The Quiksilver Pro France, the 7th leg of the 2009 ASP World Tour, will take place in France from September 23 to October 4. The only French event on the ASP World Tour will also be the first of the three European stops in the prestigious professional circuit that brings together the best 45 surfers on the planet. The world's top short-boarders, led by current rankings leader Joel Parkinson, nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater, and a historic contingent of no fewer than seven European surfers, will be there vying for victory in a crucial stage of the 2009 Tour, in world class waves.


We now know that the main venue for the Quiksilver Pro France will be Seignosse, on the Plage des Bourdaines beach. But, the Quiksilver Pro France – a mobile event - is structured to be able to move to the best breaks on the coast of south-west France at just a few hours notice, to take advantage of the best waves the Atlantic Ocean has to offer, from Seignosse to Saint-Jean-de-Luz via Capbreton and Hossegor.

Despite an early loss at this week’s event at Trestles, Australia's Joel Parkinson has staked a serious claim to the title of 2009 World Champion with three victories (Gold Coast, Bells Beach and Jeffrey’s Bay) after five events. Behind him, it's neck and neck between former world champion CJ Hobgood of the USA, Brazilian prodigy Adriano de Souza and Australia's Taj Barrow, lying in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places respectively (before Trestles). A winner in Brazil, Kelly Slater is currently 8th in the provisional world rankings and is lying in wait for a potential record 10th world title. But to do it, the Champ will have to end the season in blistering style.

Wildcards

France’s Joan Duru and Australia's Julian Wilson have received wildcard invitations to compete in the first round of the Quiksilver Pro France 2009. The third and final wildcard will go to the winner of the Moskova trials, set to take place on September 22nd. This trial includes some of surfing's biggest budding talents: Maxime Huscenot (Fra / Reunion), King of the Groms 2008, Marc Lacomare (Fra), Alain Riou (Fra / Tahiti), Patrick Beven (Fra), Gabriel Villaran (Per), Dede Suryana (Indo) and Matt Banting (Aus) as well as three-time World Surfing Champion Tom Curren (USA), who still competes regularly on the ASP World Qualifying Series.