As the WQS is put in it's grave, the ASP World Tour morphs into the ASP World Title Race, and progressive surfing is the name of the game, we're left to wonder why Brazil remains a stop on the 2010 Dream Tour. Check out our picks for whose gonna take the Billabong Pro Santa Catarina, which starts April 23rd.

The final day of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by SNICKERS has been called on today, with event organizers opting to relocate 90 minutes South to Johanna Beach where contestable three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves await the world’s best surfers.

With little surf on offer this morning, event organizers have been forced to call a lay day today for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by SNICKERS.

With little surf on offer today, event organizers have called a lay day for the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta and the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by SNICKERS.

The second stop of the 2010 ASP World Tour kicks off at Bells Beach next Tuesday. The Top 45 will be one event closer to shrinking to the Top 32 midway through the year. So the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be a decisive event for all. Check out our picks to ring the Bells.

Did it feel like a surf contest? Kind of, but not really when you consider that the long-time heralded saviors of the ASP World Tour, Jordy Smith and Dane Reynolds, finished two-three, respectively. The competitive surfing level for 2010 and beyond was raised. Peep this final cinematic clip from the Quiky Pro.

While at Taj's grand victory party (which he arrived via limo) TransWorld SURF's Chris Cote decided to get behind the camera and get some words of congratulations from Taj's peers (the best of the best in the surf world). Congrats TB!

“We have an increase in swell today and we’ll be getting underway at 7:30am with men’s Round 3,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro Contest Director, said. “We’re expecting good conditions all day and are very exciting about the match-ups we’ll be seeing.”

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 On LIVE At Snapper Rocks

“I’m just cruising,” Irons said. “I have nothing to prove. I have already accomplished all my dreams and I just want to go out and win contests. I’d love to do well of course. The ASP World Title is probably not in my picture this year, I’d say, I’m more just out there to get my feet wet, and get back into things and feel comfortable again. I think this is going to be more of a learning year again.”

“Growing up on the Gold Coast, there is no shortage of quality waves to surf and people to look up to,” Gilmore said. “Definitely, a familiarity with the waves here is a big advantage when it comes to competition."

The 2010 ASP World Tour season is just around the corner—10 days and counting to the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros! We're chomping at the bit for the start, so we decided to go ahead and give you the only preview and expert analysis you'll need a few days early...

A celebrity in Portugal, Pires will have all eyes on him as he gets his campaign going against the world’s best 45 surfers and tries to secure a first big finish.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, reigning two-time ASP World Champion, posted an inspired come-from-behind campaign in 2009 to claim his second ASP World Title (the first in 2007), and approaches this year focused on repeating the feat and setting up a dynasty within the annals of surfing history.

Let surfing's see-sawing, Brett Favre-type-speculation on retirement or return begin again. Kelly Slater is working on a few new whacky shapes, and with rumors of the "new tour" being dead, could he be preparing for 2010 on the ASP World Tour?