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U.S. JUNIORS TO BATTLE STRONG INTERNATIONAL CONTINGENT AT 2009 NIKE 6.0 PIER PRESSURE PRESENTED BY JACK’S
Highest Rated Men’s Pro Junior in North America Hits Huntington Beach, California, June 28-29
Huntington Beach, CA, June 17, 2009 – As an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade 4 event, the highest rated 2009 Men’s Pro Junior in North America, the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s has drawn a strong contingent of North American juniors looking for points and global talent looking for international experience and a big cash payout. A first-place finish at the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure garners $3,500 and 1,500 points (which is equivalent to winning three ASP Grade 2 events).
The Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s returns to the Huntington Beach Pier for two days, June 28-29, immediately following the NSSA Nationals, June 23-27. With more ratings points up for grabs than any other Men’s Pro Junior in the nation this year, it provides a crucial venue for North American surfers looking to qualify for the ASP World Junior Championships. Combined with an ample $20,000 prize purse, a who’s who of under 20-year-old talent from around the globe is entered.
Last year, the Australians ruled taking the top three spots; but this year a strong onslaught of North American talent will challenge them including current ASP North America (NA) Pro Junior ratings leader Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), who was the lone American in the final last year, finishing in fourth place.
Fellow Southern Californians Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), who finished equal fifth last year and is currently ranked fifth on the ASP NA Pro Junior ratings, is also a top seed, along with Brent Reilly (Carlsbad, CA), who finished equal ninth in the 2008 event and currently sits in the No. 7 position on the ASP NA Pro Junior. At just 16 years old, young Orange County surfer Luke Davis (Capistrano Beach, CA), who sits in the No. 2 position on the 2009 ASP NA Pro Junior ratings, will be looking to maintain or improve his status. Riley Metcalf (San Clemente, CA) will also be on the hunt for points to elevate his rating.
From up north, 2008 ASP NA Pro Junior No. 1 Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA) will seek to improve on his equal seventh placing in 2008 and move up from his current No. 4 position on the 2009 ASP NA Pro Junior rankings. The pride of the West Side’s Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) will be looking to continue his consistent streak of top performances, improve on his 2008 equal ninth placing and advance from the current ASP NA No. 3 spot. Young’s coming off his first 2009 win at the Grade 3, Arnette All-Day Antics Pro Junior, and was recently named No. 12 on SURFER’s Hot 100 list, the highest of any West Coast surfer.
Florida will be well represented with Cody Thompson (Jacksonville Beach, FL), who finished equal 13th in 2008 and currently resides in the No. 6 position on the ASP NA ratings, and Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, CA), who finished equal ninth in 2008, both seeded into the top 10 and surfing in the Round of 32.
The Hawaiian contingent includes 2008 ASP World Junior Champion and No. 7 on SURFER’s Hot 100 Kai Barger (Haiku, HAW). This event marks only his second Pro Junior since winning the World Junior Championships; his first was at the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge USA Qualifier at Lower Trestles, which he won. He will be looking to keep his Championship streak running. 2008 ASP Hawaii Runner Up Kiron Jabour (North Shore, HAW), Tonino Benson (Kailua, HAW) and Tyler Newton (Kauai, HAW) will round out the Round of 32, and Keanu Asing (Oahu, HAW), the only Hawaiian currently ranked in the top 10 in the ASP NA Pro Junior series, will surf in the Round of 48.
A gale force of international competitors will include Shaun Joubert (ZAF), Charles Martin (GLP), Chris Friend (AUS), Brent Savage (AUS), Jocelyn Poulou (PYF), Icaro Ronchi (BRA) and Martin Jeri (PER), all beginning their campaigns from the first round of competition in the Round of 80.
A LIVE webcast hosted by industry icons Dave Stanfield, Peter Mel and Pat O’Connell at www.nike6pierpressure.com will feature a high-quality stream filmed with HD cameras, complete daily surfing action, blow-by-blow live scoring, on-air giveaways, and drop ins by special surprise guests.
The Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s appreciates support from sponsors Nike 6.0, Jack’s Surfboards, Hurley, Red Bull, Surfer Magazine, Surfing Magazine and WaveWatch.com.
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