Portugal’s best surf side by side with the world’s best. The Rip Curl Pro Search 2009 has already kicked off, bringing together the elite of world surf until 30 October. The waves of the beaches of Peniche have been selected for this new challenge of the ASP World Tour.

TMN’s blue will confound itself with sea blue during this ninth event of the World Tour as PT’s mobile operator is one of the main sponsors of this sports event: a patronage that reflects TMN’s focus on the prominence of Portuguese surf and of sports in general.

Initiated in 2005, the Rip Curl Search Pro will gather in Portugal the best 45 male and 17 female surfers of the ASP circuit. On its 5th edition, the event will also include the women’s contest, which will take place from 28 to 30 October. The men’s contest started today 19 October, until next 28 October.

Bet on the prominence of Portuguese surfing

During the morning of 18 October last, 16 Portuguese surfers competed at the TMN Trials. TMN Surf Team surfers João Guedes, Vasco Ribeiro, Frederico “Kikas” Morais, Miguel Ximenez, David Raimundo and César Rosa, champions Ruben Gonzalez and João Antunes, and other surfers of reference such as Justin Mujica, Edgar Nozes, David Luis, Nuno Silva, António Ribeiro, Alexandre Ferreira, Eduardo Fernandes and Acácio Grandela participated at TMN’s “Wild Card” for exclusive access to the Rip Curl Pro Search 2009.

Justin Mujica was the winner of this special contest whose aim was to promote Portuguese surfers, making them prominent in the world panorama of sport. The winning surfer will join Tiago Pires, Portugal’s surfing sensation and a rising star in the international panrama, as well as David Luís who will take part at the contest in Peniche, by special invitation from the organisation.

“I am really happy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity”, confessed Justin Mujica at the press conference of presentation of the TMN Trials winner, attended by some of the male and female surfers who will compete at the Rip Curl Pro Seach 2009.

Some of the best surfers of the world were present at the press conference of the Rip Curl Search Pro 2009

Surfing with the best

On 18 October, TMN also organised the “Surf with the Pros powered by TMN” event: an initiative that continues TMN’s strategy of betting on young talent and on the new generation.

Around 20 national talents surfed on the waves of Peniche beaches side by side with World Champion Mick Fanning, Tiago ‘Saca’ Pires, the first Portuguese to qualify for the ASP World Tour, and other top international surfers: a unique opportunity to share experiences and receive surfing tips from the world’s best.

“Leave only your footprints on the beach.”

This is the appeal made by TMN through its ambassador Tiago Pires to Rip Curl Pro Search 2009 attendees in Peniche.

TMN invites visitors to ride this ecological wave and to participate in the various initiatives promoted in the lounge area, set up on Lagido Beach. The new Samsung B2100 Surf Edition will be available in this space, an exclusive mobile phone to celebrate this unique event in Portugal.

Enthusiasm, energy, respect for nature and freedom are the values present in every TMN activity created exclusively for the event. It is worth highlighting the closing party of the contest, the Rip Curl TMN Music sessions to be held on 24 October at the headquarters of Peniche’s Firemen Brigade. Musicians such as Max Romeo, Marrokan & Chary Skank Band, Richie Campbell & 911 Band, as well as the DJ Sets of Stereo Addiction and Frankie Chavez will be present. The winners of the TMN Portugal Surf Prizes will be announced during the party.

The TMN Expression Session will be another high point of this ASP World Tour event in Portugal. It will afford a different exhibition, during which some of the best surfers in the world will compete for the prize of the most radical manoeuvre.

Ride also the TMN wave. See you soon!