SUNSET BEACH, HAWAII - OCTOBER 26, 2006 - Round 1 and half of Round 2 of the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear are scheduled to run on Sunday, as conditions for Sunset Beach look good heading into the weekend. Early indications forecast a north groundswell for Sunset Beach, according to Surfline.com, setting the stage for Hawaii's kick-off event of the North Shore surf season.
Defending champion Ian Walsh knows what a north swell would mean for Sunset Beach. "A north swell can be fun when it breaks at the top of point," says Walsh, facing tough competition this year. "Defending the title will be hard. There are a lot of great surfers, and it has to do with luck. Whoever gets the right wave gets it - it's just one wave at a time."
Surfline.com forecasts a low-pressure system developing north of the Hawaiian Islands in the next 24 to 36 hours. A north swell (360°) generated by this low is likely to build on Sunday, with the possibility of a few waves out of the north as early as Saturday evening.
As long as this storm develops as forecast, Sunday will see a building 6'+ north swell at 10 to 12 seconds. Breaking waves heights will be in the 5' to 8' range, with an occasional 10' wave through the day. Check online at xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com for daily contest and surf condition updates.
A potential swell this weekend only adds to the anticipation going into the 2006 Xcel Pro. "Sunset is my favorite spot," raves Hawaiian local Nathan Carroll. "Can't wait for the Xcel ... the best way to kick off the season in Hawaii. Looking forward to it!" Watch for Carroll, defending champion Walsh, Joel Centaio, Dustin Barca, and many more once competition gets underway.
The official waiting period for this year's Xcel Pro begins Friday, October 27 and runs through November 10. Action in and out of the water will be streaming live online at the webcast produced by SurfingLive.com.
To avoid missing any of the action at Sunset, visit the official 2006 Xcel Pro Web site at xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com, or call the Surf News Network Hotline, official surfline for the 2006 Xcel Pro, at 808-598-SURF.
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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