What:

Held on September 29th to October 12th 2008, the $320,000 USD Billabong Pro Mundaka is the 9th out of 11 stops on the ASP World Tour.

Where:

The event will be held at the small fishing village of Mundaka, Basque Country, Spain. An area of natural beauty, surrounded by lush mountains overlooking the river mouth and the Irdaibai Natural Reserve, one of the reasons Mundaka is listed in the UNESCO patrimony.

Who:

Bobby Martinez will be back to try to make it 3 wins in a row along with big names such as Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and current tour leader Kelly Slater. Among the 45 of the world’s best male surfers, three wildcard surfers will be charging Europe’s best lefthander: local stars Hodei Collazo and Marcos San Segundo and surfing legend Mark Occhilupo.

What’s special:

The Billabong Pro Mundaka over the years has played a crucial part in deciding world champions. Since the inaugural year in 1999, big names like Mark Occhilupo, Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have become World Champions after winning this event. However it is the wave itself, Mundaka’s long and hollow left-hander, barrelling over 200 meters eastway of the Guernika river, which makes this contest totally unique!

What’s new:

Former to past events, the Billabong Pro Mundaka is scheduled earlier this year. The beach break of Sopelana will be the new back up site in case of bad surfing conditions at Mundaka. The contest managers and the ASP have jointly decided to cancel the second round known as the “losers” round. This way, it allows to maximisze the quality of waves surfed at Mundaka within the swell windows given by mother nature.

Watch it live!

The event can be viewed LIVE and free on the Internet on www.billabongpro.com. See all the action from the Billabong Pro from the comfort of your own home with six different camera angles, LIVE interviews with the world’s elite and LIVE commentaries in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.