Congratulations Kelly Slater - Quiksilver Pro 2011 Champion

March, 2011 - Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast - Australia - The king of surfing and 10 times world champion Kelly Slater has won the 1st stop of the tour, the Quiksilver Pro 2011 and has taken the lead on the ASP World Tour race. Not to mention that this was Slater's 46th ASP World Tour trophy that goes to his gallery. The man is a legend!

The event had some epic tube rides, airs, and all the new arsenal of today's maneuvers. Some surfers showing an excelent level which will make the tour exciting for the year.

*photos by Grace Gutwein and Marcio Ferreira

The final heat of the Quiksilver Pro 2011 had Kelly Slater against Taj Burrow. A real surfing show! The beach, the rocks, the surf club and everywhere you could get a view of the waves was packed. The public had shown at Snapper Rocks to appreciate two of the best surfers in the world disputing the crown. The waves weren't as good as they were before when scores higher than 9 were common.

Slater using all his experience and strategy beat Taj Burrow by 11.20 to 10.17.

“I’m having a lot of fun. It’s pretty easy. You go out and surf Snapper by yourself, it’s pretty fun. To get to surf a contest is a bonus. I’d like to thank my girlfriend and everyone at Quiksilver for throwing the event. Everyone loves this event because the waves are so fun. I don’t think I’m the only one that thought Taj was the standout of the event. At some point had to stop getting 9s and I just picked the right heat.” Slater said.

“I’m excited about the tour for 2011. It was a fun event and it’s just a bummer the waves didn’t hang in there at the end. I couldn’t better a 3. Hats off to Kelly, he built a house and it worked. I’d just like to thank everyone that organized the contest, it was awesome.” Burrow said.

Next stop will be the Rip Curl Pro 2011 in Bells Beach - Australia from April 19 – 30, 2011.

Stay tuned because the race for the 2011 ASP World Title has just began with a thirsty Kelly Slater making his way to his so dreamed 11th world titles!

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL MATCH-UPS:

1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 11.20
2 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.17

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:

SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.77 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 8.20

SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.56 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.40

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.40 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 9.06
QF 2: Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.64 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.40
QF 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.30 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 11.60
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.03 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.95

Here are the ASP Top 5 after the Quiksilver Pro 2011:

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 10,000 points
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 8,000 points
3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 6,500 points
3. Tiago Pires (PRT) 6,500 points
5. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5,200 points
5. Brett Simpson (USA) 5,200 points
5. Dusty Payne (HAW) 5,200 points
5. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 5,200 points