HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, November 09, 2008) The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Tour (WLT) Completed the 2008 season at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, California this past week with the Oxbow World Longboard Tour event. Bonga Perkins (North Shore, HI), 36, claimed this year?s title, making him a two-time ASP World Longboard Champion, while several local San Onofre State Beach surfers turned heads as well.
The ASP WLT includes two events, the first held in Anglet, France, with the top seed at the series? end claiming the coveted title of ASP World Longboard Champion.
Josh Baxter (San Clemente, CA), 38, was the top performer for Americans with a fifth place finish amongst the international contingent competing at his home break. The result was a relief for Baxter due to his 33rd place finish in France, which made a stellar performance necessary for the veteran?s 2009 ASP WLT berth.
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For me it was very important because if I didn?t make a few heats it was pretty much over for me on the tour," Baxter said. "
I lost my first heat in France, so it was really do or die for me and I?m just really stoked to get through it. That heat was cutting edge for me, because if I didn?t make that heat it would have pretty much been over."
Baxter was especially inspired to compete in such a prestigious event at his local break. The veteran competitor was thrilled to be able to surf against the world?s finest longboarders in front of his friends and family.
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It means so much," Baxter said. "
All these years of consistently traveling all over the world and doing all of these events, it's so nice to have an event at home. It's been kind of a damper since Malibu happened, but this is the spot to have it if they were going to have it. My family is here and I can go home, take a shower and sleep in my own bed, it means a lot."
Joe Aaron (Dana Point, CA), 17, issued the upset of the event, defeating 2007 ASP World Longboard Champion Phil Rajzman (Rio de Janeiro, BRA). The young Californian earned his chance to compete in the Oxbow World Longboard Pro by winning two trials heats, and Aaron turned heads all the way to Round 4.
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I'm so psyched," Aaron said. "
I'm just stoked that I got the sets and beating him is just such a career highlight for me. To me, before I started that heat I was kind of thinking that I was going against the world champ and that it was impossible, but I guess nothing's impossible"
Aaron took advantage of his chance to compete alongside the world?s finest longboarders and looked at the opportunity to improve his competitive skills.
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For me, I was stoked to even be in this contest," Aaron said. "
To get in from the trials and get this far is huge for me. I live about 10 minutes away and I surf here most of the time so I'm happy to be in the event. It just pushes me more to be able to surf against guys that are at this level. It betters me as a surfer and I?m stoked to be in this event."
Other local surfers including Colin McPhillips (San Clemente, CA), 33, and Taylor Jensen (Oceanside, CA), 24, were standouts in the event as well, but were unable to escape Round 4.
The Oxbow World Longboard Tour at San Onofre State Beach concludes the 2008 ASP WLT season, but will be back again next year. To check out photos from the event, log on to
www.oxbowpro.com
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