First Day Of Competition Postponed Due To Small Conditions
Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia (Thursday, March 09, 2000). Small
waves greeted the Billabong Pro's first scheduled day (March 9th - 19th)
this morning, resulting in a postponement of the anxiously anticipated
surfing action. Despite the constant rain over night and increased wind
activity, the swell failed to reach an acceptable level, providing everyone
with another day to prepare for the ASP's first World Championship Tour
(WCT) event of the new year.
Contest Direct Michael 'Munga' Barry, who retired from his illustrious
11-year career as a professional surfer last December in Hawaii, was up at
daylight, scanning the Gold Coast's beaches and horizon, all the way from
Surfer's Main Beach, south until Duranbah. After extensive discussions with
top 44 surfer Luke Egan, as well as Billabong's Gordon Merchant, above the
surf at 'D-Bah', he made the announcement there would be no competition
today.
'I looked at everything from Surfer's Paradise to Duranbah this morning,'
explained Munga. 'There were 1-2 foot waves, slowly increasing, but it
wasn't contestable yet. We're expecting heavier winds today and tomorrow, so
maybe we'll get a start tomorrow at D-Bah.'
Offering a similar belief was Surf Alert's expect surf forecaster Mike
Perry. He agreed the increased wind could provide contestable surf over the
next few days, while he also pointed out conditions are looking great for
the beginning of next week, with tropical cyclone Leo expected to create
some good swell.
'There should be wind swell in the 2-4 foot range over the next few days,'
offered Perry. 'But things are looking very hopeful for the first of next
week, with tropical cyclone Leo, currently situated west of Tahiti,
generating a lot of activity. There's also a second system, between Fiji and
New Zealand, which is promising.'
Being a mobile event, the Billabong Pro spares no expense in the pursuit of
quality surf. As soon as swell arrives, the world's best surfers will find
themselves surfing the finest waves Queensland's Gold Coast has to offer.
Until then, everyone waits patiently.
Jesse Faen
Media Director, ASP Int'l
jesse@aspworldtour.com
www.aspworldtour.com
Further Information
Jesse Faen: 61-407-189-289 (mobile)
Mandy McKinnon: 61-417-079-941 (mobile)
Billabong Pro - Media Number (active Thursday, 9th of March)
Phone: 61-755-205-088; Fax: 61-755-206-979.
Or visit us at: www.billabong.com
waves greeted the Billabong Pro's first scheduled day (March 9th - 19th)
this morning, resulting in a postponement of the anxiously anticipated
surfing action. Despite the constant rain over night and increased wind
activity, the swell failed to reach an acceptable level, providing everyone
with another day to prepare for the ASP's first World Championship Tour
(WCT) event of the new year.
Contest Direct Michael 'Munga' Barry, who retired from his illustrious
11-year career as a professional surfer last December in Hawaii, was up at
daylight, scanning the Gold Coast's beaches and horizon, all the way from
Surfer's Main Beach, south until Duranbah. After extensive discussions with
top 44 surfer Luke Egan, as well as Billabong's Gordon Merchant, above the
surf at 'D-Bah', he made the announcement there would be no competition
today.
'I looked at everything from Surfer's Paradise to Duranbah this morning,'
explained Munga. 'There were 1-2 foot waves, slowly increasing, but it
wasn't contestable yet. We're expecting heavier winds today and tomorrow, so
maybe we'll get a start tomorrow at D-Bah.'
Offering a similar belief was Surf Alert's expect surf forecaster Mike
Perry. He agreed the increased wind could provide contestable surf over the
next few days, while he also pointed out conditions are looking great for
the beginning of next week, with tropical cyclone Leo expected to create
some good swell.
'There should be wind swell in the 2-4 foot range over the next few days,'
offered Perry. 'But things are looking very hopeful for the first of next
week, with tropical cyclone Leo, currently situated west of Tahiti,
generating a lot of activity. There's also a second system, between Fiji and
New Zealand, which is promising.'
Being a mobile event, the Billabong Pro spares no expense in the pursuit of
quality surf. As soon as swell arrives, the world's best surfers will find
themselves surfing the finest waves Queensland's Gold Coast has to offer.
Until then, everyone waits patiently.
Jesse Faen
Media Director, ASP Int'l
jesse@aspworldtour.com
www.aspworldtour.com
Further Information
Jesse Faen: 61-407-189-289 (mobile)
Mandy McKinnon: 61-417-079-941 (mobile)
Billabong Pro - Media Number (active Thursday, 9th of March)
Phone: 61-755-205-088; Fax: 61-755-206-979.
Or visit us at: www.billabong.com