2010 Burton Toyota Surfest 

ASP 4 Star WQS Mens event
ASP 1 Star WQS Womens event
Newcastle, New South Wales
9 - 14 March 2010

Early rounds kick off in clean, small surf

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 March, 2010 : - - Merewether, Newcastle NSW -- Action in the 4-star Burton Toyota Pro in Newcastle commenced today  at the break directly across the road from the home of 4-time world champion and event patron Mark Richards. Eight heats in the round of 112 and four heats in the round of 96 were completed.

After a week of wind-affected conditions, competitors were greeted with a flawless blue sky and a one metre swell fanned by an offshore wind. The direction of the swell forced organisers to move the event down the beach a few hundred metres from Merewether point.

Most surfers were thrilled to be surfing a bank that offered potential for scoring opportunity - none more so than Brazilian surfer Ricardo Dos Santos.
As one of only two seeded surfers in the first heat of the round of 96, Dos Santos is hoping today's form can continue into the finals.

The 19-year-old racked up a heat score of 12.34 to remain in front of the USA's Chris Ward (10.94) and Aussies Ice Pereira-Ryan (6.54) and Matthew Bradley (2.66).

Despite achieving the highest wave score (8.17) of the round, the youngster admitted his confidence was not all that high to begin with. “I was super nervous at the beginning after watching Chris (Ward) do so well in the heats this morning,” Dos Santos said. Ward too had carved an 8.17 in the first round.

Only Australian Dean Bowen's first round wave (8.5) could better the duo's effort.  I was pretty sure I could do a good job if I chose the right wave.
"I got lucky in the first five minutes where I was able to catch two fantastic waves that gave me some good points," the Brazilian said.

As one of 37 international surfers competing in the Burton Toyota Pro in 2010, the goofy-footer is hoping to show the form that saw him win the 2009 Billabong Pro Junior in Chile.

“My aim is to try to keep focused and to do my best in every heat so that I can reach my goal of getting to the final”.  The Burton Toyota Pro will continue tomorrow with a 7.30am call for the remaining four heats in the round of 96.

The 2010 Burton Toyota Surfest  (March 2-14) is based at Merewether beach in Newcastle, New South Wales. It has attracted more than 650 competitors from 12 different countries. The main event is the WQS 4-star $US85,000 Burton Toyota Pro (March 9 - 14).

Previous reports:
# 1 : Burton Family Toyota signs on with Newcastle’s Surfest
# 2 : Occy gets arty, celebrates Oz artist John Earle at Surfest
# 3 : Russell Maloney wins Employment Plus Indigenous Clsc

# 4 : New South Wales Fire Brigade fights for win at Surfest  
# 5 : Mark Richards to open Burton Toyota Surfest art exhibit
# 6 : Local knowledge boosts Callinan's hopes at Chika Pro Jr

# 7 : Jake Sylvester standout Day 2 of Surfest's Chiko Pro Jr
# 8 : Crews & Cathels eyeing a close finish at Chiko Pro Jr
# 9 : Mitch Crews claims the Chiko Pro Junior at Newcastle

www.surfest.com
www.aspworldtour.com
www.surfingaustralia.com

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