HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Friday, February 3, 2012) – California standout Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 30, put on a domineering performance at the ASP 5-Star Volcom Pipe Pro, battling through massive Pipeline conditions to finish 4th overall. Yeomans’ spot in the Final marked him as the last non-Hawaiian standing at one of the world’s most deadly waves.

Yeomans’ run to the Final was nothing short of impressive, as the talented goofy-footer eliminated some of Hawaii’s finest watermen including Bruce Irons (HAW), 32, in their Semifinals clash. In addition to his brilliant barrel-riding performance, Yeomans’ run on the last day of competition was almost cut short after a serious encounter with the infamous Pipeline reef the day prior left the Californian in questionable condition for the remainder of competition.

“I had a bad wipeout the day before, on the big day,” Yeomans said. “I got sucked over the falls and got suplexed on the reef on the middle of my back. I was really lucky I didn’t hit 12 inches higher up on my body. That night I was almost certain I wasn’t going to be able to surf the next day. I woke up and felt a bit better. I saw how good the waves were and said, screw it, I’m out there. The semifinal was a nail bitter. I actually didn’t know I made it until I got to the beach. That was probably the best moment in competitive Surfing I’ve had.”

Yeomans admitted taking on three Hawaiians, including Pipeline locals John John Florence (North Shore, HAW), 19, and Jaime O’Brien (North Shore, HAW), 28, as well as former ASP World Junior Champion Kai Barger (Maui, HI), 22, was a tall task, but making a final at one of the world’s most iconic waves was a massive accomplishment.

“It was looking pretty average that morning but by the time the final was going out it was cranking,” Yeomans said. “It’s such a tight take off spot and John John (Florence) and Jaime (O’Brien) really are freaks out there. I got out positioned on a couple waves that where really good, but that’s the benefit of surfing that spot all the time, you know where to be and where not to be. It’s still surreal, that’s (Pipeline) the Yankee Staduim of surfing and making the Final is something I really only dreamed of as a grom! To make the final was such an honor.”

Yeomans, who competed on the ASP World Tour in 2010, is hoping his result at the Volcom Pipe Pro will help to kick-start his 2012 season and is now of to the ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro is Brazil this week after a short rehab stint on his back injury.

“I’ve been competing for awhile now, and it’s a confidence boost for sure,” Yeomans said. “At the same time pressure is really only brought on by yourself and your mind. That event I was really enjoying myself and each heat I was going out with the mindset of trying to get one good barrel and also knowing that you could get the wave of your life out there. I’m going to Fernando on Sunday. My back is still pretty sore but I’m getting worked on by Dr. David Sales here in San Clemente so I can be back to 100 percent in a couple days.”

SAN CLEMENTE, California/USA (Friday, February 3, 2012) – Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, built momentum amidst his first season on the ASP World Tour, establishing himself as a major threat at every event while taking out the coveted ASP Rookie of the Year Award to finish an impressive 9th overall. With a full season under his belt, the highly-praised Aussie will take the priceless experience gained throughout his rookie year into the 2012 and SURFER Magazine caught up with Wilson to get his thoughts on the year ahead. This… is their story…

The Australian prodigy Julian Wilson is as poised as any of the world’s best competitors for a run at the World Title. Yet still, the influx of new talent, new rules, and new waves set to debut on Tour this year have taken much of the attention and the pressure off of Julian. With the hype of a new contract, the weight of rookie expectations, and a grueling qualification schedule behind him, his road ahead is paved with potential. To call him an underdog would be foolish; but for once the glare of the spotlight has a new batch of surfers to focus on, leaving the hyper-talented Sunshine Coast native to his own devices.

What’s the source of your drive for 2012? What kind of expectations do you place on yourself?
My expectations for myself have always been really high. Obviously there are always expectations from people around me as well. They might not always let me know that, but I know it’s there. That’s just the way it is, it’s always going to be like that. I’d love to win an event this year. I obviously want to keep moving up in the ratings as well.

Can you reflect on winning the Rookie of the Year award?
It was cool to get Rookie of the Year, I mean it was only between me and Alejo so there wasn’t a whole bunch of us going for it. But it actually turned out to be a really good race between us. He finished number 10 and I finished number 9, and it easily could have just been a one horse race. At the start of the year, he made quarters at Snapper and I didn’t make a heat for the first three events. I wasn’t sure I was even going to have a chance. It was good to turn it around, and we had a good battle, to finish only one spot apart.

Whenever you look back at your rookie year on Tour, what are going to be the defining moments?
The moments that are going to stick out are obviously making a final in France, and the waves we had in Portugal, Tahiti, and Pipe—they were all amazing. The heat I had with Kai Otton in Portugal was one that I’ll remember forever, that was probably they best heat I’ve had with someone in my career so far. Trestles was amazing; the waves were fun, and it felt good to finally get a result there.

For the full Julian Wilson interview log on to SURFER Magazine.

For more on Wilson view his full ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE.

Wilson will compete at the season opening Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, which runs from February 25 through March 7, 2012.

Adrian 'Ace' Buchan making the drop at sizeable Teahupoo.

CENTRAL COAST, New South Wales/Australia (Friday, February 3, 2012) – Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan (AUS), 29, has been an elite ASP World Title competitor for six years now. He’s been a two-time Top 10 finisher, navigated injuries and scalped event titles. In addition to his impressive work in the water, Ace is also a regular contributor to the ASP Technical Committee as well as to several charity organizations in and around Australia. SurfingSays.com recently caught up with Adrian to see where his head is at heading into 2012. This…is their story…

So Adrian how was life on tour in 2011? From the outside looking in it seemed like a huge year for the men’s ASP Tour.
It’s unreal being on tour at the moment. I actually had an amazing time last year, it was really exciting. We got some sick waves in Tahiti, Portugal and Pipe and went to some new locations like New York and San Francisco which put a whole new spin on the tour. Plus with a bit of controversy and the cut-off it all made for an exciting year to be involved in professional surfing, not to mention the level of surfing was amazing.

Out of the water things look like they’re going really well for you too?
Yeah, things have been really good outside of competing. I got engaged to my girlfriend Bec last year and we’re getting married in Bali this June. So that’s pretty exciting and something to look forward to. Also I just re-signed with my sponsor ‘Hurley’ which is great because I’ve really enjoyed working with them and I’m looking forward to doing some good things with them in the future.

That’s great. It’s the old saying for sports people that ‘things won’t work well on the field if they aren’t working off it’.
Exactly! I feel like everything is going…

For full interview, check out SurfingSays.com

For more on ADRIAN BUCHAN, check out his ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE

HONOLULU, Oahu/Hawaii (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – Hawaii’s John John Florence created one of professional surfing’s most dramatic moments today to claim his second consecutive Volcom Pipe Pro title, completely flipping the table on former Pipe Pro champion Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii) in the final seconds. O’Brien had held the lead for 34 minutes and 45 seconds of the 35-minute final… and then it evaporated before his eyes.

O’Brien had bolted away at the start of the heat with an apparently insurmountable lead and Florence wasn’t even in the picture. O’Brien’s top two scoring waves were near-perfect: 9.0 and 9.43 with all three of his challengers requiring a combination of high scores to beat him. Maui’s Kai Barger had posed the biggest challenge with a 9.33, but a second wave eluded him. San Clemente’s Nate Yeomans was a distant third with 7.57 points total. Florence’s score line wasn’t much better: 9.93 total.

Then at the five minute mark, two waves in the 8-10 foot range pushed through. Florence got the first: an unbelievable backside tube at Pipe that was deep, critical, and near-impossible. He blasted out with the spray and scored a perfect 10.

Right behind him, O’Brien swung, pulled in deep and blew out in front of Florence’s face for a 9.93 – further extending his lead.

One minute to go… Florence paddled over and congratulated O’Brien. Then a dark line on the horizon caught his eye. One last wave stacked up on the Pipeline reef. Fifteen seconds to go… Florence clawed his way past a frantic O’Brien who could see the writing on the wall of the wave. Florence clawed his way past Jamie, over the ledge, under the lip and into the heat-winning tube ride – a 9.93 – to claim the $20,000 first prize.

Less than eight weeks ago, Florence lost in similar fashion here to 11X world champion Kelly Slater during the Pipe Masters. Today’s victory seemed to realign the trajectory of the 19-year-old, who appears at this moment in time to be destined for one of pro surfing’s greatest careers of all-time.

“I wrote myself off half way through,” said Florence. “Kai and Jamie both had nines. I can’t believe it. Here at Pipe anything can happen.

“With 40 seconds to go I wasn’t even thinking about it. I was like, yeah Jamie, congratulations, I won last year and I’m stoked for you. Then I turned around and there’s a peak. I didn’t even know if he was going. I was going to go left and backdoor the peak, then I ended up having to fade, go right, and barely got under it. It was a wild ride.

“Last year this gave me so much confidence going into the year. This is the first contest of the year and I’ve got confidence again. So much has gone down in the last year, qualifying for the tour, changing my whole way of surfing and trying to get into the contest thing. I’m so happy right now.”

Back on the beach, O’Brien and Florence shook hands and O’Brien shook his head.

“Man, I feel like you just threw me out of the car before we got home,” said O’Brien. “I’m going to come and steal that trophy from you in the middle of the night,” he laughed.

Nine years John John’s senior, O’Brien has long been the man to beat at Pipe, having won at Pipe Masters, Backdoor Shootout, and multiple Volcom Pipe Pros. But Florence is quickly leveling the scores.

“It hurts,” said Jamie, holding onto the runner-up $10,000 check. “You think you’re going to win and you don’t. It’s OK. I got some really good scores and I felt I put on a great performance. To me that means everything. I had a great time. I finally got in a good rhythm my last couple of heats. I enjoyed myself and it was a good day.”

O’Brien appeared to toy with Pipeline today, switching up Backdoor and Pipe with regular foot and goofy foot barrels. But while he might have made it look easier than it was for everyone else, he was quick to admit things aren’t always as they may appear – hence the credo that Pipeline is for warriors.

“It might look easy, but some of the stuff that happens to you underwater while you’re getting pounded is really intense and scary. Getting caught inside out there, drags you and drags you, you’ve got to climb up your leash – it’s a lot of work out there.”

Third place in the final was Barger. Fourth was Yeomans.

Worthy mentions include top Australian finisher Mitch Coleborn, and former Pipe champion Bruce Irons, who showed a fantastic return to form this week and lost out in the semi’s.

From today’s results, the following surfers have won a spot in the first round of next December’s Pipe Masters: O’Brien, Barger, Billy Kemper (Maui), Flynn Novak (Oahu), Fred Patacchia (Oahu), Kalani Chapman, and Bruce Irons. Florence is an automatic starter at the Pipe Masters as he is on the elite ASP World Tour.

Also awarded today was the Todd Chesser Hard Charger Sportsmanship Award – presented to Costa Rica’s Carlos Munoz who posted a perfect 10 score in the early rounds and finished the event in equal ninth place.

Next up for Volcom is their Volcom Fiji Pro, June 3-15 – the fourth of 11 events that comprise the ASP World Tour.

A full two-hour highlight program of this week’s Volcom Pipe Pro will air on Fuel TV this Saturday at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. For more information, check your local listings or go to www.fuel.tv .

RESULTS:
FINAL
1st - John John Florence (HAW) 19.93pts, $20,000
2nd - Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 19.40pts, $10,000
3rd - Kai Barger (HAW) 18.20pts, $6,500
4th - Nathan Yeomans (CA, USA) 7.57pts, $5,500

SEMI FINALS
H1: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 17.77pts ; Kai Barger (HAW) 17.10pts ; Billy Kemper (HAW) 7.90pts ; Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 5.10pts
H2: John John Florence (HAW) 13.56pts ; Nathan Yeomans (USA) 12.83pts ; Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.40pts ; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 7.44pts

QUARTERS
H1: Billy Kemper (HAW) 12.00pts ; Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 11.87pts ; Tim Reyes (USA) 9.10pts ; Gabe Kling (USA) 6.63pts
H2 : Kai Barger (HAW) 14.66pts ; Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 14.50pts ; Flynn Novak (HAW) 10.83pts ; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 3.63
H3 : Nathan Yeomans (USA) 13.27pts ; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 12.50pts ; Carlos Munoz (CRI) 11.50pts ; Kalani Chapman (HAW) 4.77pts
H4: John John Florence (HAW) 16.34pts ; Bruce Irons (HAW) 13.00pts ; Alexander Grey
(USA) 8.40pts ; Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 4.84pts

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – Brett Simpson (USA), 27, has been building momentum throughout his experience among the world’s best surfers and with the 2012 season just around the corner, Simpson is about to embark on his third year on the ASP World Title Race. The Huntington Beach standout kicked off 2011 with a 5th at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Simpo is fired up and ready to start his season in top form again. The ASP recently caught up with the regular-footer to see what he’s been up to and see what he has to say about the year ahead.

With the break between Pipe and Snapper, there’s a little bit of down time, what have you been up to with your time off? Did you take any fun trips or have you mostly been enjoying home? It’s been a great break for me! I’ve been doing a lot of surfing at home and we have had a great winter on the west coast. I surfed some fun beach breaks in LA and fun points up in Santa Barbra and then I went on a trip with the Hurley crew to Ireland. That was really refreshing and different and I was really stoked to do something new!

California has had a few fun swells this season, where have you been surfing? I’ve been getting some fun waves in HB, as well as the LA area and the Queen of the coast for a little point break practice!

Now that you’re entering your third year on tour are you feeling more comfortable with each year? How much does the experience help? Is there anything major you feel has changed for you this year compared to 2011? Well comfort comes with a bit of success and I have had little tastes of it! Though I defiantly do feel more comfortable and feel like I belong here there are so many hot dog young guys now that you always gotta be on your toes and ready to battle!

Snapper has been a good event for you, so can you talk about your experience with the wave and the event? It’s a wave I love to surf and that goes to show in the success I have had out there! You have to enjoy the wave and wanna do well! At this level it just doesn’t happen, you can’t get away with that anymore, so every spot I go I try to get more in tune with the waves and learn to enjoy it.

Are you heading over to Australia early or spending as much time at home as possible before the travel season begins? I’m heading over soon for the burliegh 4 Star! It’ll be nice to get in some warm water, work on my boards with JS and get my heat legs and endurance back!

The new rookies made a big impression last year in the back-half of the season, any predictions for break-through seasons for the competition? It’s hard to say, there’s some really good talent but then there are some great heat surfers! Contests seem to really even things out, everyone has to execute in that same 35 minutes! This ain’t no filming a surfing segment!

Now that the midyear rotation has been disabled it takes the pressure off to earn results immediately to stay on tour, does that change your mindset going in to 2012? I’m a competitor, I will be at every event that I can get to that’s not a hassle and I’m there to win! Our sport is amazing with many opportunities that have to be taken advantage of. This doesn’t last forever!

Simpson will kick off his 2012 ASP World Title campaign at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, which holds a waiting period from February 25 through March 7, 2012.

For more on Simpo view his full ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE.

NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND, Queensland/Aus (Thursday, February 2, 2012) – Current U/18 Boys Australian Champion Eli Steele (Caloundra, Qld) and ASP Australasia Junior Men’s ratings leader Cooper Chapman (Narrabeen, NSW) both survived tough opening heats today, as the action continued on day-two of the 2012 5-Star, AUD$30,000 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Oakley Pro Junior.

Once again, powerful 1.5m beach-break conditions rolled in at Point Lookout’s Main Beach, with Steele advancing into the Round of 64 and Chapman advancing into the Round of 32 respectively.

In shifting conditions, Steele posted a combined two wave heat total of 6.75 (out of a possible 20), finishing in second place behind Jackson Carey (Terrey Hills, NSW – 7.65), only just edging out fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Jake Vincent (6.15) and Hayden Forrest (Mornington Peninsula, Victoria – 4.95) who finished third and fourth respectively.

It was a similar story for ratings leader Chapman, who was seeded into the highest round (64-surfers), with the highly touted North Narrabeen surfer posting a combined two wave heat total of 9.60 (out of a possible 20), finishing in second place behind Portugal’s Vasco Ribeiro (12.50), only just edging out Frenchman William Aliotti (8.35) and Australia’s Tom Hatcher (5.30) who finished third and fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, outside of competition, Oakley in conjunction with North Stradbroke Island Surf School held a learn-to-surf day for a handful of Indigenous children who travelled all the way from Mt. Isa in Queensland’s north-west.

Oakley identities including the likes of former ASP World Tour surfers Tom Whitiker and Beau Emerton joined Kai Hing, Keahla Naihe and North Stradbroke’s own top international surfer Lincoln Taylor shared the thrill of surfing with the super-stoked kids, many of whom had never seen the ocean before.

Running from February 1-5 and held in the varying breaks surrounding the island paradise, the Oakley Pro Junior is the third stop on the prestigious ASP Australasia Pro Junior Men’s tour.

Up for grabs is the JS Tractor Big Boost, which will see 12 hand picked competitors (four locals, four Australians and four international competitors) compete for three brand new custom JS surfboards with the best placed local surfer also winning one brand new JS surfboard.

The Oakley Pro Junior is proudly supported by Oakley, JS Surfboards, ASP Australasia, Surfing Queensland and Redland City Council.

ASP Australasia Pro Junior Men’s Ratings (after two events)

Cooper Chapman (Narrabeen, NSW) – 2316 points
Haril Anwar (Indonesia) – 1678 points
Wade Carmichael (Avoca, NSW) – 1594
Visit www.oakleyprojunior.com for news, photos and updates relating to the 2012 Oakley Pro Junior.

The Oakley Pro Junior will commence February 1 and conclude February 5.

CACIMBA DO PADRE, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco / Brazil (Tuesday, January, 31, 2012) - The pristine islands and transparent barrels of Fernando de Noronha off the northeastern coast of Brazil will be home to the first ASP PRIME event of 2012 hosting the 26th annual Hang Loose Pro Contest. Held from February 7th until the 12th, 96 of the world’s best surfers from 16 different countries will be going after $250,000 dollars in prize money and crucial ASP ranking points for qualification onto the ASP Dream Tour.

Leading the charge as the Top Seed in the event will be the 18 year old Brazilian sensation, Gabriel Medina. Last year, Medina fought his way onto the Dream Tour and won an unprecedented two ASP World Tour events in his first four on tour; something that not even Kelly Slater was able to accomplish in his career.

Alongside Medina, fellow World Tour competitor and 2011 Hang Loose Pro Contest event winner, Alejo Muniz, 21, (BRA) will be in the hunt for another victory on the island known as the “Brazilian Hawaii”.

Other Hang Loose Pro Contest event winners who will be competing this year will be CJ Hobgood (USA, 2010), Raoni Monteiro (BRA, 2008), Aritz Aranburu (EUK, 2007) and Jean da Silva (BRA, 2006) to add to the already stiff competition.

Although the official commencement to the ASP PRIME Hang Loose Pro Contest only begins next Tuesday (February 7th), two surfers will be invited into the main event through classification from the Trials event held this weekend at Cacimba do Padre beach.

The Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha is a natural reserve and is protected by the Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency (IBAMA) and Projeto TAMAR, which is responsible for the protection of the exuberant marine life which includes sea turtles, dolphins and a wide array of wildlife that inhabit this delicate ecosystem.

The Hang Loose Pro Contest is an ASP South America sanctioned event and is the introductory ASP World Prime event of 2012, sponsored by Hang Loose and in partnership with the State of Pernambuco through EMPETUR, the Secretary of Tourism, the Administration of Fernando de Noronha, Projeto TAMAR and co-sponsored by Overboard, Bleat, Hot Water, Central Surf, Sthill, WQSurf, Tent Beach, Star Surf, Supertubes, K&K, Cut Wave and Red Beach. The event comes with the support of the Pernambuco Surf Federation, the Northeastern Surf Association, Amazoo Açaí, Fluir Magazine and Waves Website. The event is live – http://www.hangloose.com.br/procontest2012/default.asp

CHAMPIONS OF THE HANG LOOSE PRO CONTEST – 1986/2011:
2011 - Alejo Muniz (BRA-SC) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2010 - C. J. Hobgood (USA) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2009 – Bruno Santos (BRA-RJ) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2008 - Raoni Monteiro (BRA-RJ) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2007 - Aritz Aranburu (EUK) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2006 - Jean da Silva (BRA-SC) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2005 - Bobby Martinez (USA) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2004 - Warwick Wright (ZAF) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2003 – Neco Padaratz (BRA-SC) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2002 - Victor Ribas (BRA-RJ) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2001 - Fabio Silva (BRA-CE) – Cacimba and finals at the Abras, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2000 - Guilherme Herdy (BRA-RJ) – Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha – Pernambuco state
2000 - Crhistiano Spirro (BRA-BA) – Praia de Maresias, Sao Sebastiao – Sao Paulo state
1999 – Richard Lovett (AUS) – Baia de Maracaipe, Ipojuca – Pernambuco state
1999 - Peterson Rosa (BRA-PR) – Praia de Maresias, Sao Sebastiao – Sao Paulo state
1998 - Armando Daltro (BRA-BA) – Gaibu, Cabo de Santo Agostinho – Pernambuco state
1997 - Marcelo Nunes (BRA-RN) – Baia de Maracaipe, Ipojuca – Pernambuco state
1996 - Fabio Silva (BRA-CE) – Baia de Maracaipe, Ipojuca – Pernambuco state
1995 - Peterson Rosa (BRA-PR) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1994 - Matt Hoy (AUS) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1993 - Joey Jenkins (USA) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1992 - Nicky Wood (AUS) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1991 – Nicky Wood (AUS) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1990 – Fabio Gouveia (BRA-PB) – Praia das Pitangueiras, Guaruja – Sao Paulo state
1989 – Glen Winton (AUS) – Praia da Joaquina, Florianopolis – Santa Catarina state
1988 – Tom Carroll (AUS) – Praia da Joaquina, Florianopolis – Santa Catarina state
1987 - Tom Carroll (AUS) – Praia da Joaquina, Florianopolis – Santa Catarina state
1986 - Dave Macaulay (AUS) – Praia da Joaquina, Florianopolis – Santa Catarina stat

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – For the past 3 years Michel Bourez (PYF), 26, has been one of the standout performers at just about every stop on the elite ASP World Tour. The surfer known as ‘The Spartan’ has improved in leaps and bounds with every year he’s been on tour; in 2009 his rookie year he finished 21st, in 2010 11th and then last year 6th. We got in touch with Bourez while he was at home in Tahiti to congratulate him on the new addition to his family and talk about his goals for 2012.

Congratulations, we hear you’ve had a baby boy! How’s fatherhood?
My son Kaoriki was born on the 9th of January and since then I don’t sleep very much. I talk about him everyday, he became the center of my life, you want give everything you have to your kids. My goals in surfing are much stronger because I will surf for him now.

Overall, how do you feel about your year on tour last year?
I feel good about last year, I was focused the whole year and finished 6th in the world. With such talented surfers on the tour it was amazing for me to do so well. I also really enjoyed the race for the Triple Crown which gave me some good experience.

It’s great to see you crack the top 10, was that your goal for last year?
Yes it was. To make the top 10 was a dream for me, it means so much to me. Now I can tell my son that his Daddy was 6th in the world!

What was your best moment on tour last year?
It was here in Tahiti, the waves were amazing and we finally got to surf the real Teahupoo. We also had a bonus with the tow session, it was huge and mental. I did get a good result in the contest, but I had an awesome time free surfing with the boys too.

You were one of the most consistent guys on tour last year what’s the key to your success?
Staying focused is the main key to my success. I worked a lot with Firewire to get some boards for all different conditions. I knew what I had to do to make heat because I’ve learned a lot on these last 3 years on tour.

What kind of training have you been doing in the off season?
I’ve been surfing a lot and when the surf is flat I do some work sessions out with my neighbours, nothing too tough, but enough to stay fit and ready for the upcoming season.

In 2009 you finished 21st, in 2010 you finished 11th and then last year 6th. You keep getting better every year, what can we expect from next year?
2012 will be different, I want to stay in the the top, but my goal now is to make the top 5. It’s going to be hard with all the rookies on tour, but if I’m consistent again this year, I think I will make it.

Will we see you as a World Title contender in 2012?
I don’t think so, I need to learn more again. The tour is long and hard and I plan to be a world title contender by 2015 because I know that I’m getting better with the time. I’m getting wiser too, I don’t rush things anymore.

What are you thoughts on the recent changes to the tour?
I like it better this way, but it does not change anything for me. If you have a goal to be in the top 5 that means you will make the cut for sure.

What events are you most looking forward to for 2012?
I’m looking forward for Fiji, I’ve never been there. I have watched that wave only in movies or during past event webcasts, it has been a dream to go there. I also need to make better result at trestles too, so I’m looking forward to that event. Teahupoo will be the main one because I’m home and I surf that wave all the time.

Thanks Michel, see you at Snapper.
Take care.

HONOLULU, Oahu/Hawaii – (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) – He came to Hawaii looking to fulfill a childhood dream and humbly gain experience at the world’s most revered and feared surf spot: the Banzai Pipeline. But 20-year-old New York pro surfing rookie Balaram Stack scored one of surfing’s rarest waves: a perfect 10 on a fearsome day deemed only for warriors at the Volcom Pipe Pro. Fifteen-to-20 foot Pipe doled out its fair share of injuries, snapped surfboard and bruised pride today. No-one imagined that the kid from New York would steal the show, unscathed.

Stack was up against one of Pipeline’s most respected riders today – Kalani Chapman, 29, and a pair of rising Hawaiian stars in Granger Larson, 21, and Tonino Benson, 22. He had a nail-biting start; skittling to the bottom of his first ride on his stomach, and following up with a short tube-ride that almost knocked him off. But none of his challengers were fairing much better in the rogue lineup and Stack surprisingly took a slim lead.

Then with three minutes to go, a huge A-frame peak pushed through and Balaram, sitting deepest, swung and stroked over the ledge. He dropped weightlessly, set the rail of his surfboard on edge and pulled up into a gaping, hollow barrel, arms outstretched. When he exited in a plume of spray and whitewater, he was standing casually with hands held behind his back… in disbelief.

Stack also scored a bonus $1,000 as part of the ELECTRIC Perfect Ten bonus awards. He is now among the final 32 surfers left in the event and will next face defending event champion John John Florence (Hawaii). The Volcom Pipe Pro is expected to wrap up and crown a champion tomorrow.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted – to have a heat out there in pumping waves,” said Stack. “I just thought that if the wave came, I was going, if not, I’ll regret it forever. I knew the waves were firing and there were only three other guys out. That never happens, so I was just hoping I would get a wave. The stars aligned. I got one.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking just being out there. All I was hoping was to make another heat and make it to the next round, but now I don’t even care if I make the next round, that was the best thing ever.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever surfed a contest out here and it’s definitely a dream I’ve had for a while.”

On taking the heat from Kalani Chapman with a perfect 10: “Yeah, that definitely wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Late in the afternoon, Puerto Rico’s Dylan Graves and Maui’s Dusty Payne also found perfect 10′s and, like Balaram, scored a bonus $1,000 each.

Maui’s Ian Walsh called today “one of the best days of the year”. The swell pulsed relentlessly and the lineup broiled with huge tubes, massive peaks, and more than the occasional unrideable steamroller of whitewater.

Walsh put the Pipeline experience into perspective: “You’re not really surfing against the other guys like you are in most of the events around the world. It’s more of a battle between yourself and Pipeline. When you’re out there you feel all the shock waves coming through the lineup.”

California’s Alex Gray surfed the very first heat of the day and overcame a hobbling injury he sustained while surfing gigantic waves on the North Shore’s outer reefs yesterday. With his calf taped up to protect the stitched wound, Gray threw caution to the wind and charged into some of the heaviest barrels of the day.

“We surfed the outer reefs yesterday and unfortunately I broke a fin off in my leg and was in the hospital at around 7 o’ clock last night,” said Gray. “Nothing too crazy, but really sore this-morning and I was wondering how it was going to be. But we’re here to surf Pipeline and you can’t let a previous day’s wound stop you.

“It’s big today. My last wave backed off on the reef and allowed for a really steep drop. In those moments it feels like the whole ocean is going against you, trying to pull you back up the face and I was just hoping that my fins and my rail were going to stay in the water and I was going to make it to the end of the wave. Pipeline is so heavy and dangerous that you always hope for the best but expect the worst and I was glad I made that wave. This is a contest but the best part about surfing at Pipeline is you’re at one of the world’s best waves so it is possible that you could get the wave of your life.”

San Clemente’s Tanner Gudauskas had a lucky escape and advanced, but not without needing eight staples to his skull. Tanner sustained a massive wipeout on his opening ride that pinned him to the reef, lacerating his arm, back and head. He eventually managed to shake off the nerves and try again, taking some of older brother Dane’s advice onboard.

“Dane always says when you take a wipeout like that you’re one step closer to getting the wave of your life, so that’s how I think about it,” said Tanner. “I’ve been taking nothing but wipeouts lately so hopefully one’s coming around the bend.”

On his wipeout: “Mentally I was thinking I (had the wave), then last thing I thought, ‘I don’t have it’ and I was up and over. But the way I landed I didn’t penetrate. I went up and over the falls and landed square on my back and my head hit as well. I was really shaken up. I got lucky because I got a smaller one that barreled after that and made me feel better inside. Then I thought a little bit less about the wipeout and a little bit more about getting in the barrel.”

Defending Volcom Pipe Pro champion John John Florence (Hawaii), who was crowned champion of the Vans Triple Crown in December, scraped through by the skin of his teeth today in a heat that could well have been a final in its own right. Up against former Pipe champion Bruce Irons, Australian Anthony Walsh, and North Shore local Sean Moody, Florence had his work cut out. It didn’t help that he was also surfing injured after almost separating his finger while surfing a few days ago. Florence made a last minute barrel to steal second place away from Walsh and advance.

“I was pretty nervous, I almost wasn’t going to do my heat,” said Florence. “I have a really bad kink in my neck, and my hand… I kind of sat there the whole heat and luckily got a wave in the end. Anthony Walsh is so gnarly. That was definitely a scarey heat to have.. Moody and Bruce too… There’s a lot of wash-through sets. It’s fun but there’s these crazy double ups that come in.”

Bruce Irons was the day’s highest scorer with 17.47 out of 20. He locked in two solid tube rides to Florence, Walsh and Moody battling for second.

The Australians charged today, but none advanced despite scoring more than a few incredible rides. Josh Kerr, Anthony Walsh and Stephen Walsh put on a great show but the highest scores eluded them.

Organizers will assess the conditions at first light tomorrow morning to determine if there will be an 8am start. Tomorrow could be the final day, possibly crowning a champion at around 3pm.

For LIVE action log on to www.volcom.com/pipepro

RESULTS:
Surfers listed in order of 1st through 4th. 1st & 2nd advance.
Remainder of ROUND 2
H14: Alexander Grey (USA) 13.00pts ; Olaman Eleogram (HAW) 8.93pts ; Sidney Guimaraes (BRA) 5.93pts ; Dylan Goodale (HAW) 2.67pts
H15: Evan Valiere (HAW) 9.24pts ; Koa Rothman (HAW) 5.27pts ; Franklin Serpa (BRA) 4.17pts ; Jason Shibata (HAW) 3.10pts
H16: Ian Walsh (HAW) 15.14pts ; Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.84pts ; Brett Barley (USA) 9.33pts ; Krystian Kymerson (BRA) 2.70pts

Round 3
H1: Torry Meister (HAW) 11.97pts ; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 8.73pts ; Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 7.50pts ; Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 5.60pts
H2: Kai Barger (HAW) 13.17pts ; BIlly Kemper (HAW) 9.17pts ; Nils Schweizer (USA) 7.30pts ; Dean Morrison (AUS) 5.17pts
H3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.34pts ; Mason Ho (HAW) 12.17pts ; Hank Gaskell (HAW) 8.83pts ; Dane Gudauskas (USA) 6.47pts
H4: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10.34pts ; Tim Reyes (USA) 6.67pts ;Makai McNamara (HAW) 5.10pts ; Derek Peters (USA) 4.03pts
H5: Tyler Newton (HAW) 9.20pts ; Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 5.50pts ; Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 3.27pts ; Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 2.47pts
H6: Gabe Kling (USA) 14.03 ; Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 9.83pts ; Gabriel Villaran (PER) 8.26pts ; Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 6.10pts
H7: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 8.94pts ; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 8.17pts ; Gavin Gillette (HAW) 6.34pts ; Joel Centeio (HAW) 4.53pts
H8: Reef McIntosh (HAW) 9.17pts ; Flynn Novak (HAW) 9.13pts ; Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.20pts ; Koa Smith (HAW) 1.47pts
H9: Bruce Irons (HAW) 17.47pts ; John John Florence (HAW) 9.26pts ; Anthony Walsh (AUS) 8.57pts ; Sean Moody (HAW) 7.17pts
H10: Chris Ward (USA) 14.40pts ; Joan Duru (FRA) 7.50pts ; Kiron Jabour (HAW) 3.27pts ; Stephen Walsh (AUS) 1.67pts
H11: Balaram Stack (USA) 13.67pts ; Kalani Chapman (HAW) 5.10pts ; Granger Larson (HAW) 2.23pts ; Tonino Benson (HAW) 2.00pts
H12: Carlos Munoz (CRI) 15.60pts ; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 9.26pts ; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.76pts ; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 3.76pts
H13: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 11.23pts ; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 10.56pts ; Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 10.33 ; Myles Padaca (HAW) 5.90pts
H14: Dylan Graves (PRI) 15.00pts ; Alexander Grey (USA) 12.00pts ; Leandro Usuna (ARG) 6.50pts ; Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 2.23pts
H15: Evan Valiere (HAW) 12.00pts ; Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 5.90pts ; Roy Powers (HAW) 5.53pts ; Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 2.73pts
H16: Koa Rothman (HAW) ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 12.26pts ; Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.00 ; Marcus Hickman (HAW) 8.60pts

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – The 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) is heading to New Zealand to contest the Hyundai Tour this week for the first event of the Australasian ASP Longboard Qualifying Series. The Hyundai Tour event is being held at Sandy Bay, Whangarei from Friday this week and will run through to Waitangi Day on Monday (3 – 6 February).

Jensen confirmed his entry late last week and will travel from California to contest the ASP 1-Star rated event.

“I just love being in New Zealand and seeing all my friends down there and being able to compete in the tour here and there. It’s one of the best run events in the world and it’s always a pleasure to head over for it,” Jensen said while packing for the long journey across the Pacific.

Jensen has the ASP World Surfing Awards to attend and receive his ASP World Title trophy at the end of February so figured a detour through New Zealand would work well with his travel plans.

He will only be in the country for a five day whirlwind stop taking in the Sandy Bay event before travelling back to his second home of Australia where he has not been in the last three months.

Jensen claimed his World Title in Italy last November after finishing runner-up in the final event of the year. It is the first time the American surfer has held the Title despite his amazing talent on the longboard.

“Not that much has changed really,” said Jensen. “I’m a lot busier now. I have a few more commitments than usual but other than that, things are still very much the same. I’ve managed to secure a few new sponsors so that’s been a huge bonus.”

Along with Jensen, the event has attracted a number of top longboard and stand up paddleboard surfers including world number 14 ranked Jared Neal (AUS) and number 21 ranked Mitch Surman (AUS). Surman placed runner up at the Sandy Bay event in 2011.

The Sandy Bay event is the first of three on the ASP Australasian LQS with two events remaining at Kingscliff, New South Wales and Perth, Western Australia. The top two surfers on the ASP Australasian LQS gain automatic qualification to compete on the ASP World Longboard Tour.

Entry into all events can be completed at http://www.surfingnz.co.nz under “events.” Complete the entry process online or download entry forms and send them in. The 2012 Hyundai Tour is expected to receive high entry levels at each location, so entries will need to be in well before the cut off dates to assure participants get a slice of the action.