Following three years of growth and success, officials from O’Neill clothing of Irvine, California and Ron Jon Surf Shop of Cocoa Beach, Florida have announced that the O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro Presented by Ron Jon Surf Shop, is being upgraded to a five-star ASP World Qualifying Series event for 2008. Offering a cash purse of $110,000.00, the O’Neill SI Pro will take place January 4-11, 2008 at Sebastian Inlet on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast. Already the premiere surfing contest on the U.S. East Coast, this new upgrade will make the O’Neill SI Pro the number two WQS event on mainland North America; exceeded only in prestige and prize money by the U.S. Open of Surfing.
The O’Neill SI Pro will be capped at a 192-man field to allow ample time for competition in the eight-day contest window. A Trials competition will be held at Sebastian Inlet on January 2 and 3 to enable eight surfers into the main event who might not otherwise qualify due to age or lack of experience on the WQS.
The tournament was founded and is produced by Board Sports Management, the surfing world’s leading athlete and event management firm.
Filed under: Beaches, East Coast, Festivals, Florida, Ron Jon, Sebastian Inlet, Space, Surfing, Tourism, Travel, cocoa beach pier | Tagged: 5-Star WQS Event, Beaches, CJ Hobgood, Cocoa Beach, Corey Lopez, Dane Reynolds, Florida, Kelly Slater, O"neill, Red Bull Tow-At, Ron Jon, Sebastian Inlet, Surf Expo, Surfing, Tom Curren
