Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing

ASP LQS 2 Star Men's Event
Banana Boat Women’s Pro
Noosa, Queensland
3 - 9 March 2008

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Australian’s dominate quarter finals of the Telstra Men’s Pro
Internationals cause big upsets in the Banana Boat Women’s Pro!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 March, 2008 : - -  It was a day of mixed fortunes for the large international contingent here at the Noosa Festival of Surfing with most of the Open international men eliminated from the Telstra Men’s Pro however the international women absolutely dominated the quarter finals of the Banana Boat Women’s Pro.

Australian surfers asserted their dominance early in the Telstra Men’s Pro lead by Queensland surfers Jackson Close (Gold Coast), Josh Constable and Grant Thomas (Both Sunshine Coast) who all won their quarter final heats. Constable is the defending champion here,has won this event twice and is keen to take a third win – Satisfied with his performance today he said after his win –

“ Always keen to win and especially in my home waters – The waves are slightly bigger today which is a great sign and hopefully the semi finals and final are run on the Noosa Points over the weekend – We’re all hoping for the points!” The final quarter final of the morning saw Coff’s Harbour surfers Harley Ingelby and Paul Scholten both advance to the semi finals in their four surfer heats eliminating the last of the USA surfers Taylor Jensen.

The only international surfer remaining in the final 8 who will contest the semi finals tomorrow is Brazil’s Roger Barros who was again impressive advancing behind Grant Thomas.

Chelsea Williams : photo Robertson/ASP Australasia

Current ASP Women’s world champion Jen Smith (USA/California) signaled that she’ll be the surfer to beat in the Banana Boat Women’s Pro. Super stylish and graceful, Smith posted the quarter finals highest heat scoring win with an impressive 14.90 out of a possible 20 and goes into the semi’s full of confidence having won the opening ASP Longboard event of the season in Australia about a month ago.

“I’m having a great time in Australia; since winning in Victoria I have traveled to here along the coast surfing fantastic waves all the way and it’s been really good. If the waves come up a little and we get to surf the points for the semi’s and final it will be amazing. I sure hope so!”

The biggest surprise in the Banana Boat Women’s quarter finals was the elimination of Australian Champion Chelsea Williams (Tweed Heads). Williams lead for the most part but was always vulnerable having secured only one strong 7 point scoring ride.

Late in the heat Hawaiian Jana Irons took the lead with Williams still loking reasonably safe to progress in second but then in the final seconds Crystal Dzigas, also from Hawaii found a strong 6 point ride to overtake and eliminate Williams from the event.

Jennifer Smith : photo Robertson/ASP Australasia

Jana Irons from the island of Kuia and related to the famous Irons brothers Andy and Bruce is looking forward to the semi finals having already secured her best result here – “ I’ve never made the semi’s here so it’s a great feeling having surfed this event for the past three years – Winning the quarter final gives me a lot of confidence to go further here but I’m sure all the girls are feeling confident and it’s a quality field so it will be tough.”

The only two Australian’s left in the final 8 semi finalists are Rachel Pinsak (NSW) and Selby Riddle (Gold Coast/Qld).

The Stand Up Paddle section also began today with the highlight being the impressive win by former world rated number 2 surfer Luke Egan – Egan posted the days second highest heat scoring win of 14.9 and he’s certain to be hard to beat in this new facet of surfing that he has clearly quickly adapted to.

Tandem divisions also ran today with the event relocating on the low tide to Noosa first point which is good news for what is hopefully a great final weekend of surf at this years Noosa Festival of Surfing. The event will recommence tomorrow morning around 6:20am with the likely venue again main beach.

Paul Scolton : photo Robertson/ASP Australasia

Comprising a staggering twenty surfing competitions (3 professionally sanctioned by the ASP/WTT), a three day Surf Summit (attracting the big 3 – Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong’s CEO’s/Global Brand Managers, the International Directors of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and world surfing’s biggest names), a seven day SURFEXPO, an Ocean Marathon, a major music concert and a Festival Village that will showcase everything from the ‘History of the Bikini’ since the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s by RAQ Fashion Design Award Winner Karen Neilsen to the largest Surf Memorabilia Auction ever staged in Australia (pre auction viewing can be done online.

Classic cars, daily live music, art/photographic exhibitions, book signings, FREE surf clinics, a surfing test drive centre by the world’s largest surfboard manufacturer, movie screenings, giveaways and the chance to ‘Meet the World Champs’ including 8 time ASP WCT champion Kelly Slater (Florida USA), Current ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 7 time ASP WCT Champion Layne Beachley, 4 time ASP WCT Champion Mark Richards, 3 time ASP WCT Champion Tom Curren (USA) and 1977 World Champion Shaun Tomson (RSA) just to name a few!

www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com   

Previous reports:
# 1 : Oz stars Emma Snowsill and Craig Walton hit GSI Noosa
# 2 : GSI Noosa Fest of Surfing honors 'Bustin Down the Door'
# 3 : Dave Rastovich drops in on GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing

# 4 : Men's pro at GSI Noosa Festival Surf scores LQS 2 star 
# 5 : Noosa Festival of Surfing will host memorabilia auction 
# 6 : GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing 2008 unveils new events 

# 7 : Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of surf kicks off 
# 8 : Noosa Fest: Rajzman & Bonga out of Telstra Men’s Pro
# 9 : Noserider Pro goes on Day 3 of GSI Noosa Surf Festival
# 10 : Christian Wach shines at GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing

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Darren Landers
Media Manager | Noosa Festival of Surfing
darren@freshlogicmedia.com.au

Garth Prowd OAM
Managing Director | USM Events
gp@usmevents.com.au

Georgie Hannon
Event Management | USM Events
georgie@usmevents.com.au

Festivals - Surfersvillage