Billabong Pro Am Malaysia now happening!!!!! 7th-9th January 2010

Billabong Pro Am Malaysia and Occy Grom Comp See’s Record Numbers of Competitors on Opening Day

(Friday 8th January, 2010): Day one of the Billabong Pro Am Malaysia got underway today at the scenic venue of Cherating Point on the east coast of Malaysia with 115 contestants from some 12 countries in attendance under the watchful eye of 1999 World Champion of Surfing Mark “Occy” Occhilupo.

The little known surf town of Cherating on the South China Sea coast of Malaysia is hosting its first ever Billabong Occy Grom Comp as part of its yearly Billabong Pro Am event, attracting grommets from all over the Asian region to battle it out at the long sand bottom point break.  
The Open Men’s, Women’s, Masters, Grommet, and Bodyboarding divisions have combined to draw a record number of competitors to this weekend of exciting surfing activity, eclipsing last year’s total of 90. Japan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, England, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Egypt, and the USA are all represented at this truly international event.
During the inaugural Billabong Pro Am Malaysia at Cherating in December of 2008, the strong surfing of the local groms made a big impression on the Billabong Asia team, who then put forward the plan add the Occy Grom Comp into the following years competition agenda.  
“After having several great Occy Grom Comps in Bali in conjunction with our Pro Junior Tour there, we thought it would be great to get Occy up to a central location like Malaysia where we could get groms from the other Asian countries together” said Peter Thew, Billabong Asia Brand Manager.  “Occy really liked the idea, and so here were are!”

Occhilupo had been keen on coming to Malaysia for some time, and so instantly got on board.  “I had met one of the Billabong crew from Malaysia at a party for Parko’s Triple Crown win back in Australia in 2008, and after talking with him couldn’t stop thinking about getting up here to check it out. It’s a great venue and seeing these kids so amped and happy to get into the water and surf, is what it’s all about,” said Occhilupo.  “And even though it was a bit small out there today, I still had to jump in the water and splash around with the groms for a bit,” he added with a grin.
Today’s activities included running 10 of the 16 heats in Round 1 of the Men’s Open, Round 1 of the Grommet Division, and Round 1 of the Bodyboard Division.
The swell is expected to increase tomorrow, and will include more Men’s Open surfing along with the Grommet, Bodyboard, Masters and Women’s Divisions, en route to the finals that will be held on Sunday.

The Billabong Pro Am and Occy Grom Comp are sponsored by Billabong, Kustom, Von Zipper, Nixon, the Municipality of Kuantan, Visit Malaysia, Tourism Pahang, Satu Suku, and June Stone.
Keep an eye out on the Billabong Asia website for daily highlight webclips during the event at www.Billabong.com/Asia