The surfing season is about to begin, and so the world's top 17 female pro surfers are currently preparing for the Roxy Pro Gold Coast - the first event of the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour.
Presented by LG, the Roxy Pro runs from February 23 to March 5, but there'll be a few notable absences. Current 2007 Roxy Pro title holder, and former ASP Women's World Champion, Chelsea Hedges (yep, that is the same Chelsea Georgeson - she's now married), won't be back to defend her crown; the Australian is preparing to give birth to her first child, and so, is taking time off from the tour, guaranteeing a new champ for 2008.
Made of the top ten finishers from the previous season, the top six finishers on the ASP WQS and an ASP Wildcard Wildcard, the ASP Women's World Tour sees seventeen of surfing's elite compete for the World Champion Title - currently held by 19-year-old Australian Stephanie Gilmore. As Chelsea Hedges is now out, the next highest placing surfer from 2007, Roasanne Hodge (South Africa), will take her place.
“My plan right now is to have 2008 off from the tour, relax and enjoy the experience of being pregnant (it will be nice to have a full year at home!),” Hedges said. “I plan to return to the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009 with 100% support from my sponsor Roxy.”
For more on the Roxy Pro Gold Coast log on to the official site.
Get some more surf stories: Roxy Pro Surf on Phillip Island, catch up with Easkey Britton and Billabong's Design For Humanity.
