February 28th, 2005 Miami, Florida... Warming up for the Australian leg of the WQS, South Florida Ripper, Ryan Helm took top honors at the 2nd Annual Dirty South Pro-Am, presented by Jah Surf and Quiksilver - held February 27th in small South Florida conditions. Ryan also won the 'No Fear Air Show' by taking out all comers with his high flying Aerials. The competitive field was stacked with local talent, including Eric Taylor, Justin Jones and Wesley De Souza, among others.
Ryan is known as much for his aerial surfing as he is for his solid skills on the wave face or in the barrel. Helm has also won the ESM Air Show at the Quiksilver King of the Peak for the last three years running. Keeping with the "Dark Horse" mystique that was coined by former World Champion Peter Townend during the 2005 Globe SI Pro, observers were overheard commenting that Helm is perhaps "one of the most underrated surfers to emerge from South Florida in recent years".
A threat on the World Qualifying Series, Ryan does not plan to keep his status a secret for long. With results like this leading his charge, it will no doubt be a confidence booster as he renews his hunt for valuable WQS Points when he heads to Australia in March.
What: The 2nd Annual Jah Surf "Dirty South Pro-Am" Presented by Quiksilver and the "No Fear Air Show"
When: MONDAY FEB. 27, 2006
Where: SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI FLORIDA
Divisions: PRO/AM JR. MEN'S; MEN'S; MASTERS; LONGBOARD; WOMEN; BODY BOARD; AIR SHOW
Pro Division - Top 3 Finalists
1. Ryan Helm
2. Ryan Heavyside
3. Jensen Calloway
No Fear Air Show
# 1 Ryan Helm
As the winner of each division, Helm received a total of $1,000.00 and two brand new surfboards for his efforts. Not bad for a day of surfing.
A Del Mar Media / World Ocean Press Release
