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2011 Rip Curl Pro Search to Be Held in San Francisco

Now in its seventh year as an ASP World Title event, the mystique of the Rip Curl Pro Search, the only ASP floating license on tour, which allows Rip Curl to change locations year-to-year, continues to strengthen with each successful season. After Mick Fanning claimed the inaugural Rip Curl Pro Search title at Reunion Island in 2005, the event has gone on to make history in Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Portugal, and most recently Puerto Rico.

The Rip Curl Pro Search will see the world's best surfers pitted against the diverse conditions offered by Ocean Beach, San Francisco. The competition is free and open to the public. The event extends for twelve days from November 1-12th to ensure the surfers have the opportunity to catch the best waves. Surfers will compete during five out of those days. Exact surf competition dates and times will be announced each morning by 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Log into live.ripcurl.com for competition information and LIVE webcast of all the action.

A red-hot ASP World Title race is brewing this season between:

• 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (US), 39
• Joel Parkinson, 30

as well as the new guard including:

• Owen Wright, 22
• Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23

The 2011 Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco is sure to deliver fireworks to the City by the Bay.

Rip Curl partnered with the surf-forecasting wizards at Surfline to choose Ocean Beach, San Francisco as the location for this year's competition. Sean Collins is the pre-eminent wave oracle, predicting surf swells months and even years in advance of these world-class surf events.

"Rip Curl approached me in August of 2010 about helping them to determine new Search locations for the ASP World Tour," said Collins. "After so many years of chasing waves, forecasting, and helping surfers to score, I have a pretty detailed list of spots around the world that I monitor. I had my eye on Ocean Beach, San Francisco in late October and early November," continued Collins. "As a high pressure over the San Joaquin Valley can develop perfect offshore winds and epic, clean conditions along with great swells."

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, former two-time ASP World Champion shared his enthusiasm with the destination for this year: "The Rip Curl Pro Search event is always a tour stop I get super excited about. I love the idea of pitching up to a place I haven't been before. I love trying to adapt to waves I've never surfed before and meeting locals. I haven't spent any time in San Francisco, so I'll be scoping it for the first time," Fanning continued. "From what I hear they get plenty of swell and there's some quality waves in the area. I can't wait."

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PMK*BNC
Kristen Foster, 212-582-1111
Kristen.Foster@pmkbnc.com