It has been an action-packed month of April around the world with no less than one ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star, two 6-Star and two 6-Star Prime rated events putting the international ratings upside down and kicking-off another race that promises to bring world class level this year again.

From France and Scotland's cold waters to South Africa and Trestles' warm destinations, Europeans displayed promising levels of surfing with both qualifying soldiers and Dream Tour representatives securing solid results, France's star Joan Duru (FRA) rising to No. 4 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA), 20, was in sensational form throughout a testing month of April placing no worse than equal 9th in three consecutive events, the French surfer getting his biggest win ever at the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro before reaching the Semifinals of the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime O'Neill CWC Scotland by Swatch at Thurso. Duru, who has reached a solid position for his ASP World Tour qualification quest, showed how powerful and progressive his surfing was across Europe and stands as a contender for an elite inception if he confirms his stellar start.

"That 3rd place in Scotland is a serious keeper and I am so happy with that run," Duru said. "I surfed well in the event, felt relaxed and confident and after winning the event in France and getting a 9th in the Estoril Quiksilver Pro in Portugal, I've done what I wanted to during that first big leg. That strong lead on the European ratings is good news as well and I'll keep this somewhere at the back of my head because I would love to get that title either."

Duru's next test will be at the coveted ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Sri Lankan Airlines Pro where he will be much expected for another performance as the talented goofy-footer will be surfing with his frontside attack, definitely a significant difference for his progressive flying surfing potential.

Other European surfers to shine last month were current ASP World Tour rookies Tim Boal (FRA) and Marlon Lipke (DEU), as well as former ASP European Junior junior champion Romain Cloitre (REU), the three men nailing solid performances with a Semifinal finish for Lipke and Cloitre at the Estoril Quiksilver Pro in Portugal while the 25-year-old Boal was getting an equal 5th in Portugal and an equal 3rd at the first ever 6.0 Lowers Pro in California. Lipke, 24, who hadn't had any good result since his Dream Tour rookie season got underway, eventually got back to his best level securing 1875 ratings' points and a great confidence boost before flying out to the Billabong Pro Tahiti where he managed to win his first heat ever on the elite circuit.

Cloitre, 20, who has been on the Grind for a year only, had yet to confirm his stellar Junior career where he rose from unknown to No. 1 in a couple of years only, the Reunion born surfer posting several major wins including an impressive ASP Grade-3 Rip Curl Pro Junior Hossegor victory over runner-up and world famous surfer Julian Wilson (AUS). Cloitre eventually got into the spotlights last month making the Semifinals of the ASP WQS 6-Star Estoril Quiksilver Pro, a deserved reward after years of training and improvement.

Boal, who has had a promising start as an ASP Top 45 member avoiding Round 1 eliminations at all events since the beginning of the year, showed how his relaxed approach could benefit his performances, the Anglet resident flying through most of his encounters at the two WQS events with several excellent scoring results. Boal has yet to surf his Round 2 encounter at Teahupoo and is one of two remaining Europeans in the Billabong Tahiti Pro along with Aritz Aranburu (Zarauz, EUK).

Apart from the men's action took place the opening competition of this year's ASP European Junior Tour with the ASP Grade-2 B! Pro Junior event at Carcavelos in Portugal. From top seeds to outsiders, the new generation of surfing talents came up with exciting action, Marc Lacomare (Hossegor, FRA), 18, taking top honours against rising surfer Joachim Guichard (DNK) who had to stop his twin brother Luka from making the final in the Semifinals of the event. Lacomare, whose recent results on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) stage have rocketed him to No. 2 on the ASP European Tour, leads the under-21 regional division for another couple of months before proceedings restart in South Portugal in July.

Girls were not left apart during this six-week period of intense surfing and the ASP WQS 6-Star Estoril Billabong Girls Pro, only women's event in Europe this year, reached expectations as most of this year's ASP Women's World Tour members had made their way to Portugal's central coast. If no European female surfer was able to make the One-on-one battles, the ASP Women's European title was still awarded to Lee-Ann Curren (Anglet, FRA), 20, the French girl nailing her second regional crown ahead of defending champion Justine Dupont (Lacanau, FRA), 17, and Amandine Sanchez (Anglet, FRA), 24. With Sally Fitzgibbons (New South Wales, AUS), 18, delivering exceptional surfing throughout the 3-day contest, the event is en route to becoming a major stop for the world's best female surfers.

As the Billabong Pro Tahiti still awaits its second swell to resume and some major ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events coming-up in a couple of weeks, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Europe will keep an eye on its best representatives around the world and bring you latest updates as soon as things get back on.

Check out surfers profiles at:
Joan Duru, http://www.aspeurope.com/2008/profiles_show.php?id=49
Tim Boal, http://www.aspworldtour.com/2009/profiles_men.asp?ID=39

Marlon Lipke, http://www.aspworldtour.com/2009/profiles_men.asp?ID=44

Marc Lacomare, http://www.aspeurope.com/2008/profiles_show.php?id=61

Lee-Ann Curren, http://www.aspeurope.com/2008/profiles_show.php?id=10

News, results, photos, videos and surfers' profiles at www.aspeurope.com