hellwoman
01-03-2008, 06:44 PM
Justin Beard: Top event returns to Sebastian
Surfing
By Justin Beard (Contact)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
It all starts today.
Hoards of professional surfers will flock to Sebastian's First Peak where 192 local and international surf superstars will battle against each other in hopes of becoming the 2008 O'Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro Champion.
"This is the biggest surfing event on the East Coast of the United States," said Mitch Varnes, O'Neill SI Pro contest director and president of Board Sports Management. "The level of surfing at this event isn't what you would see at your typical beach; it's is an opportunity for everyone to see some of the best surfers in the world perform."
The third largest surf contest in North America, the O'Neill SI Pro offers a cash purse of $110,000, as well as the Red Bull Tow-At Invitational, a half-day specialty event that features surfers being slung into waves at high speeds by a Sea-Doo.
With something for everyone, this five-star Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series event promises to be quite a spectacle for everyone from surf enthusiasts to retirees.
Even though the O'Neill SI Pro will wrap up on or before Jan. 9, the surfing festivities don't stop there.
The event ties directly into the semi-annual Surf Expo trade show, and the contest's awards ceremony is conducted in Orlando during Surf Expo's kickoff party on Jan. 11.
For more information, call (321) 984-4852.
Visit www.oneillsipro.com to view a live Web cast of the event.
I WANT TO KNOW
How did you place in your last contest? Or, did you recently get sponsored? Let me know about it and I'll shout it out.
SURF’S UP
This schedule is for planning purposes only. The event offers two lay days with the ultimate goal of completion on Jan. 10. Competitors and spectators are advised to contact the Sebastian Inlet park office at (321) 984-4852 for event status.
Friday/Round of 192
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
7 p.m.: O’Neill Team signing, featuring Cory Lopez, Pat Gudauskas, Dane Gudauskas, Tanner Gudauskas, Alek Parker and Jon Jon Florence will take place at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. Free giveaways and posters from O’Neill.
Saturday/Round of 160
8 to 11 a.m: Surfing
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Red Bull Tow-AT
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
2:45 to 5:15 p.m.: Surfing
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: O’Neill SI Pro kick-off/street party at Brevard Art Museum, featuring a book signing by Art Brewer and his 120-piece Legends of Surf Photography exhibit, plus a live art mural demonstration, music, food, fun and a street skating demo with pro skateboarder Tosh Townend.
Sunday
8 to 11:30 a.m.: Complete Round of 160
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Life Rolls On Expression with Jesse Billauer and friends
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Round of 128
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Monday
Complete round of 128
Begin round of 96
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Tuesday/Round of 64
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Jan. 9 or Jan. 10
Round of 32, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Champion to be crowned immediately following the final heat.
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Jan. 11
6 to 8 p.m.: Surf awards Reception at Surf Expo, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando
• Awarding of trophies to O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro presented by Ron Jon finalists
• Crowning of 2007 ASP North American Champions
• East Coast Hall of Fame Induction presentation
Justin Beard writes about surfing on the Treasure Coast each Thursday. He can be reached at (772) 221-4218 or Justin.Beard@scripps.com
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jan/03/top-event-returns-to-sebastian/
Surfing
By Justin Beard (Contact)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
It all starts today.
Hoards of professional surfers will flock to Sebastian's First Peak where 192 local and international surf superstars will battle against each other in hopes of becoming the 2008 O'Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro Champion.
"This is the biggest surfing event on the East Coast of the United States," said Mitch Varnes, O'Neill SI Pro contest director and president of Board Sports Management. "The level of surfing at this event isn't what you would see at your typical beach; it's is an opportunity for everyone to see some of the best surfers in the world perform."
The third largest surf contest in North America, the O'Neill SI Pro offers a cash purse of $110,000, as well as the Red Bull Tow-At Invitational, a half-day specialty event that features surfers being slung into waves at high speeds by a Sea-Doo.
With something for everyone, this five-star Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series event promises to be quite a spectacle for everyone from surf enthusiasts to retirees.
Even though the O'Neill SI Pro will wrap up on or before Jan. 9, the surfing festivities don't stop there.
The event ties directly into the semi-annual Surf Expo trade show, and the contest's awards ceremony is conducted in Orlando during Surf Expo's kickoff party on Jan. 11.
For more information, call (321) 984-4852.
Visit www.oneillsipro.com to view a live Web cast of the event.
I WANT TO KNOW
How did you place in your last contest? Or, did you recently get sponsored? Let me know about it and I'll shout it out.
SURF’S UP
This schedule is for planning purposes only. The event offers two lay days with the ultimate goal of completion on Jan. 10. Competitors and spectators are advised to contact the Sebastian Inlet park office at (321) 984-4852 for event status.
Friday/Round of 192
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
7 p.m.: O’Neill Team signing, featuring Cory Lopez, Pat Gudauskas, Dane Gudauskas, Tanner Gudauskas, Alek Parker and Jon Jon Florence will take place at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. Free giveaways and posters from O’Neill.
Saturday/Round of 160
8 to 11 a.m: Surfing
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Red Bull Tow-AT
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
2:45 to 5:15 p.m.: Surfing
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: O’Neill SI Pro kick-off/street party at Brevard Art Museum, featuring a book signing by Art Brewer and his 120-piece Legends of Surf Photography exhibit, plus a live art mural demonstration, music, food, fun and a street skating demo with pro skateboarder Tosh Townend.
Sunday
8 to 11:30 a.m.: Complete Round of 160
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Life Rolls On Expression with Jesse Billauer and friends
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Round of 128
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Monday
Complete round of 128
Begin round of 96
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Tuesday/Round of 64
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Jan. 9 or Jan. 10
Round of 32, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Champion to be crowned immediately following the final heat.
2 p.m.: Nirve bicycle giveaway
Jan. 11
6 to 8 p.m.: Surf awards Reception at Surf Expo, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando
• Awarding of trophies to O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro presented by Ron Jon finalists
• Crowning of 2007 ASP North American Champions
• East Coast Hall of Fame Induction presentation
Justin Beard writes about surfing on the Treasure Coast each Thursday. He can be reached at (772) 221-4218 or Justin.Beard@scripps.com
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jan/03/top-event-returns-to-sebastian/