Women’s surfing just got a boost for 2014 with the announcement from the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) that an event in Maui has been added as the final stop on the 2014 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT). The event will be hosted in the world-famous Honolua Bay from November 24 through December 6, 2014.
“Maui will always hold a special place in my heart,” Stephanie Gilmore, five-time ASP Women’s World Champion, said. “It’s where I clinched my first world title and Honolua Bay was very good to me over the years. It’s a world-class wave and befitting of the talent we have on tour this season. What a fantastic way to end the year.”
A regular stop on the elite ASP Women’s WCT until 2009, Maui will offer the ASP Top 17 another quality platform on which to compete, further confirmation of the ASP’s commitment to putting the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves.
“The women of the ASP Top 17 are some of the most competitive, athletic and engaging role models in all of sports,” Paul Speaker, ASP International CEO, said. “Having a platform of quality surf is foundational to providing them the opportunity to showcase their abilities as world-class athletes. Maui is a great addition to this season’s tour.”
2014 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour Schedule includes:
- Roxy Pro Gold Coast: March 1 – 12, 2014
- Margaret River Pro: April 2 – 13, 2014
- Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: April 16 – 27, 2014
- Rio Women’s Pro: May 7 – 18, 2014
- Fiji Women’s Pro: May 25 – 30, 2014
- Vans US Open of Surfing: July 27 – August 3, 2014
- Trestles Women’s Pro: September 9 – 20, 2014
- Hossegor Women’s Pro: September 23 – 29, 2014
- Cascais Women’s Pro: October 1 – 7, 2014
- Maui Women’s Pro: November 24 – December 6, 2014
In other surf news, the 2014-15 Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) has been announced.
Showcasing the world’s premiere big wave surfers, the BWWT boasts a flexible two-part schedule, activating events in both hemispheres in line with optimum swell windows at some of the planet’s most renowned big wave venues:
Southern Hemisphere (April 15, 2014 through August 31, 2014):
– Punta de Lobos, Chile
– Pico Alto, Peru
– Dungeons, South Africa
Northern Hemisphere (October 15, 2014 to February 28, 2015):
– Todos Santos, Mexico
– Punta Galea, Basque Country Spain
– Pe’ahi (Jaws), Maui HI
Joining the classic breaks of Punta de Lobos (Chile), Pico Alto (Peru), Todos Santos (Mexico) and Punta Galea (Basque Country Spain) will be two new events in Dungeons (South Africa) and Pe’ahi “Jaws” (Maui).
“This year’s ASP BWWT schedule is a great start to the new season,” Peter Mel, former BWWT Champion and ASP Deputy Commissioner, said. “The addition of Dungeons and Pe’ahi really cement the foundation of this Tour in determining the world’s most comprehensive big wave surfer. The variety of each of these breaks and the culture of the local communities makes this a very special thing to be a part of.”
Founded by renowned big wave legend Gary Linden in 2009, the BWWT was acquired by the ASP in 2013 and the Tour will be serviced by the foremost governing body of professional surfing moving forward.
“The big wave community is one built on respect and a collective admiration of the ocean,” Linden said. “When we started the BWWT, it was designed to celebrate the achievements of this community and our relationship with the ASP will allow us to do so on a significantly enhanced platform. We’re very eager to see what the 2014/2015 season brings.”
The acquisition of the BWWT by the ASP will allow for top ASP surfers such as 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 42, reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, Hawaiian phenom John John Florence (HAW), 21, amongst others to join respected BWWT surfers like Greg Long (USA), 28, Grant Baker (ZAF), 40, and Carlos Burle (BRA), 45, in competition with waves in the 25-foot-and-above range.
The BWWT will complement the current ASP tours of the men’s and women’s ASP WCT, the ASP World Junior Championship, ASP World Longboard Championship and regional tours around the globe.
The first stop on the 2014 ASP WCT will be the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast from March 1 – 12.
