Couran Cove Island Resort Pro Junior Day 1 Opens With Press Launch
GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Monday, February 1, 2010) – The third stop of the 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Australasian Pro Junior Series, the Couran Cove Island Resort Pro Junior opened this morning with a press launch as competition on Day 1 was placed on-hold.
Despite the lack of action in the water, there was certainly a sense of occasion among the competitors and media gathered for the press launch, with the event set to become the first professional surfing event of any kind on Queensland’s South Stradbroke Island.
Running from February 1-5, the ASP Grade-4, AUD$20,000, specialty event is expected to commence competition tomorrow with favourable conditions projected for the latter part of the waiting period.
Gold Coast charger Blake Ainsworth (Coolangatta), West Australian whiz-kid Creed McTaggart (Margaret River) and New South Wales up-and-comer Ryan Callinan (Meriwether) couldn’t believe what they were experiencing at the luxury Couran Cove Island Resort.
“When we stepped of the boat onto the island, it felt like we were in Fiji or Tahiti,” said an excited Ainsworth.
“I don’t know how more people haven’t heard of Couran Cove Island Resort until now…The place is tailored for surfers and the talk from all the competitors is really positive, so I think the secret is definitely out now,” he said.
Callinan and McTaggart reiterated Ainsworth’s sentiment, suggesting that staying focused will be their key to success in the event.
“There is just so much to do at the resort you could easily get distracted, but it’s also really practical with a gym and facilities to train with while you’re not competing,” said Callinan.
“As soon as the winds come good, which they’re expected to do any day now, the surf is going to be on…There could even be a few barrels in the mix so fingers crossed,” said McTaggart.
Being run similar to an elite ASP World Championship Tour competition, the Couran Cove Island Resort Pro Junior will be based around a unique ‘island format,’ with the competition designed to give competitors optimal surfing conditions throughout the event’s duration.
Contest Director Scott Gillies remains positive that favourable surfing conditions aren’t too far away.
“We are on hold at the moment and could delay the start of competition until tomorrow…At this stage time is on our side, and the event was formatted with the competitors in mind, so the chance of scoring good waves looks promising,” said Gillies.
Stay tuned to www.aspaustralasia.com/live/2010/Couran for news, photos and updates relating to the Couran Cove Island Resort Pro Junior.
The Couran Cove Island Resort Pro Junior will commence on February 1 and conclude on February 5, 2010.
(ASPWORLDTOUR:13713)
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Category: All ASP News, ASP Junior News
