The level of talent on the ASP World Tour has gotten so good that it's basically come down to who ever gets the best waves wins the heat. I know, it sounds cliche, and to a point it's always been like that, but for a moment there it seemed like performance was trumping wave selection.

Based on the last couple of rounds of the Quiksilver Pro, as far as I can it, it seems the whole judging criteria and formula for winning heats has gone back to the Damien Hardman-era of solid surfing on the best waves. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of stylish power surfing, but I'm also a huge fan of progressive surfing. At the end of the day the best guys should be able to do both.

Tyler Wright has claimed the 2013 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover over Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the primary venue of Snapper Rocks.

Event No. 1 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Roxy Pro Gold Coast enjoyed a down-to-the-wire finish today with Wright and Fitzgibbons going head-to-head in a fiercely-fought Final.

Stacked to the brim with eager guests hanging on his every word, Gerry Lopez recently took to the state at Surfer, The Bar to engage the crowd at Wanderlust’s famed Speakeasy sessions. 

Calm, cool and collected, Lopez has come to embody the best of surfing and his speech this night was meant to draw parallels between the sport of kings and Yoga. Commonly referred to as “Mr. Pipeline” Lopez’s experience in finding zen through yoga walks in lockstep with his efforts to find zen through surfing. 

Last year's title race was one of the most exciting and action-packed we've seen since Andy Irons took out Kelly Slater at Pipeline in 2004.

The No. 1 spot changed hands four times throughout the year in a highly emotional seesaw battle. Throw in the unpredictable and incredible John John Florence and you have a recipe for nonstop action. Slater, Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning each held the lead at some point, and Joel Parkinson took the title in a triumphant victory at the Billabong Pipeline Pro.

After much speculation, the Lowers Pro at Trestles has officially been postponed for the year. Announced by Grind Media, which has licensed and has produced the contest since 2004, the ASP Prime surfing event will not be held in 2013 due to lack of a title sponsor.

On Jan. 28, 2013, Garrett McNamara caught a wave off the coast of Nazare, Portugal, that became an instant media sensation. It was dubbed the "100-foot wave" by news outlets around the world, including ABC, CBS, Fox and CNN. This Wednesday, McNamara will appear on a "60 Minutes Sports" installment about the wave. But as of today, McNamara has withdrawn his entries from the Billabong XXL Awards, surfing's prestigious big-wave awards show.

"We decided to pull my waves from Nazare out of Billabong XXL because I do not ride for Billabong and I did not go out that day and surf for a world record or to win any XXL prize money," said McNamara via email. "I was out there because I live for big waves, it's what I love to do!! It is not necessary to have a Billabong panel measure it. There have already been quite a few educated professionals who have measured it anywhere between 60-110 feet!"

Kaz Sano. NovusSwell. Rocky Point Session with Kaito, Josh, Seth, and Loa (02-26-2013).

John John Florence © ASP/Kirstin

Top 34 Light Up Season-Opening Day at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

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