Taj Burrow : photo Steve Robertson

Boost Mobile Surf Sho
Presented by Nokia

ASP 2008 Specialty Event
Surfers Paradise QLD Australia
18 - 20 April 2008

World no.4 Taj Burrow To Defend Boost Mobile Surf Sho Presented By Nokia

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 April, 2008 : - - Surfers Paradise  -- World no.4 Taj Burrow (Yallingup, WA, Aus) will have to defy a full-scale aerial attack as the next generation of high-flying aces punted their way into tomorrow’s main event of the Boost Mobile Surf Sho presented by Nokia at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast today.

Defending event champion Burrow was on hand  as some of the world's hottest aerial artists punted-up-a-storm in the open men’s qualifying round before busting out some futuristic moves of his own in the day’s jet-ski assisted expression session.

Both Burrow and former world champion CJ Hobgood (Florida, USA) tipped Australian Junior champion Owen Wright (Culburra, NSW) as the surfer to watch out for after he posted another gravity-flying performance in today’s stormy 1.5-metre beach break conditions. 

“Owen (Wright) is surfing really well,” said Burrow. “I haven’t seen him surf much in real life, but his video sections are really impressive. It seems like he’s got a good strike rate at nailing airs.” The aerial genius, who has the ability to successfully complete aerial tricks on que, is keen to jag his first victory for the 2008 season despite brilliant showings in the opening two events on this year’s ASP world tour and is fully aware of the talent he’s up against.

Maddison Williams : photo Kirstin Scholtz

“It’s going to be pretty tough to defend my title,” he said. “These guys spend a lot of time getting tricky in the air and they’re really consistent. But I’m not going to roll over. I’m going to give it my best.” 18-year-old Wright continued his sky-scraping aerial antics today, unleashing his own brand of explosive surfing to set alight the Surfers Paradise crowd.

Wright had already guaranteed his place in the main event after out-flying Australia’s hottest Pro Junior (aged 20-years and under) surfers to win yesterday’s Junior Surf Sho final.

Wright can’t wait to get a crack at the world’s top names including 2007 Boost Surf Sho champion Burrow, reigning world champion Mick Fanning, world no.2 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin), world no.13 Luke Stedman (Avalon) and retiring professional Troy Brooks (Currumbin) in the $25,000, winner-takes-all final.

“It’s awesome to be able to surf against the likes of Taj (Taj Burrow) and Mick (Mick Fanning) in competition,” said Wright. “It’s great to be to hang out with those guys, have fun and do as many big airs in front of them. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s competition.”

Former world champion CJ Hobgood was in Surfers Paradise today ahead of tomorrow’s finale and is in good spirits despite his twin brother and fellow world tour competitor, Damien, being involved in a near-fatal surf accident this week. World no.15 Damien is lucky to be alive after being slammed by a 4m wave on the Teahupoo reef in Tahiti, breaking his shoulder in six places.

CJ Hobgood : photo Steve Robertson

The defending Billabong Pro Tahiti champ, Hobgood was practicing for next month’s WCT contest (May 8). Now in its second year, the specialty tournament carries no points towards the Dream Tour but attracts a hot international field due to its innovative Game Show style competition format.

In contrast to traditional competition, the format is based around a large spinning wheel (Boost Mobile Surf Sho Wheel) that will dictate the aerial tricks to be performed by surfers.  

The innovative surfing action will continue tomorrow with the invitational Boost Mobile Surf Sho presented by Nokia. Twenty of the world's best aerial surfers will surf against each other in a one day; winner takes all AUD$25,000 Surf Sho. The format will be based around a large spinning wheel (Boost Mobile Surf Sho Wheel) that will dictate the aerial tricks to be performed.

More than just a surf competition, the interactive tournament will throw a weekend beach festival for fans. In addition to the action in the water, the Surf Sho features an 80m by 40m beach structure for integrated music events on site at the beach on Cavill Ave.  Those who can’t make it to Surfers Paradise for the event can catch all the action live from the global webcast at www.boostsurfsho.com.au.
 
Boost Surf Sho Band Line-up 
The action will be just as hot on land with a beachside music event to be staged between 3-5pm on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th April, 2008. Kicking off the music action on Saturday 19th will be Funky Mantis, before Amy Meredith and Future Role Models rock out Surfers Paradise. Kwerkshoppe will next hit the beach stage on Sunday 20th along with Amy Meredith and Razbin Sam.

Ryan Campbell : photo Steve Robertson

 
Format 
The three day Surf Sho will open with the Boost Mobile Junior Air Sho Challenge on Friday 18th of April, which is open to forty eight of Australia's hottest aerial punks aged 18-years and under. The winner will surf away with $1,000 plus a spot into the AUD $25,000 Boost Mobile Surf Sho final.
 
The action continues on Saturday 19th of April with sixty of Australia's finest aerial exponents fighting it out for AUD $7,500 worth of cash and prizes and one of four spots in the Surf Sho final. The format is as per a standard surfing event with four surfer heats.
 
Wrapping up the exciting, all weekend surfing festival will be the invitational Boost Mobile Surf Sho presented by Nokia on Sunday 20th of April, 2008. Twenty of the world's best aerial surfers will surf against each other in a one day; winner takes all AUD$25,000 Surf Sho. The format will be based around a large spinning wheel (Boost Mobile Surf Sho Wheel) that will dictate the aerial tricks to be performed.
 
Adding to the already high stakes is the Boost Mobile Jet Ski Tow-In Expression Session. Aided by a jet ski, Boost's global surf team will attempt to launch themselves as high as possible off a wave into the air, completing a technical aerial move at the same time. This session is bound to be a crowd pleaser!
 
Airshows have created a sub-culture for the world's most innovative and futuristic surfers and have attracted a strong cult following around the world. In Airshow surfing contests, judges only score maneuvers performed in the air, as opposed to the more traditional approach of judging surfing maneuvers on a wave. 

About Boost Mobile 
Boost-tel Pty Limited (Boost Mobile) is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The company is a lifestyle-based telecommunications company that focuses solely on developing and distributing communications products for the youth market. Boost Mobile's offerings include prepaid mobile phone services, 'Re-Boost' pre-paid call credit and a wide range of accessories.

Long distance and International calling cards and other cutting-edge mobile services. Boost Mobile's marketing is centered on youth activities such as action sports, music, fashion and entertainment. 
 
About Nokia 
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Mick Fanning to star at 2nd annual Boost Mobile Surf Sho 
# 2 : Taj Burrow ready to unleash at the Boost Mobile Surf Sho
# 3 : Durbidge, Hobgood in line-up for Boost Mobile Surf Sho
# 4 : Owen Wright earns slot in Boost Mobile Surf Sho by Nokia 

www.boost.com.au
www.aspworldtour.com
www.boostsurfsho.com.au

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ASP Specialty Events - Surfersvillage