The world's top surfers will kick off a new season beginning as early as Saturday with the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro men's and women's events on Australia's Gold Coast. And yes, Kelly Slater is in the men's lineup and apparently will launch a quest to win an eleventh ASP World Tour championship.
Beforehand, on Thursday night, Slater and Stephanie Gilmore will be honored during the ASP World Surfing Awards for their dominant performances in 2010.
Slater, as just about everyone knows, clinched his 10th world title last season, a feat that probably will never be matched on the men's tour. At 39, Slater is the second-oldest competitor on the tour (Taylor Knox is four months older) and time will tell how devoted he is to claiming yet another title. It probably will depend on how well he surfs during the first few contests.
Gilmore last season won her fourth title in as many years on the Women's World Tour. She's only 23 and stands a good chance to win 10 or more titles in her career. There are 11 men's events and seven women's events on the 2011 schedule.
-- Pete Thomas
Image of Stephanie Gilmore and Kelly Slater is courtesy of the ASP
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