The first showdown of the Standup World Tour’s 2013 tour is coming up with the highly-anticipated Sunset Beach Pro on Oahu’s north shore, which began yesterday, February 7, 2013.

Arguably the most iconic event on the Stand Up World Tour Calendar, the Sunset Beach Pro brings together the world’s best against one of the world’s most infamous waves, found at the heart of Oahu’s Fabled North Shore.

2012 World Champ Brazilian Leco Salazar will be defending his title among some formidable competitors to capture the first points of the year toward the World Title.

Also, the Women’s World Championship Tour will be officially launched here. From Feb 6-10, the women will be battling it out at the Waterman League’s Headquarters at Turtle Bay. The Turtle Bay Women’s Pro will mark the launch of a 4 event series in that will start here in Hawaii, then head to Brazil (Ubatuba), California and close in October in France (La Torche).

Here is an overview of the 2013 schedule:

Sunset Beach Pro, Oahu: February 7th – 15th (Na Kama Kai Youth event and preliminary rounds of Women’s event to be held at Turtle Bay on 6th February)
Ubatuba Grand Slam, Brazil: April 16th – 21st
Rottnest Island Pro, W. Australia: May 21st – 29th (TBC)
So. Cal Grand Slam, California: September 17th – 22nd
La Torche Pro, France: October 26th – November 3rd
Finals (Location TBD): December 7th – 15th

The entire event will be live broadcast and daily highlights will also go live at the event microsite that can be accessed thru www.standupworldtour.com, or directly at www.sunsetbeachpro.com.

With live broadcasts from all events, increased global TV airtime, launch of the new Stand Up World Tour rulebook and increase in prestige and impact at all events, 2013 promises to be the best yet.