The American Pro Surfing Series just announced a new three-event series set to take place in Huntington Beach over the next eight months. The aim is to provide a platform for upcoming surfers to hone their skills near home. The top 34 surfers on the World Tour are not eligible for this contest, allowing new talent to rise to the top.

Check out the press release below:

AMERICAN PRO SURFING SERIES HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Event Windows Run April 25-29, Sept. 20-26 and Oct. 31-Nov. 7

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., March 15, 2012 The American Pro Surfing Series
(APSS) is pleased to announce the debut of a homegrown California
three-event surf series. Starting with the first event in late April, the
south side of the Huntington Beach Pier will play host to the following
two events in late September and early November.

These events are an opportunity for domestic surfers to hone their competitive
mettle without leaving the country. Further, a tempting prize
purse and a mountain of bragging rights will ensure a healthy mix of
established progressive surfers, as well as, a slew of California legends.
All surfers, except the ASP Top 34 World Title athletes, are welcome to
enter.

“Through more than 25 years of organized surfing experience, I’ve had the
opportunity to watch many of today’s premier young athletes grow into some
of the most talented and inspiring young men and women in the surfing
community,” says APSS spokesman Scott Waring. It was with this in
mind the idea of producing a homegrown platform to support American
surfers that the APSS was born. “When the first event kicks off in late
April, we hope you’ll join us on the shores of Huntington or online
through our webcast. Here’s to supporting American surfing and a stellar
season.”

Huntington Beach, south of the Pier, will serve as the venue for the
series. With a five-day holding period, each event is scheduled to run
over two days. The first event window is April 25th through April 29th;
the second event September 20th through 26th; and the final event October
31st through November 7th.

A prize purse of $10,000 is on the line for the men and $2,000 for women.
The contest format will be four-man heats with 50 percent elimination,
starting with 64 men and 16 women.

Top athletes have already registered including Hawaiian World Champ Sunny
Garcia (Sunset Beach, Haw.), Timmy Curran (Ventura, Calif.), Mason Ho
(North Shore, Haw.), Chris Waring (Seal Beach, Calif.), Killian Garland
(Santa Barbara, Calif.), Chris Ward (San Clemente, Calif.) and Colin Moran
(Costa Mesa, Calif.) in the men’s division and Sarah Taylor (Huntington
Beach, Calif.), Demi Boelsterli (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and Jenna Balester
(Huntington Beach, Calif.) in the women’s division.

Webcast here.