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SURF Company Billabong announced that this year, it will secure sponsorship of the Billabong Cloud 9 invitational Philippine surfing at the island jewel of Siargao, Philippines in September.The three-year deal ensures that Billabong has naming rights sponsorship of the Philippine’s biggest surfing event until 2009.
Siargao’s ‘Cloud 9′, a powerful hollow right-hander, will provide an idyllic setting for the who’s who of world surfing, contestants coming from as far as Australia, Bali, Tahiti, Hawaii, Japan and the USA.
Due to Siargao’s proximity to the Philippines, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless hollow barreling waves.
Boasting US$20,000 in prize money, the exclusive invitational event offers a world-class field of 48 invited surfers a chance to compete at one of Asia’s hottest surfing destinations.
Billabong General Manager South East Asia, Chris James, said sponsorship of the Billabong Cloud 9 invitational is a continued commitment to promoting the sport of surfing throughout the region.
“Cloud 9 is one of the most perfect right hand reef breaks in the world,” said James. “To invite 48 tube riding specialists to a wave of this caliber has serious potential to bring world class surfing to South East Asia,” James added.
Similarly, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers said, “the provincial government of Surigao del Norte is very pleased with Billabong’s sponsorship of this year’s international surfing competition.”
“Surfing is the most awaited sports tourism activity in the province. Started in 1995, it has now evolved into a world-class and widely contested event. We are looking forward to a successful tournament this year.”
The 2007 line-up includes profile surfers such as Mark Matthews (Maroubra, NSW, AUS), Jamie O’Brien (Oahu, HAW), Manoa Drollet (Tahiti), Dylan Longbottom (Gold Coast, AUS), Makua Rothman (Oahu, HAW), Ryan Augenstein (California, USA), Luke Dorrington (Gold Coast, AUS) and Asher Pacey (Gold Coast, AUS).
The seven-day tournament will run from Monday, September 24th to Sunday, September 30th. The opening ceremony will be staged on Monday, 24th with competition commencing that day.
The tournament site is Siargao Islands ‘Cloud 9′, a powerful hollow right-hander that has been hailed as one of the ten best waves in the world and has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.
The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational is proudly supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte with the support from Smart Communications, San Miguel, the Department of Tourism Philippines, Asian Spirit and Coca Cola.
In America Billabong is starting to be looked at as a bit of an overgrown juggernaut, but you’ve gotta respect what these guys are doing internationally.