| Trestles, California is one of the world's most prestigious and respected surf locations. Trestles is nestled between Orange County and San Diego County. The pristine scenery, canyon, river, rock reef, kelp, wild life, and classic surf conditions produce a unique experience in an area undergoing the encroachment of urban development. Trestles is host to a Surf Contest held by the Association of Surfing Professionals. The World Qualifying Series of Surfing event at Trestles is one of a number of contests that enable top season competitors to gain access into the professional World Tour of Surfing. The 2009 WQS event at Trestles gave way to epic performances. | 
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| Trestles has a reputation for producing some of nature's highest quality surfing waves. Trestles is considered a point break. Trestles is located in San Clemente, California at the southern tip of Orange County. San Diego County is south of Trestles. Trestles is also known for its cobble stone-like rock reef, kelp beds, river mouth, long waves, local shredders, and a long history of hosting professional surfing events. The natural landscape, US Marine base, and solidarity amongst surfers have been some of the factors that have kept this beach in pristine condition. |
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| A week prior to the contest, Trestles received a 7-foot swell. The contest window pumped out solid 3 to 4 foot+ waves. A decent swell started with some wind chop then mixed with a new swell midway through the competition. Clean conditions, overcast to sunny skies prevailed... ...Classic Trestles. | ||||||
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| This Trestles World Qualifying Series (WQS) event gives an opportunity for 128 surfers to compete. Surfers in the WQS strive to gain entry into the World Tour. Top season WQS performers earn a slot in the World Tour for the following year. The World Tour of surfing consists of 45 of the world's top surfers. Trestles has hosted iconic surfers over the years. Rippers like Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Sunny Garcia, Taj Burrow, Christian Fletcher, and Shane Beschen have performed at this beach. Slater actually signed his 1st sponsorship contract with Quiksilver 18 years ago at Trestles. | ||||||
| The Trestles 2009 Qualifying event was action-packed. Each round and heat reduces the amount of competitors through elimination. By Friday May 1st the competitor count had dwindled from 128 to 24; the intensity thickened. Tim Boal, Tanner Gudauskas, and Adriano De Souza plowed through the round of 24 with exceptional performances. Equipment customization and options are ultimately chosen by each competitor. Adriano De Souza told Trade Federation that he used a 5'10" T-Patterson surfboard to win Heat 5 in the round of 24. Surfers relentlessly challenge the known limits of surfing maneuvers. Then Saturday rolled around to start the quarter finals. Tim Boal and Tanner Gudauskas faced off in Heat 2 of the quarter finals. Tim Boal kept busy catching numerous waves in the heat and was definitely throwing his tail. Local San Clemente boy, Tanner put down a few solid rides but ultimately lost out to Tim. The Heat 3 of the quarter finals put Adriano De Souza against Ben Bourgeois. The heat started with a strong exchange. Ben started with some higher scores and then mid heat Adriano pulled ahead with one of those crack'n lower trestles right hand waves. There was a quick glimpse of some dolphins immediately followed up by another fat right hand wave that put Ben right back to 1st place in the heat. With seconds to go Adriano fired back with a big air that was followed up by a foamy floater but it wasn't enough to out-score Ben. | ||||||
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| During the Semi-Finals, Kelly Slater made an appearance. Slater did not compete but rather provided some commentary. Slater indicated that he was pleased with ASP's decision to modify the "Priority Rule" to allow for two competitors to catch the same wave under a specific scenario. If the surfer with priority goes one direction, left or right, another competitor can go the other direction without causing an interference penalty. The action culminated in the finals. Ben Bourgeois, the defending WQS trestles winner, went against Freddy Pattacchia from Hawaii. Fred came out of the gates with a 9.17 ride (out of 10) which ended up being the highest scoring wave of the heat. Fred caught half the amount of waves that Ben caught but still sealed the deal for the contest title. | ||||||
| Surfers compete at world class breaks like Trestles. The World Qualifying Series of Surfing is an instrumental component in professional surfing. Today's rippers continue to raise the bar with extreme performances. The Association of Surfing Professionals and Freddy Pattacchia proved that point once again at The WQS Trestles Event 2009. |
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1st Hand (Trade Federation InfoTeam. On-Site) 5/1/2009 Adriano De Souza Mini-Interview with Trade Federation 5/1/2009 - Trade Federation Article: The U.S. Open Of Surfing - Trade Federation Article: Association Of Surfing Professionals - Trade Federation (YouTube.com hosted) Video: Adriano De Souza wins Round of 24 Heat 5 5/3/2009 http://www.aspworldtour.com and media feed. Dave Prodan, International Media Manager ASP 4/28/2009, 4/29/2009, 5/1/2009 ASP 2008 Rule Book www.Domaille.tv Blogs: Extreme Sports www.nike6lowerspro.com 4/29/2009, 4/30/2009,5/2/2009 Photography: Philip Dominguez (Trestles 2007 Kelly Slater, 2009 Adriano Interview plus board, and 2009 Jay Thompson photos, Competition Tents, and article Trestles Text Graphics) ASP/Covered Images Trestles 2007 Past Photos section Copyright all rights reserved |
Pro Surfer Kelly Slater
 Trestles, Ca. 2007 |
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