PSTA Comes To HB

Havaianas Pro in Huntington Beach, July 18-21, 2002

SANTA CRUZ, CA (June 27, 2002) - Hawaii-based sandal company Havaianas stands solidly behind domestic surfing with the $15,000 Havaianas Pro Huntington Beach, the fourth stop on the Professional Surfing Tour of America (PSTA) in Huntington Beach at Goldenwest Street, CA, July 18-21, 2002. The contest will feature a PSTA sanctioned Men's shortboarding event and women's event along with juniors and longboard events.

"We are honored to have Havaianas sponsor a PSTA event on the 2002 Tour," said Jeff Grell, executive producer of the PSTA, and longtime owner and founder of Snowsurfing International, Inc, an events development and production company. "Partnering with the PSTA is the perfect opportunity to expand the Havaianas brand on the U.S. mainland," added Craig Hoshide, Havaianas USA representative. The winner of the PSTA event will win a trip to the XCEL Pro in Hawaii, presented by XCEL wetsuits and Havaianas. "This is our way of supporting competitive surfing in the U.S., and standing by our commitment to get kids in the water is what this is all about," Hoshide continued.

This year marks the first time Havaianas has visited Huntington Beach, and also the PSTA's first visit to Huntington. The Havaianas Pro in Huntington Beach is helping to pave the way for a strong U.S. pro surfing tour through exciting sports programming and exposure on the Outdoor Life Network. The Havaianas Pro is scheduled to air on OLN August 26 at 8:30 p.m. (check local listings for exact time in your area).

• PSTA 2002 Schedule
• May 23-26: Imperial Beach Pro, Imperial Beach, CA
• May 30-June 2: Paul Mitchell Pro Oceanside Pier, Oceanside CA
• June 14-16: PSTA Pro San Clemente Pier, San Clemente, CA
• July 18-21: Havaianas Pro, Huntington Beach, CA
• September 19-22: PSTA Central Coast Pro, Morro Rock, CA
• October 17-20: PSTA US Surfing Championships, Seaside Park, Ventura, CA

The PSTA official product sponsors include the New Subaru Baja, Paul Mitchell Salon Haircare, Balance Bar, Havaianas, Kawasaki and Outdoor Life Network. Industry sponsors include Surf One, Mountain High Resort, Sticky Bumps, Transworld Surf Magazine, Peak Sunscreen, Sessions, Poorboy, Mandero Sports Products, and Surf Quest Media.

Fans can access Outdoor Life Network TV air dates and times, for their specific region by checking out www.prosurfingtour.com. For more information, contact Jeff Grell at (831) 728-9001.