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Day 1 - Update

Gavin Gillette (Hawaii) was one of the round one standouts at the Arrive Alive Pro today taking a solid heat win ahead of Craig Anderson (AUS). In round two Gillette facs a highly anticipated showdown against top Australian surfer Shaun Cansdell. Photo Credit: Steve Robertson.

(Soldiers Beach, NSW - Tuesday 11th March, 2008): Soldiers Beach (Central Coast) turned it on for Day 1 of the Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro, with perfect conditions generating some dazzling surfing from the world's best.

With more than 140 of the hottest surfers converging on the Central Coast beach break, the surfing which eventuated was of the highest calibre.

Led by some young Australian rippers the morning action was electric.

Early standout was Laurie Towner (Angourie) who took the second highest wave score of the day with an 8.17 (out of a possible 10) and went on to a convincing win ahead of Parish Byrne (Wollongong).

Towner is world renowned as a fearless big wave charger but also has an outstanding all round competitive record through junior and pro junior surfing in Australia. His recent exploits in some of the worlds most serious waves have taken their toll and Towner has spent a lot of time in recovery recently but today's win looks like the start of a comeback for the stylish Northern NSW surfer.

Laurie Towner (Angourie/NSW) returned to his competitive best today with a convincing opening round heat win at the Arrive Alive Pro on the NSW Central Coast.

"I was really happy with my heat, I'm feeling really good right now," he said.

"This is only the third contest I've surfed over the past three quarters of a year due to a run of injuries I've had. I'm just focusing on my free surfing this year and looking toward building my fitness back up."

Current ASP Australasian Junior Series ratings leader Stuart Kennedy was also in sparkling form, accruing the highest total heat score with a combined wave score of 16.26 (out of a possible 20).

"I would really like to do well in this event. At the moment I'm trying to focus on my surfing and build my profile as a good consistent surfer," he said.

"To me it's more about improving my surfing and heat scores at this point in time."

Looking at getting their 2008 campaigns off to a solid start at the 4-star rated World Qualifying Series (WQS) event were Clint Kimmins (Gold Coast) and veteran Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl) - both progressing to the next round.

While Bemrose is looking towards the World Amateur Titles in August through forging a solid foundation, Kimmins focus lies in qualification for the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).

"I got off to a bit of a slow start in my heat, but I knew all I needed was a mid-range score to get through."

Following a win at the Rip Curl MP Classic at Kirra earlier in the year, Kimmins is 100% focused on qualifying for the Dream Tour.

"I'm really focused on making the WCT next year," he said.

Women�s ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings leader Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW) is looking to retain her lead with a strong performance at the Arrive alive Central Coast Pro which starts at Soldiers Beach, Norah Head tomorrow. Photo Credit: Steve Robertson

The action continued right through the afternoon with numerous impressive performances from Hawaiian Gavin Gillette, former world junior champion James Wood (Lennox Head) and North Sydney surfer Alex Chacon.

Round two of the Arrive alive Men's is likely to run tomorrow along with the opening round of the Arrive alive Women's . The Men's top seeded surfers will be introduced in round two and include Current ASP World Tour Surfers Michael Campbell and local favourite Adrian Buchan.

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro will see 144 male and 64 female surfers compete for total divisional prize money purses of US$80,000 and US$25,000 respectively, plus valuable early season WQS ratings points.

Visit this website tomorrow for video and photo galleries of all the action on Day 1.

Click here to return to the Arrive alive Central Coast Pro main page.

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