Cloud 9 Invitational

Surfing Australia
Cloud 9 Siargao Island Philipines
24 - 30 September 2007

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational Set For Start In Philippines

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 September, 2007 : - - A stacked field of international surfers are eagerly waxing their boards in anticipation of the commencement of the world’s premier tube riding tournament in the Philippines tomorrow. The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational, running from Sept 24-30 and boasting US 20,000 in prize money, offers a world-class field of 48 invited surfers a chance to tackle one of Asia’s hottest surfing destinations.

Cloud 9’s powerful right-hand barrels will provide the ideal forum for the exclusive event; with the world’s finest tube riders gearing up to showcase their best disappearing acts inside its huge cavernous barrels.

Leading the charge in the prestigious tournament will be a who’s who of world surfing including defending event champion Ryan Hipwood (Mermaid Beach, QLD, AUS), 2005 winner Ryan Augenstein (Santa Cruz, USA), North Shore local Mikala Jones (Oahu, HAW), 2006 Australasian Junior champion Wade Goodall (Caloundra, QLD, AUS), World Qualifying Series (WQS) competitor Luke Dorrington (Snapper Rocks, QLD, AUS)

Also former U/18 Australian Grommet champion Nick Vasicek (Snapper Rocks, QLD, AUS) along with Pipeline Kingpin Makua Rothman (Oahu, HAW), Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials runner-up Anthony Walsh (Ballina, NSW, AUS), New Zealand ace Daniel Keropa, Japanese surfer Hayato Maki and 2006 runner-up Dave Reardon-Smith (Yaroomba, QLD, AUS).

Augenstein, 25, has travelled to the Philippines a week prior to the event to hone his tube riding skills and is excited about the prospect of gaping barrels. “It feels great to be back,” said Augenstein.

“I’ve been thinking about this event all year and it clearly stands out as the best tube riding tournament in my book. With this year’s higher stakes, I’m really looking forward to the challenge of going up against a higher caliber of surfers. I can’t wait to compete.”  Similarly, reigning champion Hipwood said, “Cloud 9’s one of the most perfect barrels in the world.”

“It’s as round as it's high. If the swell gets big you’re going to see some of the best tube riding by some of the best surfers in the world… I’ve got my fingers crossed that a big swell arrives in time for the tournament’s waiting period.” The event will be held on the best two days of conditions from Monday September 24th to Sunday September 30th. The opening ceremony will be staged on Monday 24th with competition commencing that day.

The exclusive tournament will be run using second-chance format. What’s more, quarterfinals onwards will feature man-on-man heats, with the eventual champion surfing away with $7,500 (USD).

Renowned Balinese surfers Wayan ‘Kopling’ Wirtima, Made ‘Raditya’ Rhondi, Rahtu Suargita, Wayan “Betet” Merta, Ketut Juliarta and Tipi Jabrik will also travel to the neighbouring Philippines to contest the specialty event and will no doubt push the performance levels of the international field. Also invited to contest the tournament is a 12-strong field of the Philippine's best surfers.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s ‘Cloud 9’, a powerful hollow right-hander that has been hailed as one of the ten best waves in the world and has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational is proudly supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte with Support from Smart Communications, San Miguel, The Department of Tourism Philippines, Asian Spirit and Coca Cola.

Previous reports:
# 1 : The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational amps for hollow rights
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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