In 2005 the ASP and Rip Curl joined heads to create a first-of-its-kind Floating License to run an annual ‘Rip Curl Pro Search World Tournament’ – a professional men’s contest that travels around the globe to take the world’s best surfers to many of the world’s best waves.

The first location chosen for the Rip Curl Pro Search in 2005 was Reunion Island’s famed wave St. Leu. The class left-hand reef break turned on for the event, with solid 6-8ft waves making the event one of the best of 2005. Australian Mick Fanning won the title, defeating Phil Macdonald (AUS) in the final. In 2006 Rip Curl travelled to a location they dubbed “La Jolla” in Mexico. The result was an amazing event that will go down in history as the greatest ever. Andy Irons (US) defeated Taylor Knox (US) to win. In 2007 Rip Curl landed in Arica, Chile and threw the ASP’s best surfers head first into a beast A-frame wave known as ‘El Gringo’. After all the barrels, broken boards, broken bodies and crazy times, it was Andy Irons (US) who tamed the monster. In 2008 the Pro Search was taken to Padang Padang and Uluwatu in Indonesia, and saw classic Indonesian barrels being taken. Bruce Irons (HAW) defeated fellow Hawaiian Fredrick Patacchia to claim the 2008 Rip Curl Pro Search.

This year The Rip Curl Pro Search is coming to Europe, to be held in Peniche, Portugal and the wave of choice is Supertubos (also known as the “European Pipeline”), which is a powerful A-frame barrel that handles waves up to 12-15ft (4-5m). For the very first time The Rip Curl Pro Search will be hosting the ASP Women’s World Tour and you can watch all the action live online from the 19th to 30th October at: live.ripcurl.com

For the very first time The Pro Search 2009 will also host the ASP Women’s World Tour – stop 4 of 7 this year, where US$90,000 prize money is up for grabs! The Women’s event will run from October 26th –30th October.

Watch the teaser to get your appetites up for this unique event:

http://mpora.com/videos/Se4qoJW2e
More Surfing >>