Seal Point, Cape St Francis - Cold and blustery conditions greeted the competitors on the first day of the final event of the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS, but underneath the wind a fine swell was running with some highly contestable waves reeling down the point.
Due to the strong offshore wind, surfers were opting for carves and open face moves, as well as pulling into a few barrels when the waves allowed. In the U12 Boys division young Eli Beukes from Kommetjie kept the spectators entertained by pulling into barrels along the inside and claiming them, despite being eventually beaten by Durban surfer Karl Steen. The red-hot U16 Boys trio of Steffen Burrows (Stellenbosch), Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay) and Matt McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay) showed why they are known as some of the best up-and-coming surfers in the country, with all three of them easily winning their round of 32 heats and advancing into the next round. In the U18 Girls division Inge McLaren (East London) and Teal Hogg (Durban) were the stand-outs, both winning their opening heats convincingly with the highest heat score tallies of their division. Lara Odendaal (Jeffreys Bay) and Britney Linder (Port Elizabeth) also impressed. Day one finished with some of the best surfing of the day as the U18 Boys took to the water in fast, high tide conditions. Slade Prestwich took off on his first wave guns blazing to score an 8.5, the highest scoring wave of the day thus far. He followed this up with a 6.5 to win his heat with ease. "That first wave really set me up for the heat," said Slade afterwards. "It was actually my first real wave on a new board, and luckily it went so well. Afterwards I was just looking for a good backup, and I got that one with some time to spare. There are such bombs coming through and I hope there are still good ones tomorrow." Other surfers to win their heats in the U18 Boys were Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay), Jason Harris (Durban) and Dylan Wichmann (Cape Town), with Josh Smit (Durban) the surprise elimination. The final event of the series see the series winners crowned as well a number of specialty awards presented: - BOS Surfer Of The Series award. This award will go to the surfer who has performed the most consistently across the whole series. It will be open for entries from all divisions and the winner will walk away with a 20K overall prize consisting of R10K cash, a custom made BOS surf board, special BOS merchandise and a year's supply of BOS Ice Tea. - All Aboard Travel will award a Sportsmanship Award of a return ticket to Bali with four nights accommodation valued at R20k for the surfer from any division who displays the best sportsmanship over the series. - The DaKine Youthful Movement Award goes to the surfer who performs the most innovative or progressive move performed during the competition. - The VonZipper Flair Up Award will go to the surfer who successfully lands the biggest or most stylish aerial move of the event. - The Nixon WTA (Winner Takes All) prize of an engraved Nixon watch will go to the surfer with the highest heat score. Nixon have also put up a limited edition 48-20 All Black / Multi LTD Watch, one of only 15 in the country, to the winner of the U20 Boys Division, as well as headphones for every competitor in the event. The event can be tracked on the following Social Media platforms: Facebook: Billabong South Africa www.facebook.com/Billabong.South.Africa Billabong Womens South Africa www.facebook.com/BillabongWomensSA Twitter: Billabong South Africa www.twitter.com/billabongsa Billabong Womens South Africa www.twitter.com/@bbwomens_za
0 Comments
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, CA (Wednesday, September 18, 2013) - Taj Burrow (AUS), 35, has won the Hurley Pro at Trestles in a hard-fought Final over fellow Australian Julian Wilson (AUS), 24, in two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Lower Trestles. Stop No. 7 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Hurley Pro at Trestles victory marks Burrow’s first ASP WCT win this season and 12th of his career. Burrow’s win would come at the hands of an action packed match up, with the two Australians delivering a series of exciting exchanges in the high-scoring final. While Wilson would put together multiple combinations on the Lowers rights, Burrow’s high-scores were found via both a powerful backhand attack on a wedging left and a lengthy righthand runner. “I couldn’t be happier,” Burrow said. “I really put so much effort in to this event and it just feels so incredible when it unfolds and goes your way. I felt like the good waves came my way and I was just in the zone. I was hoping to get things snowballing and I never felt like I put together my best surfing. I was just finding my feet more and more each heat. My board kept getting better and better and it felt great towards the end. That’s how you want to win an event, peak at the right time. I knew Julian (Wilson) would be tough. Even if I saw a wedged out close out I would have taken it if I had priority because I know what he can do. I surfed as smart as I possibly could. I thought I made a couple of errors, but they ended up playing out.” Burrow’s win at the Hurley Pro at Trestles marks his third career Final at the venue and the progressive natural-footer was elated to take out a win after two career runner-up finishes at Lowers. “It feels so good to tick this one off the list, I really wanted it more than any,” Burrow said. “I’ve had two second places and one really close one with Kelly (Slater) that I lost in the last minute. That one tore me up for a long time. I just couldn’t be happier that I got it.” Burrow’s Hurley Pro at Trestles victory puts him at No. 4 on the ASP WCT. Julian Wilson was electric throughout the entirety of the Hurley Pro at Trestles, launching massive aerials and fully-committed turns on both the lefts and rights of Lowers while posting some of the highest scores of competition. Wilson would get off to an early lead in the Hurley Pro at Trestles Final, but was unable to put a stop to Burrow’s efforts, finishing runner-up overall. “It’s a great result and I would have rather gone one better,” Wilson said. “It was pretty tricky out there and I made too many mistakes and wasn’t in rhythm. Strategy was really important, but also, I want to go big and I wasn’t looking for the perfect wave. I thought I could do something big on something that wasn’t that perfect. Overall, it’s a good result and I had a good day. I want to keep moving up and win the next one.” Wilson’s runner-up finish moves him to No. 7 on the ASP WCT. Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, was a standout at the Hurley Pro at Trestles, consistently posting high scores while advancing to the Semifinals. The powerful South African was unable to put a stop to a rampaging Taj Burrow in the Semifinals, however, finishing equal 3rd overall. “TB (Taj Burrow) got that first one and that set him up for the rest of the heat,” Smith said. “I felt like I didn’t have to do much to get the big scores. All I needed was an opportunity, but I surfed my best and maybe over-surfed some waves. I did the best I could and I’m happy with my performance. It would have been nice to make the Final, but all around it was a good contest and I’m really frothing for France.” Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, was lethal on the lefts and rights of Lower Trestles, unloading his signature power game en route to the Semifinals. The Tahitian would earn the day’s high heat total of 17.90 in the Quarterfinals, but was unable to find a rhythm in his Semifinals clash against Julian Wilson despite a valiant effort and would finish equal 3rd. “It was really small and hard for me to pick the right waves and I was going too slow,” Bourez said. “With the tide changing, it was hard to figure out because it changed so much after my Quarterfinal. Julian (Wilson) played a really good game. He started strong and kept waiting for the best ones. That was the only thing to do I think.” With 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41, finishing equal 13th at the Hurley Pro at Trestles, two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, has taken over poll position on the 2013 ASP World Title Race via his 9th place finish. While Fanning’s Round 5 exit marks his poorest result of 2013, he’s looking to reset for a strong finish entering the final leg of the ASP WCT season. “I came up a bit short in my heat yesterday and then I just made one mistake at the start of the heat and Travis (Logie) got that 8 and there wasn’t anything to fight back,” Fanning said. “Sometimes that happens. For me, to be bettering results, I had to get a 3rd and it was still a lot of work to do, but it would have been good to get more of a lead. This is my first throwaway for the year and it might be a good time to reset and refocus moving in to these last few events. Going in to these last three events, you want to win events and I’m just going to throw everything at it.” For highlights of the Hurley Pro at Trestles log on to www.thehurleypro.com. The next stop on the 2013 ASP WCT will be the Quiksilver Pro France, which holds a waiting period from September 26 through October 6, 2013. For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com. HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES FINAL RESULT: 1 - Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.07 2 - Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.97 HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES SEMIFINALS RESULTS: SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.83 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.10 SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.40 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.43 HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES QUARTERFINALS RESULTS: QF 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.67 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 12.33 QF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.93 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.70 QF 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 17.90 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.00 QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.64 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.04 HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 5 RESULTS: Heat 1: Kai Otton (AUS) 11.50 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.83 Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.60 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.47 Heat 3: Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.23 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.74 Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.10 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 12.93 CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 10: 1 - Mick Fanning (AUS) 41,900 points 2 - Kelly Slater (USA) 40,700 points 3 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 35,700 points 4 - Taj Burrow (AUS) 35,400 points 5 - Joel Parkinson (AUS) 32,450 points 6 - Josh Kerr (AUS) 29,600 points 7 - Julian Wilson (AUS) 28,850 points 8 - Adriano de Souza (BRA) 27,500 points 9 - C.J. Hobgood (USA) 27,200 points 10 - Michel Bourez (PYF) 26,500 points 10 - Nat Young (USA) 26,500 points Big day yesterday. Some big guns got knocked out and the world title race is blown wide open. Kelly got done by what might have been a bit of a dodgy judging decision. Think Pat was way overscored on his 8.5, and then Kelly's waves didn't seemed to be scored on the same scale. So bit of controversy there. Jordy through to Quarters, Travis has in to Rd 5 so he still has a shot at making Q Official ASP wrap
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, CA (Tuesday, September 17, 2013) – The 2013 Hurley Pro at Trestles, stop No. 7 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), returned to competition for the third consecutive day, completing Rounds 3 and 4 of competition in clean one-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Lower Trestles. While the ASP Top 34 battled smaller surf today, there was no shortage of drama, with massive upsets and standout performances from the world’s best surfers. Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, unloaded his powerful rail game on the righthanders of Lowers, dismantling the set waves to oust California standout Brett Simpson (USA), 28. “It was definitely going to be a tough heat,” Smith said. “Brett (Simpson), he’s from Huntington, born and raised and he’s not afraid to grovel and knows how to surf a small wave. You’ve got to really choose your waves properly and I made one mistake on a left earlier in that heat and allowed for him to start with a 7. I’m just glad to make that heat because these aren’t exactly my conditions out there, but I’m making the most of it. I have an incredible board under my feet and it’s the same one that I rode in the US Open. It went really well in small waves, so I’m pumped.” Smith, current No. 4 on the ASP WCT, admitted that his victory over Simpson marked a crucial result towards his 2013 ASP World Title campaign and is looking at the Hurley Pro at Trestles as a momentum builder for the remainder of the season. “I think this contest for me will tell whether I’m in the race or not,” Smith said. “For me, I just really want to enjoy these next few events. I want to try and compete as hard as I can and have a lot of fun with it. Win, lose or draw, it doesn’t matter. I just want to have a lot of fun with it and I’m enjoying my surfing at the moment and that’s probably why I’m enjoying everything so much. I love Trestles, love America and and I’m just stoked to be here.” Smith’s success at the Hurley Pro at Trestles would continue when he advanced directly to the Quarterfinals over C.J. Hobgood (USA), 34, and Taj Burrow (AUS), 35, in their Round 4 affair. Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 27, current ASP WCT alternate, issued a massive upset today, eliminating 11-time ASP World Champion and defending event champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41. Gudauskas was incredibly patient with his wave selection and executed on both the lefts and rights of Lowers with an array of progressive maneuvers. “I knew I had to play a smart game plan and I also just went for broke,” Gudauskas said. “To win that heat, I’m stoked because this result will really help my requalification chances. It’s so epic to have my friends down on the beach and thanks to everyone in San Clemente for coming down and watching.” Gudauskas would continue to dominate his local lineup, besting Kai Otton (AUS), 33, and Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, in Round 4, advancing directly to the Quarterfinals. Kelly Slater, who entered the Hurley Pro at Trestles in the No. 1 position while hunting a 12th ASP World Title, was gracious in defeat following his loss to Gudauskas, but admitted the Round 3 loss was a serious blow towards his ASP World Title campaign. “I’m happy for Pat (Gudauskas),” Slater said. “He’s a great surfer and he’s been on the losing end of several close heats and it’s about time something went his way, but this result is a bummer. This is three bad results for me this year and I don’t have much room to move.” Following the elimination of Slater, two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, took out a crucial heat victory over Alejo Muniz (BRA), 23, temporarily sliding Fanning to No. 1 over Slater on the rankings. “I was really nervous knowing the significance of that happening (Kelly’s loss),” Fanning said. “You do the best you can and I had a great heat with Alejo (Muniz). He’s surfed amazing these last few months and it was nerve-wracking in that heat. Getting through this round, you get another three-man heat and it’s a good time to get re-adjusted and focus on what’s next.” Mick Fanning was relegated to Round 5 by an on-fire Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, in Round 4 and will face off against Travis Logie (ZAF) 34, in Heat 3 when competition resumes. Adam Melling (AUS), 28, would contribute to the day’s upsets, defeating reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32. Wave choice proved to be crucial in their bout and Melling would unload the heat’s high wave score of 8.50 for a series of polished forehand turns to secure an important heat win towards his 2014 requalification campaign. “I waited for about 10 minutes and Joel (Parkinson) got one straight up,” Melling said. “I wanted to have his strategy, but I knew there were better waves than the one he got so I waited and it paid off. It feels good to beat Joel and I need the points. Coming up against Joel, you can get rattled because he’s the world champ, but I just took it as a board riders competition and had a bit of fun with it.” Melling was unable to win his Round 4 match and will take on Josh Kerr (AUS) 29, in Heat 4 of Round 5. While there were several early exits from ASP WCT top seeds, day three of the Hurley Pro at Trestles saw some incredible high-performance battles from the rest of the ASP Top 34. Julian Wilson (AUS), 24, got the best of an action packed heat against Filipe Toledo (BRA), 18, with the two delivering an exciting series of backhand aerial exchanges on the Lowers lefts. Wilson was in need of an excellent score in the dying minutes of the heat and launched a massive backhand rotation followed with a snap for a 9.10 and a Round 4 berth. “when I saw the heat draw, I felt like that was the hardest draw I could have today because of the conditions,” Wilson said. “At the same time, I want to be the best, I want to beat the best guys, and Filipe (Toledo) is so strong in those conditions. I knew it was going to take a lot. I just couldn’t get anything going on the rights and looked to the lefts and was able to get a bit of rhythm going and build some scores. I was really happy to win that heat and Filipe put up a really good challenge. I got that score I was chasing the whole heat to get in front of him at the end and I just didn’t give up.” Wilson would build on his Round 3 performance, launching an incredible aerial attack on the Lowers rights in his Round 4 bout. The Australian natural-footer would post the day’s highest scores, punting a massive air-reverse for a 9.20 followed by an additional 9.87 for a full-rotation air. Wilson’s near-perfect 19.07 heat total marks the highest of the 2013 Hurley Pro at Trestles competition and would advance him directly to the Quarterfinals. Michel Bourez built momentum throughout the day, taking a Round 3 win before dominating his Round 4 match-up over Mick Fanning and Josh Kerr (AUS), 29. Bourez would deliver some of the day’s highest scores including a near-perfect 9.57 out of 10 for a series of ferocious backhand turns on a steep Lowers left while securing a Quarterfinals berth. “Mick (Fanning) is really heavy to have in a heat,” Bourez said. “I knew I had to do my job and I caught a few lefts to see what I’d get. At first I got that 7.70 and then I got the 9.50, so I thought, wow, that works! Skipping that Round 5 is the best and when you lose in Round 4, having to surf in Round 5 adds more pressure. Especially on the last day, you need to save your energy.” Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am local time for a possible 8am start to Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 5 competition. The Hurley Pro at Trestles holds a waiting period from September 15 through 21, 2013 and is webcast LIVE via www.thehurleypro.com For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com. HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 3 RESULTS: Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.00 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 15.87 Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.30 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.87 Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.20 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.67 Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.00 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 9.43 Heat 5: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.17 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.07 Heat 6: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 15.57 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.80 Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.17 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.87 Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.94 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 13.80 Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.67 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.93 Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.47 def. Nat Young (USA) 11.73 Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.03 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.07 Heat 12: Adam Melling (AUS) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.06 HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 4 RESULTS: Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.60, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.33, Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.23 Heat 2: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 15.23, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.40, Kai Otton (AUS) 13.03 Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 17.30, Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.80, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.93 Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 19.07, Adam Melling (AUS) 14.03, Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.67 UPCOMING HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 5 MATCH UPS: Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS) Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS) Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF) Heat 4: Adam Melling (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS) What - The final event in the 4- event 2013 Billabong Junior Surfing Series presented by BOS. The Billabong Junior Surfing Series has a long and illustrious history in South Africa and is the premier junior surfing series in the country. There is R750,000 in cash and prizes for the elite junior surfers in the country, and this event will crown the series winners in all the various divisions. There are also a number of extra prizes in various divisions:
- BOS will be awarding the Surfer Of The Series with R20k cash and prizes. - All Aboard Travel have put up a Sportsmanship Award of a return ticket to Bali with four nights accommodation valued at R20k for the surfer who displays the best sportsmanship over the series. - The VonZipper Flair Up Award will go to the surfer who successfully lands the biggest or most sylish aerial move of the event. - The DaKine Youthful Movement Award goes to the surfer who performs the most innovative or progressive move performed during the competition. - The Nixon WTA (Winner Takes All) prize of an engraved Nixon watch will go to the surfer with the highest heat score. When - This final event will take place next weekend, from Saturday 21 September to Monday 23 September. The opening function for the event will be at the Cape St Francis Resort on Friday 20 at 7PM. There will also be a closing function on Monday 23 evening at the Cape St Francis Resort. Where - The legendary right-hand point-break of Seal Point, Cape St Francis will be the primary venue, with the option of going to the beachbreak if necessary. The point break is a long and perfect right-hand break that offers ideal waves for high performance surfing and will provide the perfect canvas for the best juniors to light up their performances and impress the judges. Why - Billabong has enjoyed a long and succesful relationship with junior surfers in South Africa, and many graduates from their junior series over the years have gone on to enjoy successful pro surfing careers. Billabong aims to continue nurturing this relationship and get more of our junior surfers into sucessful careers on a professional level. The Billabong Junior Series Presented By BOS is a grassroots surfing initiative, aiming at teaching our junior surfers important lessons in competitive surfing and surfing as vocation. Who - The best junior surfers in the country will be present and competing at the event, and vying for the prestigious series titles. Ouch, John John got dusted by a brazzo in some pretty small brazzo friendly conditions. He was the main upset of Round 2, with most of the top seeds now having advanced through to Round 3. Interesting first heat, with Jordy taking on Brett Simpson...who aced Kelly in the first round, and tends to be a bit of a hoodoo guy for both Kelly & Jordy. The official ASP wrap:
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, CA (Monday, September 16, 2013) -The Hurley Pro at Trestles returned to competition this morning with the world’s best surfers doing battle in glassy one-to-three foot (1 metre) waves for the remaining eight heats of Round 2. Stop No. 7 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Hurley Pro at Trestles often represents the benchmark for progressive surfing and the world’s best surfers continued to log amazing performances in challenging conditions this morning. Alejo Muniz (BRA), 23, was responsible for a big upset in Round 2, besting Hawaiian prodigy John John Florence (HAW), 20, in a Hurley Pro at Trestles rematch from last season. Muniz took to the Lowers set lefts on his high scores today, unloading polished backhand combinations to earn his position in Round 3. “It’s a little bit smaller, but when you’re from Brazil, this is really good,” Muniz said. “I was a little bit nervous because John John (Florence) beat me here in his rookie year. Before my heat I talked to Mikey Picon (former competitor) and he told me the lefts were better than the rights on the set waves. I was just trying to get the bigger waves. I think John John was trying to get a lot of waves and I did the opposite and I’m stoked to get those waves.” Muniz has been building momentum throughout the season following his victory at the ASP Prime rated US Open of Surfing, but suffered a scare when he sustained a knee injury in Europe just weeks ago. Following close medical diagnosis, the Brazilian has been given the green light to surf through the injury and is hoping for a big result at the Hurley Pro at Trestles despite the setback. “I’m riding the same board since the US Open and I’ve been riding it in the last two contests,” Muniz said. “It’s a great board. I had an injury in the Azores and I didn’t think I’d be able to come here, but everything went well with the MRI and the physio. I’m still surfing with pain, but my board is working amazing and I’m stoked.” Fred Patacchia (HAW), 31, dominated the righthanders with searing backhand combinations, besting fellow goofy footer Miguel Pupo (BRA), 21, with the day’s high heat total of 17.43 to secure a Round 3 berth. “Conditions are small and I went in to the heat thinking I was going to go left,” Patacchia said. “I saw Seabass (Sebastian Zietz) and Jeremy (Flores) get scores on rights and I knew Miggy (Miguel Pupo) was going to go out there and punt on the lefts and thought I had to look different. I kept an eye out for the rights and got a couple. My boards have been feeling good under my feet and I know when I get a right I can put it up in to the lip and throw a nice fin. Ever since Bali, my backhand has been my go-to.” Patacchia got off to a challenging start to his 2013 season, missing the first three ASP WCT stops due to injury, but the Hawaiian talent has been a standout since his return. Patacchia, a nine-year veteran of the ASP WCT has found new-found inspiration this season and is hungrier than ever to battle the next generation. “Before this year started I was talking to my wife thinking this year was going to be it,” Patacchia said. “When I thought about it, I decided I didn’t want it to be it. I have a family now, so I’m not taking as many free surf trips, but I love to compete and I want to stay on tour. I’m going to battle until someone takes my place.” While several surfers were challenged to find a rhythm in today’s inconsistent conditions, Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz (HAW), 25, was electric in his heat win over Raoni Monteiro (BRA), 31. Zietz has been impressive on his rookie season among the ASP Top 34 and following a 25th place result at Teahupo’o the talented Hawaiian hopes to rebound with a strong performance at the Hurley Pro at Trestles. “I was super bummed in Tahiti and I didn’t really trust my instincts,” Zietz said. “I’m going back to the old school and trusting my instincts. I’m hoping to get a result here and I love Trestles. It’s been a big part of my career. It’d be great to get a Quarters or Semis and I’ve got a good small wave board.” Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 27, local standout and current alternate on the ASP WCT, earned his first career Hurley Pro at Trestles heat victory today, besting current ASP World No. 10 Adrian Buchan (AUS), 31, in a wave-starved heat. Gudauskas has lost a series of close heats in previous events, but hopes his recent success will carry in to the latter rounds at Lowers. “The local support is so sick and that is the first ‘CT heat I’ve ever made here at Trestles, so I’m pumped,” Gudauskas said. “I was feeling pretty confident. I’ve been surfing well and the conditions are pretty good for the local guys. I’m feeling good going in to this event, I had the win in Virginia Beach and I’ve got good boards right now.” Jeremy Flores (FRA), 25, standout at the last ASP WCT stop in Tahiti’s heavy barrels, had an impressive display of versatility today, topping Yadin Nicol (AUS), 27, to secure a Round 3 berth. Flores was careful with his wave selection and admitted that patience was crucial in earning a heat victory. “On the Dream Tour, we’re surfing really good waves all of the time so we’re not used to competing in these conditions, but you have to be a complete surfer,” Flores said. “Wave selection out there is super important today because there are a couple that are going to make the difference. They open up more, whether it’s a right or left and there are not many waves so you have to get the good ones. It’s anyone’s game out there.” Kolohe Andino (USA), 19, current ASP WCT No. 22 and local standout, capped off the day with an impressive routing of lethal goofy-footer Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24. Andino was in sizzling form in the afternoon conditions, blending full-rail hacks with progressive aerials to emphatically advance into Round 3 of competition. When competition resumes, up first will be Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, up against Brett Simpson (USA), 28, in the opening heat of Round 3. Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30am local time tomorrow for a possible 8am start for Round 3 of the Hurley Pro at Trestles. The event window runs from September 15-21, 2013 and is webcast LIVE via www.thehurleypro.com HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES REMAINING ROUND 2 RESULTS: Heat 5: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.10 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.10 Heat 6: Kai Otton (AUS) 12.67 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.97 Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.80 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.83 Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.50 def. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 12.37 Heat 9: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 14.67 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.14 Heat 10: Fred Patacchia (HAW) 17.43 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.74 Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.37 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.00 Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.33 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.00 UPCOMING HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 3 MATCH UPS: Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Brett Simpson (USA) Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA) Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA) Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) Heat 5: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA) Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA) Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS) Heat 10: Nat Young (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF) Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA) Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) This will be a contest never forgotten! All who participated whether contestant or spectator will agree that something special happened this weekend. Surfing in its truest form was shared by all this contest. We were blessed with such cooking waves for the whole weekend making the judges sweat to decide who advanced and who dropped out. I have never seen so many losers of a heat still so stoked after their surf. The results truly didn’t matter, it was more a case of everyone hoping for the top 4 surfers to be in the final so that we could watch this beautiful display of old school surfing. The only problem being that there was only enough space for 4 surfers!! In the ladies final there were less than 2 points between all the contestants, with such a close result, no one really knew until the results were read out. The ladies results: 1) Shannon Bolotin (Queen of Cobbles) 2) Bernie Shelley 3) Hannah Bing 4) Susannah Leigh 5) Mia Baard In the Classics final, there was a stand out winner with his unbelievable sense of style, composure and class. Paul o Connel from Cape Town also showed the PE crowds a thing or two about old school surfing, the results were: 1) Greg Smith 2) Paul o Connel 3) Etienne Verster 4) Eddie Dumont In the open division, and seeking the title of King of Cobbles we literally watched the judges confusion as it was so close and so tight!! We had 2 x SA champ Justin Bing with all his flair, Jamie “Mr Style” Morris doing it his way, Ludi Du Toit hungry for a win in a contest suited for his classic surfing and dark horse of the contest Craig Cuff who proved why he will always be one of SA’s best! The results: 1) Ludi du Toit (King of Cobbles) 2) Justin Bing 3) Craig Cuff 4) Jamie Morris I must also make mention of 2 surfers who just missed out on the final. Dean Simpson and Greg Smith who where unbelievable to watch and when a surfer gets a heat score of 16 out of twenty and gets a third you must know how incredible the surfing was (look out for the full video coverage). VZ longest/best nose ride: Justin Bing
RVCA style of contest: Jamie Morris Surf Centre Surfers surfer of contest: Miles Gilham (who decided in the spirit of the contest to share his prize with 10 year Kye Macgregor!!) Best all round walker of the log: Dean Simpson There will be a documentary done for the event and of course a few teasers courtesy of Grant and Brad Beck, who I must add, truly represent PE surfers for what we should all be about! Final thank you to our main sponsor RVCA for all your input, O Neil for coming alongside RVCA and digging deep into their pocket to keep winners warm with new suits! Surf Centre, Red Bull, FU fins, Jack Black Beer, Pine Lodge, Friendly Stranger and New Balance for such generosity and supporting this special event. Lastly VZ for coming up with the Best/longest nose ride prize. Fun was had by all and we look forward to next years Classic. Later Gregg Nick got some lekker shots of the guys styling at the Cobbles Classic. Some mini-pits, hang fives, headstands, cheater fives. Was all happening. All images Nick Cadle. Despite having to shoot into a glaring sun Luc got some absolute beauts on the first morning of the Cobbles Classic. Super cool stylish logging and a whole bunch of fun! Check out the 2 galleries below, the morning and arvo sessions. All images Luc Hosten. MORNING SESHARVO SESH Here comes event no 7 on the World Tour. The Hurley Pro at Trestles might not see death barrels or perfect pits, palm trees or crystal clear water....but what you are guaranteed is some stellar high performance surfing. What you might not see are any Superman airs (aka Froggers) after the ou's dissed them proper in the recent Fly me to the Moon episode! But for sure there's gonna be something that makes ya jaws drop. And that's always cool. The next 3 comps are almost back to back, so if ou's can start off strong at Trestles there's a good chance they can carry form in to Europe...and make a serious challenge on the world title. So who's in the mix? Joel's keen. The man has flow. Trestles has flow. It could work. Jordy's had a good year. Plus he's living close by at the moment and surfing there whenever it's on. He might need to shift gears & try grab himself a title before he settles down into marital bliss. The J crew aka John John and Julian are gonna be hard to beat too. Style and flair extraordinaire. John John will no doubt punt something massive. Trestles is a good lever - you can't rely on grabbing rail and getting pitted, you have to do something. But something interesting, something novel. If you reckon you know who'll be crowned king of Trestles....then enter the ML Fantasy Surfer comp and stand a chance at scoring some kiff prizes. <ENTER HERE> Gotto have a loooong lens to shoot at Cobbles, cos the ou's sit far out. Lucky Stan has a bazooka, so braved the wind to get some shots. Some stylish rides went down. All images Stan Blumberg. |
Archives
July 2021
|