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News Big Money Up for Grabs at 2008 Quiksilver King of the Groms Qualifiers
The first of three national qualifying stops will begin on the East Coast at surf spot Mecca Sebastian Inlet, Florida
by Tobias Coffman
15/05/2008:// The deadline for East Coast entries is June 5. Contestants can register for free NOW at www.quiksilver.com.
With 64 slots per regional event, the competition is open to both boys and girls 16 and under. The Quiksilver KOG is currently the only 16 and under "Skins" event in the United States today. This year the three events will see one winner emerge from their respective region, unlike past events where competitors could enter in multiple regional qualifiers.
Following the East Coast stop, the KOG will island hop over the continental US and across the Pacific to the birth place of "the sport of kings,'" Hawaii where a second king will be crowned on Oahu's South Shore at Ala Moana Bowls on June 9. Last but not least the KOG wraps up in Quiksilver's backyard in sunny Southern California at Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach on June 23. In addition to a spot at the KOG Global Championships, competitors will be vying for $500 cash prize from DC Shoes for "Highest Score, " $200 cash prize from Future Fins for "Most Futuristic Maneuver and the "Special Surfboard Award" from Super Surfboards.
The three new KOG U.S. Regional Champions will be flown across the Atlantic to compete in the KOG Global Championships that is run in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France, an ASP Men's World Championship Tour event. The KOG Global Championships will bring together eight major surfing regions' Kings for a field of 16 surfers: U.S. (3), Australia (3), Europe (3), Bali (1), South Africa (1), Tahiti (1), Japan (1), Reunion Island (1) and South America (2). The KOG Global Championships will be webcast live at www.quiksilver.com
About KOG Format The "Skins" format was founded by Quiksilver's own Matt Kechele who introduced it to the East Coast back in 1995 at the Quiksilver King of the Peak at Sebastian Inlet which was won by non other than eight-time world champion Kelly Slater. A "skin" is equivalent to $100. In order to win a "Skin" the surfer must raise his hands above his head in what is termed a "claim" after what he or she thinks is a high scoring ride. The judges then assess the wave and the score is announced and the surfer must exit the water. The remaining surfers then have the duration of the heat to "claim" their wave and top the high score. Surfers get two chances to lose as there are two rounds of competition. They also have the chance to go "on a roll" and claim multiple "Skins" if they are consistently putting up high scores as they progress in each heat.