HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Monday, March 15, 2010) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards is set to host several of America’s top talents at the iconic break of South Huntington Beach Pier from March 24 through 28, 2010. Accompanying the men’s ASP WQS event will be the second of eight stops on this year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series, the ASP Grade-2 Ezekiel Pro Junior, also presented by Jack’s Surfboards.

Surfers competing in the ASP WQS event are hunting the valuable ratings points on offer to eventually establish themselves as top seeds on the global qualifying series. A top seed allows competitors to battle the world’s finest up-and-comers for a spot on the ASP World Tour. The ASP North America Pro Junior Series competitors are out to find their way atop the regional ratings to qualify for this year’s inaugural ASP World Junior Tour (WJT).

Mike Losness (San Clemente, CA), 29, who is the defending Vans Pier Classic champion, is returning to competition for this year’s event and is gearing up to defend his title against the entourage of young talent set to compete this year, but feels no pressure entering the event despite his status as defending champion.

“Being the defending champion just gives me more confidence entering this year’s contest,” Losness said. “It doesn’t put pressure on me to live up to that result again. I just take one heat at a time and go from there.”

The talented goofy-footer has been an international standout on the ASP WQS throughout the years and is now focusing his professional career on free-surfing. Although Losness is not spending as much time in a jersey as in past years, he feels that competing in fewer events allows him to enjoy events more than in previous years.

“A lot has changed for me,” Losness said. “I look forward to these small events because it’s a chance to put the jersey on. I love competing and miss doing some of the bigger events like years past, but there is less pressure and I just get excited to compete.”

Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, CA), 16, who is fresh off of a win at the ASP North America Pro Junior Series season opener, is heading to the west coast in hopes of retaining his ratings lead at this year’s Ezekiel Pro Junior.

“Winning my first ASP event at Sebastian Inlet definitely gives me confidence heading out to Huntington,” Geiselman said. “I’m hoping I can carry the momentum from my recent win and post another solid result.”

Geiselman is hungry to claim a coveted spot within the top four on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series which will qualify him for this year’s inaugural ASP World Junior Tour and is hoping his years of experience competing at Huntington Beach Pier will pay dividends at this year’s Ezekiel Pro Junior.

“Although I’m from the East Coast, I feel comfortable competing at Huntington Beach,” Geiselman said. “Every time I’m out west, I surf there and I’m familiar with the spot, so I feel good going into this event.”

The Vans Pier Classic and Ezekiel Pro Junior will run from March 24 through28, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via www.vans.com

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org