Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu gear up for debut in asp world tour

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Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu

Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu will make his debut on the ASP World Tour when the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast kicks off on Saturday.

The Basque newcomer will open up his 2008 Quiksilver Pro campaign against Kai Otton and Travis Logie in his Round 1 heat.

With clean swell in the three-to-four-foot (one metre) range, and the start of the 2008 ASP World Tour season just a day away, the air is electric surrounding the event venue at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG begins its waiting period this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, and will be the first stop of 2008 for the ASP Top 45 to flex their fangs.

Reigning ASP World Champion and defending Quiksilver Pro Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), who was officially recognized at the ASP World Champion’s Crowning this week, has been enjoying the off season, but looks forward to once again donning the singlet and battling it out with the best in the world.

“I thought that I would be feeling the pressure, but I’m actually feeling really relaxed, happy to be here and looking forward to competing,” Fanning said.

Taj Burrow (AUS), current World No. 2, is coming off one of his best seasons to date and shows no signs of slowing down, even enlisting the aid of a trainer to accompany him on the Dream Tour this season.