PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad/El Salvador (Monday, July 8, 2013) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star Reef Pro El Salvador is scheduled to commence tomorrow at the world-class righthand pointbreak of Punta Roca and with solid swell forecast throughout the entirety of the waiting period, this year’s event is set to deliver an action packed week of competition.
Stop No. 4 of 6 on the men’s ASP North America Series, the Reef Pro El Salvador represents the third consecutive year of competition at Punta Roca on the regional calendar. Beginning as ASP 3 and 4 Star events, this year’s Reef Pro El Salvador has elevated to 6-Star status, attracting several of the world’s best surfers, including six ASP WCT campaigners.
Josh Kerr (AUS), 29, currently ranked 9th on the ASP WCT and top seed at the Reef Pro El Salvador, is set to embark on his first trip to the Central American gem of Punta Roca and the high-performance pointbreak will surely suit Kerr as one event favorite among the event’s top names.
“I’ve never been to El Salvador but now that I live in Carlsbad it’s short trip and I need to know more about Central America since I live over here now,” Kerr said. “It a good excuse to get down there. The wave looks awesome and the forecast is in our favor too! I’m excited!”
Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 28, is another ASP WCT campaigner who will be traveling to El Salvador for the first time and the talented regular-footer is fired up to sink his teeth in to the flawless canvas of Punta Roca.
“This is going to be my first trip down to El Savador,” Simpson said. “I’ve had it on my list for awhile and just haven’t had the right amount of time to get down there. It looks like a plethora of righthand pointbreaks that look pretty dang good and from what I’ve been hearing it’s up to par. Now with a comp there I wasn’t going to pass it up and I’m psyched to get my first experience during the event!”
Simpson, currently in his fourth year among the ASP Top 34, has struggled to find a rhythm in recent ASP WCT events, but is hoping to reset his 2013 campaign with a strong performance at the Reef Pro El Salvador.
“I’m just thinking about getting some good waves and trying to make some heats,” Simpson said. “Nothing has been really working so far this year, so I’m just going to keep working away and find some rhythm and flow. Sometimes surfing heats can seem so easy and other times it feels like the hardest thing in the world. I’m just keeping an open mind and just reacting to the situation. Getting a good result here would be a nice boost heading into the U.S. Open, which I’ve had some success in over the recent years.”
Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 41, former 20 year veteran of the ASP WCT, is another elite name in this year’s Reef Pro El Salvador draw. With solid swell expected to deliver throughout the week, The San Diegan’s signature power-carves will likely be a highlight on display throughout the week.
“I’m so pumped to surf such a good right point, if this wave is on, it’s world class,” says Knox. “The waves are looking fun for the week and I’m looking forward to it.”
Surfline, official forecasters for the Reef Pro El Salvador, are calling for: Building SSW swell through the day on Tuesday the 9th, will be solid by Wednesday the 10th as the swell peaks. Easing surf takes over Thursday. Fun size surf is lining up for the weekend of the 13th-14th.
