NIKE 6.0 PIER PRESSURE PRESENTED BY JACK’S TO BE A BATTLE OF THE WORLD’S BEST JUNIORS

Forecast Good for Biggest ASP Pro Junior in North American History

Huntington Beach, CA, June 26, 2008 – With the return of the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s this Sunday, June 29 and Monday, June 30 at South Huntington Beach Pier, comes an influx of young international talent pushing the boundaries of surfing from around the globe. As an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-4 Pro Junior event, the highest-rated ASP Pro Junior in North America, the level of talent will be impressive including the world’s best up-and-comers from Australia, Hawaii, Florida and California.

Australia
Out of Coolum, Queensland, Australia, 19-year-old talent Julian Wilson has been building an impressive resume after claiming several junior titles, breakout video parts and gaining respect as one of the world’s best new progressive talents. He enters the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure, coming off a recent win at the 2008 O’Neill Mission. The unique event allowed fellow surfers, including Cory Lopez, Jarrad Howse and Michel Bourez, to vote for the winner, making this title particularly fulfilling. Current No. 1 on ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head, NSW, AUS) is another to look for.

Hawaii
Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HI) continues being recognized for both his free surfing ability and solid contest results. Claiming a wild card from sponsor Nike 6.0 into the event, spectators will be looking for Payne to liven things up with his usual onslaught of huge airs. With a combination of back-to-back trips and contests keeping him busy for the past several months, Payne will be looking to claim a solid contest result at this event to back his fourth-place at the Trestles Oakley Pro Junior. Also watch for Kai Barger (Maui, HI) and Kiron Jabour (North Shore, HI)

Florida
The ASP North America Pro Junior Champions from the past two years, 2007’s Adam Wickwire (Satellite Beach, FL) and 2006’s Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) will both be on the hunt for big points. Both, now in their last year on the ASP North America Pro Junior circuit, are chasing a second title and entrance into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Travis Beckman (Vero Beach, FL), now ranked second on the ASP North American Junior ratings, is another to watch for.

California
Ventura, California’s Cory Arrambide will be leading the effort for the West Coasters. Sitting in first-place overall on the ASP North America ratings, Arrambide has already racked up two wins on the circuit this year including the Billabong Pro Junior Sebastian Inlet and Arnette Pro Junior Newport Beach. Known for being a tough competitor, Arrambide’s goal is take home the Billabong ASP World Junior Championship this year. West coast standouts Jason Harris (Huntington Beach, CA), Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), Brent Reilly (Carlsbad, CA), Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) and Riley Metcalf (San Clemente, CA) will also be on the hunt.

Wavewatch.com has predicted good conditions and contestable surf for the two-day event. For the event start on Sunday, the SW swell (200-220) and NW windswell will bring lots of waves in the chest-shoulder high+ range with some inconsistent head high and slightly overhead sets sneaking through on the lower tides. Shape will be mostly scattered peaks and occasionally sectiony lefts pushing in next to the Pier.

As an ASP Grade-4, the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s boasts a $20,000 prize purse and major points. For this reason, the event will have a major impact on the Pro Junior ratings and who will ultimately make it to the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. First place will receive $3,500 and 1,500 points, which is the equivalent to winning three Grade 2 events. Hurley has further upped the ante for first place by offering an all-expense paid trip to the Hurley Bali house including a guided surfing tour with Hurley pros and a photo shoot with Surfing Magazine.

In conjunction with the event, title sponsor Nike 6.0 will be working closely with presenting sponsor Jack’s to launch a new collaboration with punk band Alkaline Trio. The limited-edition shoe and messenger bag will be available exclusively at Jack’s from June 27 to July 11, after which the product will be distributed nationally.

The live event webcast will air at www.nike6pierpressure.com and will feature all the daily surfing action, blow-by-blow live scoring and drop ins by special surprise guests. The webcast will be hosted by industry icons Dave Stansfield, big-wave surfer Pete Mel, former World Tour great Pat O’Connell and Surfer Magazine Editor Chris Mauro.