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 COOLANGATTA,
AUSTRALIA: (December 21, 2006) – With a massive influx of new talent and
the introduction of new technology, the Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
premium tours – the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour and the ASP Women’s
World Tour – are looking forward to 2007 as being the most exciting in the
sport’s history.
With the completion of the final
events of the year in Hawaii, the 2007 cast for both tours has now been confirmed
with many of both tours’ old guard being replaced by a swag of exciting up
and coming youngsters.  The
new faces on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour will include Jeremy Flores
(FRA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Roydon Bryson (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Josh Kerr
(AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS)
and Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA).
Making a return to surfing’s
elite men’s tour after a hiatus will be former world number two Mick Campbell
(AUS), plus Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Bernardo Miranda (BRA). On
the women’s front, 2007 will see Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Caroline Sarran
(FRA) and Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) make their tour debuts with Melanie Bartels (HAW)
and Amee Donohoe (AUS) enjoying a welcome return to the fold.  “We
had a big influx in 2006 to both tours,” said ASP President and 1978 world
champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew. “And with another influx in
2007, particularly in the mens, we’ve seen almost 50 per cent of the personnel
change. It’s going to be really exciting!
Looking at
the lineup of talent for both tours Bartholomew was adamant that the new blood
will once again drive up the performance standards, as the incomers will be eager
to unleash with a barrage of progressive moves. “For both
the guys and the girls, we’ll see people come in who have a good combination
of old school power and new school tricks,” said Bartholomew. “They
are the real deal. Some of the guys and girls are aerial freaks but have a sound
grasp of convention so at top level this is going to add plenty of spice. Not
that it wasn’t exciting before but when we head towards the business end
of events we’re going to see the bar raised and the older competitors are
going to have to dig deep and push themselves to hold off the challenge.”  As
a result of the performance standards being raised, judges at top tour events
are forever facing increasing pressure to be 100 per cent accurate in the delivery
of scores and results.
For this reason, for the first time
ever in the sport, ASP will be introducing instant replays via personal monitors
for each individual judge so they can access previous waves and further scrutinise
over wave scores. “As a tool this will be invaluable
for judges,” said Bartholomew. “Having seen it trialled in Brazil in
2006, it was extremely beneficial in giving judges a means for being 100 per cent
accurate in score delivery. It will aid the guys in judging when two competitors
are riding or when something is critical – it will also allow judges to check
at any time that their scores are in line with the scale.  “It
really is amazing technology,” Bartholomew continued. “It’s a great
step in the evolution of judging… And with the standard of the tours rising
at every event, everything is just so critical. The replays will ensure that the
judges will not miss a thing."
The 2007 season for
both the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour
will begin on February 28 on Australia’s Gold Coast at the Quiksilver and
Roxy Pro.  
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