At the age of two, it was clear to Ben Bourgeois that he wanted to be a surfer. Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, Ben was surfing contests before he even had the strength to hoist his board into the water. When his family relocated to Wrightsville, North Carolina, he got a taste of the site where several world tour events took place years before. His first two years on the ASP WQS were marginal, and then in 1999, he rose to 16th and secured a position on the ASP World Tour.

His initial berth at the top level of competition was short-lived however, and Bourgeois said goodbye to the Dream Tour in 2001. But his sabbatical from competing amongst the world's best was brief, and the stylish natural-footer was back on the ASP WQS hunting for his re-qualification ticket before long. Following some near misses, Bourgeois put together a stellar season in 2007, including a win at the Rip Curl Boardmasters in England. Back on the ASP World Tour in 2008, expect Bourgeois to relish his second chance and a crack at the ASP World Title.

weight: 140 lbs (63.5 kilos)

height: 5'9" (175 cm)

stance: Regular (natural) foot

sponsors: Reef clothing, Spy eyewear, DaKine accessories, WRV surfboards and Sun Diego surf shop

shapers: Yinger

quiver: 5'11"

favorite wave: Home and Indo

favorite maneuver: Barrel

favorite surfers: Tom Curren

2008 Rating: 37

2008 Points: 2725

2008 earnings: $60,000.00

Career earnings: $342,450.00

highest ASP World Tour rating: 33rd in 2001

years on ASP World Tour: Competed on the ASP World Tour from 2000-2001

rating by year:
2001: 33rd
2000: 36th

elite inception: 2000

sabbaticle: 2002-2007

hard yards: Started competing on the ASP WQS in 1998

filmography: Reef Mixed Tape, Best Laid Plans

elite tour victories: (0)