South Australia Set to Host Huge Surfing Event, The ASP Kangaroo Island Pro
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, May 24, 2011) – The Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) today announce the ASP Kangaroo Island Pro presented by Sea Link, a 6-Star ASP World Tour event to take place on Kangaroo Island, South Australia from November 4-9.
Kangaroo Island is a gem in the Australian surfing crown because of its pristine, powerful and uncrowded surf. The South Australian state government is keen to show the world what they’ve got in their backyard and are major sponsors of the event. Tourism Minister John Rau announced that the surf competition will run in conjunction with a music festival that would showcase Kangaroo Island and South Australia to the world.
“The Kangaroo Island Surf Music Festival will provide a fantastic opportunity to promote Kangaroo Island and the rest of the State as an iconic surfing destination, but will also allow a new market of tourists the chance to discover this amazing is land,” Rau said. “Kangaroo Island is the perfect fit for this event, as it has vast amounts of unspoiled wilderness and wildlife and beautiful beaches that produce the surf required to hold a high ranking event like this.”
Camping facilities for 5000 people will be available at the festival and Sealink will be offering packages to the event.
Dion Atkinson (AUS) ASP World Tour campaigner who hails from South Australia is having a break-out year. Atkinson started off 2011 with a second at the Hang Loose Pro Prime event in Brazil and backed that up with his first ASP event win at the Burton Toyota Pro Newcastle, and is now ranked 39th on the ASP World Rankings. The ASP Kangaroo Island Pro in Atkinson’s hometown could be the key to helping him qualify for for the elite ASP World Title race events.
“I’ve never had an event close to home, so it’s going to be great to have the hometown support,” Atkinson said. “Kangaroo Island has a rugged coastline, it’s got everything a surfer wants; fun beach breaks, coves with wedges in the corner and amazing reefs. Best of all, because it’s an island you can always find some waves with offshore winds. Everyone is at home at that time of year so I’m sure there’ll be some big names on the list, I can’t wait!”
Another exciting announcement coming from the ASP Kangaroo Island Pro is that 1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) has been given an event wildcard. Currently competing on Channel 7′s Dancing With The Stars, Occy has announced that he’s in the best shape of his life and is keen to get back in an ASP competition rashie.
“I’m in better shape than when I had my comeback,” Occy said. “I’ve been training, surfing and dancing so much and I feel great. I can’t wait to get down to the ASP Kangaroo Island Pro, I’ve never been there and I hear that the waves are fantastic. I feel like I’m surfing pretty good right now and I’d love to show the young guns that I’ve still got it.”
The ASP Kangaroo Island Pro is the last of the Star rated events before the Hawaiian season and is sure to attract some big names in the hunt for qualification points and prize-money.
ASP Kangaroo Island Pro presented by Sea Link
Dates: 4-9 November
6-Star Men’s ASP World Tour event
USD$145,000 prize money
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