Mr. Price Pro

ASP 6 Star WQS Event #19
ASP 5 Star WQS Womens Event #7
3A Surfing South Africa Pro Junior
North Beach Durban South Africa
29 June - 26 July 2008

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Mr Price Pro welcomes Shaun Tomson back to Durban

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 June, 2008 : - - Durban -- World renowned South African surfing icon Shaun Tomson will return to the hallowed shores of Durban’s Golden Mile during the 2008 Mr Price Pro which takes place from 27 June – July 6, 2008.

The 1977 World Surfing Champion and six times winner of the Gunston 500 (predecessor to the Mr Price Pro) will be an honorary guest at this year’s competition – marking a significant occasion for professional surfing in South Africa.

“I am very excited to be returning,” Tomson said from his home in California this week, “the event has a lot of special memories for me. My father started and helped fund the first event way back in 1969 and my first win back in 1973, when I was 17 with him watching, was one of the best moments in my surfing career.

Even though I now live in the USA, most of my life was spent on the beaches of Durban, so a big piece of my heart will always belong there.”

Tomson arrives in Durban next week to promote the South African premiere of his surf documentary film ‘Bustin Down the Door’, which opens in Nu Metro Cinema’s in July and is looking forward to joining in on the action at the R1.3 million ASP World Qualifying Series Mr Price Pro, which gets underway at New Pier, from June 27 – July 6, 2007.

The prolific ‘tube-rider’ who made history by becoming the first surfer to win the same tournament six consecutive times (1973- 1978), as well as helped set professional surfing in motion through his exploits both at home and in Hawaii - knows only too well how significant an event of this stature is for South African surfing.

“Durban has always been the nucleus of surfing in South Africa and for Mr Price to produce an event where our top young surfers can watch and compete against the world's best, has an amazing effect on the entire standard of surfing in South Africa,” Tomson said.

Tomson will provide invaluable insight into professional competition, giving live beach and web commentary, as well as presenting the 2008 Mr Price Pro Champions with their trophies, on the final day of competition.

 “I'm really looking forward to seeing some young unknown surfer shake things up at the Mr Price Pro this year,” Tomson said. “It is really exciting to see someone new make their first big move and explode on to the scene because new talent is what keeps the sport alive. I'm also looking forward to seeing if Sunny Garcia (event wildcard from Hawaii) can continue his charge to make it back on to the tour after overcoming all sorts of problems.”

The Mr Price Pro includes a 6-Star Men’s WQS, 5-Star Women’s WQS as well as 3A rated Surfing South Africa Pro Junior division and will see nearly 200 surfers from across the globe arrive in Durban to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in professional surfing.

Tomson’s film ‘Bustin’ Down the Door’ will open commercially at Nu Metro Cinema’s on July 4, 2008.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Durban's Mr Price Pro preps for action, celebrates year 40
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.mrpricepro.com

More African Surfing News available here
Check the latest Africa Surf Reports and Forecasts

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

Mr Price Sports Marketing
Pierre Tostee
patostee@mrpricegroup.com

Mr Price Pro Media (On- Site)
Kirstin Scholtz
Kirstin@coveredimages.com

Olivia Jones
Mr Price Pro Broadcast (On- Site)
oj@oliviajones.com

Mr Price Pro Media
Craig Lewis (On- Site)
craigolewis@gmail.com

Mr Price Pro Photos (On- Site)
Kelly Cestari
Kelly@coveredimages.com

WQS - Surfersvillage