Women's WCT Starts Again

The women's WCT has finally started again with the Beachley Classic. The last event was Bells way back in April.

The web-cast wasn't working properly this morning but the waves at Dee Why looked pretty crappy.

Layne came last in the first heat but it was non elimination. She is now into the first of two three surfer round two heats.

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.45, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.15, Layne Beachley (AUS) 8.25
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.25, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 11.05, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.85
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.00, Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.40, Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.05
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.60, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 8.60, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 4.70
Heat 5: Coco Ho (HAW) 10.65, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.35, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.25
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 9.55, Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.85, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 6.40

Upcoming Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Round 2 Heats:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Layne Beachley (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Heat 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), Alana Blanchard (HAW)

Newsletter Tuesday

The next newsletter will be out on Tuesday. No theme this time, just a collection of bits and pieces.

Its all drafted, just need to check a name and my very poor grammar and it will be emailed out.

Mick wins again

Fanning has made it two in a row beating Bede Durbige in the final.

He had two good waves in his first three putting Bede in combo-land for most of the heat. Bede used up his full 15 waves but couldn't get more than a six.

Fanning has moved within a couple of hundred points of Parko. Parko will need to find some form to keep his lead as every result (other than a 33rd) will be a keeper while Mick is currently holding a 17th and 9th as his two lowest results.

With a few days left in the waiting period for this comp and the next in Spain not until the 5th October, Fanning be able to rest up his injured ankle.

Taj and Slater should move up but will need things to fall their way to win it all with three events left (all in left handers).

Quarters On

They are running all the way to the end in France.

Bede Durbige is ahead of Ben Dunn in quarter one. Wildcard Patrick Bevan continues to ride the local support and despite knocking out a fin when he hit a floating piece of wood beat Dean Morrison in his round 4 heat. He is up against Bobby Martinez in a few minutes.

Slater takes on Tiago Pires and then in a blockbuster Taj take on Mick Fanning.

Round 4 Underway

Round four has started with Dane Reynolds losing in the first heat and CJ Hopgood joining his brother on the side lines.

The Hopgoods have lost their chance to gain on Parko but Taj and Mick Fanning are still in it. Fanning knocked out Queensland grom Julian Wilson and will come up against Jordy Smith in a killer heat. Taj has Kieren Perrow and should have the advantage in the small waves. However the waves are only waist height again and currently clean. Wave selection will be the key as will a bit of luck.

There is some talk that they will try to finish the contest today, which means that the forecast is dismal.

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 2: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Patrick Beven (FRA)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 6: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 8: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)

Parko out again

Another upset for Parko going down to the French wildcard with the very un-French name of Patrick Bevan.

Slater is in the water against another Frenchman. Both have cranked airs on the their first waves. Slater got underscored at a 7.83 for a couple of big backhand snaps, a couple of floaters and a big air in the shorie. Joan Duru was overscored, with a great fins out reo and the speed drive for a big grab rail air reverse earning a 9.1.

The crowd is going mental.

Round 3 On

France looks like Triggs but the contest is on anyway.

Round three has hit the water after some heats of a grom contest first thing. The waves are maybe two feet (waist height) and nothing special. Apparently the forecast isn't good and they are going to get through at least round 3 and leave them with only a day's worth of surfing to finish.

However all the heats so far have had a score over 14 for the win with Dane Reynolds scoring 18.27 and Bobby Martinez having a 9 and 7 in his heat. Dane was riding some wide thing with big side fins and a little centre trailer. The commentator didn't want to call Bobby's board a fish but still think it is.

Round three looks like this -
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) def. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 2: Dane Reynolds (USA) def. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 3: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) lost to Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) def. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) comboed Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 6: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 7: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Patrick Beven (FRA)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 11: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 13: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 14: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 15: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Offshore !!!!!!!!

Just in case you have forgotten, the wind occasionally blows off the land and makes the waves smooth and pretty.

An all day offshore today and Khngy and Tweeds headed south to take advantage of the swell. After deciding against Inji and P-Break as the sand build up was making it wonky they pushed further south.

North Point was firing but packed with about 40 out enjoying waves that were offering two tubes each. Even if it was completely empty they wouldn't have gone out.

They chose South Point, one of Khngy's favourite spots. The waves 3 to 6' but not really hitting well. Khngy took a while to find the sweet spot and it was about 45 minutes before he grabbed one from out the back. Tweeds sat further inside the point and took a few drops and drove a few faces on the Superfish quad.

After a pie while watching North Point and the tow crew at Cow Bombie, they headed back towards home. Wanting a second surf they checked out Smiths. Again the sand wasn't right but the point was breaking. Yallingup was big but was still Yallingup and while the whitewater up the coast indicated that Bears would be good it takes too long to get to.

On a whim they went to the Farm and suited up without checking it. The waves were three to four foot and with a small crowd. The waves were mainly a speed run but towards the end Khngy paddled way out the back and a little wide to score a bomb. He pulled of a couple of turns in the pocket and kicked off on the beach.

That's why you work arvos !!!!

Short Day in France

Just a few heats of round two run today before it was called off. No great surprises so far.

The judging has been a bit strange at times with lots of waves seeming to be under scored. It looks like big floaters are being preferred to big, fins out, vertical snaps. Jake Patterson called one wave the "best wave of the day" but the score was so low it didn't make it into the surfers final two.

Check out the heats on demand

Le Round Uno is on

Round one has started in the Quiksilver Pro, France.

Waves are ok, a little onshore and a little close out-ish. Some great floaters going down but only one real section for a lip smack.

Taj has won as has Mick, Parko and Slater. Slater chose the inside reforms and pulled into a great backhand barrel. As usual he was above everyone else.

Dane Reynolds has just beaten Nathaniel Curran in the final minute with a high eight. Have to feel sorry for Curran who held the lead easily for the rest of the heat and would have won most others.

The webcast is good is a little choppy at times but worth watching.

Taj Drops, Slater Jumps

There has been a bit of a shakeup in the top 10 after the Hurley Pro.

Taj has dropped to 8th after collecting a "dirty turd" (33rd)and he will have to carry at least one 17th into his final total. Slater has bounced back to jump to 6th. He to will have to carry a 17th but with a first, 9th and 3rd in his last three events and a good record in both France and Mundaca he may still be in with a chance.

Mick Fanning has jumped into 2nd and leads the prize money total this year thanks to the $US 105 000 from Hurley. This pushed him over the million in career earnings, one of only four (Slater with nearly 2 mill, Taj and Parko) currently on tour.

Brazil's De Souza is having his best year ever and is third. Drop his worst two scores at the moment and he has nothing less than a 5th. The Hopgoood twins round out the top five.

The next event is in France, starting Wednesday. Personally I hate this leg. The waves are usually massive close outs and stop working when the tide changes. Winning often comes down to luck rather than skill. Being a Quiksilver event expect another good webcast and if you get bored watch it in French !!!!! At least it will be on at a decent hour.


CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10 RATINGS:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5486 points
2 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 4550 points
3 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 4348 points
4 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 4272 points
5 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 3974 points
6 – Kelly Slater (USA) 3906 points
7 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3760 points
8 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 3685 points
9 – Taylor Knox (USA) 3616 points
10 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 3582 points

Mick Wins Trestles

Mick Fanning has just won the Hurley Pro at Trestles, beating Dane Reynolds by a combo score.

Mick was on fire starting with a 6+ before dropping in two 8s when the waves returned late in the heat. Dane went big on every wave but just couldn't stick enough to win.

It was a big day with the contest running from Round 4 all the way to the final. The waves were pretty good but a bit inconsistent. Some heat suffered from long lulls with others full of waves.

Mick should head up the ratings with most of those around him falling early. Brazilian Adriano De'Souza has pushed into second and continues his stellar year. Slater made the semis so should move well into the top 10.

No Surprises in Surfer Poll

Surfer Magazine presented their annual Surfer poll awards yesterday (which is probably why the Hurley Pro had a lay day last night !). Surfer Poll awards are voted for by readers. In the past is was by posting in your votes but now it is on the net.

No surprises with Kelly Slater taking home another first prize. Womens World Champ Steph Gilmore won the womens prize. Taj won best move in the video awards for an air in the Still Filthy film that has just been released.

The top surfers were -

MEN
1. Kelly Slater
2. Joel Parkinson
3. Dane Reynolds
4. Mick Fanning
5. Taj Burrow
6. Rob Machado
7. Andy Irons
8. CJ Hobgood
9. Jordy Smit
10. Bruce Irons

WOMEN
1. Stephanie Gilmore
2. Sofia Mulanovich
3. Carissa Moore
4. Coco Ho
5. Alana Blanchard

The Moment You Realise !!!!

When you do something that seems like a good idea at the time but isn't there comes a point when you realise your mistake and hope it doesn't hurt to much.

Watch the embedded video and see if you can pick this moment for Damien Wills as he body surfs Shipsterns.

(If video doesn't work - click HERE )

Round 3 Over

Round three is done and the big casualty was Parko, beaten by Machado. Both surfed well but maybe Rob's hair flicks got him the extra one and a bit points to win.

Slater continues on his winning way beating Brett Simpson and scoring the highest heat score for the round. Slater is riding his little fat board and this trend is being followed by Dane Reynolds. Dane's board was 5'9" and wider than normal.

Parko's loss shouldn't make a lot of difference in the world title race. Unless he cracks in the next few events it will probably be one of his two throw aways. He is recovering from an ankle injury and looked a bit propy in his first heat so maybe this is part of the problem.

The annual Surfer Poll is on today (Tuesday night in US)so it will be interesting to see if this effects any of those still in the contest. Slater must be the favourite for another award. The women could throw up a roughie, possibly Coco Ho but if you had money it would have to go on Steph Gilmore.

HURLEY PRO TERSTLES ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Rob Machado (USA)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)

Day 3 - Round 3

Day three is underway and so are the remaining round three heats.

Dane Reynolds and Ben Dunn are in the water now and both have thrown down a massive turn. Dane has chucked a two hand grab rail air reverse and Dunny smashed a reo so hard the finds were out and he was upside down.

Conditions are smaller but clean and really glassy. Makes you want to go surfing, especially with the local surfing conditions being so bad.

The first three heats are killer. No real surprises so far in this round, probably because they happened in round 2.

HURLEY PRO TRESTLES REMAINING ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 7: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Rob Machado (USA)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)
Heat 11: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

Terrible Day for Taj

Round one of the Hurley Pro is done as are the first two heats of round two. The bad news is that Taj has been eliminated after being beaten by two wildcards in a day. In round one he lost to US Open winner Brett Simpson and in round two, former number 2 and Hurley team rider Rob Machado. Taj will now have to keep a 17th for the rest of the year and with Parko through to round three has probably missed out again this year.

Watching the first and second last heats of the day (sleeping in between) the waves changed a little. Apparently the swell is from the wrong direction, throwing up more lefts than the usual rights and it was onshore. Early heats were very low scoring.

Mid days heats seem to have got the best waves. Not surprisingly Kelly Slater ripped it on his mini board. Somehow he was able to get 18+ when everyone else was struggling to get double figures. Watch his first turn on the heats on demand and you'll have to make an appropriate amazed noise.

The last few heats were at high tide slowing down the number of waves. However the waves were still okay. Prediction is for a smaller day today (tonight) and a little pulse from a better direction after that. But with a fairly short contest window there might be a lay day today but expect it to be a single.

Hurley Pro Trestles Remaining Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 9: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (AUS)
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 13: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 14: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 15: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 16: Dustin Barca (HAW) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)

Hurley Pro Starts Tonight

The next stop on the WCT Dream Tour is at Lower Trestles in the USA for the Hurley Pro. This is billed as the high performance leg of the tour, probably because it is usually a soft crumbly wave.

The advantage is that it evens the playing field a bit and gives a few more guys the chance to win. All the usuals are a chance with Taj, Mick and the Hopgoods needing a good result to keep up with Parko. Slater loves this place and can win with his eyes closed. Dane and Jordy do well here and Jordy has started to work out how to compete. Last year's run away WQS winner, Nathaniel Curran needs some results to avoid dropping off the tour and this may be his chance.

Just like their WQS event at Huntington, Hurley have increased the first prize to $100 000, making it the richest event on the tour.

Unlike the last few events this will revert to the old non-elimination round one format. This is probably good for the fans on the beach as they will have two chances to see Greg Emslie lose.

The first day is scheduled to start just after midnight our time and if your up or coming home from arvos you can watch the webcast.


HURLEY PRO TRESTLES ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA), Dustin Barca (HAW), Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Tim Reyes (USA), Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Dane Reynolds (USA), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Kai Barger (HAW)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Rob Machado (USA)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 11: Taylor Knox (USA), Chris Davidson (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Michel Bourez (PYF), Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 13: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Josh Kerr (AUS), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 14: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 15: Mick Campbell (AUS), Tim Boal (FRA), Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Roy Powers (HAW)

Huge Swell

Probably the biggest swell of the year is hitting the coast, thanks to a very strong low and front.

Swellnet has it being off their chart at Marges over the next couple of days with it peaking around 20 feet.

The Naturaliste swell buoy hit seven metres and Rotto is over six. Even Bunbury and Cottesloe have their bouys showing over two metres, which is almost unheard of.

With followup fronts the big waves should be around for a few more days but so will the strong onshores. The only possible surf window looks like Monday but its murky and small.

Still it may be good to go to your favourite beach and watch it get washed away.

Closest You'll Ever Get to Surfing Shipsterns

GoPro @ Shipstern Bluff from jug head on Vimeo.

Geraldton Dates Set

The Batavia Challenge will be held on the 17th and 18th October in Geraldton.

If your going please email Brett Newson ASAP so he can nail down some numbers. The Geraldton crew promise a full social calendar and perfect waves.