The R1.9 Million ASP Prime event has grown from strength to strength at its Ballito home, entrenching itself into the hearts and minds of both surfers and spectators thanks to the unprecedented surf enjoyed during the event’s window over the past three years.

“ASP Africa is both honoured and proud to be associated with an event like the Mr Price Pro Ballito,” ASP Africa Operations Manager Colin Fitch said. “Based on the fact that we had more than seven days of perfect surf that was never under three meters in 2011, I am convinced that we will see many more of the world’s top surfers fighting for a place in this year’s 96 man field.”

2011 ASP World Tour rookie and Mr Price Pro Ballito runner-up John John Florence secured the first official entry. The standout performer in 2011 is hoping he can return home with the spoils in 2012 after the Hawaiian’s barrel riding affinity resulted in a plethora of perfect scores

“I really enjoyed the waves in Ballito,” Florence said. “They’re a lot like the barrels at Backdoor (the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii), it’s big and round and maybe a little bit faster and longer but I felt really comfortable in that kind of surf so I’m really  looking forward to surfing in Ballito again,” added Florence.

Defending champion Californian Patrick Gudauskas shared similar sentiments after his victory, “This is definitely the best event I’ve ever competed in and maybe the best one I’ve ever watched. It has been flawless for a whole week and we’re all psyched to be surfing in Ballito.”

With a number of refinements to the ASP Prime Tour in 2012, the event could prove critical for surfers hoping to cement their place among the World’s Top 34 surfers in 2013.

Scheduled at the season’s critical halfway mark, the increase in available equal ninth place finishes (from four to eight) as well as ratings points (1034 to 1300 for an equal 17^th and 3120 to 3320 for equal fifth), will give surfers more opportunity to climb the ASP One World rankings ladder by competing in this event.

Featuring only the Top 96 surfers in the world, South African competitors must be rated within the top 96 in order to earn their place into this prestigious event.

Leading the local field are elite ASP World Tour campaigners Jordy Smith (Durban), the 2010 Mr Price Pro Ballito Champion, and Travis Logie (Durban) who finished runner-up to Australian Chris Davidson in the 2009 edition of the event.

ASP Tour veteran and multiple national champion Greg Emslie from East London leads the way for the six wildcard entries yet to be announced.

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Every year, parents spend millions on stationery to equip their children for the new school year. Sadly, many learners start the school year without so much as a ball point pen.

As the market leader in writing instruments with 52 percent market share (Source: Nielsen’s) BiC believes it is well positioned to lead the way and inspire both companies and consumers to join them in making a difference. Over 20 different BiC products currently carry a Choose BiC and Change a Future sticker. Each time one of these packs is sold, BiC will donate a pen to a disadvantaged child. The pens will be distributed by the READ Educational Trust.

“It’s our way of using our brand’s power to champion education and to equip and empower the children who need it most. We’re taking the BiC brand to a whole new level. As a company, we not only care about the futures of both the children who use our products and those who cannot afford to, but we are actively doing something about it. This means partnering with our customers to actually put pens in the hands of disadvantaged learners,” said BiC marketing manager of stationery, Millicent Quoilin.  She said BiC wanted to encourage both its loyal customers and new consumers to help the company reach its target of one million pens.

“Today, 200 000 learners between the ages of seven and 15 receive no form of schooling. 13 percent of 16 year-olds have not completed primary school and only 44 percent of working age individuals have completed secondary school. About 4.7 million people in our country are illiterate and South Africa’s unemployment rate of 24 percent is among the highest in the world.  About 42 percent of young people under the age of 30 are unemployed and only one in eight working age adults under 25 years has a job. With the power of the pen, it doesn’t have to stay that way.”

“One million pens sponsored by BiC will give the READ Educational Trust a terrific start to 2012. In READ’s on-going commitment to overcome South Africa’s appalling literacy status, being equipped with writing implements is as important as having books to read. Being able to put one’s thoughts down is the start of a good education. Since today’s learners are those who will be writing South Africa’s future, the significance of a donation such as this cannot be underestimated,” explained Bertus Matthee, national director of the READ Educational Trust.

Quoilin added that the key to unlocking the power of the pen to tackle educational challenges was to make helping others a very positive, fun experience. That’s why BiC will be giving away cash prizes towards education and iPad 2’s during the campaign.

For further information about the Choose BiC and Change a Future campaign, visit www.BiC.co.za or Bic South Africa on Facebook