Nike 6.0 Blog

Retention

Gronamo — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:40:54 GMT

We are counting down the days now. Retention is less then a week away. We welcome everyone to come watch the world's best wakeskaters battle it out for the biggest 1st-place prize in wakeskate history. The main event starts Saturday the 27th at 4pm; the finals are under the lights and end at 11pm. Here is the breakdown of professional riders and payouts: 1st $5000 2nd $2,500 3rd $1000 4th $500 5th $500 6th $500 Andrew Pastura Austin Pastura Ben Horan Bret Little Brian Grubb Tyler Mangus Josh Kirby Clint Tompkins Danny Hampson Dieter Humpsch George Daniels James Balzer Kyle Walton Leo Labadens Matt Hooker Matt Manzari Nick Taylor Stu Shinn Travis Doran Yan Lecomte Grant Roberts There are 26 spots open for qualifying, which starts Friday morning at 9am. The top three go through to the main event and get paid. Below is the list of riders that will battle for the three spots. The spots have been filled so if you didn't pre-register you are not on the list. You can still sign up for a spot in case one of following does not make it. Good luck to the following&hellip: Jen GilanFarr Daniel Robins Pierre Attruz Bobby Regan Russel Brightwell Frye Chris Mitchell Chris Zachary Clint Kainec Levi Dills David roehm Ryan Leary Logan Hursh Brian Ragsdale Lance Duffet Andrew Fortenberry Joe Dudzinski Steve campbell Josh Zentmeyer Reed Watson Dave Hanson Marcus Knox Matthew Merriman James McGuigan Yuri lima Alex Haney Hope to see you all there. !Retention_header.jpg! !Retention_tn.jpg!

Welcome to the 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing

Gronamo — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:00:39 GMT

The Nike US Open of Surfing has a storied reputation for going big. This year will only add to that legacy with more than 500,000 people expected to attend the week-long surf, skate, BMX, music, fashion and art extravaganza.

The 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing will run from July 30 to August 7. All events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC or can be viewed live daily at www.usopenofsurfing.com.

Anchored by the world's largest professional surfing competition, the $460,000 US Open is a pivotal point on the ASP World Tour for both the men and women. The men's side will feature a North America ASP Men's Prime event with valuable points on the line right before the dramatic ASP Top 32 cut-off. For the women, the US Open of Surfing will showcase the final event of the 2011 ASP World Title Tour in Surf City this summer. "I'm really excited to be returning to Huntington Beach to try to defend my US Open title," says Hawaii's Carissa Moore. "It's so fun to be competing in front of so many people!" In addition to the high-stakes Mens and Womens divisions, the US Open will feature a grade four men's and women's Pro Junior as well as the Pacifico Nose Riding Invitational - always a crowd favorite.

The action doesn't stop at the shoreline. On the beach, the event will once again host eye-popping tricks from the most talented and diverse crew of riders from across the globe as they skate in a state-of-the-art skate bowl at Converse Coastal Carnage. And, a stellar crew of BMX riders will push the realm of possibility at the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro. The runway will be busy on Thursday, August 4 as five of the nation's top high schools will compete for $25,000 in the Hurley Walk the Walk National Championship - the ultimate youth fashion competition. And the US Open Music Stage will host a star-studded lineup of bands that will surely rival last year's Weezer performance in front of 50,000-plus screaming fans. Not to mention the summer Nike Chosen Crew Video Contest will announce the winning crew on Sunday, 8.7.

Couple this with one-of-a-kind retail and brand experiences, more than 100 interactive exhibits, autograph signings, DJs and giveaways, and you have another summer to remember at the Nike US Open of Surfing. Be ready to dive into the madness starting July 30.

The Chosen: Lincoln Park

Gronamo — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:46:06 GMT

The Chosen contest kicked off this past week and we celebrated with the first stop on The Chosen West Coast Tour at Lincoln Park in East Los Angeles. Paul Rodriguez and Danny Supa were on hand from the Nike SB team to hang with the local skate crews and stomp a few tricks of their own.

The custom Nike trailer was at the park and provided the perfect hangout for skaters and kids alike. Inside the latest P ROD gear and shoes were on display, XBOX games of Skate were in full effect and everyone was welcome to the Mac computer stations for Facebook posts, videos, and music. Outside the living room was set with couches, free food and drinks, and TV’s playing Chosen videos. Sport Moment ID set up their booth and offered anyone the chance to create a custom Nike tee featuring athlete images and custom graphics.

SnapSportz was also on hand taking pictures of skaters as they hit the features at Lincoln Park. The images were then instantly uploaded to Nike SB's Facebook page, where riders could tag and download the images.

The night wrapped up with a huge projection viewing of The Chosen commercial and Hanni El Khatib rocked a performance and the stair set was sessioned with SWAG for stomping tricks. Everyone had a blast and we’re all looking forward to the next events.

Chosen West Coast Tour dates:

June 16th @ US Outdoor Store in Portland, OR from 4-9pm
June 17+18 @ Windells Camp at Mt. Hood, OR
June 21 + 22 @ Woodward West, CA
June 24 @ O’Neill’s Santa Cruz, CA shop for Leave a Message premiere
June 25th @ Santa Cruz Boardroom, CA
June 28th @ Santa Barbara, CA for Leave a Message premiere put on by Lakey Peterson.

MIGUEL PUPO WINS NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO

Gronamo — Sun, 08 May 2011 02:56:47 GMT

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 7, 2011 – Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, claimed the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro over local standout Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, at Lower Trestles at San Clemente’s San Onofre State Beach in a close Final of 13.63 to 13.57 today. Also clinching a victory was Hawaiian Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, who won the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.

In addition to the $40,000 prize check and 14-carat solid gold trophy worth $30,000, Pupo earned 6,500 valuable points towards his ASP World Ranking, which helps his campaign towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earned him $20,000 and 5,200 points.

Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the talented Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.

“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”

Miguel Pupo tasting the win...and the gold

The progressive Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.

“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”

Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07, to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd.

“Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”

Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks from an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result.

“This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the final.”

Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19. However, he locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take the Oakley Pro Junior victory, $5,000 paycheck and 2000 ASP points. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Keanu Asing taking in his victory

“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”

Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.

“This is huge, to win this big event. It’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”

Caio Ibelli earned $1,000 for winning Most Valuable Performance for a maneuver he executed earlier in the competition. Each day, three surfers were nominated and voted on online. Ibilli secured the final win over Dane Reynolds, Kolohe Andino and Miguel Pupo.

Re-broadcasts of Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior action will be televised in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD, as well as, Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets.

For Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro highlights, visit nike6lowerspro.com and for Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors. A special thank you goes out to presenting sponsors Nike 6.0 and Oakley, co-sponsors Red Bull and Sierra Nevada, media sponsor SURFER Magazine (Surfermag.com) and official forecaster Surfline.com.

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final Results:

1 – Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.63

2 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.57

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Semifinals Results:

Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.03 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.33

Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.70 def. Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.67

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Quarterfinals Results:

Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 16.37 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.76

Heat 2: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.60 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.33

Heat 3: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 14.50 def. Junior Faria (BRA) 11.47

Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.24 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.93

Oakley Pro Junior Final Results:

1 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.70

2 – Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.43

3 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.30

4 – Nat Young (USA) 11.53

Oakley Pro Junior Semifinals Results:

Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.00, Jack Freestone (USA) 9.73, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 9.37

Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 14.77, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.47, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.73, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.14

QUARTERS DECIDED FOR NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO, SEMIS FOR OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR

Gronamo — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:54:37 GMT

The ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro saw the Quarterfinalists decided in clean one-to-three foot waves at the iconic cobblestone pointbreak of Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach with two San Clemente locals and six Brazilians still in contention for this year’s title, $40,000 first-place payout and 14-karate gold spike valued at $30,000.

Also running today was Round 1 and the Quarterfinals of the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which saw the nation’s finest up-and-coming talent battle a handful of top international surfers. Stop No. 7 of 9 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior is the highest rated event on thisyear’s regional series, offering the most points towards surfers’ qualification campaigns for the elite ASP World Junior Tour and a $25,000 prize purse.

Thiago Camarao (BRA), 22, launched back to form after a sluggish three-man Round of 12 heat to ignite the day’s top scores with a deadly forehand attack on several Lowers right-handers. The progressive Brazilian wasted little time in his campaign against fellow countryman Willian Cardoso (BRA), 25, by dropping a 7.60 and a 9.33 on his first two rides to secure his position in the Quarterfinals.

“I just did the same thing I’ve been doing and just not over-think the heats,” Camarao said. “I went out there for a surf and the water was so cold. I made the mistake of wearing the wrong suit in my last heat, so I had to change it for this one.”

Camarao will face fellow Brazilian Junior Faria (BRA), 24, in the Quarterfinals.

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, returned to the three-man Round of 12 in strong form by taking a heat victory over ASP Dream Tour campaigner C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, and dangerous up-and-comer Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, with powerful backhand surfing on the right-handers on offer at Lowers.

“There was so much going on and nothing was being said at the end of the heat,” Gudauskas said. “For the last five minutes I was in panic mode because I knew Gabriel had that good wave with two airs on it and C.J. got a good right. I was just praying that the momentum wasn’t going to shift out there. I got lucky. I swear I don’t know what I’m doing and these rights come to me.”

The San Clemente powerhouse was happy to avoid surfing in the man-on-man elimination Round of 12 to advance into the Quarterfinals and took a serious approach to the three-man non-elimination round.

“These ones are a great opportunity,” Gudauskas said. “It’s not like it’s life or death, but it’s a great opportunity to bypass that fifth round and go into the Quarters where there are a lot more points. I took it super seriously because I know Gabriel and C.J. are super gnarly and we’re all goofy-foot.”

Gudauskas will face off against Heitor Alves (BRA), 29, in the Quarterfinals.

Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, took a last-minute victory over fellow Brazilian Thiago Camarao (BRA), and American charger Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA), 28, in the three-man, non-elimination Round of 12. With only minutes remaining in the heat, the innovative Brazilian launched two airs on a steep Lowers lefthander to notch a 9.10 to overtake Reyes for the lead and secure his position in the Quarterfinals.

“I didn’t really think about it, I was just trying to go big,” Pupo said. “I did that first air and then another good section came so I went for another one and I made it, so I’m happy. I love Lowers. When anyone asks me what the best wave in the world is, I say Trestles. The wave is perfect and I enjoy my time here with the good surf and fun on the beach.”

Pupo will battle fellow Brazilian Jadson Andre (BRA), 21, in their Quarterfinalsmatch up.

Heitor Alves, current No. 22 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, was dominant in the men’s ASP PRIME and Star series events last year and the fit Brazilian moved one step closer to the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final by defeating C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, in the Round of 12 to advance into the Quarterfinals.

“I was on the World Tour for two years before this year and I learned a lot,” Alves said. “Right now, I have a result and I’m on the World Tour again. I learned a lot last year and I gained a lot of experience in the PRIMES and 6-Stars last year and I feel good.”

Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, who is the youngest Quarterfinalist in the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, was equally impressive in his Oakley Pro Junior Quarterfinals heat today. The innovative regular-footer took top honors over an impressive list of names including defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, and defending regional champion Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17.

“Evan is one of my best friends, so I wish he got through and Jack (Freestone) has been ripping so it was a fun heat,” Andino said. “It was the first time the three of us have surfed against each other. Jack beat me in Bali. He was getting barreled and I was sitting out on the shoulder, so it’s good to get one back on him here.”

The young local talent is the only surfer still in contention for both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior titles, but remained humble in his intentions to win both events.

“I’m not thinking about that at all right now,” Andino said. “I’m just taking it one heat at a time and I’m happy that I’ve made it this far.”

Camarao, Guduaskas and Pupo all executed maneuvers worthy of Most Valuable Performance (MVP) status during the day. A video clip of each will be available to view online at nike6lowerspro.com/mvp-bracket/mvp-most-valuable-performance/ <http://www.nike6lowerspro.com/mvp-bracket/mvp-most-valuable-performance/> . Tomorrow, the surfer with the most Facebook “likes” will earn MVP status and the gold MVP jersey for the day. An MVP will be awarded each day; Dane Reynolds earned the title on day one, Caio Ibilli for day two and Kolohe Andino for day three. Each daily winner will go into a finalvote for a chance at $1,000 for the overall win.

Both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior champions will be crowned tomorrow and the day’s action will be webcast LIVE with live video coverage and scoring.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro is being televised live in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD, and in Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets. Additionally, FUEL TV will broadcast live throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For more information about the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, visit nike6lowerspro.com <http://nike6lowerspro.com> . For more about the Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com. <http://www.oakleyprojunior.com>

KOLOHE LEADS YOUNG SURFERS ON DAY TWO OF NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO

Gronamo — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:10:53 GMT

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 5, 2011 – The ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro charged through the Round of 24 with several up-and-comers putting on a show in clean two-to-four foot waves at Lower Trestles in San Onofre State Beach. Surfers competing in the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro are surfing for the crucial points on offer towards their ASP World Ranking.

Jadson Andre (BRA), 21, who earned the highest heat total of the entire Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro event yesterday, returned to form again to earn the day’s highest heat-total of 17.87 out of 20 in a combined effort on both the lefts and rights on offer at Lower Trestles.

“Trestles is one of my favorite waves in the world, and I just love to come down and compete and surf,” Andre said. “When I come here I just enjoy surfing with a few other guys in the water so I’m pretty stoked to do this well in the contest, but I’m trying not to think about scores or the final and just try to catch the best waves.”

Andre, who took the event’s highest single-wave score in yesterday’s competition on his forehand, looked equally impressive on the rights of Lower Trestles today with a 9.10 score for several blistering backside turns.

“It’s just amazing to show that I’ve improved,” Andre said. “My best wave was on my backside in that heat, a 9.10 and I’ve just been working hard on my backside.”

Andre has been the leader of the impressive Brazilian contingent responsible for several of the event’s top scores and is motivated by the camaraderie of his fellow countrymen.

“Everybody knows the Brazilian guys are always supporting each other and I really love it,” Andre said. “There are still so many Brazilians left in the contest and it’s always great to make your heat and see your friends make theirs.”

Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, put on an amazing performance in front of his home crowd to earn some of the event’s top scores in what many are calling the most exciting heat of the day. The young Lower Trestles local detonated a well-rounded combination of massive airs and carves on several rights to take down ASP Dream Tour talent Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HI), 22, in a high scoring affair of 17.50 to 17.03.

“Before the heat, my nerves were running wild,” Andino said. “I had to step aside and focus because I was pretty nervous. Once the heat starts, I start to get a little more comfortable, but actually after I got that 7, I was still nervous because I knew Dusty (Payne) could get a bomb and rip it. I just want to give credit to Dusty (Payne). He’s one of my favorite surfers, and it’s a bummer we came up against each other and I probably had the best heat of my life.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, continued to issue his string of upsets by reveling in the clean left-handers in his morning heat to defeat local standout and ASP Dream Tour competitor Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 25. Medina issued the day’s highest single-wave score of a near perfect 9.50 out of 10 for a massive layback, a powerful carve and completed the ride with a committed air to overtake Gudauskas in their bout for the win.

“I was outside and the wave just came,” Medina said. “I thought ‘oh my God, I have to rip this wave because I need a score.’ I did that layback first and then a good turn and finished with the air. I’m stoked.”

Medina, who got off to a sluggish start in his heat against Gudauskas, maintained composure in his Round of 24 match-up to show experience beyond his years.

“I feel so good,” Medina said. “I was nervous in the start of my heat and I just don’t know, I just got two good waves. At first I was worried because my feet were slipping off of my board. Luckily I had some wax in my wetsuit and fixed it and got two good waves later in the heat.”

C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, was one veteran campaigner who capitalized on his experience of the Round of 24’s man-on-man format. The Floridian took to his backhand to lock into two of the heat’s best right-handers to post a solid 17.07 heat total to oust Hawaiian powerhouse Joel Centeio (HAW), 28.

“I just focused in on the rights and it’s completely different than those four-man heats,” Hobgood said. “In the four-man heats, it’s all about getting your waves and building a house and the two-man are exactly opposite. You want to think clearly and focus on what you’re doing. I was able to do that and it was the difference. I’ve got a lot of experience here, so it helps.”

Andre, Andino and Mendes all executed maneuvers worthy of Most Valuable Performance (MVP) status during the day. A video clip of each will be available to view online here. Tomorrow, the surfer with the most Facebook “likes” will earn MVP status and the gold MVP jersey for the day. An MVP will be awarded each day; Dane Reynolds earned the title on day one and Caio Ibelli for day two. Each daily winner will go into a final vote for a chance at $1,000 for the overall win.

Concluding today’s action was the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which ran the first two heats of the Round of 32. The Oakley Pro Junior's ASP 5-Star status will play a crucial role in American surfers’ chances of qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior are available via live HD webcast with live video coverage and scoring for all five days of competition with announcers Sal Masekela, Mark Fewell, Dino Andino, Saxon Boucher, Chris Mauro, Brad Gerlach and Jodie Nelson.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be televised live in its entirety in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD. Additionally, the Oceanic Time Warner Cable live feed will be transported to Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets from Thursday through Saturday.

BRAZILIANS LEAD CHARGE ON DAY TWO OF ASP PRIME NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO

Gronamo — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:29:55 GMT

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 4, 2011 – The second day of the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro saw ASP World Tour surfer Jadson Andre (BRA), 21, young local talent Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, and up-and-comer Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, push performance barriers in Round 2 by reveling in the clean one-to-three foot waves at San Onofre State Beach - Lower Trestles to post the highest scores of the event.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro represents the third ASP PRIME event of the year and has attracted several of the world’s best surfers in search of the heightened points on offer towards their ASP World Ranking.

Andre locked into a clean lefthander to unload the highest single wave score of the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, a nearly-flawless 9.87 out of 10 with an impressive combination of powerful carves before pulling out his signature, frontside air-reverse to add to his 8.60 for the highest heat total of the event (18.47 out of 20).

“I knew it was going to be a tough heat because Caio (Ibelli) is one of the best juniors in the world and Miguel (Pupo) has been surfing so well lately and Austin (Ware) has been on the tour for a long time and I knew I had to go big,” Andre said. “I just did three big carves and a big air.”

Andre, current No. 12 on the elite ASP World Title race, has been focusing on improving his surfing in all conditions and feels that the training is paying off.

“I’ve been trying to mix it up and I feel good because I see that it’s working,” Andre said. “I’m trying to do other maneuvers, not just one big air. I have been traveling and want to show that I’ve improved. I’m just stoked that I made my heat, that’s my goal.”

Gudauskas slowly built momentum throughout his heat, notching an excellent score of 8.00 for a ferocious layback before unleasing a near-perfect 9.63 out of 10 by blasting a flurry of powerful backside turns on a long righthand wall.

“I really was just out to pasture when that wave came in and everyone slid right because I think they were looking to go left and I just got this chip from out the back,” Gudauskas said. “I felt like I got lucky with the waves I got. I didn’t have rhythm in the beginning and I got a wave, it was just like my last heat.”

Gudauskas’ 17.70 heat total, one of the highest of competition, saw the goofy-footer earn top honors in an intense, high-scoring heat over fellow San Clemente native Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, who advanced in second, ASP World No. 11 Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, and Pablo Paulino (BRA), 24.

“That heat was so gnarly, I was thinking that if one more set came in I could easily go to third,” Gudauskas said. “Those are fun heats, but at the same time, when you lose those it’s a tough one so I feel for Adriano (de Souza) and Pablo (Paulino).”

Gabriel Medina continued his strong form in Round 2 by putting on a progressive clinic with tail-drifting turns and airs on two steep Lowers lefthanders to earn two of the event’s highest scores of a 9.17 single wave score before taking a 17.60 heat total to take a victory over ASP Dream Tour campaigners C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, and Dan Ross (AUS), 28.

“I’m so stoked to get through and it was kind of hard to surf because the water is so cold,” Medina said. “I got two good waves and I’m so stoked to be here at Lowers. I’ve been here twice and I just love it, it’s a really cool wave.”

Thiago Camarao (BRA), 22, who was testing a new board in his heat, was another high-flying Brazilian who turned heads today by notching a 15.67 out of 20 heat total to take his win over ASP Dream Tour surfer Adam Melling (AUS), 26, who advanced in second.

“I just got a new board yesterday because the waves are so different than where I live,” Camarao said. “It feels so good, but I need to practice more on it on my backhand. I’m sure I’ll get to practice more on my backhand in the next heat, but I’m really happy to have won that heat and to make it through to the next round.”

Lincoln Taylor (AUS), 22, was responsible for the day’s biggest upset by issuing defending event champion Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL), 30, and Raioni Monteiro (BRA), 28, early eliminations from the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro by finding the best righthander in a wave-starved heat to advance into the Round of 48.

“It was a solid heat with Gabe (Kling) having won last year and Raoni (Monteiro) has been ripping this year,” Taylor said. “It was one of those heats that was tough for everybody and its just luck at the moment. If you luck into the good one, you’re going to get through and I was lucky.”

Andre, Medina and Ibelli all executed maneuvers worthy of Most Valuable Performance (MVP) status during the day. A video clip of each will be available to view online at nike6lowerspro.com/mvp-bracket/mvp-most-valuable-performance/. Tomorrow, the surfer with the most Facebook “likes” will earn MVP status and the gold MVP jersey for the day. An MVP will be awarded each day; Dane Reynolds earned the title for the first day. Each daily winner will go into a final vote for a chance at $1,000 for the overall win.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be televised live and in its entirety in Hawaii onOceanic Time Warner Cable’s Oceanic SURF Channel 250 and 1250HD and from May 5 to May 7 on Time Warner SoCal Channel 101 in San Diego and Los Angeles.

Running in conjunction with the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which will see the 32-man field battle for the vital points on offer towards qualification for the elite ASP World Junior Tour.

Both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior are available via live HD webcast with live video coverage and scoring for all five days of competition with announcers Sal Masekela, Mark Fewell, Dino Andino, Saxon Boucher, Chris Mauro, Brad Gerlach and Jodie Nelson.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be televised live and in its entirety in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD. Additionally, the Oceanic Time Warner Cable live feed will be transported to Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets from Thursday through Saturday.

Surfing's Top Names Deliver on Day 1 at 6.0 Lowers Pro

Gronamo — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:27:52 GMT

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 3, 2011 – The opening day of the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro saw several of surfing’s elite put on a show in playful one-to-three foot waves at the historic cobblestone pointbreak of Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, Calif. The first 16 heats of Round 1 were completed today and the contest will continue through Saturday, May 7 before awarding $250,000 in cash and a custom $30,00014-karate gold railroad spike.

Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, CA), 28, took top honors in a stacked heat over fellow ASP Dream Tour campaigner Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, Australian Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and local Dane Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 25, while posting the day’s highest single-wave score. The lethal goofy-footer tore into a steep lefthander with calculated rail work despite the small conditions to notch a 9.37 out of 10 en route to the day’s second-highest heat-total of 16.04 out of 20.

“Nothing’s easy these days, there are all kinds of good surfers,” Martinez said. “That one 9 was just a good wave. I think I did four turns or something. I really just lined up nice.”

Kekoa Bacalso (Mililani, HI), 25, former elite ASP Top 34 member, returned to competition with a newfound drive to detonate the day’s highest heat-total of a 16.07 after dismantling the fun conditions on offer at Lower Trestles and is hungry to reassert himself as a dominant force among his international peers.

“The waves were fun once you got one of them,” Bacalso said. “I’ve been training hard and getting nuts at home and it’s good to be back. I’m sick of being home and watching these guys on the computer and I want to be a part of it. I got let go from my sponsor at the end of December and it was a good reality check, a good slap in the face, and I’ve been buckling down. I’ve had a lot of time at home to get prepared for this and I’m here to make a statement. I’m not taking it lightly that’s for sure.”

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, earned an impressive come-from-behind victory in his opening heat over Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HI), 22, who advanced in second. The local talent also relied on his forehand to combine several seamless turns on a crisp left to score a 9.00 with three minutes remaining in the heat to launch Gudauskas from last to first.

“I was having fun in that heat, there was no real hassling, so I was stoked,” Gudauskas said. “That wave came to me and I didn’t think it was going to be that good, but it just stood up.”

Gudauskas, who sustained an ankle injury free-surfing in Tasmania, is fired up to be back in the water after nearly six weeks of recovery time.

“I’m just stoked to be surfing in this event,” Gudauskas said. “I’m coming back from my ankle injury and I’m frothing on surfing in general. I injured my ankle in Tasmania and was out for about a month and a half. It was just three days ago that I got back in the water.”

Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), 25, returned to competition for the first time in 2011 after undergoing surgery to his knee following a late season injury in 2010. The innovative Californian put on a solid performance to advance out of Round 1 behind Kekoa Bacalso with a 14.33 heat total, but was still cautious about the condition of his knee.

“That was the hardest I’ve pushed it so it might swell up a bit tomorrow,” Reynolds said. “That was a bit different than my normal routine since I’ve started surfing again. Usually I’ll get a good warm up and go catch a couple of waves and today I was around the contest site all day.

There definitely felt like there was less flexibility going.”

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro wildcard Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, issued the upset of the day by eliminating last year’s event runner-up Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, to advance into the Round of 48.

“I saw that heat draw and was pretty worried because it was a tough heat,” Andino said. “Wiggolly (Dantas) rips super hard, Kai Barger always blows up and Davo (Chris Davidson) is a full veteran. I really wanted to beat Davo because he beat me last year. I had a lot of fun out there though. The waves are really fun and I had the perfect time with the tide so I’m really stoked.”

Andino, current No. 115 on the men’s ASP World Ranking and Lower Trestles local, is still holding three zero-point scores in his score line and knows that a good result at the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will skyrocket his position on the international standings.

“I’m super excited about getting the points here,” Andino said. “I’m just going to take it one heat at a time, but hopefully I make a few heats. It’s cool to be on your own program when competing at home. You don’t have to worry about traveling with anyone or anything like that so it’s cool.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, also notched a notable victory to open his Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro account. The Brazilian up-and-comer earned a solid 15.50 (out of 20) heat total with progressive fins-free surfing on his forehand and lightning backhand snaps on his backhand to top current ASP Dream Tour talent Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente), 25, who advanced in second, Sebastian Zietz (Kauai, HI), 23, and Brandon Jackson (ZAF), 24.

“The waves are kind of small, but it’s fun out there,” Medina said. “It was a hard heat with Pat (Gudauskas) but I just tried to have fun and it worked. I was surfing the left and got a 7 and it is fun, it kind of stands up. I got an 8 and a good right too, so I’m happy.”

Medina, current No. 43 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, is another young talent out to help his cause towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Title series with a keeper result at this year’s Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro.

“I really want to qualify this year,” Medina said. “I’m really trying to do my best and hopefully I can do it.”

Andino along with Conner Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA), 17, and Reynolds all executed maneuvers worthy of “MVP” status during the day. A video clip of each will be available to view online at nike6lowerspro.com. Tomorrow, the surfer with the most Facebook “likes” will earn MVP status and the gold MVP jersey for the day. An MVP will be awarded each day, with each daily winner going into a final vote for a chance at $1,000 for the overall win.

Running in conjunction with the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which will see the 32-man field battle for the vital points on offer towards qualification for the elite ASP World Junior Tour.

Both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior are available via live HD webcast with live video coverage and scoring for all five days of competition with announcers Sal Masekela, Mark Fewell, Dino Andino, Saxon Boucher, Chris Mauro, Brad Gerlach and Jodie Nelson.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will be televised live and in its entirety in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Oceanic SURF Channel 250 and 1250HD. Time Warner SoCal will air the event from Thursday to Saturday in San Diego and Los Angeles.

For more information about the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, visit nike6lowerspro.com.

The 6.0 Lowers Pro: Coming Soon

Gronamo — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:04:35 GMT

Many of the top names in surfing will hit the famed cobblestones of Trestles on May 3-7, 2011, for the 6.0 Lowers Pro. The stakes: a chance to win the coveted 14-karat solid gold railroad spike, a $40,000 first-place payout, and vital points to maintain their ASP rankings. With an increased prize purse of $250,000, a $30,000 gold trophy, and major Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME points on the line, the 6.0 Lowers Pro will be an event few surfers will want to miss.

Twenty-seven of the top ASP World Title surfers are entered in the 96-man field of the 6.0 Lowers Pro. Standouts include 10-time defending World Champion and current ASP #1 Kelly Slater as well as: #3 Tiago Pires (PRT), #5 Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA) and Dusty Payne (Wahiawa, HI) and #9 Adrian Buchan (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF) and Adriano De Souza (BRA). Jadson Andre (BRA)and Julian Wilson (AUS) currently tied at #13, and Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) and defending 6.0 Lowers Pro Champion Gabe Kling, all tied at #24 are also in the mix.

The 6.0 Lowers Pro is the first of only three PRIME contests in North America. The ASP’s relatively new PRIME designation, the highest possible rating with the most available points, is limited to only a few superior competition venues around the world. The significant points on offer are particularly attractive to competitors in the ASP World Title race who are trying to re-qualify for next year’s Dream Tour.

A bevy of top young talent will also be on hand for the upgraded ASP five-star Oakley Pro Junior, which will run concurrently. The Oakley Pro Junior will see 32 men (20 years and younger) battling for ASP regional ratings points to qualify for the World Junior Tour events. Those to watch include 2010 North American Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), current North American #1 Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), #2 Conner Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA), #3 Luke Davis (Capo Beach, CA) and #4 Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL). Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA) will be back to defend his big win from last year and the international contingent includes 2010 World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Shaun Joubert (ZAF), Kaito Ohashi (JPN) and Frederico Morais (PRT).

Both the 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior will feature an HD webcast with live video coverage and scoring for all five days of competition with announcers Sal Masekela, Mark Fewell, Dino Andino, Saxon Boucher, Chris Mauro, Brad Gerlach and Jodie Nelson.

For more information about the 6.0 Lowers Pro, visit nike6lowerspro.com.

Louie Claims First X Games Gold

caseycastro — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:41:03 GMT

Hot off a bronze medal at Winter X in Aspen and a buffet of other golds throughout the season, Louie Vito took down the Euro X Games Superpipe this week with his signature run—only a little higher. Double crippler to Michalchuk to frontside double cork 1080 to Cab double cork 1080 to frontside 1080—all with loft and confidence.

"I've always had the technical tricks, but haven't had the amplitude," Vito told ESPN following the event, "so I've been working on that. Last year I didn't go as big, and it showed in my score."

For someone who’s climbed the podium at almost every event he’s entered this season, you wouldn’t think another gold medal would matter much to Louie. But the pipe win this week in Tignes was his first X Games Gold, and so obviously, he was stoked.

Hot on Louie’s pipe-destroying heels were Nike 6.0 compatriots Matt Ladley, Greg Bretz, and Mason Aguirre—who took fourth, fifth, and seventh, respectively.

Congrats, boys!

Greg and Spencer Shine at Dew

Gronamo — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:25:10 GMT

Greg Bretz and Spencer O'Brien made sure to wrap up the Winter Dew Tour the best way they know how - on the podium.

For his part, Greg dominated the men's snowboard Superpipe, landing a backside 540, frontside double cork 1080, Cab 1080 double cork, frontside 900, backside 900 and frontside 1080 - the back-to-back doubles were his first.

"I put down the run I wanted to put down and I'm happier than ever," Greg said. "Keeping up with the level of progression with everyone doing double corks is fun for me. I get some kind of sick enjoyment from pushing myself."

After battling back from an injury that kept her out of the first Winter Dew Tour stop - the Nike 6.0 Open Breckenridge - Spencer showed the world what she was made of at the Killington stop by stomping her way to second place in the women's snowboard Slopestyle contest. And, she followed that up this weekend with a third-place finish in Utah.

Well done crew!

Louie Locks Up Dew Cup

Gronamo — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:21:47 GMT

It may not have been exactly how he planned it, but Louie Vito is now the proud owner of the Dew Cup for men's snowboard Superpipe. Louie was a man on a mission at the first two stops of the Winter Dew Tour, winning both events and putting himself in the driver's seat for the overall championships this weekend in Utah. However, the Toyota Championship did not go according to script for Louie. After falling on his first run, Louie threw down a solid, but not incredible run, to land in 7th place, which was just enough to get him the coveted piece of hardware.

“I’m bummed I didn’t make the podium, and I wasn’t completely satisfied with my riding tonight,” said Vito. “The level of riding was sick though, and in the end I’m stoked I got the Dew Cup.”

Louie may have been disappointed to have missed the podium, but Nike 6.0's Greg Bretz was psyched to step up on the pedestal in second place. Greg nearly had the win with a rock-solid 95, but was narrowly beat out by Luke Mitrani's 97. Check out all the highlights here.

With Louie walking away with the Dew Cup and Greg bagging second, you gotta say it was a good day, not to mention Ice Cube playing a raucous show on Friday night. Thanks for the memories guys.

Dew Cups Decided in Utah

Gronamo — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:43:16 GMT

The entire Winter Dew Tour comes down to this weekend: Dew Cups will be won and lost in Ogden, Utah at the Toyota Championships. So mark your calendars and set your DVRs.

Nike 6.0 has a number of athletes vying for a spot on the top of the overall standings, with an eye on swooping a Dew Cup. First up is one of this season's hottest snowboarders, none other than Louie Vito. Louie has had the magic touch at the first two stops, walking away with first place in Superpipe at both Breckenridge and Killington, setting himself up as the favorite to win the overall. Right on his heels, however, are his teammates Matt Ladley and Mason Aguirre, sitting in third and fourth place, respectively.

On the women's side, Elena Hight is holding it down for 6.0. Elena is currently tied for second on the overall Superpipe standings, so if she can send it there's a good chance she could come up on a Dew Cup too.

The hopes of the 6.0 freeskiers rest on Simon Dumont's shoulders, as he looks to hold off Kevin Rolland in ski Superpipe. Simon is even with Kevin atop the standings, so he'll be dialed and ready for battle to prove that he deserves the coveted Dew Cup.

If you happen to be in Ogden for the finals, don't miss Ice Cube's performance, which starts at 9pm MT, as the rap legend will surely make it a Good Day for all.

If you can't get to the event, make sure to watch it on TV.

Winter X Update

Gronamo — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:51:07 GMT

X Games 15 is no let down - the Slopestyle course is massive, the Superpipe is perfect and the Big Air jump looks insane. Thursday afternoon in Aspen was one of the most perfect days for snowboard training anyone could ask for in late January. The sky was crystal clear, the temperature was just about freezing and there was virtually no wind. The Nike 6.0 team charged to the hill for Superpipe and Slopestyle practice with more energy than any team at X Games. Young-gunners like Sage Kotsenburg and Halldor Helgason tore apart the Slopestyle course, and later that evening these two X Games celebrities threw down on the Big Air practice, warming up for tomorrow night's show.

Stay tuned to ESPN for coverage from Winter X Games Men's Slopestyle elimination at 11am MST and again for Big Air at 6:45pm MST. If you have not seen Halldor's edits from Aspen check them out here.

Spencer O'Brien was ripping the course today for the ladies, showing why Nike 6.0 represents the best of women's slope. The most watched action of the day was seen in men's Superpipe elimination, as five Nike 6.0 team riders competed for eight available spots in the final. Congrats to Matt Ladley, Peetu Piiroinen and Louie Vito for holding down the squad and pressing on to Sunday's Men's Superpipe Finals. Stay tuned to your TV for Superpipe action Sunday night at 6:30pm MST to see the team in their final X Games event.

Follow all the action as it happens on our Nike 6.0 Snowboard Facebook page.

Photo Zach Hooper

Killing it in Killington

Gronamo — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:42:02 GMT

When a small East Coast ski town like Killington, VT brings in the biggest U.S. snowboard tour, they expect a lot. And, this particular weekend they got exactly that - two feet of snow fell on the town from Tuesday through Thursday, and just after that an arctic blast pushed down into the region bringing the coldest temperatures the Northeast has seen in the past two years. The NIke 6.0 athletes all rolled into town with big expectations. The resort joined forces with SPT and together they did an amazing job on the course setup. The pipe was a perfect 22-foot Olympic caliber snowboard wonder. When push came came to shove, it was 6.0 big guns Louie Vito and Mason Aguirre standing on the podium in 1st and 3rd place, respectively. Mason's buttery style and Louie's technical execution both proved to be the characteristics of ideal pipe riding for the Dew Tour judges. The slopestyle course was primed with a great set up of three rail features and three jump features. Sage Kotsenburg and Spencer O'Brien were true stand outs in slope for the 6.0 squad. At the end of the day, Spencer took second place holding it down for the women at Dew Tour Killington.

To see all the images from the Killington stop, check out our snowboard Facebook page.

And to watch all the videos, including Louie Vito's PowerBar Performance of the Year nomination, go here.