The nagging injury has forced the hungry up-and-comer to take some time off from his campaign toward qualification for next year’s ASP Dream Tour, so ASP caught up with Brett to see what happened and how the recovery process is going.

I heard that you had an ankle injury, what happened? “Yea, it had been injured since I hurt it over in South Africa at the 6-Star in Ballito. I thought I had a high sprain, so I was just taping it and surfing the whole time. It definitely wasn’t feeling great, but after the Hurley U.S. Open, I got an X-ray and there had been a bone chip in there the whole time.”

Are you feeling discouraged after taking out the Hurley U.S. Open to have the setback, or is it not something you’re concerned about? “Well it’s definitely been a bit tough watching, but I have been doing everything I can to stay healthy and fit to just get back to where I’m comfortable and ready to compete at a high level.”

What type of rehab are you doing to get back to action? “I’ve been doing tons of exercises just to get everything moving back to normal and feeling right. I’ve also been doing lots of ultra sound and massaging to get the tissue to relax.”

Are you planning on being fully recovered before the Hurley Pro? “Definitely, it’s a high-level event, and you wouldn’t want to be out there not feeling good, so I am doing everything to be feeling my best and ready to compete.”

Simpo will be on the attack as a wildcard at mainland America’s only stop on the ASP Dream Tour, the Hurley Pro.

Brett Simpson’s profile

Additional ASP information

Post from: OC Beach Blog

Tanner Gudauskas, 21, who is fresh off of his ASP 6-Star victory in South Africa, advanced through to the Round of 48 when he finished second behind local Brazilian standout Pedro Henrique. Although Tanner was happy about his advancement, his celebration was cut short due to brother Dane’s early round elimination.

“It was a shame that Dane lost his heat right in the end, but that’s competition,” Gudauskas said. “It’s super hot outside, but it’s fun. I’m stoked to be here, beautiful day, a lot of people on the beach, good looking girls so the surf is just a bonus. I feel really great after Ballito.”

Nathan Yeomans, 28, also advanced out of his Round of 96 alongside Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson, 24, and Shaun Ward, 26.

Patrick Gudauskas, 23, and Brad Ettinger, 24, will surf their Round of 96 heats when competition resumes.

For all of the LIVE action log on to www.aspworldtour.com

For your favorite Orange County surfer’s profiles log on to www.aspnorthamerica.org

Post from: OC Beach Blog

“I just can’t believe it, this is a personal best for me,” Gudauskas said. “Every night this week I’ve been going to bed dreaming about winning this contest and putting myself up there where Pat (Tanner’s brother and ASP WQS No. 10 Patrick Gudauskas) was at, and it came through today so I’m fired up!”

Gudauskas jumped out to an early lead in the final, staying busy throughout the heat. He found the waves he needed to claim the win over his ferocious Australian competitor. Gudauskas’ win was not only his first ASP WQS victory, but the significance of winning an ASP 6-Star event makes the win that much more prestigious due to the heightened ratings points on offer toward qualification for the ASP World Tour.

“I just got into this mindset that when the surf got worse, I was going to get better and as the tide came up and it got less consistent, I just got more fired up and more pissed off,” Gudauskas said. “It’s crazy because I can hardly remember half of it now, but my priority exchange worked out and it all came together and I’m just super fired up!”

The impressive victory came as a late birthday gift to the young American, who turned 21 July 4, and was able to share the festivities with brothers Dane and Patrick, who carried him up the beach alongside his fellow American competitors.

“When I came out of the water and saw my brothers and some of my friends all standing on the beach cheering for me, I was almost in tears,” Gudauskas said. “We have a really strong crew from America right now and we’re all pushing as hard as we can to bust down the door and make the ASP World Tour and I think this year could be the year.”

Tanner is now the highest-rated American surfer on the ASP WQS after his victory, passing Brett Simpson, 24, of Huntington Beach, Calif., who is trailing Gudauskas in the No. 7 position, and older brother Patrick Gudauskas, of San Clemente, who is sitting in the No. 10 spot.

For Tanner’s profile, log on to www.aspnorthamerica.org. For additional ASP information, check out www.aspworldtour.com.

Post from: OC Beach Blog

Reyes won his Round 1 heat over nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, 37, relegating the legend to Round 2, while advancing directly through to Round 3.

“There are some pretty fun waves out there, but our heat was pretty slow,” Reyes said. ”I think Kelly (Slater) needed a 2-something at the end and I just went in. I was exhausted and wasn’t going to chase him around for a 2. He easily could have got it, but he didn’t. The clock wound down and I came away with the win.”

Reyes got off to a slow start in 2009, but is hoping the early round victory will help build some momentum for his season.

Watch video highlights below:

 Click here to view the embedded video.

“I’ve had some pretty close heats this season and things just haven’t gone my way,” Reyes said. ”I was pretty frustrated, especially in Tahiti, and I was almost ready to throw in the towel and sit down for the remainder of the year. After Tahiti, I went and got some waves to myself and cleared my head. My sponsor (of 10 years) O’Neill really stood behind me and I’ve come to Brazil looking for a result. I feel like my surfing is there and if I can start stringing together some results, I’m sure my confidence will return.”

Ward aslo had early round success, advancing directly into Round 3 with a Round 1 heat win over Australian Ben Dunn, 23, and fellow American Damien Hobgood, 29.

“I’ve had a few things not go my way this year and I guess I’m focused on getting a result here,” Ward said. ”I think my surfing definitely suits the waves here. I’ve never surfed it this big probably, but definitely similar conditions. There’re good waves out there once you find them – just a lot of water moving.”

The Orange County surfers will continue their Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro campaigns when competition resumes. For all of the LIVE action log on to www.aspworldtour.com.

Post from: OC Beach Blog

The Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure’s ASP Grade-4 status makes the event the most critical stop on all surfers campaigns in qualification for the ASP World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen, Australia each following year. All surfers on the ASP North American Pro Junior Series are looking to compile their best four results throughout the year in an attempt to finish within the top thee on the ratings to earn their spot in the coveted event.

Today’s Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure action will see an international field of standout talent including young Californian Conner Coffin, Floridian Keto Burns, Aussie talent Chris Friend, and Hawaiian charger Tonino Benson.

For all of the LIVE action log on to www.nike6pierpressure.com

Details:

Where: South side of  Huntington Beach Pier

When: Sunday and Monday

Post from: OC Beach Blog

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

Post from: OC Beach Blog

Surfers competing on the ASP LQS earn points towards qualification for the ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT), where each surfer earns the right to tackle the finest competitive longboarding talent in a chance to claim the title of ASP World Longboard Champion.

Huntington Beach’s Josh Mohr, 33, earned a third place finish at the last Huntington Beach event and is always a standout at his home break. Mohr is looking to utilize his local knowledge to fend off the stacked competitive field at the upcoming event.

“It’s hard to do well in Huntington if you’re not familiar with the wave,” Mohr said. “I’ve worked on riding more progressive equipment to fit the wave and have it dialed. Plus, it’s my home, so I have the comfort of sleeping in my bed which always helps.”

After taking several years off from competitive surfing, the new regional ASP LQS series launched this year has re-sparked the Huntington Beach native’s desire to compete. Mohr is currently rated fourth overall on the ASP North America LQS and is looking to gain ground on Jensen at his home break.

“Having a series and being able to shoot for the top ranks really brought me back to competition,” Mohr said. “Before, I had lost interest because there were only one or two events to compete in. To be in the top rank amongst the up-and-coming talent is great.”

When: Saturday (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Where: Huntington Beach Pier

Watch it live: The Yakult HB Pro and Gidget PLA Pro will be webcasted live.

Post from: OC Beach Blog

The talented regular-footer narrowly defeated Floridian transplant Cory Lopez, 32, by a score of 13.80 to 13.33 to advance through to the Quarterfinals.

After already making history in the premier event by landing the first aerial flip in competition, Gudauskas will look to cap off his impressive Indian Ocean campaign with a win at the premier event and will continue when he faces off against young Brazilian talent Wiggoly Dantas, 18. The champion will be crowned by day’s end.

If you haven’t seen Gudauskas’ flip action, check it out below:

Post from: OC Beach Blog

Both Orange County surfers continued to dominate the tough international competition at the premier location of Pasta Point in the Maldives to advance through their Round of 24 heats.

Gudauskas, who has been a top performer throughout the event’s entirety, eliminated current ASP World Tour sophomore Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 24, and former ASP Dream Tour talent Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), 35, with a 16.03 out of 20 heat total to claim the heat victory.

In addition to the win, Gudauskas logged one for the competitive record books, demonstrating the world’s first completed aerial flip in ASP competition.

Lopez found his way through to the Round of 16 by advancing in second behind the young Brazilian talent Wiggoly Dantas, 18, and now the former ASP Dream Tour standout will go head-to-head against Gudauskas when competition resumes.

Check out this video from the Pasta Point competition:

Click here for the full report or to watch the event live

Click here for Pat and Cory’s profiles

Post from: OC Beach Blog

Gudauskas continued to lead the international field once again when he blasted a solid 16.60 out of 20 heat total on his backhand to advance to the Round of 24 to claim his Round of 48 heat win over Lopez, who advanced in second, while eliminating Hawaiians Makuakai Rothman and Casey Brown from competition.

Gudauskas will face current ASP World Tour campaigner Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 24, and former ASP World Tour surfer Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), 35, when competition resumes.

Lopez will tackle Brazilian talent Wiggoly Dantas and Hawaiian youngster Tonino Benson in his Round of 24 heat and is also guaranteed a 17th place finish overall in the event.

Post from: OC Beach Blog