2008 ASP World Tour Roster Elicits Excitement

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wenesday, Jan. 30, 2008) - The 2008 ASP World Tour roster has been eliciting excitement among the surfers and ASP enthusiasts alike since the new Top 45 were confirmed last December. In three short weeks, the world will take a front row seat to what many are expecting to be a mind-blowing season.

The arrival of rookies Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Dane Reynolds (USA), an inspired Australian contingent (courtesy of Aussie Mick Fanning's 2007 ASP World Title) and the undeniable depth of talent delivered by multiple ASP World Champions Andy Irons (HAW) and Kelly Slater (USA), are expected to catapult competitiveness in the lineup to an all-time high.

"I think the 2008 tour will be extra exciting," Fanning said. "With all the new rookies and the usual suspects I think every one will turn it up another notch. As always, everyone will be super fired up and I am hoping this year will be the best ever on tour."

There are 11 events scheduled on the 2008 'Dream Tour' and after a rather lackluster season wave-wise in 2007, the world's best are eager to start from scratch and return to idyllic locations like Australia, Tahiti and Fiji with another opportunity to ride the best waves on the planet. Courtesy of the ASP's new 'Dual Heats' format, a Slater-inspired system, it is now possible to run close to twice as many heats in a day should conditions herald it.

"I do think it will be a tougher year competitively this year and the surf can't be any worse than it was last season, so 2008 will definitely be a better year all around for the tour," Slater said. "I'm sure Mick is going to be hungry to back up his title, the new guys will be hungry to make a statement, Andy is going to be hungry to find his place again, and as for me. I don't think I'll do a full year on the tour so I'm just going to have some fun."

Slater has hinted at retirement for some time but is the first to admit that he has a hard time walking away from world-class conditions should the swell chart for an upcoming event call for them. He has confirmed his spot at the season-opener, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG.

Smith, who holds down the 34th place seed after finishing 1st on the 2007 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), has lofty aspirations for his debut season. Having already made a Final in an ASP World Tour event as a wildcard (JBay in 2006), he is certainly one to watch.

"I would say that I am looking forward to gaining experience and doing my best," Smith said. "I am just going to put my best foot forward and hope that I can link together some good results. That might see me in the Top 5."

The 2008 ASP World Tour is comprised of 17 Australians, 14 Americans (five of which are Hawaiians) six Brazilians, four South Africans and four Europeans - the greatest number of elite tour surfers Europe has ever boasted.

"This year's roster for the 2008 ASP Dream Tour is probably the most exciting we have had for some time," ASP CEO Brodie Carr said. "We have the hottest guys on the planet all chomping at the bit to win the ASP World Title. Hold on to your leg rope it will be a hell of a ride."

The 2008 ASP World Tour will commence with the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast of Australia on Feb. 23.

Seeding for 2008 ASP Men's World Tour

1. Mick Fanning (AUS)
2. Taj Burrow (AUS)
3. Kelly Slater (USA)
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
5. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
6. Andy Irons (HAW)
7. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
8. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
9. Dean Morrison (AUS)
10. Bobby Martinez (USA)
11. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
12. Kai Otton (AUS)
13. Tom Whitaker (AUS)
14. Taylor Knox (USA)
15. Damien Hobgood (USA)
16. Luke Stedman (AUS)
17. Chris Ward (USA)
18. Michael Campbell (AUS)
19. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
20. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
21. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
22. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
23. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
24. Bruce Irons (HAW)
25. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
26. Daniel Wills (AUS)
27. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
28. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
29. Travis Logies (ZAF)
30. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
31. Ben Dunn (AUS)
32. Luke Munro (AUS)
33. Tim Reyes (USA)
34. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
35. Dane Reynolds (USA)
36. Jay Thompson (AUS)
37. Tiago Pires (PRT)
38. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
39. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
40. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
41. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
42. Roy Powers (HAW)
43. Heitor Alves (BRA)
44. Mikael Picon (FRA)
45. Daniel Ross (AUS)

ASP Replacements for 2008
1. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
2. Phil Macdonald (AUS)
3. Gabe Kling (USA)
4. Greg Emslie (ZAF)

Source: ASP

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