Offshore three-to-five (1.5) metre barrels are detonating across the Supertubos sandbar this morning, prompting event organizers at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal to call competition back ON at 8:30am.

Stop No. 8 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal completed the first nine heats of Round 1 yesterday afternoon, and is on schedule to complete Rounds 1 and 2 today, with the opening four heats of Round 3 on standby.

“Conditions have cleaned up substantially today and we’ll recommencing competition as soon as possible,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We intend to run as much as possible today to take advantage of the waves on offer.”

Up first this morning will be Damien Hobgood (USA), 31, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 28, and Luke Stedman (AUS), 34, in Heat 10 of Round 1.

The Rip Curl Pro Portugal will be webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MEN’S REMAINING ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 10: Damien Hobgood (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Bobby Martinez (USA), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 12: Andy Irons (HAW), Jadson Andre (BRA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)