After a one-month break, surfing's World Championship Tour will resume next week with the Quiksilver Pro Japan at Chiba, Japan.

The contest will be the seventh of 11 on the 2005 tour, and two Hawai'i surfers are in contention for the world title.

Three-time defending world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i is currently ranked No. 2, even though he has not won a contest this year.

"It would have been nice to get a first (place) but ... I'll take seconds all year if that's what it takes," Irons said.

Florida's Kelly Slater has already won three contests this year and is ranked No. 1. He has won a record six world titles, with his last coming in 1998.

Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore is ranked No. 6. He is in his first year on the World Championship Tour.

Wayne Bartholomew, president of the Association of Surfing Professionals, said the small waves in Japan will make the contest unpredictable.

"To my mind, Chiba in Japan offers no distinct advantage to anyone," he said. "The top guys have to be on their game or they can get clobbered by guys who have mastered small beach breaks."

Only the men will compete in the Quiksilver Pro Japan. The women's tour is on a break until October.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR

MEN'S RATINGS (THROUGH 6 OF 11 EVENTS)

1, Kelly Slater (Florida) 5,342

2, Andy Irons (Hawai'i) 4,596

3, Trent Munro (Australia) 4,286

4, Mick Fanning (Aus.) 4,230

5, Joel Parkinson (Aus.) 3,732

6, Fred Patacchia Jr. (HI) 3,628

7, Phil MacDonald (Aus.) 3,599

8, Cory Lopez (FL) 3,575

9, C.J. Hobgood (FL) 3,546

10, Nathan Hedge (Aus.) 3,443

Also:

12, Bruce Irons (HI) 3,311

37, Kalani Robb (HI) 1,910

40, Sunny Garcia (HI) 1,680