 def. Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 11.16
Heat 9: Michael Picon (FRA) 14.07 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 8.34
Heat 10: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.60 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 11.17
Heat 11: Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.57 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 8.93
Heat 12: Roy Powers (HAW) 12.43 def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.20
Heat 13: Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.67 def. Jihad Khodr (BRA) 9.60
Heat 14: Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.00 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 10.93
Heat 15: Dustin Barca (HAW) 13.07 def. Drew Courtney (AUS)12.77
Heat 16: Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.57 def. David Weare (ZAF) 5.84

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 14: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Saturday, June 27, 2009)

Round 1 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, was completed today in solid four-to-six foot (2 metre) peaks at Praia Vila in Imbituba.

Utilizing the traditional competition format, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro saw all surfers don the singlet today, with ASP World Title contenders dominating the proceedings amidst some major upsets.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, former ASP World Champion (2007) and current ASP World No. 3, continued to terrorize the world’s best surfers this morning, employing his lightning-fast forehand approach to navigate the thumping beach breaks. Although slow to start, the powerful natural-footer picked up momentum throughout the heat, netting the day’s highest heat total of a 16.43 out of a possible 20, including a 9.50 for a blistering assault on a roping righthander.

“I couldn’t find a rhythm towards the start and Aritz (Aranburu) came out with a 5, I came out with a 6, Aritz got a 7 and we went back and forth,” Fanning said. “Towards the end, I was able to find a wave that stood up across the bank and it allowed me to really open up. I got one good turn off the top to start and just tried to stay on rail throughout the rest of the wave.”

Despite being absent from last season’s event with an injury, Fanning remains one of the most dangerous surfers in Brazil, with back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007. Sitting within striking distance of an ASP World Tour ratings jump, the Australian is focused on capitalizing at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

“I’ve won the event the last two times I’ve been here so hopefully I can make it a three-peat,” Fanning said. “It’s still early days, but I’m feeling fit and focused and looking to put some results together over the course of these next events. I’m confident in my abilities in Brazil.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1 and Fanning’s Gold Coast stable mate, reasserted his dominance amongst the world’s best surfers today, posting an impressive 16.00 out of a possible 20 heat total en route to a Round 1 win over Kai Otton (AUS), 29, and wildcard Guilherme Ferreira (BRA)

“It’s difficult out there and there’s a lot of water moving but I just tried to stay focused on the task at hand,” Parkinson said. “I studied it a lot before the heat and worked out where I wanted to be and just aimed for that. My boards are feeling really good and I felt like I was uting the way I wanted to out there.”

Ever-reserved regarding predictions for the 2009 ASP World Title race, Parkinson carries himself with a quiet intensity this season, remaining concentrated his present situation.

“I don’t get ahead of myself,” Parkinson said. “I’m happy with the way I’ve performed out there today, but it was only Round 1. I am looking for a result here in Brazil and I am doing everything I can to achieve it. There are several surfers out there that look to be contenders here. I’m just focusing on my own program.”

Tim Reyes (USA), 27, current No. 30 on the 2009 ASP World Tour ratings, caused the upset of the day, relegating reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, to the elimination Round 2 following a closely-fought Round 1 bout.

“There are some pretty fun waves out there, but our heat was pretty slow,” Reyes said. “I think Kelly (Slater) needed a 2-something at the end and I just went in. I was exhausted and wasn’t going to chase him around for a 2. He easily could have got it, but he didn’t. The clock wound down and I came away with the win.”

Although Reyes has struggled thus far this season, the former ASP World No. 11 (2006) is hopeful for a return to form with a strong result in Brazil acting as the catalyst.

“I’ve had some pretty close heats this season and things just haven’t gone my way,” Reyes said. “I was pretty frustrated, especially in Tahiti, and I was almost ready to throw in the towel and sit down for the remainder of the year. After Tahiti, I went and got some waves to myself and cleared my head. My sponsor (of 10 years) O’Neill really stood behind me and I’ve come to Brazil looking for a result. I feel like my surfing is there and if I can start stringing together some results, I’m sure my confidence will return.”

Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, former ASP World Junior Champion and current ASP World No. 18, led the rookie charge today, taking down current ASP World No. 5 and heavily-favored local Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, in challenging Round 1 conditions.

“I’m absolutely exhausted after that heat,” Bacalso said. “There’s so much water moving. I thought I was going to get smashed into the rocks. Still though, when you get on them, they can be pretty fun. I was really just trying to redeem myself after a 33rd in Tahiti, but Adriano (de Souza) is phenomenal and he definitely had all the support on the beach. We’ve surfed against each other at least a dozen times and I think that’s the first time I beat him – stoked.”

Other rookies to claim victories today alongside Bacalso were Tim Boal (FRA), 25, and Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, currently rated 25th and 35th respectively on the 2009 ASP World Tour ratings.

Chris Davidson (AUS), 32, current ASP World No. 28 and into his fifth stint as an ASP World Tour competitor, punctuated the afternoon action with the day’s highest single-wave score, a 9.57 out of a possible 10, for a death-defying floater before linking into several power hooks on his forehand.

“I was really lucky that I was able to scratch into that one,” Davidson said. “It bowled up and I faded off the bottom and jammed a pretty big floater before linking a couple of turns and finishing with a floater in the end. I was stoked on the score but knew I needed a back up as Jeremy (Flores) almost got me at the end. I’ve won down here before on the ASP WQS and the waves really suit me. I’m definitely aiming for a big result here.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am for a possible 8am Round 2 start.

Highlights from today’s Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro are available via www.aspworldtour.com For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 1 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) 12.66, Greg Emslie (ZAF) 8.07, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 6.10
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.83, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.83, Michael Picon (FRA) 13.10
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.33, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 12.50, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 5.53
Heat 4: Tim Reyes (USA) 10.17, Kelly Slater (USA) 9.70, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 8.07
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.43, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.53, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 7.20
Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.00, Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.23, Ben Bourgeois (USA) 7.17
Heat 7: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.40, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 10.60, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8.83
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.00, Kai Otton (AUS) 10.37, Guilherme Ferreira (BRA) 6.70
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.47, Jay Thompson (AUS) 13.57, Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) 9.86
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 12.70, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.23, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 8.00
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.86, Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.50, Nic Muscroft (AUS) 10.07
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.50, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.37, Drew Courtney (AUS) 10.64
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA) 10.93, Roy Powers (HAW) 10.00, Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.70
Heat 14: Chris Ward (USA) 13.77, Ben Dunn (AUS) 13.20, Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.37
Heat 15: Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.17, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.70
Heat 16: Mick Campbell (AUS) 14.40, David Weare (ZAF) 10.10, Dustin Barca (HAW) 9.70

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Guilherme Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 4: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 6: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 10: Jay Thompson (AUS) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 11: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 12: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 13: Jihad Khodr (BRA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 14: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 15: Drew Courtney (AUS) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 16: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Friday, June 26, 2009)

The world’s most elite surfers are one day away from commencing the waiting period for the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro and throngs of South American fanatics are descending upon the tiny Brazilian town of Imbituba for a glimpse at some of the best surfing on the planet.

Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, which has been moved from second-to-last to fourth on the ASP World Tour schedule, will utilize the traditional competition format, allowing the world’s best surfers a minimum of two opportunities to surf before elimination.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, current ASP World No. 2, is having a sterling year on the ASP World Tour with an equal 3rd from the Gold Coast and a runner-up finish from Tahiti (as well as an uncharacteristic 17th from Bells) tallied into his score line. Ever consistent in the punchy beach breaks of Brazil, Burrow is one of the event favorites heading at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

“I’m really happy with my season so far,” Burrow said. “I was upset with a 17th at Bells, but really stoked to make the Final at Teahupoo – that’s a really hard place to get a result. I’m now so excited to take on what are probably my stronger events on tour – Brazil, Jeffreys, Trestles and then Europe.”

Citing the rescheduling of the event as well as the reversion to the traditional competition format, Burrow foresees additional flare and value at this season’s event.

“I think the change in the time of year is fine,” Burrow said. “I’m curious to see if the waves will be any different. I think I prefer the traditional format better as it’s good to get a second shot after traveling halfway around the world. You need to adjust to certain countries, the climate, your boards and the waves. One shot is kind of brutal so I’ll be excited to compete in the traditional format here in Brazil.”

Burrow will face replacement surfer and current ASP World No. 13 Jay Thompson (AUS), 26, and wildcard Gustavo Ferreira (BRA) in Round 1 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, current ASP World No. 5, is another contender for the 2009 ASP World Title. Holding a runner-up finish from the Gold Coast and a 5th from Tahiti (as well as a 17th from Bells) in his pocket, the former ASP World Junior Champion will look to climb even higher on the ASP Dream Tour ratings during his fourth season amongst the elite.

“This has been my best year so far,” De Souza said. “I’m currently in the Top 5, and I feel like I have a good chance for a result in Brazil. I’m feeling fresh this year and a lot of things are going my way. I’m really looking forward to the event here.”

As the highest-rated Brazilian on the ASP World Tour, the hopes of a nation rest upon the young natural-footer’s shoulders. Although having a less-than-ideal history at the event, De Souza’s consistent and ever-impressive improvement amongst the world’s best gives the local contingent confidence in a potential Brazilian victory.

“It does feel different competing in my home country,” De Souza said. “I kind of feel like every Brazilian will be counting on me, and although I think I have a good chance here, it’s too early to tell. Joel (Parkinson) and Mick (Fanning) are surfing so well so they’ll be difficult to stop. Also, I haven’t ever done well here – I’ve never got past Round 3. However, I think I have a good opportunity to improve on that this year.”

De Souza will take on 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, and replacement surfer Neco Padaratz (BRA) when Round 1 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro commences.

This year’s Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will play a crucial role in the hunt for the 2009 ASP World Title with current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, and perennial threats Burrow, Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, and others all looking to consolidate on already-solid season openings.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion, will look to rebound at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil after three consecutive equal 17th place finishes in 2009 – his worst run ever on the ASP World Tour. Slater will face fellow American Tim Reyes (USA), 27, and 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Marlon Lipke (DEU), 25, in Round 1 of competition.

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will commence its waiting period tomorrow, Saturday, June 27, 2009, and run through July 5, 2009.

All the event action will be web LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Tim Boal (FRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Josh Kerr (AUS), Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA), Tim Reyes (USA), Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Guilherme Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS), Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 10: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 12: Kieren Perrow (AUS), Drew Courtney (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 14: Damien Hobgood (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 15: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Chris Davidson (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 16: Mick Campbell (AUS), David Weare (ZAF), Dustin Barca (HAW)

IMBITUBA, Santa Catarina (Thursday, June 18, 2009)

Fresh off the Australian and South Pacific legs of the 2009 ASP World Tour, the world’s best surfers are preparing for ASP Dream Tour Stop No. 4 of 10, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil from June 27 to July 5, 2009, with the Australian ASP World Title contenders leading the charge.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, has had an extraordinary start to his 2009 campaign, winning the opening two events of the season before collecting an equal 9th place finish in Tahiti. Despite being the ratings frontrunner, Parkinson has been kept his focus on the present, concentrating on the event at hand.

“I don’t focus on the ASP World Title when I am at an event,” Parkinson said. “I put a lot of time and effort into what I am doing away from the contests so that I am in the best physical, technical and mental shape possible. This way, I come into an event ready, relaxed and with a sense of purpose.”

Although having experienced a range of results in Brazil from as high as 3rd to as low as 17th, Parkinson is entering this season’s competition with renewed vigor, partially stemming from the rescheduling of the event from October in past years to June/July this year.

“I haven’t been as consistent in Brazil as I would have liked,” Parkinson said. “This probably has a bit to do with when the event has fallen in the calendar year in the past, but I know I can do well there and that gives me confidence. Logistically, the rescheduling of the event works out well. We lost the Fiji event this year and are going straight to South Africa afterwards so the travel is much easier to manage. It will be interesting being in Brazil in winter as we are used to the Carnival atmosphere that Brazil creates in October when the sun is shining. This will be a critical event in the year’s point score.”

Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, defending Hang Loose Champion and 2008 ASP World Runner-Up, hasn’t had a dream start to his 2009 ASP World Tour campaign. Following a solid 5th place finish at the opening event of the year, Durbidge has since suffered two uncharacteristic 17th place finishes to result in his current ASP World No. 14 rating.

“I haven't had the start I have wanted,” Durbidge said. “I opened up okay at the Gold Coast with that 5th, then at Bells, I had a really tough heat against Adam Robertson (Robbo). Then in Tahiti, I drew Andy (Irons) first heat, and he is the master of Teahupoo, and he also got the better of me. I feel like I’m surfing well, but I have just lost really close heats which could have gone either way. I’m just staying positive and I know my year will turn around really soon.”

A potential cause of Durbidge’s struggles is the implementation of the new ASP format in 2009. With this season’s ASP Dream Tour events having a menu of formats to choose from, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro Brazil has elected to use the traditional format, the first event to do so since the season opener on the Gold Coast.

“The new format has its pros and cons,” Durbidge said. “It’s good for only taking three days to run and making the most of the swells we get during a waiting period. On the other hand, you don't get that Round 1 to warm up and feel things out. Personally, I like the old format so I think it’s great Brazil is using the old format. The waves are pretty consistent this time of year there too.”

Having won the event in 2008, the powerful Australian will look to jumpstart his 2009 ASP World Tour campaign with a repeat performance this season.

“Last year, I felt really comfortable there,” Durbidge said. “I had a really good board and we had pretty fun waves all event – it was about three-to-five foot. When it’s above four-foot, it turns into a running right that really suits my style. Apparently, by moving it to earlier in the year, we will get better conditions so I think it’s good and everyone will be there because the title race is still well and truly alive.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, former ASP World Champion (2007) and current ASP World No. 3, is hot on the heels of the current frontrunners in this year’s ASP World Title race, having acquired a 3rd, a 5th and a 9th in the opening three events of the season.

“I'm pretty comfortable with how I'm traveling this year,” Fanning said. “I'm feeling strong and I'm happy with how I'm surfing. I would have loved a better result in Tahiti, but the surf was average and it wasn't to be. The next couple of stops are important and I'll be looking to get a win on the board. Brazil is one of my best events so hopefully I can get a win there and narrow Parko's lead on the ratings.”

A two-time past winner in Brazil (2006, 2007), Fanning will look for another solid finish to hone in on Gold Coast stable-mate Parkinson.

"I love the atmosphere when competing in Brazil,” Fanning said. “The crowds there are huge and that always gets me psyched to perform. The waves for the event are typical beach break type set-ups. I grew up surfing Duranbah so I'm comfortable surfing sand-bottom waves. In the past, the ASP World Title has been all but wrapped up by the time we get to Brazil so, at times, big results there haven't meant a great deal. Now that it's earlier in the schedule, we could see some of the guys that do well in Brazil get on a bit of a roll earlier in the year and join the title race.”

Despite his history in Brazil and solid performances thus far in 2009, Fanning knows that the competition in South America will be tough.

“I think Taj Burrow will be hard to stop,” Fanning said. “He's won three events in Brazil and he looked sharp on the open face in Tahiti. Adriano de Souza is another one to watch. He's having another great year and he'll be getting major support from the crowd. The other guy to watch is Bede Durbidge. He's the defending event champ and he's looking for a big result to get back up toward the top of the ratings after two 17th.”

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will host the ASP Top 45 from June 27 to July 5, 2009.