Slater Takes Surf Lead Into Japan Tournament

Kelly Slater will put his lead in the Assn. of Surfing Professionals’ tour standings on the line at the $120,000 Miyazaki Pro, which starts today in Miyazaki, Japan.

Slater, a Cocoa Beach, Fla., native now living in Huntington Beach, has 6,075 points, followed by Australia’s Shane Herring (5,525) and Damien Hardman (5,140). Newport Beach’s Richie Collins is 12th with 4,260.

Laguna Beach’s Jeff Booth, who won the Marui Pro in Hebara Beach, Japan, last weekend, is 21st with 3,550.

Only two events remain after the Miyazaki: the Alternativa International, Oct. 21-25 at Rio de Janeiro and the Pipeline Masters, Nov. 27-Dec. 6, in Hawaii.