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Snapper Rocks,
Queensland, Australia (Monday, 12th February): Current eight-time world surfing
champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) has confirmed he will be back on Australian
shores to defend his Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung title when the Foster’s
ASP Men’s World Tour commences later this month. 
Only Slater knows whether he will go on to compete for an
unbelievable ninth world title and possibly hasn’t even made that decision
himself as yet. “This year I'll just take whatever
approach seems to make most sense to be relaxed and not worry about results so
I'll be able to perform in the most free way,” said Slater. Considered
the greatest surfer of all time, Slater has continued to blow minds and shatter
records with his surfing style, technical ability and focus. He won his first
world title in 1992, then enjoyed five consecutive wins from 1994 to 1998 before
coming back from retirement in 2002 to claim the 2005 and 2006 world crowns. 
His season-opening win over Taj Burrow (Yallingup, W.A. AUS)
in the final of last years Quiksilver Pro at Duranbah Beach was pivotal in his
decision to go on to defend his 2005 world title. The result kick started the
34 year-old’s most consistent year ever, placing fifth or higher in every
tournament to win his eighth world crown with two events remaining on the 2006
calendar. “I was just relaxed,” said Slater.
“When you don't expect anything, good things happen. When you expect to win
something, there's no upside. It all just came together.” Gold
Coast surfers have proven to be Slater’s most dangerous rivals in the opening
world tour event. All three ‘Coolangatta Kids’ have claimed victory
at their local break of Snapper Rocks with world no.6 Joel Parkinson winning in
2002, world no.10 Dean Morrison in 2003 and world no.3, Mick Fanning in 2004.
The world champion knows that local wave knowledge
is a key factor at Snapper Rocks but is confident in the fact that he broke through
for his first Gold Coast victory since 1998 with his 2006 Quiksilver Pro win.
“Good surfing usually wins on the Gold Coast but there's
also knowing the waves and which ones to take,” said Slater. “I love
the waves there and got over that hump of not winning on the Gold Coast for a
long time last year, so I'm ready for some fun. I'm looking forward to it for
sure.” The new surfing guns in the 2007 line-up
will no doubt lift the performance bar again this year and with the inclusion
of aerial expert Josh Kerr (Coolangatta, AUS) and former event wildcard Luke Munro
(Currumbin, AUS) the number of local Gold Coast contenders has swelled to eight.
Big things are expected of Kerr who is being touted
as the rookie to watch despite never having contested a men’s world tour
event. The 22 year-old is not only preparing for his world debut, but also for
the birth of his daughter who is expected to arrive just days before the tournament
commences. “I’m a bit nervous all round,”
said Kerr. “It’s a good advantage having the event at Snapper though.
I’ve been surfing there all my life. I just want to get off to a good start.”
Kerr who is aiming for a top ten finish says that there are
at least five surfers who can win this year’s world title. “You
always have to look out for Kelly he has his act together but Andy Irons, Taj
Burrow, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, are all contenders again this year,”
added Kerr. “It just depends what rolls your way
when you are competing, other factors can affect your result including nature
and that has been rolling Kelly’s way.” When
asked if the 2007 rookies would raise surfing standards this year Slater said,
“It's incremental each year and this one will be no different. Luke Munro
and Josh Kerr will surprise a few people for sure.” As
a previous four-time Quiksilver Pro wildcard Munro has experience on his side
and remains unfazed by the added pressure of competing for ratings points this
time round. “I am going into this with no nerves,
as it is my home break and I have surfed in this event for four years now and
I know what to expect,” said Munro. “To have the first contest at home
is always a good thing for the Gold Coast guys.” Twenty-three
year Munro knows however that it will take more than local knowledge to defeat
Slater. “Kelly is the best surfer ever and the
most dangerous thing is that he knows it,” added Munro. “He can beat
any one at any break and when you have that over your competitors, it gives you
the edge.” World no.15 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin,
Qld, AUS), 1999 world champion and world no.26 Mark Occhilupo (Coolangatta, Qld,
AUS) and world no.33 Troy Brooks (Tugun, Qld, AUS) could all prove lethal on home
turf. ASP tour rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (Santa
Barbara, Cal, USA) is also expected to be amongst the top performers in the $300,000
Quiksilver Pro. Martinez, who lists Slater as his favourite surfer, impressed
all when he debuted at last year’s event. The
tournament will be staged in conjunction with the USD$80,000, Roxy Pro presented
by Samsung. Both tournaments have waiting periods from February 27th to March
11thth. The world’s top 45 men and top 17 female
surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this month and all fingers will be crossed
for a cyclone swell so the now world famous “Super bank” stretching
from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Kirra can crank up the action.
Both opening world tour events are mobile, granting access
to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The tournament will be based at
Snapper Rocks, yet can travel from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah Beach on the
Qld/NSW state border in search of optimum waves. Venues
such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with
visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up.
All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing
assured to take place. With US$380,000 prize
money on offer, as well as an early ratings lead for the eventual winner, all
focus will be on the Gold Coast as the dream tour gets underway.
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