International Surfing Association
Piha, New Zealand
20 - 29 January 2010

Auckland's Piha Beach Today Became the Capital of the Surfing World |   espanol

Piha Beach, New Zealand - New Zealand became the centre of the surfing world today, with the official media launch of the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship to be held in Piha Beach, Auckland.

The biggest surfing tournament in the world for surfers under 18 was welcomed in grand style. Some of the world's elite junior surfers including New Zealand hopeful Sarah Mason, newly-crowned World Pro Junior Champion (20-years and under) Maxime Huscenot (FRA) and reigning ISA Under 16 gold medalist Keanu Asing (HAW) donning the Sky City Convention Centre press conference.

Also in attendance, were ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, Surfing New Zealand CEO, Greg Townsend, Tourism New Zealand Public Relations Manager Jane Dent and Surfing Legend and 1989 World Champion, Martin Potter.

It's the first time the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship is held in Oceania, with New Zealand being chosen because of its commitment to a better surfing future, a well-structured National Governing Body and consistent waves.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre opened the conference conveying the ISA´s excitement about the event.

“I'm very happy to be here,” said Aguerre. “It's our first time running an event in New Zealand. I've heard a lot about the waves, its people and the culture, so we're very excited to hold this event at Auckland's Piha beach. He also stated: “Our events are known as the Olympics of Surfing, athletes don't come here to win money, they do it for the honor of representing their countries. Enjoying great days with kids from all over the world is what makes this event so special. We bring the surfing tribe spirit to New Zealand and upon departure, we will leave as New Zealand's new ambassadors.”

Surfing legend, Martin Potter backed the President's message confirming his love for the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. He also pointed out: “My last year's favorite surfing events were the Eddie and the 2009 edition of this event in Ecuador.”

Maxime Huscenot (FRA), who claimed his maiden ASP World Junior Titles in Australia over last weekend, will be looking for his second World Title in less than a month.

Huscenot said his win in Sydney was a major confidence boost heading into this event. “It's been a big week for me,” he said. “I just hope I can keep my form into this event. I really love surfing in the ISA events. You don't feel like you surfing for yourself. You're a part of a team as well. That's what I like.”

Last week's showdown at North Narrabeen in Sydney, Australia, Huscenot bested a bevy of the world's hottest up-and-coming surfers proving himself as a force on the world surfing stage.

New Zealand ace Sarah Mason will be the host country's main hope of a World Title.

Despite living on Australia's Gold Coast, Mason will be representing her native country for the first time. The 14-year old said she didn't feel pressure to do well. “There's always extra pressure to do well at home, but I'm not feeling it. Hopefully I'll do well along with the team.”

Twenty-one countries from across the globe have confirmed their involvement in the pinnacle event for under-18 surfers. Participating countries include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Hawaii, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tahiti, USA, and Vanuatu.

Inaugurated in 2003, the eighth edition of the World Junior Surfing Championships will be officially opened at Mission Bay, Auckland at 1pm tomorrow with the Parade of the Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.

Defending team champions Australia led by reigning U/18 ISA girl's champion Tyler Wright (Lennox Head, NSW, AUS) arrived in New Zealand on Sunday in preparation for their title defense.

Team Australia will be looking to net their fifth consecutive Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships Team title.

Competition will start at 8.00am on the 21st January at Piha Beach, Auckland.

Held at the wildly scenic Piha Beach in New Zealand, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will take place from January 20 – 28, 2010.

The Sands of the World Ceremony as well as the Opening of the event will be webed live at www.isaworldjuniors.com.

Australia defending 2009 Team Champions : photo ISA

Past Champion

Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro

ASP 4 Star Men's WQS event
Burleigh Heads, Queensland
17 - 21 February 2010

Mick Fanning & Mark Occhilupo Set To Go Head-To-Head At The Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro!

Gold Coast Queensland, Tuesday 19th January, 2010: In a major coup for Australian surfing, Breaka Flavoured Milk has announced that reigning World Champion Mick Fanning will headline February’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star, US$85,000 Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro.

In equally exciting news, 1999 World Champion Mark “Occy” Occhilupo has announced he will be coming out of retirement and returning to the professional arena for the Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro.  Occhilupo’s entry into the event marks a comeback for the legendary goofy-footer (right foot forward stance) who officially retired from the sport in 2007.

The showdown between the two Australian World Champions has an interesting twist, with the pair claiming respective world titles exactly 10 years apart – Fanning (2007 and 2009) while Occy secured his fairytale win in 1999.

Occhilupo and Fanning will be joined by a host of other current and former World Championship Tour competitors including current Pipeline Master Taj Burrow, former Hawaiian Triple Crown winner Bede Durbidge as well as Owen Wright, Dean Morrison, Jay Thompson, Nathan Hedge and Darren O’Rafferty just to name a few.

With one of the biggest events on the Australian surfing calendar, Breaka Flavoured Milk set the surfing world abuzz late last year, announcing that they will be returning professional surfing to its spiritual home at Burleigh Heads.

The February Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro will be the first standalone professional surfing event to be staged at the iconic point-break in almost 10 years and places the competition window in Queensland’s prime swell period, with the possibility of scoring an infamous Burleigh Barrel a hard prospect to refuse for the world’s best surfers.

ASP Australasia Tour Manger Dane Jordan said the event is a dream come true for many of the world’s best surfers.  “With current and two-time world champion Mick Fanning heading up 18 of the ASP World Tour top 45, the Breaka Burleigh Surf Pro has assembled potentially the strongest field ever seen for a 4-star World Qualifying Series event.”

“Add in former world champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, top WQS contenders like Shaun Gossman, world-class juniors like Davey Cathels, free surfing stars like Julian Wilson and Mitch Coleborn, along with hard core locals and big wave chargers - the scene is set for a gladiatorial like battle at Burleigh,” said Jordan.

World Tour Competitors