The Association Of Surfing Professionals International (ASP) has confirmed the locations and dates for its premium world championship deciding tours – the Foster’s ASP World Tour and the ASP Women’s World Tour – and are proud that in 2007 the world’s best surfers will again be competing in the world’s best waves.

Once again spectators will be privy to watching the sport’s ultimate athletes as they travel to only the most exotic surf destinations on the planet with both premium tours serving up similar event lineups to 2006 with only the Fijian events in doubt due to political instability in the region.

“It looks like it’s going to be another killer year for pro surfing,” said ASP International CEO Brodie Carr. “It’s great to see that once again we are able to have such esteemed events slotted in on the 2007 calendar and I’m sure that one and all will be blown away by watching our athletes tackle the best waves this planet can offer.”

Regarding the situation in Fiji, Carr indicated that ASP, Roxy (women’s) and Globe (men’s) are on standby and all parties are monitoring the political situation daily before committing to hosting their events on the island of Tavarua.

“We will continue to monitor the political situation in Fiji daily,” said Carr. “At present insurance issues due to the unrest in late 2006 have forced us into the unlikely position of having the Roxy Pro Fiji and Globe Pro on standby, but a confirmation of the outcomes of both will be forthcoming soon.”

The 2007 cast for both tours has also been confirmed with many of both tours’ old guard being replaced by a swag of exciting up and coming youngsters.

The new faces on the Foster’s ASP World Tour will include Jeremy Flores (FRA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Roydon Bryson (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS) and Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA).

Making a return to surfing’s elite men’s tour after a hiatus will be former world number two Mick Campbell (AUS), plus Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Bernardo Miranda (BRA).

On the women’s front, 2007 will see Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Caroline Sarran (FRA) and Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) make their tour debuts with Melanie Bartels (HAW) and Amee Donohoe (AUS) enjoying a welcome return to the fold.

Foster’s ASP World Tour Schedule

• ASP Banquet – Gold Coast, Australia – Feb 24
• Quiksilver Pro – Snapper Rocks Qld, Australia – Feb 27-Mar 10
• Rip Curl Pro – Bells Beach Vic, Australia – Apr 3-13
• Billabong Pro – Teahupoo, Tahiti – May 4-14
• Globe Pro Fiji – TBC – May 20-21
• Rip Curl Pro Search – Somewhere in Chile – June 20-July 1
• Billabong Pro – Jeffreys Bay, South Africa – July 11-22
• Boost Mobile Pro – Trestles, California – Sep 11-15
• Quiksilver Pro France – Hossegor, France – Sep 22-Oct 1
• Billabong Pro – Mundaka, Basque Region, Spain – Oct 2-14
• Nova Schin Festival – Imbituba, Brazil – Oct 29-Nov 7
• Billabong Pipe Masters – Pipeline Hawaii – Dec 8-20

ASP Women’s World Tour Schedule

• Roxy Pro – Snapper Rocks, Australia – Feb 27-Mar 10
• Rip Curl Pro – Bells Beach, Australia – Apr 3-8
• Roxy Pro – TBC – Apr 21-26
• Billabong Girls – Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Brazil – Aug 20-27
• Rip Curl Girls Festival – Santander, Liencres-Spain – Sep 4-9
• Havaiianas Beachley Classic – Manly Beach, Australia – Oct 8-14
• Roxy Pro – Sunset Beach, Hawaii – Nov 23-Dec 6
• Billabong Pro – Honalua Bay, Hawaii – Dec 8-20

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com for updates.