The fourth stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Series - the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s - will be the most critical event on all surfer’s campaigns towards qualification for the ASP World Junior Championships due to its ASP Grade-4 status.

Newport Beach stand out Andrew Doheny, who is the current regional series ratings leader, is among the top juniors to compete in Huntington Beach on Friday and Saturday.

With all surfers on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series looking to compile their best four results this year in an attempt to finish within the top three in order to earn an ASP World Junior Championships berth, the additional points on offer at this year’s only ASP Grade-4 event will play a crucial role in all surfer’s overall rating for 2009.

Doheny was the only American finalist in last year’s Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure and is currently sitting atop the ASP North America Pro Junior Series ratings after three events. The stylish regular-footer hopes to capitalize on the additional points on offer at the upcoming contest in order to extend his ratings lead over the field, but knows he is up against a barrage of tough competition.

“Last year I was in disbelief to make the final with those guys,” Doheny said. “It was fun to surf against one of my favorite surfers, Julian Wilson. It’s gnarly with all the international guys doing the contest, but guys like Dillon Perillo, Conner Coffin and Nat Young are just as good as the international boys to me.”

Doheny finished third overall on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series last year and his appearance in the Final at the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure was an imperative result in helping him achieve an ASP World Junior Championships berth.

“This contest is really important for me because it’s a Grade-4 and it’s the one contest you want to do well in to make it to World’s,” Doheny said. “I really like Huntington Beach as well. It’s like my second home break, so, it’s
going to be fun.”

When: 8 a.m. Sunday and Monday

Where: South Side of Huntington Beach Pier

Webcast: www.nike6pierpressure.com

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.