ZARAUTZ – Euskadi / Basque Country – With inconsistent two foot (0.5 meter) waves not allowing any competition today, officials were forced to call the first day of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 5-Star event off and wait until tomorrow to get things underway. Surf fores are showing a new swell supposed to start coming-in from Wednesday and give some big surf in he end of the week peaking at three meters between Thursday and Friday.

With 144 men already ready to rumble and keep their ASP WQS campaign alive after three consecutive major events in Europe where Daniel Ross (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA) and William Cardoso (BRA) took top honours, many of the event’s favorites and outsiders will try and get their share of success this week.

Being the crowds’ favorite for another year at his home town of Zarautz, Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, current ASP Top 45 member, will be much expected for his start in the event. The Basque surfer, who won the inaugural edition in 2007 and placed equal 3rd last year, is once again ready to use his knowledge of the consistent beachbreak and will paddle in Heat 1 of Round 2 against local wildcard Karlos Gomez (EUK).

Looking for another big result at Zarautz to increase his ASP World Tour qualification chances will be ratings’ No. 7 Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA), 20, the Frenchman coming from an early loss in the Azores Islands Pro. Runner-up last year behind defending champion Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 26, Duru will be a dangerous competitor in the expected big swell and a re-match against Aranburu after their Semifinal bout last year shall please the crowds if it happens.

First out when competition kicks-off will be Nathan Yeomans (USA), Jose-Maria Cabrera (CNY), Miguel Ximenez (PRT) and local charger Asier Muniain (EUK).