The ASP Dream Tour is about to witness a drastic midyear reduction from the world’s best 45 competitors down to a new 32-man format and with only two events remaining before the cut, California’s ASP World Title Race rookies are buckling down in search of a breakthrough result at the upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in order to secure their position amongst surfing’s elite.

With the new 32-man format about to unfold after the fifth event on the 2010 season, the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay, stop No. 4 of 10 on this year’s ASP World Title Race, will play a vital role on surfer’s chances to remain amongst the sport’s most elite names for the back-half of season.

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 24, current ASP World Title Race No. 28, is one of four Orange County, California natives competing on his rookie year amongst the elite and the innovative regular-footer opted to travel down to South Africa well before the upcoming Billabong Pro J-Bay’s waiting period to acclimate to the wave’s unique qualities to improve his chances of an keeper result.

“My brother (Tanner), Nate (Yeomans), and I came down here early for the comp to get some surf and figure out the lineups,” Gudauskas said. “Luckily we've had lots of swell so it's been really good for us to get the good mojo flowing!”

With the pressure of improving his current rating aside, Gudauskas is enthralled at the opportunity to compete at one of the world’s best pointbreaks with only two other men in the lineup.

“I'm freaking out at the chance to surf this wave in a heat,” Gudauskas said. “It could be one of the most fun waves I've ever surfed, at least since my experience these last couple of days, so I’m excited to see that lineup clear and pumping!”

With 2010 proving to be an especially difficult year for ASP Dream Tour rookies with only five events to prove their worth amongst the elite prior to this year’s midseason cut, the San Clemente local is trying to focus on his performance at the upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay rather than the looming distraction brought about by the midyear reduction.

“I think the cut is more of a distraction than anything,” Gudauskas said. “I've been focusing on being ready physically and mentally for the next two events. My priority has been to surf well and let the rest follow and I'm excited to rise to the occasion.”

Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 28, looked to his local San Clemente righthand pointbreaks to hone in his backhand skills before heading down early to Jeffreys Bay with his fellow rookie travel partners and is fired up at the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best surfers at the iconic event.

“I got over here awhile ago and it’s been pretty good,” Yeomans said. “Before I traveled down here, I was surfing uppers (Upper Trestles) a bit and getting a feel for my new boards. I’m looking forward to this event. This wave is magical.”

Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 25, has been traveling with ASP Dream Tour veterans including 2001 ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, and last year’s Billabong Pro J-Bay runner-up Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 31, and hopes there invaluable advice donated by the Hobgood brothers at the tricky pointbreak will help his cause at the upcoming event.

“Well, recently I have been traveling with the Hobgoods,” Simpson said. “It helps so much when you can ask questions to guys that have been at it for some years and have done really well! It’s definitely been fun seeing all the boys on tour and we definitely get on well when we’re surfing or just hanging in general!”

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, has also been traveling amongst this year’s ASP Dream Tour and is currently sitting in the No. 31 position on the ASP World Title Rankings. The young goofy-footer will look to capitalize on his lethal backhand attack groomed by his home break of Lower Trestles in order to climb the rankings in an attempt to secure a position before this year’s midseason cut.