Simpson Leads Americans on ASP WQS to South Africa

Action on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) is beginning to heat up as surfers on The Grind are out to find their way on to the 2010 ASP World Tour.

Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, is currently sitting in fifth overall on the ASP WQS and will be out to post a solid result to help his cause at the upcoming Mr. Price Pro Ballito in South Africa next week. Simpson has had an excellent start to the 2009 season and an impressive performance at the upcoming South African event will place him in good standing amongst his international competition. Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, nearly qualified for the ASP World Tour last year and is currently the second alternate on the prestigious tour. The talented San Clemente local is fresh off of a history-making performance at the SriLankan Airlines Pro, where he successfully completed two inverted aerial maneuvers en route to his runner up finish to Owen Wright (AUS), 19. Gudauskas’ result at Pasta Point launched him up to seventh overall on the ratings and the upcoming event’s ASP 6-Star status will offer the critical points needed for the explosive talent to make a push to the top of the ASP WQS ratings. Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 28, is another American standout currently occupying one of the 15 slots available towards qualification for next year’s ASP World Tour. The goofy-footer’s third place result in front of his home crowd at Lower Trestles has been the most critical event in his 2009 campaign. Other American talents including Austin Ware (Solana Beach, CA), 28, who is currently rated 15th, Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 20, and Dane Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, will all compete in the critical South African event to help their cause towards joining next year’s elite. The Mr. Price Pro will run from June 29 through July 5, 2009