FUKUSHIMA, Japan (Tuesday, September 2, 2008) - Day 1 of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Murasaki Pro Kitaizumi kicked off this morning with the opening Round of 96 hitting the water first.

Kitaizumi Beach at Minammi Soma-shi in Fukushima-ken, the main competition site for the event, will look to continue the success of last week’s amateur event with its finely-groomed banks and swell-harnessing direction.

Waves at Kitaizumi Beach today were a bit onshore and in the two-to-three foot (1 metre) range with surfers like Jun Shiba (JPN) securing the highest heat total of the day with a 14.50 out of a possible 20.

Tomorrow, the event will go into the Round of 64 for the ASP WQS with the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 2-Star event and the ASP Pro Junior event to follow.

All divisions will come to the grand final day on Sunday, September 7, 2008.

Over 200 surfers, domestic and international, from Hawaii and Australia, are all ready to battle. Do not miss the LIVE action at Kitaizumi with the event being webcast via www.aspjapantour.com