DOWN THE LINE Surf Talk Radio

surfing industry news, surf news, ASP, Doug Warbrick, Taj Burrow, Kelly Slater, ASP, surf news

SURF NEWS: QUIKSILVER PRO STARTS HISTORIC 2010 ASP SEASON – Wax heads and surfing fans get excited – the world’s best surfers are headed to the Gold Coast as two of the biggest surfing events kick start the 2010 ASP Men’s and Women’s World Tours next month. From 26th February through to 10th March, the 2010 Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover and the Roxy Pro will take place on the southern end of the Gold Coast’s iconic point break of Snapper Rocks. This year’s Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover will feature the world’s top 45 ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) surfers including the likes of reigning two-time World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and current world number two and hometown hero Joel Parkinson (AUS). Nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is the only non-Australian to have won the Quiksilver Pro (twice), and looks to be a top threat in the 2010 competition. Surfing sensation Julian Wilson (AUS) surprised the crowd last year when he knocked out Kelly Slater and will no doubt be looking to do the same again this year as he competes as a wildcard.

SURF NEWS: CLAW HONORED – Doug Warbrick’s huge contribution to Australian surfing has finally been acknowledged with his elevation to the sport’s Hall of Fame at the Australian Surfing Awards on the southern end of the Gold Coast last night. Surf businessman Warbrick became the 32nd member respectively of the Hall of Fame which began with the initial induction of Snow McAllister (Deceased) and 4 x World Champion Mark Richards in 1985.

SURF NEWS: TAJ WINS BREAKA – Gold Coast Queensland: Taj Burrow (AUS) today etched his name into the history books, claiming the inaugral 2010 Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star, Breaka Burleigh Pro. Burrow defeated Josh Kerr (AUS), Owen Wright (AUS) and Dusty Payne (HAW) who finished second to fourth respectively in an exhilarating four-man final. “It’s so great to be back at Burleigh Heads, I’ve spent a lot of time here over the years and it’s such a great wave, so to be able to win the very first competition here in so long is just great,” Burrow said.

HERE is the video of Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, & Julian Wilson that Baldy and I have been watching to get our froth on prior to knee high muck sessions at the local walled of beachbreak. This is sick, especially if you skip through the marketing stuff and just watch the action.

Sunday we interviewed Billabong XXL global director Bill Sharp. We told Bill that a paddle-in surfer will beat out a tow-in surfer for biggest wave this year. He didn’t bite. You can listen to this weeks show via iTunes podcast directory search keyword ” down the line”.

Rachel and Her Comet – 540K and still ticking …. Cool as…