Courtesy of surfersvillage.com:

Koby Abberton, Ryan Hipwood 2008 APT (Association of Professional Towsurfers) World Champs

Surfersvillage Global Surf News - - Laguna Beach, Ca -- The Association of Professional Towsurfers is proud to announce that Koby Abberton and Ryan Hipwood both from Australia, have officially become the 2008 APT World Tour Champion Team.

The APT had scheduled two world cup tow-in events for the 2008/2009 tour season. The first event took place in Pichilemu, Punta de Lobos, Chile where Koby and Ryan took a first place. The second event was slated to happen during the Mormaii Pe'ahi World Cup Championship on the North Shore of Maui at Jaws. This event never had a swell big enough that would warrant for such a prestigious venue. As is, Pe'ahi has not had a significant swell worthy of holding an event since 2005.

"We were really stoked and honored to be a part of the APT event in 2008. Chile was a great location and event. To win was great because we love big waves and surfing against our heroes who are all part of the APT. Bring on 2009!" - Koby Abberton

Ryan Hipwood is currently a top finalist for the Ride of The Year Award and Monster Tube Award being presented by Billabong XXL Awards on April 17, 2009.  Koby Abberton drove him with a PWC assist into the massive barrel and ride located at Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania, Australia.

Check their live webcast at BillabongXXl.com starting at 7:00 P.M. PST

The top 4 winning teams of the APT World Tour Season for 2008 were:

1st Place - World Champions - Koby Abberton / Ryan Hipwood - AUS

2nd Place - Danilo Couto / Rodrigio Resende - BRA

3rd Place - Evarldo Texeira / Yuri Soledad - BRA/HI

4th Place - Sylvio Mancusi / Edilson Assuncao - BRA

APT's first schedule event for 2009 will be at Punta de Lobos, Chile Event Website: APTWorldTour.com

About the Association of Professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT)

The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing. The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers. The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world, lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues, and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.