CHRIS WARD WITHDRAWS FROM EVENT NO. 1 OF 10 ON THE 2008 ASP WORLD TOUR

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008) – ASP World Tour surfer Chris Ward (USA) has relinquished his spot in the first event of the year, the 2008 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, to replacement surfer Nic Muscroft (AUS).

Ward, who is currently facing criminal charges after an alleged altercation outside of a bar in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. last month, will not surf the season opener, but plans to compete at the second event on the 2008 tour in Bells Beach, Australia in March. He is also slated to surf in two events of the upcoming Australian leg of the ASP’s World Qualifying Series (WQS).

As per the original statement released last month, the ASP has investigated the matter and will await the outcome of the court case before making any decisions on Ward’s eligibility to compete on tour. At present, no court dates have been set.

For further information, please contact:

Melissa Buckley
Media Manager – ASP International
email: melissa@aspworldtour.com
mobile: (949) 279-6194

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing.  Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP Men’s World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world's best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.  These regions manage all their respective domestic affairs under the guidance of ASP International, which is located on the Gold Coast of Australia.    ASP International and ASP North America are committed to the progression of surfing and are dedicated to continuing excellent relationships with their surfers, event operators,
sponsors and media.  For more information log onto www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org.