Press release:
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., March 9, 2015 – Each spring, the world’s top surfing talent descend on the fabled cobblestone shore of Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach for the Lowers Pro. Considered one of the most high-performance waves in the world, the contest offers a unique opportunity for surfers to spotlight their best and most progressive moves without fighting a crowded line up and while chasing a bevy of World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Qualifying Series points. The event will return to Lower Trestles in 2015, after a two-year hiatus, with new title sponsor Oakley at the helm. From April 28 to May 2, the Oakley Lowers Pro will return with 10,000 coveted WSL points and a quarter of a million dollar prize purse on the line.
“Oakley has a long history at Lower Trestles and we’re excited to be back at this esteemed surf break to host some of the world’s best surfers in our own backyard,” said Cuan Petersen, Director of Global Sports Marketing, Oakley. “Lowers is a perfect canvas for innovative, high-performance surfing, which makes for an ideal competitive venue. And while it can be a picturesque wave, it’s a difficult one to master. It’s definitely a place that differentiates the good from the great. We’re looking forward to kicking off the competition at the 2015 Oakley Lowers Pro.”
The illustrious contest, which has been around in various incarnations since the early 80s, has proven a favorite of some of the world’s top talent to compete in idyllic Southern California conditions. Both seasoned pros and up-and-comers froth for the chance to surf at the elite wave showcasing their most progressive maneuvers and keeping the crowd a gasp and on their feet heat after heat. Perfect 10s are not uncommon at Lowers, which has become synonymous with pushing the boundaries of surfing to new limits.
This year a win at the Oakley Lowers Pro is equivalent in ratings points (10,000) to a win at a WSL Championship Tour (CT) event making it likely to see many of the CT’s Elite 34 in the line up. Past winners have included: Tom Curren (1982, 2001), Christian Fletcher (1989), 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (1990), Rob Machado (1998), the late, great three-time World Champion Andy Irons (2004), and most recently, the Brazilian invasion of Miguel Pupo (2011) and current World Champion Gabriel Medina (2012).
A narrow field of 96 athletes from around the globe, plus two qualifiers from an eight-man trial, will vie for the $250,000 prize purse and WSL ratings points, the most possible in a single qualifying event, this year. The line up will be announced soon.
The Oakley Lowers Pro will feature an HD-quality live webcast with video coverage and scoring for all five days of competition. For more information on the Oakley Lowers Pro, follow the action at www.oakleylowerspro.com, on Facebook @Oakley, on Twitter @Oakley and Instagram @Oakleysurfing. Start the discussion using #oakleypro right now.
The 2015 Oakley Lowers Pro would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors. Special thanks go out to Oakley, SURFER and California State Parks.
About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading product design and sport performance brands in the world. The holder of more than 750 patents, Oakley is a culture of creators, inventors, idealists and scientists obsessed with using design and innovation to create products and experiences that inspire greatness. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with products that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is known for its High Definition Optics, which feature unparalleled optical clarity and precision along with impact resistance and UV protection, incorporated into all of the brand’s sun, prescription eyewear and premium goggles. Oakley extended its position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel and accessories. Oakley has men’s and women’s product lines that appeal to Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.
About SURFER
In 1960, SURFER Magazine began as the original. After a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award winning state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker “the bible of the sport.” The SURFER brand has also grown to include Surfermag.com, Fantasy Surfer, and the SURFER message boards. All of these assets combine to make the SURFER network the most current and reliable channel of information to the surf community. The magazine is published by TEN: The Enthusiast Network, which reaches more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming. To learn more, visit surfermag.com
About TEN: The Enthusiast Network
TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD, and GRINDTV. With more than 50 publications, 60 websites, 50 events, 1,000 branded products, the world’s largest automotive VOD channel, and the world’s largest action/adventure sports media platform, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit enthusiastnetwork.com
