ASP men's world longboard championship kicks off

The 2012 ASP men's world longboard championship kicked off on Tuesday in Wanning city in eastern part of South China's Hainan Province.

Thirty-six men surfers from the United States, France, Australia, Japan, China and other countries and regions participated in the five-day event to compete for the title of 2012 ASP Men's World Longboard Champion.

"We've moved down the beach to a more consistent bank," the contest director Dane Jordan said, "The surfers are excited to get out there and test the waters, Round 1 is non elimination so it gives them a chance to warm-up and get into the swing of things."

Kelia Moniz from Hawaii secured the champion of the 2012 ASP women's world longboard championship as the event ended here last weekend.

ASP men's world longboard championship is organized by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the governing body for professional surfers.