Photo: Tapia’s beautiful bay, hosting the first event of the 2008 ASP European Pro Surf Tour

The Goanna Pro Tapia, an ASP WQS 1 STAR event, will launch the 2008 European Pro Surf tour next week, giving the regional tour its kick-off on the North coast of Spain, in the Asturies region from March 20 to 22.

After an exciting winter break where Miky Picon (FRA) and Aritz Aranburu (EUK) took the best on the North Shore of Oahu to join Tiago Pires (PRT) in the World Qualifying Series’ top 15 and qualify for the 2008 ASP World Tour, the regional stars of the continent will soon hit the cool waters of Tapia de Casariego.

The event is one of the oldest in Europe, and its classic fishermen’s traditional village will once again bring thousands of crowds to the charming bay hosting the Goanna Pro, where European Title contenders will start their 2008 campaign.

Aranburu, reigning ASP European Pro Surf Tour champion and former Goanna Pro winner, now surfs among the world’s best 45 surfers on the Dreamtour and will not attend the event where he seized his first WQS victory in 2005 on his path to glory. Aranburu is currently recovering from a broken meniscus and hopes to be back among the Top 45 for the Billabong Pro Tahiti in May.

“The European Pro Surf Tour title was a big step for me last year, and it gave me more confidence before Hawaii where I qualified,” Aranburu said.

“I will go hard to defend the European title in 2008 because it means a lot to me even if I am now on the ASP World Tour.”

Top European surfer Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) and former ASP European Pro Junior champion Joan Duru (FRA) will lead the charge among the 64-men field ready to rumble for the win, in the expected cold and demanding conditions usually on offer at this time of the year in Tapia.

While European surfing has come to a turning point in 2007 with four representatives now surfing on the ASP World Tour, the 2008 European Pro Surf Tour will once again showcase the best WQS soldiers and witness its best level ever on the shores of the continent.

UPCOMING ASP EUROPEAN PRO SURF TOUR EVENTS

Goanna Pro, March 20-22, ASP WQS 1 STAR, Tapia de Casariego – Spain 

Vendée Pro, April 15-20, ASP WQS 4 STAR, La Sauzaie – France

O’Neill Highland Open, April 23-30, ASP WQS 6 STAR Prime, Thurso – Scotland

UPCOMING ASP EUROPEAN PRO JUNIOR EVENTS

Rip Curl Pro, April 24-27, ASP PRO JUNIOR 3 STAR, Peniche – Portugal 

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