Manuel and O'Neill teammate Sage Erickson qualify for ASP Women's World Tour, will be ranked in top three for 2012 campaign

Irvine, Calif. (October 4, 2011)

O'Neill, the original surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, congratulates team rider Malia Manuel for an impressive win at last week's ASP 6-star event at the Azores Pro in Portugal. The second consecutive 6-star win earned Manuel a prize of $35,000, the world number-two world ranking and number-one qualifier spot on next year's ASP Women's World Tour.

After strong performances all week, Manuel held off Australian Felicity Palmateer in the finals, with an 11.90 score to Palmateer's 10.40. Solid 3-4 foot conditions benefitted Manuel, who nailed a series of backhand snaps to earn a big score of 6.67 and set the tone for the final. The win in Portugal had extra significance for the 16-year-old from Hawaii, whose grandfather emigrated to the U.S. from the Azores islands.
"This was a hard-fought comp, but I'm really happy to come away with a win and put myself in prime position for next year," said Manuel. "It's so awesome that Sage and I will have the top two spots going into next year, it's such an accomplishment for Team O'Neill."

Fellow O'Neill rider Sage Erickson, who has been consistently among the top riders all year and currently ranked fourth in the world, will also join her teammate on the 2012 ASP Women's World Tour.
"Malia and Sage have both had a breakthrough season, and watching them develop into world tour surfers has been very special to be a part of," said Garth Tarlow, Director of Sports Marketing, O'Neill.  "This is huge for O'Neill overall and we look forward to seeing a successful first year amongst the world's best."
The win in Portugal continues a memorable week on the Iberian Peninsula for Manuel. Only weeks earlier, she took first place at the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro 6-star event in Pantin, Spain, besting previously top-ranked Courtney Conlogue in the final.

In two weeks, both Manuel and Erickson will celebrate with O'Neill at the 2011 'O'Neill Generation Next' fashion and music event, in association with TEEN VOGUE, at the Avalon Hollywood (October 15th).
For more information about O'Neill athletes, events and apparel, visit www.oneill.com.

About O'Neill Girls
O'Neill Girls is dedicated to and inspired by the adventurous and free-spirited young female. Driven by O'Neill's heritage as the original California surf brand since 1952, O'Neill Girls stays true to its roots, while offering a unique fashion perspective that is modern and fresh. Featuring a range of styles for all seasons both on and off the beach, O'Neill Girls includes a blend of effortlessly cool prints, dresses, tees, denim, fleece, jackets, accessories, swimwear and wetsuits.

Featured in hundreds of magazines and available in more than 85 countries around the world, O'Neill Girls reflects its personality through progressive collections, signature events, and exceptional athletes. With talented team riders including surfers Malia Manuel and Sage Erikson, the brand continues to push the envelope of performance and is committed to providing today's most advanced and authentic youth lifestyle products. Connecting fashion, surf and youth culture, O'Neill Girls introduced "Generation Next" in 2008 with TEEN VOGUE, an annual high school design program to foster tomorrow's fashion talents and create inspiration for future product lines.
For more information, visit www.oneill.com and www.facebook.com/ oneillgirls.