The best Under-18 surfers in the Western USA compete for qualifying points to earn slots into the Surfing America USA Championships, and a chance to secure a spot on the 2011 PacSun USA Surf Team

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - March 17, 2010 - Surfing America, the National Governing Body for surfing in the USA, is pleased to announce that the fifth West Coast event of the highly acclaimed Surfing America Prime Series will take place this Saturday and Sunday, March 20th & 21st in Oceanside Harbor, California.

Watch the Verizon Live Webcast of the PacSun Surfing America Prime Presented by Got Milk?

The PacSun Surfing America Prime presented by Got Milk? is an invitation-only event that offers the highest standard of competition for top surfers in the following age divisions:

Boys Under 18
Boys Under 16
Boys Under 14
Girls Under 18
Girls Under 16

Currently, Surfing America Prime operates on the East and West Coast of the Mainland US. Entry into the Series is by invitation only.

For the West Coast Series, invitations have been sent to the best under 18-year-old shortboarders in the West based on WSA ratings after Westerns and NSSA current season ratings.

Surfing America Prime events feature 4-man/20 minute heats, ASP Judges judging to ASP criteria, BeachByte Computer Scoring, and professional announcing. This series will determine who gets the coveted invites to the Surfing America USA Championships at Lower Trestles in June.

Fuel TV will be covering the event on "The Weekly Update", so don't forget to tune/log in to check out all the action!

Surfing America Prime Head Judge and ASP International Judge, Bill Seitz, will conduct a judging Question and Answer session on Saturday from 7:15 to 7:45 AM. He will discuss the updated ASP Judging Criteria and what it means to you. He will also answer any questions you have on what the judges are looking for and how to maximize your wave scores. This is open to anyone and free of charge. It is recommended for competitors, parents and coaches. To learn more about ASP judging criteria go to http://aspworldtour.com/2010/criteria.asp

Rockin' Baja Coastal Cantina will be providing lunch for the competitors and staff on Saturday. Check them out in Oceanside Harbor and at locations throughout Southern CA. To learn more about Rockin' Baja's tasty grinds visit their webpage at www.rockinbaja.com

During the Verizon Live Webcast, PacSun will give away 4 - $50 PacSun Gift Cards. To enter to win, simply TEXT SAPRIME to 53137. Surfing America Prime announcer, Dave Stanfield, will personally call your cell phone if you win!

The Surfing America Prime West Series consists of six stops at top breaks on the West Coast:

August 22 & 23, 2009 - DMJs Camp Pendelton
October 3, 2009 - Church Beach, San Onofre State Beach
January 23 & 24, 2010 - Steamer Lane
February 20 & 21, 2010 - Upper Trestles, San Onofre State Beach
March 20 & 21, 2010 - Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty
April 17 & 18, 2010 - Malibu 3rd Point

Ratings, based on the top four event scores, will determine invites for the Surfing America USA Championships at Lower Trestles in June 2010. The 2011 PacSun USA Surf Team will be selected after the USA Championships.

Surfing America Prime Series presented by Got Milk? is proud to be sponsored by the California Milk Processor Board, PacSun, Billabong, Hurley, O'Neill, Vans, New Era, Verizon, Gidget, Kicker, Surfer, Surfing, TransWorld SURF, Surfline.com, Fuel TV, and Eastern Surf Magazine.

For overall season ratings for the Surfing America Prime Series presented by Got Milk? CLICK HERE

Join the Surfing America Cause on Facebook: CLICK HERE

Surfing America Mission Statement
The Mission of Surfing America is to promote the growth, competitive success, and positive image of surfing in the USA and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing, and administrating the sport--while producing champions.

Press Contact:
Mike Gerard
Surfing America, Inc.
33157-B Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Tel 949-276-4660 ext. 25
Fax 949-496-9190
mikegerard@surfingamerica.org

About Surfing America, Inc.
Surfing America is the ISA-recognized National Governing Body for Surfing in the United States. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sport's World Governing Authority.

Created by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) to develop the sport from the ground up, Surfing America is an IRS recognized 501(c) 3 charitable organization and an industry-wide initiative. Key projects include: improving competition standards, hosting national championship events, and selecting and fielding the official United States Surf Team to compete internationally. With its primary emphasis on youth development, Surfing America is a critical element to successfully growing the sport, and business, of surfing on a global basis.

All donations made to Surfing America are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law. Donation checks should be made payable to: Surfing America, 33157 Camino Capistrano Suite B San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. End of year tax receipts are sent to every individual donor of more than $250. For donations under $250, a cancelled check or credit card statement is sufficient evidence for IRS purposes. Surfing America will send a tax receipt to any donor who requests one. http://surfingamerica.org