High Expectations At 2011 Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro

The world surfing elite will descend on the beaches of Lower Trestles in California to battle it out for valuable ASP Ranking Points at the 2011 Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro. While Kelly Slater is sure to impress, all eyes are on newbie Conner Coffin.

The ASP Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro will welcome the world’s best surfers including 26 of the elite ASP Top 34 at the famous surfspot in Lower Trestles from May 3 – 7, 2011.

Kelly Slater, who has already won four previous events at Trestles, is looking to dominate the waves once again at this year's Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro.

“Trestles is one of the most high performance waves in the world and in my eyes that event is really telling of the future,” said Kelly Slater. “You see all the young guys, you see all the best guys being able to do their thing. You also see guys that will never be world champions, but they're the best guys at what they do maneuver-wise.”

Patrick Gudauskas, current No. 25 on the ASP World Rankings, will have a local advantage at his home break. He is sure to put in a good fight at the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro while competing in front of his friends and family.

“I don't really feel any extra pressure entering into the event in my backyard,” Gudauskas said. “I always have high expectations for myself at Trestles because it is home, but I always use that as inspiration not pressure.”

17 year-old Conner Coffin will be competing as a wildcard at the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and the Santa Barbara hero is thrilled to surf with the world’s best.

“It's pretty crazy for me to have the opportunity of surfing in the PRIME event down at Lowers,” Coffin said. “I get to surf Lowers with some of the best surfers in the world, which gets me super excited!”

Running in conjunction with the men’s ASP PRIME event will be the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which will see the nation’s finest under-21 talent tee off at the highest ranked event on the 2011 ASP North America Pro Junior Series.

Coffin, current No. 3 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, will also be a top seed in the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior and knows that a standout performance at Lower Trestles will be important in securing his position for the 2011 ASP World Junior Tour.

The waiting period of the 2011 ASP Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro in California opens on May 3.