SUNSET BEACH, HAWAII - OCTOBER 12, 2006 - Entries have been finalized for the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear, the kick-off event of Hawaii's famed North Shore surf season, to be held in the challenging, world-class waves of Sunset Beach.
A 4-Star Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) contest, the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear promises to offer amateurs and seasoned pros alike the chance to try new guns and strategies as North Shore swells pick up into late October.
This year's waiting period begins October 27 and continues through November 10. SurfingLive will produce the online webcast of live competition action, using state-of-the-art live water-cam technology.
Media and sponsors will surely be watching as surfers ride for $75,000 in prize money and valuable points going into the Triple Crown of Surfing, the final ASP contests of 2006.
2006 marks the 23rd Xcel Pro's largest-ever international field, as over 60 talented surfers from around the world travel to Oahu, Hawaii for this premier event. All hope to follow in the wake of three-time world champion Andy Irons and other past Xcel Pro winners.
Hawaiian surfers looking to defend their home waters include Nathan Carroll, Marcus Hickman, Jamie O'Brien, Kawika Stillwell, Mikey Bruneau, Jesse Merle-Jones, and Sean Moody - all of whom have the Sunset Beach savvy to win it all. Standing in their way is Ian Walsh, last year's winner and defending champion. Keep an eye out for local Sean Moody, currently ranked 62 in the WQS ratings and looking to place high to gain top seeding going into 2007.
Xcel Pro Past Champions
1984 Kerry Terukina
1985 Denton Miyamura
1986 Hans Hedemann
1987 Ronnie Burns
1988 Michael Ho
1989 Richard Schmidt
1990 Michael Ho
1991 Michael Ho
1992 Sunny Garcia
1993 Kaipo Jaquias
1994 Derek Ho
1995 Kaipo Jaquias
1996 Michael Ho
1997 Andy Irons
1998 Pancho Sullivan
1999 Bruce Irons
2000 Pancho Sullivan
2001 Gavin Beschen
2002 Fred Pattachia
2003 Pancho Sullivan
2004 Fred Pattachia
2005 Ian Walsh
About The Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear
Now in its 23rd year, the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear surf contest draws amateurs and aspiring and seasoned professionals to Sunset Beach, one of the world's best surf venues on Oahu's North Shore. For 2006, the event has upgraded to a 4-Star ASP WQS contest with a $75,000 purse.
The State of Hawaii, SoBe Drinks, and American Savings Bank are this year's associate sponsors of the Xcel Pro. The event is also supported by Transworld Surf Magazine as official print media, and Surfline.com as official wave forecaster. Fuel TV will produce the contest television show to be aired late 2006.
For show times of the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear, check www.fuel.tv.
For the full seed list of the 2006 XCEL Pro Presented by No Fear, visit ASP on the web at www.aspworldtour.com.
For more, please visit the contest Web site at www.xcelwetsuits.com.
About Xcel
Founded in 1982, Xcel Wetsuits (Xcel) is a global independent wetsuit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Headquartered on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawai'i, Xcel's core wetsuit business focuses on the cutting edge of material and design development. Xcel's primary markets include surf, dive, wakeboard, paddle, and sun (UV protection).
In addition to its North Shore office, Xcel operates two retail stores on Oahu and a warehouse/repair facility in California. To learn more about Xcel, please visit www.xcelwetsuits.com.
About No Fear
Established in 1990, No Fear is a leading manufacturer of action sports lifestyle branded products. Distribution base includes 40 company owned retail stores and over 2000 wholesale accounts. For more information visit www.nofearsurf.com.
About FUEL TV
Fuel TV is a 24/7 action sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle-motocross, and wakeboarding. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in 22 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
About TransWorld SURF
Since its inception in 1999, TransWorld SURF has become the embodiment of youth, progression and innovation. Through its print and online properties, TransWorld SURF is the fastest growing surf media company in the industry. As a leader in the documentation of today’s surfing, photography and opinion leading, TransWorld SURF is honored to be so intimately involved in forming the direction of the best sport on Earth and is ready and willing to continue the charge.
About Surfline
Surfline is the leading provider of surf report and forecast information to consumers, businesses and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Surfline delivers timely, accurate and comprehensive data on a daily basis via phone, fax, wireless web and the Internet.
About SurfingLive.com
The next level of live surf entertainment is here. SurfingLive.com is a live cam events network that believes in quality first. SurfingLive.com features high quality surf cams, live events and a complete on-demand video center.
For More Information
Please go to www.xcelwetsuits.com and click on the Xcel Pro logo. When the event waiting period commences, Surf News Network Hotline will be the official surfline for the contest (808-596-SURF).
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