The ASP just finalized its selection of the 2012 top 34 and there are a few notable departures, additions and survivors. Let's take a look.
The biggest single departure would be Dane Reynolds, though it can almost be argued that he wasn't really even on tour in 2011. Dane was “injured” for six events, completely blew off another two, and placed 13th, 25th and 37th in the three events he deigned worthy of his presence. We all know what he's capable of, but clearly his mind and health (or mental health) weren't there this year.
Fred Patacchia, Dan Ross and Chris Davidson have also fallen off the tour, though we'll likely see Freddy P and Davo as injury replacement surfers throughout the first half of the year.
The 2012 season will also see a few exciting additions. 17 year old Kolohe Andino broke into the big leagues. Brother has been hyped for years and has quickly lived up to it. It will be great to see him mixing it up with the world's best. Joining Kolohe is Yadin Nicol who was granted an injury wildcard. Yadin gave up a hard won midyear seed on tour in September after an injury sidelined him for over 3 months. His wildcard is well earned and he's also sure to bring some excitement.
CJ Hobgood is back on tour after briefly failing to requalify during the 2011 midseason cut. The gray man of the tour, Taylor Knox managed to hold on for another season with a late season push and some strong results in France and San Francisco. Kieren Perrow was deep in the danger zone. He pulled off a real end of season fairy tale ending, saving his hide with his well earned Pipe victory.
With Snapper Rocks just two months away, here are the 2012 top 34 (courtesy of the ASP)-
2012 ASP TOP 34:
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
3. Taj Burrow (AUS)
4. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
5. Owen Wright (AUS)
6. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
7. Julian Wilson (AUS)
8. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
9. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
10. Michel Bourez (PYF)
11. Josh Kerr (AUS)
12. Damien Hobgood (USA)
13. John John Florence (HAW)
14. Mick Fanning (AUS)
15. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
16. Heitor Alves (BRA)
17. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
18. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
19. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
20. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
21. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
22. Brett Simpson (USA)
23. Adam Melling (AUS)
24. Kolohe Andino (USA)
25. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
26. Tiago Pires (PRT)
27. Jadson Andre (BRA)
28. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
29. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
30. Dusty Payne (HAW)
31. Travis Logie (ZAF)
32. Taylor Knox (USA)
33. Kai Otton (AUS) *surfer wildcard (next on the ASP World Rankings)
34. Yadin Nicol (AUS) *surfer wildcard (injury)
1st Alternate: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
2nd Alternate: Willian Cardoso (BRA)
3rd Alternate: Chris Davidson (AUS)
4th Alternate: Thiago Camarao (BRA)
