Telstra Drug Aware Pro 2012 is one of the most prestigious events on the Australian leg of the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) Worlds Tour. It gathers the world's best surfers and was held from 19th to 25th March at a world class surfing location, Margaret River. The surfing paradise is also a well known wine region and located 3-hour drive from Perth, around 260km away down south.Kelly Slater was already eliminated from Round-24
by the time we got to Surfer's Point, Prevelly Beach in Margaret River. In case you are wondering who the fudge Kelly Slater is, he is an American pro surfer and even though currently 5th as per 2012 world ranking, he is a 11-times ASP World Champion - the most wins ever by a pro surfer.
I had the opportunity to see the event, meeting the current world no.1, Taj Burrow, Western Australia's home grown,
and saw the world's best surfers in action, as well as see Kelly Slater up-close. Although Taj (or TB as they call him here) was eliminated during Round-16 and broke his board, he was a good sport, taking photos with his fans and remains the crowd's favourite. Kelly Slater returned for the expression session with a bunch of other surfers after the men's final
(John John Florence vs. Olamana Oleogram, in which the former won) very much to the crowd's happy cheers and excitement.
It was a far stretch from going to O'Neill's Coldwater Classic last year in Thurso, clad in my jumper, jacket, hat and gloves to this year's ASP tour event in warm, sunny Western Australia in summer tops and shorts and seeing Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, John John Florence and the likes, up-close and personal. Both were amazing experience, nonetheless and I would definitely go to another surfing event in a heart beat in the future, except no more sleeping in a car but a proper tent or a camper van instead (note to self: plan in advance!).
Until next time, stay rock and roll.
by the time we got to Surfer's Point, Prevelly Beach in Margaret River. In case you are wondering who the fudge Kelly Slater is, he is an American pro surfer and even though currently 5th as per 2012 world ranking, he is a 11-times ASP World Champion - the most wins ever by a pro surfer.I had the opportunity to see the event, meeting the current world no.1, Taj Burrow, Western Australia's home grown,
and saw the world's best surfers in action, as well as see Kelly Slater up-close. Although Taj (or TB as they call him here) was eliminated during Round-16 and broke his board, he was a good sport, taking photos with his fans and remains the crowd's favourite. Kelly Slater returned for the expression session with a bunch of other surfers after the men's final
(John John Florence vs. Olamana Oleogram, in which the former won) very much to the crowd's happy cheers and excitement.It was a far stretch from going to O'Neill's Coldwater Classic last year in Thurso, clad in my jumper, jacket, hat and gloves to this year's ASP tour event in warm, sunny Western Australia in summer tops and shorts and seeing Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, John John Florence and the likes, up-close and personal. Both were amazing experience, nonetheless and I would definitely go to another surfing event in a heart beat in the future, except no more sleeping in a car but a proper tent or a camper van instead (note to self: plan in advance!).
Until next time, stay rock and roll.





































