BODY GLOVE SURFBOUT PRESENTED BY ADIO FOOTWEAR RETURNS AS A WQS-RATED MEN'S AND WOMEN'S FOUR-STAR EVENT
$95,000 Event Launches First West Coast Stop of 2005 Surfing America Pro Tour at Lowers
Redondo Beach, Calif., March 30, 2005 - Body Glove is proud to announce "Body Glove Surfbout Presented by Adio" set to take place April 26-30, 2005 at, arguably the best competition wave in the Mainland U.S., Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California. With media support from PRIMEDIA's Action Sports Group (ASG), publisher of SURFER, SURFING and SG, as well as FUEL TV, the event is part of a three-year plan to help strengthen surfing in America.
The Body Glove Surfboat has gained momentum this year with a significantly larger prize purse, more points and a bigger draw to the best surfers in the world. The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) event comes back as a WQS-rated men's (four-star) and women's (four-star) event officially launching the west coast leg of the Surfing America Pro Tour in North America. The men's event has upgraded from a two-star rated last year to a four-star and boasts a $75,000 prize purse tripling last year's $25,000 purse. The women's event has increased from a one-star rating to a four-star rating and offers a $20,000 purse up from $5,000 last year. Other sponsors include Giant Bicycles and Hawaiian Tropic.
"We are proud to be back for the sponsorship of the 14th Body Glove Surfbout," says Scott Daley, Vice President of Marketing for Body Glove. "The Surfbout has and will help American surfers get valuable points and mental fortitude for the WQS Tour to help them qualify for the WCT. The sport of surfing has matured over the last year in America with Surfing America receiving the NGB (National Governing Body) for amateur surfing as well as retaining the ASP North American franchise." He continued, "Industry support has never been better for the sport of surfing in the USA. Body Glove is thrilled to take this integral sponsorship role and maintain our leadership position for the sport of surfing in America."
Of the numerous WQS events to be held this year worldwide, the Body Glove Surfbout Presented by Adio boasts a storied history and is considered one of the world's most prestigious qualifying events. The past "winners list" reads like a who's who of the pro surfing world with the vast majority of champions either having been a current, former or future WCT (World Championship Tour) competitor. Household names like Andy Irons (Kaui), Kelly Slater (Florida), Rob Machado (Cardiff), Taylor Knox (Carlsbad), Shane Beschen (San Clemente), Lisa Andersen (Florida) and Rochelle Ballard (Hawaii) have all won titles. The most notable contest was the 1990 Surfbout III, where Slater stole the show with progressive aerial maneuvers - rarely seen before during competition - in perfect six- to eight-foot surf, winning the event and taking home a $30,000 check.
Lured by the attraction of surfing Trestles, a sold-out field is anticipated for both divisions (208 men and 32 women). Competitors will range from many of the world's top pro men and women to first-timers, all competing for a total of $95,000 in cash and prizes. "Lower Trestles is considered one of the best surf spots on the Southern California coast," said Body Gloves' Daley. "With its perfect peak, surfers can ride the wave left or right, which makes for outstanding performances. The Body Glove team is really pumped up to bring the Surfbout back to Lowers."
"Adio is really excited to be a part of the Surfbout again," says Scott Desiderio, Adio's Footwear Marketing Manager. "The Lowers contest is always such a great event, the surfers look forward to it every year. We're looking forward to another great week at Trestles."
About ASG
Reaching more than 2 million enthusiasts, PRIMEDIA's Action Sports Group (ASG) is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition to publishing leading lifestyle publications such as Surfer, Surfing, SG, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Bike, Powder and Canoe & Kayak, PRIMEDIA's ASG delivers a cutting-edge network of online properties, events and television programming.
