KALANI ROBB’S TEAM “HAPPY ENDINGS” TAKE THE 1ST ROUND OF THE INUAGURAL JIM BEAM SURFTAG U.S. SERIES

19.09.2009

Kalani Robb was superb as his finesse and style carried his Team Happy Endings to a 1st Place victory in the first qualifying round in Manhattan Beach.

The final heat pressed to be the most exciting surfing of the day. With each club’s fifth and final surfer entering the water, every wave would crucially factor in as Team FCS was only leading by 1.2 points ahead of Team Happy Endings.

It was a classic finish to an epic day of team competition. Each surfer in every heat has a chance to score double points on their second wave called the POWERWAVE. Macy Mullins (Team Happy Endings) Powerwave proved to be the deciding factor in Team Happy Endings 86.5 to 85.2 finish over Team FCS.

“What a great start to the Jim Beam Surftag Series here in California. All the clubs really got into the team format and in the very first heat, Kalani Robb smashed a 9 point ride on his Powerwave!” – Global Surftag Managing Director, Steve Harrison

In addition to the unique Jim Beam Surftag team format, an individual prize bonus is offered to the surfer that receives the highest points for their Powerwave. Kalani Robb undeniably crushed all scores and threw down the best ride of the day, receiving 9 out of a possible 10 points. Kalani returns to the competitive circuit, after a short retirement to claim the 1st Place title and best Powerwave of the day.

“I wasn’t expecting too much…I was asked to join the team and I said sure, why not. The surftag format is so much fun. It was definitely an unbelievable day… I can’t wait to come back for the finals!” – Kalani Robb (Team Happy Endings)

Final Heat Results (1st Qualifying Event):

1st PLACE – Happy Endings
Total Points 86.5 – Danny Estes 20pts; Pascal Stansfield 20 pts; Yves Bright 15 pts; Kalani Robb 13.5; Macy Mullen.
2nd PLACE – FCS
Total Points 85.2 – Rick Whitlock 23.5pts; Justin Swartz 11.7pts; Jamie Meistrell 14.5pts; Anthony Petruso 20pts; Matty Mohagen 12.5pts.
3rd PLACE – J7
Total Points 77 – Pete Mussio 23.5pts; Dan Wachter 7pts; Tarik Khashoggi 10.5pts; Kilian Garland 24pts; Keoni Cuccia 14.5pts.
4th PLACE – Those Guys
Total Points 54.2 – Kenny B. 17pts; John Balk 11.5pts; Matt T. 6pts; Spence Parker 8.2pts; Eddie Lester 10.5pts.

Registration for Ventura Beach (2nd qualifying round) is still open to the public as spots are quickly filling up. Teams of 5 representing clubs or local breaks can sign-up on line www.Jimbeamsurftag.com. There is no entry fee and one member can register for the entire team (must list all the team members during registration). All contestants must be 21-years-old on the day of competition.

A $5,000 prize purse will be offered at each of the first three events and $10,000 will be offered for the final contest. Up to 16 teams will participate in each event.

Please visit www.surfline.com/jimbeamsurftag for all the latest updates and news

September 12	Malibu Classic Exhibition	Malibu Pier
September 18	Draw Party	TBD
September 19	Manhattan Beach	El Porto
September 25	Draw Party	TBD
September 26	Ventura	Surfer’s Point
October 10	Draw Party	TBD
October 11	Oceanside	Harbor
November 12	Championship party	TBD
November 13	Apres Surf	TBD
November 13-14	Huntington	Beach Pier