New Blood: The 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour Gets a Transfusion

 

The 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour might as well have been dubbed “The Year of The Rookie.” Newcomer Bobby Martinez clinched event titles at Tahiti and Mundaka and finished the season fifth in the world. Pancho Sullivan unbelievably became surfing’s oldest rookie, Adriano de Souza the youngest. Out of the nine freshman surfers who qualified in 2006, five will be back for the 2007 season. If you think that’s impressive, get your popcorn ready. With nine hard and hungry rookie surfers joining the Foster’s ASP World Tour fresh off the maddening pace of the World Qualifying Series, the tour stalwarts best bring their “A” game. These young guys are out to shake things up, and more importantly…to win. Get ready to meet the class of 2007.

 

 

At 18 years old, this Reunion Island native is the youngest competitor to qualify and is only the fourth European to make the Dream Tour. Winner of the 2006 WQS title, he confirmed his Top-44 berth back in August when he eliminated Mick Fanning at the Rip Curl Pro Super Series in Seignosse, France. He went on to beat Fanning again at the Quik Pro in France as a wildcard. This kid already has a rep as a giant-killer, expect him to deliver more than a few upsets.

 

One half of the South African bru duo, Basnett grabbed the spotlight early on in 2006 when Occy narrowly squeezed by him to win the Margaret River Pro. Basnett went on to win the Mr. Price Pro in Durban, becoming the first South African to win the event since Shaun Tomson won it in 1978. Known for his aerial maneuvers and competitive skills.

 

This innovative goofyfooter is amped to have qualified with his fellow countryman Ricky Basnett after proving himself on the grueling WQS with a win at the Yumeya Tahara Pro in Japan. An accomplished aerialist, Bryson wows the crowds with his double-handed grab assaults. The diverse locations and conditions of the Foster’s ASP World Tour will give this South African the chance to display the more traditional side of his surfing ability.

After finishing in 116^th place on the WQS in 2005, Neve considered quitting competitive surfing, but decided to give it one last shot in 2006. The 28-year-old took a hard look at his career and finally found his focus last year, placing second at both the Vendee Surf Pro in France and the Mr. Price Pro. After so many years on the WQS honing his competition experience, Neve will have some serious strategy going into the Foster’s ASP World Tour.

 

Josh Kerr—AUS
If there was ever a comeback story, this is it. Considered one of the top aerialists in the world, Kerr’s world (and leg) were shattered in 2002 when he was the victim of a hit and run driver on the North Shore. Kelly Slater literally rescued him off the side of the road. After a six-month healing process, Kerr hit the surf harder than ever and is now ready for the pinnacle of surfing after finishing near the top of the WQS. Despite being well known for his antics in the air, Kerr possesses a compelling bag of tricks, including a love for barrel riding that will serve him well in spots like Tahiti and Pipeline.

 

Let’s get the corny jokes out of the way: Ben there, Dunn that. And he has. This Aussie up-and-comer qualified for the Foster’s ASP Tour after just one year on the WQS. Dunn was granted a slew of wildcard entries into ASP events last season and is biting at the bit for the tour to begin. He’s got his sights set high: “Hopefully in three years I’ll win the world title.” With veterans like Kelly Slater taking note of this 21-year-old phenom, his goal may be a reality.

 

Florida has no shortage of talent when it comes to surfing, but Gabe Kling will be Northern Florida’s first representative on the Foster’s ASP World Tour. Unstoppable in small waves, Kling has made an effort to hone his skills in more critical conditions with plans to surf spots like Tahiti and Fiji in the off-season. He’s no stranger to competition after six years on the WQS and goes into the Quik Pro Australia with a second place finish at Sebastian Inlet.

 

This regularfooter hailing from Saquarema, Brazil had a nail-biter of a time qualifying. His fate came down to the final contest at Sunset Beach (one of Leo’s favorite waves) and he managed to make the math work out in his favor. Carioca Leo gives fins-out surfing a whole new meaning with his powerful style. The ASP Tour will give him a much larger audience to perform to, and it will be interesting to watch how he goes in the larger surf.

 

A 26-year-old goofyfooter who got worldwide attention after photos of an extremely heavy session at Dead Mans surfaced a few years ago, Kai Otton is relieved to have finally made it to the big show. A win at the four-star La Santa Pro in the Canary Islands last October pushed him up into qualifying range, and his spot was solidified after the Hawaii stretch. His obvious ability to handle heavy barrel situations will be a valuable asset as he exploits the copious tubes of the Foster’s ASP World Tour.