Brett Simpson qualifies for the 2010 ASP World Tour

It's been quite a year for Huntington Beach kingpin Brett Simpson. A US Open title (along with a $100,000 first-place check.) A Surfer Magazine Breakthrough Performer of the Year award. And now, after finishing ninth at the O'Neill Coldwater Classic in Santa Cruz this past weekend, it appears he's a lock for the elite 2010 ASP World Tour. "I would say he's safe," says ASP tour manager Al Hunt, who says the cut-off point is 12,500 points. Simpson's latest result puts him at 13,150 points and seventh in the rankings, well above the danger zone. This means he can relax at the events in Hawaii and focus on making an impact against the Top 45 next year. "This is everything I've been working toward since I was a kid," said Simpson. "It's such a good feeling to reach this point, but I know there's a lot of work to be done. Making the tour is just the first step."

After four years of close calls, Simpson finally had the year go his way in 2009. A strong start in Oz, the big US Open victory, a semifinal in Brazil and now this solid finish at the Coldwater. Simpson, along with Patrick Gudauskas and Nate Yeomans, is part of a new American crop of ASP WT surfers destined to shake it up against the top seeds.

Congratulations to Brett for reaching a huge milestone in his career. We know his impact on the world stage is just beginning.