Billabong Alley Classic

Billabong Queensland Champion Circuit
Currumbin Alley, Queensland Australia
20 - 21 January 2007

Withdrawal of State Champion Leaves Door Wide Open For Stacked Field

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 January, 2007 : - - Currumbin surfing sensation Corey Ziems will begin Queensland’s domestic surfing season buoyed by signing a recent sponsorship deal that could assist him in realising his WCT dream.  23-year-old Ziems will roll up for this weekend’s Billabong Alley Classic, the opening event of the prestigious Billabong Queensland Championship Circuit (QCC), free of financial strain and looking for a solid result to kick-start his 2007 campaign.

Without a sponsor for the 2006 season, Ziem’s long-time boardriding club, Kirra Surfriders raised $AUD 5, 000 to aid with his expensive World Qualifying Series (WQS) travel expenses. “Last year was really hard for me,” explained Ziems. “I had no sponsors and was basically funding my way around the world with my contest winnings from both the ‘QS and QCC.”

Ziems, who has been competing on the WQS for the past three years had his best year to date in ’06, finishing a notable 36th on the overall ‘QS ratings.  A win at the Billabong Queensland Open, the sixth and final event of last year’s QCC, saw him snap up second place on the overall QCC ratings along with the chance to tackle the world’s best surfers in the trials of the only World Championship Tour (WCT) on the Gold Coast this year.

The talented natural footer will have local knowledge on his side when he enters the water this weekend but he won’t be discounting any of his rivals adding: “ I basically surf the Alley everyday when I’m home, but it won’t matter for much with the calibre of surfers lining up for the event. I have spoken to a lot of up-and-coming juniors that are entering and they are keen to upstage the more experienced competitors."

Ziems’ route is made easier by the fact that reigning QCC and Alley Classic champion Dave Reardon-Smith (Yaroomba) is unable to compete in the tournament due to his WQS commitments in Brazil.  Like Ziems, Reardon-Smith has proven to be one of the form surfers of the state circuit and will focus his efforts on the ‘QS in ’07 in an effort to join the world’s elite ranks.

This year’s line up is gain brimming with talent with a jam-packed field of internationals, ‘CT hopefuls, pro junior warriors and Queensland’s best domestic surfers all out for the title as well as the best part of the $5,000 prize pool.

Already some of the coast’s biggest names have entered including the likes of former winner Damon Harvey (2005, Coolangatta), locals Mark ‘Richo’ Richardson and Brendan Leckie, along with WCT aspirants Shaun Gossmann (Snapper), Jay Thompson (Burleigh) and Samba Mann (Tweed Heads).

Former ‘QS competitor Will Lewis (Coolangatta) will once again don the contest singlet and compete in the two-day tournament. The winner and runner up of the ’07 Billabong QCC series wins a wildcard into the Gold Coast World Championship Tour (WCT) trials event. What’s more, the winner of the Billabong QCC wins a wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials Event, plus return Airfares.

The ’07 Billabong QCC, with $AU30, 000 on offer over six events is the richest domestic surfing circuits in not only Australia, but also the world!competition will look to commence at Currumbin Alley at 8am. The Billabong QCC is proudly supported by Vodafone.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Jake White

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