MARGARET RIVER, WA/Australia (Sunday, March 18, 2012) ? One of the most prestigious events on the Australian leg of the ASP World Tour, the Telstra Drug Aware Pro is about to get underway. The ASP Prime rating for the Men and ASP 6-Star for the Women is attracting a plethora of the world’s best surfers to Surfer’s Point, Margaret River from March 19 – 25.
Kelly Slater (USA) is returning to Margaret River for only the third time in his surfing career that has lasted more than two decades and seen him amass an unprecedented 11 ASP World Titles. Slater competed at last year’s Telstra Drug Aware Pro and is excited to return in 2012 due to a favourable surf forecast for the week.
“I’m really excited for Telstra Drug Aware Pro this coming week,” Slater said. “We had a great trip last year staying at a great house, eating amazing food, visiting all the wineries and surfing some fun waves. The surf never got great last year, but this year the forecast is amazing for big stuff with good wind direction. It should be a really fun event to be part of with plenty of challenging surf along the way. I can’t wait!”
Taj Burrow (AUS), current No. 1 on the ASP World Championship Tour, after taking out the opening event on the Gold Coast this month is heading home to WA for the Telstra Drug Aware Pro.
“I always look forward to this event because I have the hometown advantage,” Burrow said. “I always get jealous of Mick (Fanning) and Joel (Parkinson) at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast because they’ve got the contest in their backyard. So it’s great for me to have this one near my house. I haven’t seen the forecast, but everyone has been talking about how it’s going to be pretty big. I’m excited for it!”
Sage Erickson (USA) finished runner-up at last year’s Telstra Drug Aware Pro and is thrilled to return to Margaret River this week. Erickson is heading into the event with some momentum after a 3rd place finish at the ASP 6-Star Hunter Ports Women’s Classic.
“I’m so excited to head to Margaret River again,” Ericson said. “It’s one of my favourite events all year. The conditions are always challenging and we get to surf some bigger waves. It’s a time for the girls to get out there and push themselves. It’s a beautiful place. I looked at the forecast and it’s looking like it will be big so I’m getting my big boards ready.”
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Telstra, Drug Aware, Eventscorp, Healthway Department of Sport & Recreation, Health Insurance Fund of Australia, Mambo, Air Asia, Surfing Western Australia, Association of Surfing Professionals, Lexus of Perth, MargaretRiver.com, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Nine, WIN, Tracks, CINEads, Movie Masters, The Wire Magazine, South West Times Magazine, 92.9
