Hurley's Mitch Ross checks in from the ASP 6 Star Surfest event at Newcastle, Australia: Last night in conjunction with the Surfest event there was a big old fashioned surfer signing at one of Newcastle's best surf stores, Sandbah. The store is owned by former pro surfer, Rhys Smith, who played host to some of the biggest names in the game including Hurley team riders, Ace Buchan, Evan G and Mitch Crews. Our guys hung in the store with Taj, Parko and some other big names, signing hundreds of autographs for heaps of stoked-out groms.

So far at the Surfest event, Ace, Evan and Mitch have all advanced through to the Round of 16 — where Quarterfinal spots and big points are up for grabs. Tune in here to watch the action later today.