ASP WORLD LONGBOARD TITLE TO BE DECIDED AT BEAR PRO

The inaugural ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) Bear Pro presented by Jeep is preparing for the arrival of the 32-best male longboarders on the planet to contest the ASP World title decider in the picturesque bay of Levanto in the Liguria region on the Mediterranean coast of Italy.

Favourites to take out the title include reigning ASP World Longboard champion and current rankings leader Duane De Soto (HAW), 2009 ASP World Longboard champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) and current nš5 ranked Antoine Delpero (FRA). All of whom will be out to lay claim to the prestigious ASP World Title crown in the quality waves of Levanto during the excellent swell window of November for the Mediterranean coastline.

Delpero, who will be competing alongside younger brother Edouard and has twice finished runner-up in the title race, will be out for the title this year with the added advantage of having family from the Levanto area and much experience in surfing the Mediterranean waves.

"I'm really stoked the event comes back to Europe and even more in the Mediterranean Sea. My brother (Edouard) and I were born and raised on the waves of Marseille and we can't wait to show the world the amazing potential this region of Europe hides."

"In Italy, it is actually the place where my father grew up," continued Delpero. "So it is pretty funny that the event is over there. There are many places to surf in the Mediterranean Sea and I definitely think it is a good spot to go and a good wave to try."

Younger brother, Edouard Delpero 21, who also sits in equal 5th position on the current world rankings, will be one to watch as the battle heats up for the final placings. After a tremendous quarterfinal performance in the opening WLT event in Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka, the possibilities are there for the youngster to make a huge impression.

"The European level is excellent and keeps on improving," stated Edouard Delpero. "We have an amazing variety of waves in Europe and even though it's a massive continent, we longboarders are acting as a team when we're on the Tour. We all know each other really well and have been travelling together for so long we're all friends. This helps a lot in contests."

The Bear Pro presented by Jeep has a 10-day waiting period to allow for the best possible conditions for the athletes to compete in and also allows time for them to explore the beautiful region of Liguria and experience the warm and welcoming nature of its people.

"The Italian culture is really good and the food is crazy too," explained Antoine Delpero. "The people are welcoming and they always speak with their hands and they are very friendly. I hope the waves are going to be great too. I know the Mediterranean Sea can be incredible sometimes when the wind dies and the swells are coming you can have perfect conditions for sure."

The ASP Bear Pro presented by Jeep will run from November 10 to 20 and will be webcast LIVE with all results, photos and daily highlights seen at www.bearpro2011.com

The Bear Pro presented by Jeep is proudly produced by Reset Communications in association with Area 51, the Liguria Region, the Province of La Spezia and the town of Levanto.

ASP WLT Bear Pro presented by Jeep Round One Matchups
Heat 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) Vs Matt Aldridge (AUS)
Heat 2: Eduardo Bage (BRA) Vs Mitch Surman (AUS)
Heat 3: Jared Neal (AUS) Vs Justin Bing (ZAF)
Heat 4: Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) Vs Alessandro Demartini (ITA)
Heat 5: Kai Sallas (HAW) Vs Shohei Akimoto (JPN)
Heat 6: Bryce Young (AUS) Vs Adam Griffiths (GBR)
Heat 7: Damien Castera (ESP) Vs Bradley Weare (ZAF)
Heat 8: Duane De Soto (HAW) Vs Marco Boscaglia (ITA)
Heat 9: Taylor Jensen (USA) Vs Ben Haworth (GBR)
Heat 10: Ned Snow (HAW) Vs Remi Arauzo (FRA)
Heat 11: Rusty Keaulana (USA) Vs Jefson Silva (BRA)
Heat 12: Amaro Matos (BRA) Vs Yasuaki Higashikawa (JPN)
Heat 13: Harley Ingleby (AUS) Vs Zak Lawton (GBR)
Heat 14: Ben Skinner (GBR) Vs Troy Mothershead (USA)
Heat 15: Edouard Delpero (FRA) Vs Andre Derizans (HAW)
Heat 16: Tony Silvagni (USA) Vs Cole Robbins (USA)