OAKLEY NEWPORT BEACH PRO AND OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR RETURN SEPTEMBER 16-21

Stop Two on the Macy’s CA Trifecta Surf Series Always a Significant Factor in the Final Standings

DANA POINT, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2008) –The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Oakley Newport Beach Pro returns Sept. 16-21, 2008 to Newport’s famed 54th Street break. The ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior and 20th Annual Newport Beach Surf Championships will run concurrently with the contest, which serves as stop number two on the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series.

“A result in Newport is critical for both WQS and Junior competitors chasing the Macy’s bonus,” says Action Sports Group Events Director Sean Nielsen. “It will be exciting to see who steps up and ignites the race leading into the O’Neill Cold Water Classic.”

As has been proven for the last few years, the Oakley Newport Beach Pro is a pivotal stop on the three-event Macy’s California Surf Series. Last year’s race heated up significantly after the Oakley Newport Beach Pro where Nate Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) clenched his second consecutive Oakley Newport Beach Pro victory. Going into the final Trifecta event, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Santa Cruz, Yeomans had a slight Trifecta points advantage over 2007 Oakley Newport Beach Pro runner-up Adam Virs (Ventura, CA) and third-place finisher Austin Ware (Solano Beach, CA). In the end Virs, Yeomans and Ware finished first, second and third, respectively, on the Trifecta.

The previous year saw a similar situation. Yeomans took the 2006 Oakley Newport Beach Pro victory with Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA) taking second, and Dustin Cuizon (Ewa Beach, HAW) fourth. The three finished the 2006 Trifecta series ranked first, second and third, respectively.

Asher Nolan (Neptune Beach, FL) reigned victorious with the inaugural Trifecta win in 2005 after a third-place finish at the Oakley Newport Beach Pro. Curran, who had taken the Oakley Newport Beach Pro championship that year, finished in second on the Trifecta and Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), who finished second in Newport, finished in third on the Trifecta.

This year, the Trifecta race is still anyone’s game going into the Oakley Newport Beach Pro, and many will be trying to end Yeomans’ quest for a third Oakley Newport Beach Pro win.

“I want to be the three-time Newport Champ,” says Yeomans. “That would fit well going with the Macy’s California Trificta Series. I want my nickname to be ‘Newport Nate’ and I think that can only happen if I win it three times. There is always good competition in Newport, and I’m sure there are plenty of guys who want to take me out. So, game on.”

In conjunction with the Oakley Newport Beach Pro, this Oakley Pro Junior stop will also be a critical event for juniors vying for points on the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series. Oakley’s Sebastian Zietz (Hanalei, HAW) leads the Trifecta after his win at the 6.0 Lowers Pro at Trestles in May. He’s followed closely by top ranked juniors Jason Harris (Huntington Beach, FL), Travis Beckman (Vero Beach, FL), Dusty Payne (Maui, HAW) and last year’s Oakley Pro Junior Newport Beach Champ Adam Wickwire (Satellite Beach, FL).

The Oakley Newport Beach Pro features 160 top-level professional surfers, a field of 48 junior competitors in the Oakley Pro Junior, as well as 144 amateur participants. The events not only display some of the WQS’s premier surfers, but also provide the community with a chance to explore and celebrate Newport Beach’s storied surfing heritage.

In addition to a plethora of top professional competitors, the amateur division draws a contingency of up-and-comers and local heroes looking for a chance to perform in their own backyard. Now in its 20th year, the Newport Beach Surf Championships, hosted by the City of Newport Beach, awards a collection of prizes valued at $5,000. The competition focuses on the sport of surfing in the community and is open to surfers of diverse ages and abilities. Divisions include: Elementary; Middle School; High School; College Men’s; Men’s, Masters; Legends and Girls.

As a part of the ASP North America tour, the 2008 Oakley Newport Beach Pro appreciates support from Oakley, Macy’s, Red Bull, Jack’s, etnies, Allyance and the City of Newport Beach. The event also receives media support from Action Sports Group’s SURFER, SURFING and Wavewatch.com, as well as, FUEL TV, the action sports lifestyle network.

For those who can’t make it to the event, this year’s contest will be available to view online with streaming video and live scoring at www.NewportBeachPro.com.

For more information on the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series visit www.catrifecta.com.