Mundaka NOT cancelled

Word in from the US is that Mundaka is definately...we repeat 100% ON for this year. The events status has been confirmed by Billabong and by the ASP....we'll have to stop using such unreliable sources of information for our news in the future... pick up your act Surfing Magazine!!

Tom Whits takes out Margarets

Surfing history was created on the final day of the Drug Aware Pro Margaret River presented by O'Neill, as two new champions were crowned at Surfers Point.

Tom Whitaker (Bronte, NSW) and Paige Hareb (New Zealand) created their own individual pieces of history, both sealing their maiden professional tour victories in style.

Whitaker, a 10-year Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Tour veteran, defeated American Chris Ward (San Celmente, USA), in a one-sided affair - winning 15.67 (out of a possible 20), to Ward's 6.17, to take home a US$15,000 winner's cheque and 3,000 points on offer in the 6-Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event.

The popular 28 year-old pro-surfer, often seen chairing his Aussie mates up the beach on the World Tour, was never in doubt in the Final, after opening with a 6.17 to lead from start to finish.

"I am so stoked," he said.

Whitaker had been competing on the ASP World Tour for five years without a first place result.

"I've had a second on the ASP World Tour in Brazil and countless third places, but to finally win an event is so awesome.  I feel like the monkey is finally off my back.

"I had a super relaxed week and the waves were really quality here," he said.

"Margaret River has the best waves on the WQS (World Qualifying Series) circuit.  To win here is all-time."

In the Women's competition, 17-year-old Paige Hareb defeated Rosanne Hedge (South Africa) in a truly international Final.

Hareb, who was extremely impressive throughout the entire competition, dazzled the crowd with an exciting brand of progressive surfing - becoming the first New Zealander in history to win a major event on the ASP Tour.

"I'm so stoked," she said.  "I can't believe I've won."

In a very close affair, Hareb, with a cumulative total of 14.5 (out of a possible 20), was able to come from behind to take the title over Hodge, who scored a 13.57 (out of a possible 20).

"I just tried to get off to a quick start and get the best waves I could to build my heat," she said.

In addition to the US$4,000 first place prize, Hareb was awarded with 2,000 valuable WQS ratings points, boosting her fight for qualification on the 2009 ASP Women's World Tour.

The Drug Aware Pro Margaret River presented by O'Neill saw the world's top 250 touring professionals from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, USA, France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil, Peru, USA, Puerto Rico, Japan, Canary Islands and Mexico fighting for a combined prize purse of $US165,000 and vital ratings points.

Major sponsors of the 2008 Drug Aware Pro Margaret River included Healthway / Drug Aware, EventsCorp and O'Neill.  Support sponsors include SupaShake by Brownes, Nova 93.7, Department of Sport & Recreation, Surftech Australia, Odyssey 2020, The Sunday Times, Margarets Beach Resort, Leeuwin Estate, Corona, Pump Water, MR Law, Tracks Magazine, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Tracks, Surfersvillage.com, Surfing WA and ASP Australasia.