HUGE BACK 2 SCHOOL SALE

Huge Back to School Sale at all locations. Dont miss out.

Sale Features:

- 20-50% Off All Clothing
- Free Tee Shirt with $50 Purchase
- Huge Sidewalk Sale at All Locations
- All items online on sale: CLICK HERE

Join Us August 8th, 9th, & 10th at all HSS Locations.

Locations:
- Pierside: 300 Pacific Coast HWY, Huntington Beach CA, 92648. (714) 841-4000

- Girls Store: 126 Main St. Huntington Beach CA, 92648. (714) 374-6266

- Warner: 3801 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92647. (714) 846-0181

- Bella Terra: 7777 Edinger Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92647. (714) 800-0900

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THE RIP CURL PRO "SOMEWHERE IN INDO" IS ON NOW!

SOMEWHERE, Indonesia (Tuesday, July 29, 2008) - The Rip Curl Pro Search, stop No. 6 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, has announced that swell is set to pulse "somewhere" in Indonesia for a Day 1 start of this year’s event.
Surfline, official forecasters for the 2008 Rip Curl Pro Search event, have indicated that the region in Indonesia is expected to see solid surf in the double-overhead to triple-overhead range from a Southwest swell on the opening day of competition, Wednesday, July 30, 2008.
Kelly Slater (USA), eight-time ASP World Champion and current ratings leader on the 2008 ASP World Tour, has won an impressive four out of five events this season and is eager to get the Rip Curl Pro Search event underway should the swell deliver.
"It’s always exciting to come somewhere new and have swell be on the horizon," Slater said. "Things have gone really well for me this season, but my luck will run out sooner or later and I’ll need to put some hard work in. I think the points don’t really reflect how close it really is and the title race is far from over."
Mick Fanning (AUS), defending ASP World Champion and former winner of the Rip Curl Pro Search event (2005), is current sitting 4th on the ASP World Tour ratings and will be one of the marquee athletes to perform at this year’s venue.
"Each year, it’s exciting to find out where the Rip Curl Pro Search event is going to be held," Fanning said. "I’ve been here a few times before and the waves and the locals and the culture are all fantastic and I’m really looking forward to starting the event."
Komang "Gogo" Suijaya (IDN), winner of the ISC Padang Cup and wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere, will face Slater and Timmy Reyes (USA) in the opening round of competition.
"To be awarded the wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro Search is just a dream," Suijaya said. "To be competing against my heroes like Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater and Pancho Sullivan is really exciting and I hope we get great waves."
Suijaya will join fellow wildcards Owen Wright (AUS) and I Made Garut Widiart (IDN) and Bruno Santos (BRA) against the world’s best surfers when competition commences.
Jordy Smith (ZAF), former ASP World Junior Champion and current No. 16 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, has had a mixed bag of results this season, most recently securing an equal 9th in South Africa.
"I’m not really too concerned with results at this point," Smith said. "Rookie of the Year would be cool, but it’s my first year on the ASP World Tour and I’m just learning a lot. I haven’t been to lots of the places on tour so it’s cool to go and check out the waves and the culture and the scene."
The location for this year’s Rip Curl Pro Search event isanother spot that Smith is infamiliar with, but the powerfulnatural-footer will look to consolidate in Indonesia.
"I’ve only been to this year’s Search venue once before and it was about one-foot when I went," Smith said. "It’s a sick spot though and I know they’ve had waves the past few weeks so hopefully it will pump for the event."
The waiting period for the 2008 Rip Curl Pro Seach begins tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 and extends through to August 10, 2008.
The event will be webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com/
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
RIP CURL PRO SEARCH ROUND 1 MATCH-UPSHeat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Tiago Pires (PRT)Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Jihad Khodr (BRA)Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW), Dane Reynolds (USA), Daniel Ross (AUS)Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Roy Powers (HAW), Ricky Basnett(ZAF)Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Bruno Santos (BRA)Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Tim Reyes (USA), Komang ŨogoSuijaya(IDN)Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA), Owen Wright (AUS)Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bruce Irons (HAW), I Made Garut Widiart (IDN)Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Ben Bourgeois (USA)Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF)Heat 13: Luke Stedman (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Daniel Wills (AUS)Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS), Mick Campbell (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA)Heat 15: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Neco Padaratz (BRA)Heat 16: Dayyan Neve (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Mikael Picon (FRA)

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Congrats Surfers' Hall of Fame Inductees - 2008

Congrats to the 2008 Surfers' Hall Of Fame Inductees:

Mike Parsons
Brad Gerlach
Sean Collins
Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew

Thanks to everyone who came out. More pictures to come.

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Bustin Down The Door Premier @ HSS Bella Terra

Last night Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, PT, Ian Cairns, Mark Richards, and Michael Tomson were on hand at HSS Bella Terra to help celebrate the premier of "Bustin Down The Door" It was an incredibly special night! The movie itself is a must see for anyone who surfs! It chronicles the lives of a few hungry surfers that turned the surfing world upside down in the mid '70's and eventually helped launched professional surfing as we know it today. It is one of those special stories that can't ever happen again. Click Here for showtimes and locations. There are still a few Bustin Down The Door t-shirts available... Get yours today before they are gone!

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Bustin Down The Door is finally Here!

BUSTIN’ DOWN THE DOOR chronicles a tumultuous two-year period of competitive and cultural clashes in the mid-Seventies in surfing's Mecca - Hawaii's North Shore of Oahu - as a small crew of Australians and South Africans set out with attitude and determination to change the world of surfing. Framed around the emerging careers of World Champions-to-be Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson and Mark Richards, Bustin’ documents how these young men risked everything to become the best surfers in the world, and how their courage and vision began a cultural revolution that led to the birth of professional surfing and ultimately what has become today's billion-dollar surf industry.
This is an absolute "must-see" film for every surfer. It debut's at The Lido in Newport Beach on Friday July 25th at 1:00 PM. We will be having an autograph signing with MR, Rabbit, Shaun Tomson, Ian Cairns, PT, and Michael Tomson on Wednesday, July 23rd @ 5 pm at HSS at Bella Terra and also Saturday July 26th @ 2pm at HSS on Main and PCH(across from the pier).
There is also a "Bustin' Down The Door" limited edition T-shirt available only at HSS and http://www.hsssurf.com/.

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US Open 2008 - Signing Schedule

Saturday, July 19
1:00 pm Cobian - TJ Baron, Matt Beacham, Will Tant, Sterling Spencer, Christian Saenz, Alana Mock, Dane Johnson, Tyler Hallen

2:00 pm Electric - Kalani Robb, Brad Gerlach, Gabe Kling, Jay Quinn, Dylan Graves, Micah Byrne, Dean Randazzo, Blake Jones, Andrew Doheny, Riley Metcalf, Jeremy Johnston, Raoni Monteiro

3:00 pm Smith - Josh Hoyer, Alek Parker, Asher Nolan, Alex Smith

Sunday, July 20
1:00 pm Freestyle -Cory Lopez, Anthony Walsh, Alek Parker, Teddy Navarro, Adam Virs, Sage Erickson

2:00 pm Surf Stronger - Serena Brooke

3:00 pm Etnies

Thursday, July 24
12:00 pm SPY -
1:00 pm Globe - CJ Hobgood, Damien Hobgood, Yadin Nicol, Spencer Regan, Corry Arrambide, Dane Zaun

2:00 pm Sanuk - Donavon Frankenreiter, Timmy Turner, Alana Blanchard, Torrey Meister, Phillip Goold

3:00 pm O’neill - Sage Erikson, Kyla Langen, Malia Manuel, Kaleigh Gilchrest

4:00 pm Rusty

5:00 pm Vans

Friday, July 25
10:00 am Surfers’ Hall of Fame - Inductees: Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach, Sean Collins, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholemew

1:00 pm Quiksilver - Julian Wilson, Dylan Graves

2:00 pm RVCA - Makua Rothman, BJ Penn, Alex Knost, Mickey Avalon

3:00 pm Volcom

4:00 pm Von Zipper - Mike Parsons, TJ Baron, Josh Kerr, Tiago Pierez, Donavon Frankenreiter

5:00 pm Roxy

Saturday, July 26
12:00 pm HSS - AJ Collins, Micah Byrne, Lisa Andersen, Brett Simpson, Taylor Pai, Brad Ettinger, Andrew Doheny, Christian Saenz, Courtney Conlogue

1:00 pm CHOC - Mike Parsons, Peter Mel

2:00 pm Bustin’ Down the Door - Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Ian Carrins, Rabbit Bartholemew, Peter Townend

3:00 pm Matix - Gabe Kling, Micah Byrne, Ricky Whitlock, Brian Toth

4:00 pm DVS - Jordy Smith, Corey Lopez, Gabe Kling, Chris Ward

5:00 pm Billabong - Dane Zaun, Torrey Meister, Kolohe Andino, Tamaroh McComb

Sunday, July 27
12:00 pm Hurley - Brett Simpson, Yadin Nicol, Hank Gaskell, Kai Barger, Dillon Perillo, Joel Centio, and others

1:00 pm DaKine - Kalani Robb, Ian Walsh, Mike Losness, Hank Gaskell, Kai Barger, Cala Alexander, Ben Bourgeois, Eric Geiselman

2:00 pm Hoven - Tim Curran, Occy, Teddy Navarro, Corey Duffel

See you There!

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The US Open of Surfing Starts Tomorrow!

It's that time of year again when the best surfers from around the world converge on good ol' HB to do battle on the Southside of the Huntington Beach Pier. Mens competition starts tomorrow at 8:00 am. We will also have all the pros signing autographs out in front of HSS(300 PCH). As usual the US Open T-shirts here and looking insane! Check 'em out Here!

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Slater Scalps Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Fourth ASP Victory This Season

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 17, 2008) – He’s done it again. Eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) beat reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) today to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, earn his 38th ASP World Tour victory and claim the fourth event on the 2008 ASP World Tour.
“I didn’t realize I was going to be overwhelmed by it, but I haven’t been in this position before, at this point of the year, with this many wins,” Slater said. “There are great things going on in my life so I’m just trying to soak it up and be appreciative.”
Surfing his 14th season on the ASP World Tour, Slater is still the only member of the Top 45 to win an event this season. The one tournament Slater lost was won by an event wildcard. He now has a 1262 point lead on World No. 2 Joel Parkinson and is in commanding contention to claim his 9th ASP World Title.
“I’ve put a lot of years in obviously, it’s been my life on so many levels for so long, in a way I was trying to pull back from it, but also I do love it,” Slater said. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of competing because competing really pushes your level. The best performances in the world are on tour.”
Slater beat Fanning 16.73 to 9.40 in the Billabong Pro Final. While conditions early this morning were clean and six foot (two metre), onshore winds made the semifinal and final tricky.
“It was really challenging,” Slater said. “You really have to change your frame of mind because we were looking at waves the other day where we were getting 30-45 second rides and doing six to eight maneuvers and now we’re looking at waves where if you get three moves it’s a good score. It’s really hard to change your perception on how you are going to surf a wave. I didn’t really catch on until the very end of that heat when I realized I could get a three move wave and probably seal it.”
With six events remaining, there is still a possibility the title could be clinched by another surfer on the ASP World Tour roster, but the probability that will happen is small – something Slater’s competition knows all too well.
“I’d like to think I have it the bag but I have to be realistic, it’s early on – we’re not quite half way yet,” Slater said. “We have 11 events this year and this is number five. Last year at this point I was looking at Mick [Fanning] that way. He had a first, a couple seconds and a third so I’d imagine being on the same side of that coin and looking at someone with four firsts and a throwaway is probably tough to look at.”
Only one member of the Top 45, Taylor Knox, is older than Slater. At 36, Slater already owns the title of youngest and oldest ASP World Title winner. He won his last World Title at age 34 in 2006.
“When I was a kid I would never have imagined a guy who is 36 winning four events on tour, let alone having a chance at the world title, so I’m just trying to soak that up,” Slater said.
Fanning was understandably disappointed to lose his second final of the year to Slater – the two met in the final of the first event of the year on the Gold Coast of Australia too.
“I surfed like an idiot,” Fanning said. “I had the opportunity to win the whole thing and I fell and I don’t know why. I don’t know what happened, I just had a shocker. I was feeling great, I just couldn’t stay on my board.”
Fanning, who was hoping to defend his ASP World Title this year can’t help but take a defeatist’s look at the 2008 title race.
“I guess it’s not over ‘till it’s over, but it’s like climbing Everest and he’s halfway up the bloody hill,” Fanning said.
Fanning moved to 4th with his second place result at Jeffreys Bay. He beat last year’s World No. 2 and the defending Billabong Pro Champion Taj Burrow (AUS) in the semifinals. Burrow now sits 5th on the ratings.
“I’m pretty disappointed,” Burrow said. “Mick just wave-ed me to death basically. He picked the absolute best waves and must have surfed them pretty well because he got a 9.00. I got really crap waves and tried my guts out to try to do some turns and throw airs but it was just really choppy and hard. I needed to be more patient really.”
Burrow, like most of his compatriots, shares Fanning’s sentiments on Slater’s victory today.
“Kelly wins another final, enough said, unbelievable.” Burrow said. “The door is really closing as far as I can see it. He’s got a ridiculous amount of keepers now so… how many events left? Not enough!”
Slater beat Parkinson in a close semifinal en route to the final. He stays in 2nd on the leaderboard with the result.
“Conditions really deteriorated but I had my chances but I let one or two waves go that I probably shouldn’t have I could have got my scores on them,” Parkinson said. “It’s hard to tell because you stand up on a wave and it looks like it’s going to be a piece of crap and it turns into a good wave or you stand up on a wave that looks good and it turns into a piece of crap. That’s the nature of the game.”
The next event on the 2008 ASP World Tour remains undisclosed. The “Search” event will be held July 30-August 10, 2008, “Somewhere.”
For more details visit www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

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Slater Sets the Pace Heading into the Business End of the Billabong Pro

(Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA), professional surfing’s most decorated athlete, showed no signs of slowing down in Jeffreys Bay today. The eight-time ASP World Champion and current ratings leader blitzed in both his Round 3 and Round 4 Billabong Pro clashes.
Slater defeated Travis Logie (ZAF) 19.14 to 12.06 in Heat 8 of Round 3 before beating Tom Whitaker (AUS) 18.03 to 10.67 in the last heat of the day.
“The waves just came in in that heat,” Slater said. “Tom had a few good ones, but I ended up getting the one big long one with a lot of sections on it. I think I got about eight turns in and then got that little tube at the end. Sometimes you just will your way into certain things and believe it’s going to happen and it does.”
Slater will now meet current ASP World No. 4 Adriano de Souza (BRA) in Quarterfinal 2.
“Adriano gets it done,” Slater said. “He’s learned a lot over the past couple of years and he’s been impressive out here. He’s been really fast and throwing a lot of spray, and doing a lot of turns, so I’m definitely not going to underestimate him.”
Slater’s closest competition, Joel Parkinson (AUS), relished a narrow victory over fellow Australian Kai Otton in the first heat of Round 4.
“Kai needed an 8.2, he got an 8.1 and he lost by .1,” Parkinson said. “A win is a win. I think I was kind of lucky in a way, but it’s a good result for me. My goal was to lift a little I felt like I had another notch in me and going into tomorrow everyone is going to be surfing really well.”
Parkinson is currently rated ASP World No. 2. With Slater still in Billabong Pro contention Parkinson knows he has to keep the pace. He will face World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) in Quarterfinal 1.
“You can’t really slack off at any point now because Kelly has got such a lead,” Parkinson said. “I pretty much have to win all my heats so I’ll try that. I can’t really do anything about what he does, but hopefully come some point toward the end of the yea, I’m still there with a chance.”
Defending Champion Taj Burrow (AUS) beat South African Royden Bryson in Round 3 and has yet to surf Round 4 – only heats one through four of that round were run today. Burrow will meet another South African in Jordy Smith in Heat 7 of Round 4.
“Jordy is a tough heat for sure,” Burrow said. “He’s gotten better and better and he’s got the local crowd behind him and he knows this wave so it will be good.”
Burrow beat Smith in the semifinals of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in 2006 when Smith was surfing the event as a wildcard. As the sole South African remaining in the event, both Smith and the local crowd will be looking for revenge.
“I lost to Taj a couple of years ago, so hopefully we get the waves and we’ll see what happens,” Smith said. “I’d love to get him back but Taj is surfing really, really well.”
France’s Jeremy Flores will meet three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) in the last heat of Round 4. Both surfers escaped elimination by advancing out of Round 3 today.
“Andy is one of my favorite surfers and I’ve looked up to him since I was a little kid so having a heat with him is a pleasure,” Flores said. “If I win I’ll be so happy, if I lose it will be kind of normal so I just have to do my best!”
Twenty heats of competition were run in the four to six foot (two metre) conditions on offer today. Only 11 heats of the Billabong Pro remain.
The first heat in the water when Round 4 resumes will be Heat 5 featuring reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and Hawaiian Bruce Irons. A former winner at JBay, Fanning seems unfazed by his current 7th place rating and is instead concentrating on the second half of 2008.
“I’m surfing good,” Fanning said. “I’ve just had one bad result this year, so that’s a good base for me for the rest of the tour and I really enjoy the second half of the year.”
Chances are excellent that a Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion will be crowned tomorrow. An official call on competition status will be made at 7am. Check out www.billabongpro.com later tonight to watch all the action!

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Jordy Smith Whales on the Competition in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro J-Bay

Jordy Smith Whales on the Competition in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro J-BayJEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 11, 2008) – South African rookie Jordy Smith gave the local crowd what they came for when he posted the highest heat total of Round 2 to advance to Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay today.
Smith eliminated Brazil’s Neco Padaratz in three to five foot (one and half metre) waves courtesy of the 18.60 heat total he amassed – the second highest of the event thus far. He has drawn Dean Morrison (AUS) in Round 3.
“It’s good to get one nailed away and get the nerves out,” Smith said. “Now I’m just stoked I didn’t get a 33rd and looking forward to the next round.”
Smith scored a 9.00 on his first wave ridden. He sealed the deal with a 9.60 toward the end of the heat.
“I wanted to catch one early in the heat just to feel my board and feel my feet,” Smith said. “The wave was a real nice peeling one and I ended up getting a 9.00. After that score I just realized that I needed to wait for a better one. Luckily I waited and I got it.”
A 30-foot humpback whale was among the locals on hand to support Smith. The massive mammal surfaced just meters away from the surfers a handful of times – set waves rolled through right after each time.
“Hopefully the whale sticks around for a couple more of my heats,” Smith said. “The set came and it was there so I’m hoping to see it again!”
Today’s elimination of higher-rated rookie Dane Reynolds (USA), leaves opportunity for Smith to close the gap in the ASP Rookie of the Year race. Reynolds is currently rated 16th, Smith 19th.
“Dane is a great surfer but I’m just trying to do my own thing really,” Smith said. “It’s a bit unlucky that he lost earlier. I actually would have liked to see him get through.”
Reynolds went down to Brazilian Heitor Alves in the second highest scoring heat of the day. Alves’16.66 trumped Reynolds 13.83, and sent him home with his first 33rd place result of the year.
“I’m so happy,” Alves said. “To get two 8s in a heat? I can’t believe it. I feel comfortable here. I like this wave.”
The second perfect 10 of the Billabong Pro JBay was earned by Bobby Martinez (USA) today. Martinez hasn’t scored a perfect 10 since Chile in 2006 – and event then, he didn’t win his heat. The deep barrel Martinez emerged from was clearly the wave of the day.
“It was a weird wave because I took off and couldn’t see – the sun was in my eyes,” Martinez said. “I’m not even sure why I went for the barrel because I haven’t been barreled the whole trip but it just happened. I almost fell in there, I got off balance, but luckily I didn’t. I came out. I was lucky to get a wave out there period and then to get a wave like that… it came from someone I think.”
Martinez’s Round 2 victory over wildcard Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) will see him draw Luke Munro in Round 3.
Andy Irons (HAW) also got the better of his wildcard opponent but was quick to disclose that the cold water has been an issue for him.
“You have to pick the right ones and that has been tough for me lately,” Irons said. “I’ve been battling the cold badly. I went to Bali before this and I think that was a bad move because it’s hard to get motivated to get out there. I only surfed once before the contest and then only in heats ever since.”
ASP World No. 2 Joel Parkinson was the highest seeded surfer negotiating Round 2 today. He beat his traveling buddy in 1999 ASP World Champion and wildcard Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in the first heat of the day.
“We were both serious about it,” Parkinson said. “We both wanted to win but Oc broke his fin on the way out and it kind of sent him into a frenzy there for a while. I was kind of laughing because, typical Occy, he had the full panic head on saying, ‘Oh, I’ll be right, I’ll be right,’ then he just grabbed some other kid’s board and surfed it. It was a good heat though.”
Pancho Sullivan (HAW), who was unable to arrive in time to surf his Round 2 heat due to passport problems beyond his control, gave Ben Bourgeois (USA) a bye into a Round 3. Bourgeois will use that saved energy to take on reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) when competition resumes.
Forecasts indicate that conditions may be unsuitable for Billabong Pro competition over the weekend. Still, event officials will meet each morning at 7 to monitor the waves and make an official call.
Additional information can be found on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

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Big Surfing and Big Scores on Day 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Big Surfing and Big Scores on Day 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys BayJEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 10, 2008) – There was no shortage of standout surfing in Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, but it was ASP World Tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA) who stole the show in perfect four to six foot (one to two metre) waves in South Africa today.
Knox posted near perfect 9.90 and a 9.80 wave scores for a combined total of 19.70 out of 20.00 points to take out World No. 2 Joel Parkinson and replacement surfer Nic Muscroft (AUS). Muscroft is surfing in place of an injured Aritz Aranburu (EUK).
“It’s really enjoyable to be in a heat like that, it was unreal.” Knox said. “It was exciting, because Parko got the first wave and I could see that it was such a good wave and I knew that once it went by me it would barrel. Right then I saw a big one out the back and just thought, ‘I’m going to get barreled.’”
Knox utilized his entire repertoire while posting the highest heat total of his 15 year, 474 heat ASP World Tour career. In addition to his 9.90 and 9.80 Knox had a 9.00 in his scoreline to spare.
“I’ve had 10s before but I don’t think that I have ever backed it up with a 9.70 so I’d say that this was probably the highest scoring heat I’ve ever surfed,” Knox said.
Parkinson scored a perfect 10 in his heat against Knox, and backed it up with an 8.00 but still came up short. The World No. 2 will meet 1984 Jeffreys Bay Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS), who earned a wildcard into the event via the VonZipper Trials, in Heat 1 of Round 2.
Eight-time ASP World Champion and ASP ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) beat Occhilupo and Dayyan Neve (AUS) in Round 1.
“It’s nice to have a heat with Occy, especially out here,” Slater said. “There’s always a chance that he could get another wildcard, but every event he’s in, we’re all thinking it might be his last and this is the place that he has really shined over the years.”
Slater has really shined in 2008. Having claimed three of four events this season, he is well and truly poised to campaign for a ninth ASP World Title and is enjoying every minute of it.
“I’ve been having a lot of fun,” Slater said. “The tour has been a lot of fun and the contests have been fun. I wasn’t planning on doing all of the contests this year. I wasn’t planning on going to Bells and then I won Bells, so it made Tahiti and Fiji pretty hard to pass up. It’s been a miracle year for me so far, everything is falling into the right places at the right times.”
Slater has won at Jeffreys Bay a record three times and stands to increase his lead if he can take out the event a fourth time. Still, Slater’s closest contenders are in form as well.
“JBay has been a great place for me competitively,” Slater said. “But if I were to win I know one of those guys close by me would be in second and another would be in third, so it wouldn’t be a huge amount of ground made up, still stranger things have happened. Last year in Trestles most of the best guys lost early on and I made some ground. I could also blow it here and a whole bunch of guys could catch up, so it’s still really open. Everyone gets on a hot streak for a little while, so you can’t count anyone out at this point.”
World No. 5 Taj Burrow (AUS) won his heat after opening up with a 9.93, the second highest wave score of the day, for a deep barrel ride.
“I was pretty high up the top and I know that Tommy was sniffing around for the same wave, but I got onto it out the back and knew I needed to go as fast as I could,” Burrow said. “By the time I got to the sweet spot it was pretty round so I just went straight through it a couple of times, it was fun!”
Burrow is the defending champion having beat Slater in the Billabong Pro final in Jeffreys Bay last year. He was also runner-up to the ASP World Title last year and is eager to make another run in 2008.
“I feel like I can defend my title.” Burrow said. “It’s definitely on my mind because if we want to make a jump on Kelly it’s a now or never kind of thing. This is an event I know I can do it in so that’s my plan. Everyone is fired up and surfing so well – it’s going to be awesome for the spectators but pretty hard for us!”
Reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) put on a signature performance to take out Dane Reynolds (USA) and Hawaiian wildcard Granger Larsen in his Round 1 heat today.
“It was good fun really nice waves,” Fanning said. “I’m just stoked to start the contest off with a big bang after last year which was pretty sad. When there are waves like this everyone is on their game. These are the Top 45 surfers in the world and everyone rips – so put them on an open canvas like this and watch them go.”
Fanning has ped to 7th on the ratings but is enjoying a reprieve from the pressure that goes along with chasing a title. He is concentrating on his game, not Slater’s.
“I’m just worried about myself,” Fanning said. “I had a topsy turvy start to the year, but now everything is feeling good so I’m just going to try to concentrate on myself and get the result I need.”
Brazil’s Adriano de Souza, who sits 4th on the ratings, continued his roll to take out South Africans Jordy Smith and Travis Logie today.
"I can’t believe I won that heat,” de Souza said. “To have two South African guys in my heat was really hard, they know this spot well. I was sitting out back waiting for the bomb and I got it and got a 9.00 which gave me the confidence to win the heat and beat Jordy. I’ve been on tour for two years, so I have more experience and I think that is how I won the heat.”
World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) beat South African Ricky Basnett and Damien Hobgood (USA) and is poised to live up to his potential at JBay.
“People always say I’m a good shot at the title here and I think I am too,” Durbidge said. “Hopefully this year I can live up to it."
Bruce Irons (HAW) scored a last minute victory to send his brother Andy and Australia’s Dan Ross to Round 2.
“I thought I lost,” Bruce said “I walked home and gave my brother my jersey to turn in. Then Joel (Parkinson) came over and told me I won on the last exchange. I didn’t think I got it, but it’s cool, I get to move on. I’m hoping to get a little more adjusted to the cold water though, I couldn’t feel my feet.”
Andy Irons will meet wildcard Granger Larsen in Heat 2 of Round 2 which could run tomorrow.
Fellow Hawaiian Pancho Sullivan missed Round 1 citing travel challenges but will compete in the event if he can make it to South Africa before his Round 2 heat.
An official call on competition status will be made at 7am.
The Billabong Pro will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

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Fergie Rocking Hurley!

Check out Fergie rocking the Shibuya Tunic from Hurley! You too can rock this thing and tons of other brand new Hurley Girls Fall styles in now! For the Shibuya Tunic, CLICK HERE. For all the new Hurley Girls stuff, CLICK HERE. Happy Shopping!

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Congratulations Andrew Doheny...#1 Junior in the Nation!

Reigning Open Juniors Champion Andrew Doheny and HSS Team rider standout solidified his position as the number one Junior in the nation. The 15-year-old from Newport Beach was cool and confident in his quest to defending his 2007 title. Doheny looked like he was in the comfort zone in every one of his heats including the final, just having fun, with his explosive arcs and smooth carves in the terrific Lowers conditions. A second 7.25 score for Doheny sealed the deal earning him his second consecutive Open Juniors title. Doheny became only the second surfer in NSSA history to accomplish this feat. Kalani Robb won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. “It feels really, really good to defend my title,” Doheny said. “I went into the Nationals with a different attitude this year. I just wanted to have fun with it more. There were fun waves, classic Lowers for the finals and I just told myself to go out and have fun and go big. I had a really good JS board and just went out in my heats and freesurfed. It feels like my luck has changed over the years,” Doheny said. “I had gotten second so many times on ties and countbacks and whatnot so it feels good to be the guy in first.” When asked about the pressure of defending his ’07 title Doheny said, “It was almost less pressure for me. Everyone is expecting you not to do it.” Congrats Andrew on killing it at Nationals. Not content with shralping down south at Nationals, Andrew put in an amazing effort at the ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 sponsored Pier Pressure event held on the South Side of the HB pier. Advancing to the finals, Doheny was the last North American surfer standing against the overseas onslaught, and the young natural-footer put in a good effort against the domineering Australians in the Final. “I’m super stoked, because this is the best result of my life so far,” Doheny said. “I’m stoked to be the only guy from the United States in the Final.” In the grand scheme of things this ASP Grade-4 Pro Junior result will launch Doheny forward in the ASP North America Pro Junior ratings, increasing his chances for qualification of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Watch out for this kid, he is taking over!

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Congratulations Courtney Conlogue NSSA Nationals Champ! We are so Stoked For You...

It was one of the heaviest Open Women’s finals ever despite 11-time champion Carissa Moore’s absence and Coco Ho’s astonishing upset in the Women’s quarterfinals. It would be a California Vs. Hawaii final with HSS’ own Courtney Conlogue holding it down for California along side Sage Erickson. Surfing for the Hawaii contingent was Malia Manuel and Leila Hurst. In the highly anticipated final, despite impressive heats prior to their final heats, both Hawaiians struggled to find their rhythm in the 35-minute Open Women’s/Governor’s Cup final and it turned into two woman showdown between Conlogue and Erickson. Erickson got off to an early lead sticking to her strongest weapon, a dynamic vertical backside. She posted a 7.5 and 6.25 on her first two waves. With Erickson sitting in first position midway through the final, Conlogue kept her cool knowing each wave could be the ultimate one. She took off on a right bomb went off the top and then raced a massive whitewater section, threw up a critical turn, free fell to the bottom, disappeared in a mountain of whitewater and then incomprehensibly reappeared as the entire beach erupted. The judges rewarded the ride with an 8.75 score. Courtney backed it up with a strong 8.0 ride on a left and after five years of unwavering determination, the 15-year-old from Santa Ana, Ca. would not be denied this time taking home her first National title and the esteemed Governor’s Cup. “It’s been five years, five gnarly years” an exuberant Conlogue said. “I was glad that heat was 35 minutes because the first 20 minutes I was sitting out the back waiting for a set. Most of the girls broke to the inside because of the long lull, but I told myself to stay outside and I was just meditating out there. Then that set right came to me. On that turn, I just went as hard as I could.” From opening day of the 2008 regular season it was abundantly clear that Conlogue was in hot pursuit. “I have been training really hard throughout this whole year with the goal of being National Champ. I lost out in the quarters last year so it kind of scorched me in the butt to train a lot harder knowing that the quality of surfing has got so much higher in the Womens. I knew I had to up my game. A few days I would wake up at 3:45 in the morning just to get down to Lowers early before the sun came up because I was hoping that little extra effort would get me to where I wanted to be this year. Conlogue knew her quest wasn't going to be a walk in the park. “This contest is so hard to win and the level was so high this year. Malia Manuel was killing it. Sage just had this amazing backhand at Lowers. Coco, Nage and Leila were all ripping.” During the National Championship Awards Banquet, professional surfer and four-time National Champion Kalani Robb presented Conlogue with the “Kalani Robb Most Inspirational Performance” award for her exceptional surfing display at the Nationals. Courtney accomplished the three championship category sweep in 2008 taking her fourth career Conference title, Regional title and now the Nationals and we’ll see if she can carry the momentum at the US Open this summer at Huntington Pier. “I really want to win the US Open so I’m going to prepare for that.” She also is aiming to defend her well deserved National title. “I’m planning on doing the NSSA through my senior year so I’m going to work hard to defend my National titles these last few years. That would be sick!”
Nice work Courtney!

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