But the continued economic turmoil in the U.S. triggered by a sharp decline in housing sales, the subprime crisis and rising fuel prices, are expected to keep North American sales flat.

Economists forecast a drop of around 4% in 2009-a contraction twice as severe as in America and Europe.

Resting on his board 75 yards from shore, he turned to watch his friend Brian Simpson glide under the curve of a near-perfect wave.