> Amazing Surf and Incredible Air highlight the action at the 2007
HYDRO-TURF Surf Slam. American Taylor Curtis takes home the win.
10/30/2007
For Immediate Release:
International Freeride Watercraft Association (IFWA)
October 26, 2007
Competitors and spectators alike witness some of the
best conditions imaginable for the 2007 Hydro-Turf Surf Slam in the
15-foot waves of Oceano Dunes California. The predicted swell did not
disappoint for the IFWA World Championship Finals. Although the winds
proved challenging earlier in the weekend, the offshore winds of Sunday
paired with some double-overhead sets set up conditions for a battle
for the title.
Over 30 of the world’s best freeride watercraft
pilots were on hand competing for the event win and title of IFWA World
Champion. American Taylor Curtis displayed his skills throughout the
weekend and ended up taking the win in the finals against reigning World
Champion Pierre Maixent. Maixent experienced an unexpected loss in an
early round and but advanced through the LCQ round. He had some tough
competition from US Competitors new to this year’s tour including
Matt Smith, Vince Colf and Cuong Son. American Taylor Curtis was pitted
against Maixent in the finals. His West Coast surfing skills advanced
him to get the win. German Marc Sickerling received 3rd place followed
by American Mike Serlin in 4TH place.
In the Sit Down Category newcomer to the tour Eddie
Betancourt gave 7 times World Champion Jimmy Visser from South Africa
a run for his money. Visser topped him in the final round followed by
Luis Silva from Portugal in 3rd and American Jerry Jones in 4th.
The HYDRO-TURF Surf Slam was presented as part of the
Oceano Dunes Beach race, a festival alongside a WORCS off road motorcycle
race. Parks officials estimate there were over 50,000 people in the
Oceano Dunes area for the weekend.
“Some of new American pilots have really raised
the level of competition for this final round of the tour, said event
organizer CarolAnne Giustina. “We are so lucky to have these great
waves conditions along with an incredible roster of competitors. Every
year the level of skill displayed grows and this year we were able to
bring it a new variety spectators here at Oceano Dunes.”
The HYDRO-TURF Surf Slam is sponsored by HYDRO-TURF,
presented by Blowsion and supported by Skat-Trak, Hot Products, and
Jet Connection. Additional support was provided by RB Components, Fullgaz.com,
JetPilot, All My Crazy Friends, Riding Dirty and Ronnie Mac.
The HYDRO-TURF Surf Slam is part of the 3rd year of
IFWA Freeride World Championship Tour. The tour consists of 5 events
held in Portugal, Spain, France, Brazil and the United States. The competition
is a head to head format with pilots being judged equally on wave surfing
and aerial maneuvers. Each stop on the tour features a beautiful tourist
location along with the potential for large surf and impressive competition.
The IFWA is the International Freeride Watercraft Association and the
sanctioning body for the sport of Freeride.
For more information please contact:
CarolAnne Giustina
On Course Events
ca@oncourseevents.com
