Following the success of its inaugural professional longboard surfing competition in Malibu last fall, Relik is thrilled to announce dates and locations for its 2018 Modern + Classic Longboard World Tour.
“Our goal for this new tour is simple,” says Connor Guest, Relik’s Tour Director.
“We want to celebrate the art and lifestyle of longboard surfing by gathering its best performers at the world’s most iconic surf breaks. But for us, this tour is so much more than just another typical competitive sporting event. Each Relik tour stop is ultimately about building community around a sub culture of waveriding—and its way of life—that has already inspired many thousands of surfers globally.”
Kicking off the Relik Modern + Classic Longboard World Tour with a return stop to First Point, Malibu, the waiting period will run from June 15 through 25. Stop number two is confirmed for surfing’s premiere performance wave: Lower Trestles. Located in California’s idyllic San Onofre State Park, its waiting period runs from September 9 through 19.
Historically, professional longboard competitions and tours have strictly adhered to a binary approach—focusing on either “Modern” or “Classic” longboard surfing formats. e RelikTM Modern + Classic Longboard World Tour will be the first of its kind to host divisions and prize purses for both styles within the same event. Relik’sTM structure shares similarities to other competitive sports like skiing where there are multi-disciplines and divisions.
The Modern division represents a style of longboard surfing known for its diverse and powerful range of maneuvers that seamlessly blend high-performance attributes with some notables from the past. Modern board designs are lightweight and versatile, allowing them to be ridden on any size or shape of wave.
The Classic approach is more specialized, known for being ideal in under head high
conditions. Classic division riders use heavier board equipment that closely replicates traditional design characteristics of 1960’s era surfing, which lends itself to more stylish and cruisy maneuvers—like noseriding and drop knee turns.
“We are honored and appreciative that Lower’s locals will be sharing their world-class, high performance surf break with our longboard competitors for a few days this summer,” adds Connor on earning one of the three highly coveted annual event permits for Lower Trestles.
“As an organization that gives back to the communities at each event, we are excited that our partnership directly supports San Onofre State Park with much needed funds going toward keeping its facilities and staffing up and running. In addition, we’ll be working between now and then on more ways to involve the community, as well as bringing awareness to the importance of protecting sacred places like Lower Trestles.”
Relik is also opening up 16 wild card slots for this world tour. Its Open Qaulifier video submission period is officially on, and will accept entries for consideration through April 15. Potential competitors that are feeling ready to stack their footwork up against the world’s best can learn more by visiting www.surfrelik.com
“Based on our first event’s beach buzz and overwhelming positive feedback from the competitors and the local community, we felt as though we’re witnessing the birth of a new movement for surfing,” Connor
“We’re excited that our Relik Modern + Classic Longboard World Tour will have the opportunity both inspire and build a sense of community through celebrating all aspects of men’s and women’s longboarding.”
For more info please see www.surfrelik.com or email [email protected] 2018 RELIK MODERN + CLASSIC
LONGBOARD WORLD TOUR
+ Open Qualifier by Video submission March 26 – April 15 + June 15-30, First Point, Malibu, CA
+ September 9-19, Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA
RELIK
Relik is a multi-disciplinary studio, where art, design and culture are interwoven into every project. Born from a life lived in coastal communities around the globe, the creative team’s …signature work embodies a unique artistic thread that harmoniously blends “modern” and “classic” sensibilities.
The news is out that the nuclear waste from the Southern California Edison power station has received a one way ticket to the San Onofred shore, home to WSL world tour spot Trestles and surfing spots Uppers, Lowers, Churchers and Four Doors.
The plant was shut down in 2013 and the nuclear waste has been stored temporarily on site since. Now the highly radioactive fuel (a reportedly 3.6 millions pounds of nuclear waste which is a massive 7 times more than what was released at Chernobyl) is due to be moved into new canisters and buried just 100 feet out in the ocean.
For years surfers have come to these beaches to spend quality time with friends and family and surf these world class waves. Not only are there concerns that this new toxic neighbour will discourage the thriving surf community from visiting their favourite breaks, but also that the chosen spot is on an active fault line, prone to earthquakes making for a potentially catastrophic nuclear waste situation. Not to mention the issues caused by any leaks from the canisters.
Along with protests up and down the coast, fighting against this possible Fukushima type disaster is San Onofre Surf Co, headed by local photographer Andrea Coleman. The group are currently raising funds through the sale of a ‘Just San No to Nukes’ t-shirt, designed by Orange County artist Sam Bernal. One hundred percent off all profits made will go towards buying a front page advert in The LA Times, OC Register and The San Diego Union Tribune, bringing the story to the attention of the millions of voters and the lives that this will affect.
Acting now so that future generations won’t be left with a toxic environment, San Onofre Surf Co are urging the local community and the global surf community to come together to fight this and encourage Souther California Edison to rethink their storage plans.
The highly radioactive fuel is due to be moved into a steel-and-concrete bunker by 2019. So if you want to support the cause, get your t-shirt here and share information to help spread the word.
Filmer Scotty Hammonds captures the spectacular results of a rare West Australian cyclone swell. Featuring Jay Davies, Jack Robinson and Dino Adrian. This was one of those ‘once every six years’ kinda events…
The Caithness Collection Scottish National Surfing Championships 2018 took place over Easter Weekend in Caithness. The early rounds of the event commenced on Saturday the 31st of March at Sinclairs Bay in some fun beachbreak peaks and continued onto Sunday where the Bodyboard, Juniors and Longboard divisions were wrapped up. The Open Men, Open Women and Masters were finished on Monday the 2nd of April at Thurso-East.
This years event was head judged by The European Surfing Federation’s Tiago Matos from Portugal. The SSF also had one of the first ever all female judging panels and applied the 4 man priority for the first time ever.
Pentland Hotel Open Men
Mark Boyd claimed his 5th national title on Monday having previously won the Longboard title 4 times from 2011-2014 but this would be his maiden Open Men’s title having been runner up in 2016 and 2017 and making podium finishes since 2009. Boyd ended the Broch domination in the Open Men’s division which has been won by surfers from Fraserburgh since 1995.
It was a repeat of last year with a close final again between Boyd and Watt – Watt opened up the heat with a 6pt ride putting the pressure on from the outset but Boyd chipped away sitting underneath the pack in 4th priority. Boyd would gain the lead and 1st priority with 5 minutes to go putting him in a confident position as the heat drew to a close. Boyd selected a good wave in the dying minutes to keep other competitors off but Andrew MacLeod would make a priority error also taking off on Boyd’s wave preventing Boyd from increasing his lead and MacLeod earning himself a priority interference call meaning his second wave score would not be counted, but it wouldn’t change the outcome of the heat.
RESULTS OPEN MEN:
Mark Boyd (NSSC)
George Watt (BSC)
Andrew MacLeod (NSSC)
Craig Sutherland (MFSR)
Seafoam Open Women
There would be another maiden victory in the Open Women this time for Phoebe Strachan who was also runner up in 2017. A big upset in the first round of competition this year when last years champion Megan MacKay was eliminated by Catriona MacDonald and young up and comer Clover Christopherson who was a stand out in the junior divisions. Phoebe won the final at Thurso-East convincingly when she connected a right hander which reformed on the inside allowing Phoebe to then go left putting her forehand attack to good use by bashing the lip on the inside to take the win.
Craig Sutherland and Mark Cameron had some fantastic match ups over the weekend in both the Masters and Open divisions – Cameron was eager to take the Masters win after Sutherland eliminated Cameron in the quarter finals of the Open Men’s with a buzzer beating 7.5pt ride. Cameron held the lead in the Masters final at Thurso-East well into the heat but Sutherland would change the situation after he found a nice wall on a left hitting the lip on his well honed backhand to take top spot. Craig Sutherland dominating the masters category having won the Gathering of the Clans masters title in 2017 also but this would be his maiden Scottish National Surfing Championships Masters title.
RESULTS MASTERS:
Craig Sutherland (MFSR)
Mark Cameron (BSC)
Andrew MacLeod (NSSC)
Chris Noble (NSSC)
Staunch Longboard
Drama in the Longboard final at Sinclairs Bay on Sunday the 1st of April when Malcolm Findlay got himself a priority interference on a wave he shared with Iain Masson – Findlay would lose his second wave score allowing Clarke to take the lead and eventually the heat win to gain his second Longboard title. Findlay had the highest wave score of the heat with a 6pt ride but it wouldn’t be enough with the interference call – this would be the first time ever Findlay hasn’t won the Longboard division when he has been entered in the event. Clarke managed to demonstrate traditional and rail surfing on two waves gaining him the lead and this years title.
Huge congratulations also to Zach Marritt for making the final in his first ever Nationals Longboard – Zach will be one to watch in this division in the years to come, his skateboard skills and balance proving dangerous when applied to longboarding.
The highlight of everyone’s weekend was the Junior finals at Sinclair’s bay and in particular the rivalry between Craig McLachlan and Ben Larg who were absolutely tearing the small clean surf apart. The heat opened up with fierce jostling for inside position between Ben and Craig but Ben would eventually get a priority interference leaving the door open for Craig and also Michael Wimbledon-Hall who also surfed strong to pass Ben’s 1 wave heat total. Michael took advantage of the space whilst Ben and Craig hassled each other at the start of the heat allowing him to post a couple of keeper scores but then Craig strung 4 backhand snaps together on a left hand runner to get himself a 8.5pt ride which put him firmly in the lead. Ben answered back with a 7 for one really strong backhand snap on a closeout left but it wouldn’t be enough this time round. Sister Robyn did fantastically against the boys all the way to the final.
RESULTS U14:
Craig McLachlan (NSSC)
Michael Wimbledon-Hall (DSC)
Ben Larg (TSC)
Robyn Larg (TSC
NorthCore Under-16s
Ben Larg would get his revenge in the U16 division. Ben dominated this heat from the outset and although Craig was chasing him but Ben would remain in front going into the last 5 minutes of the heat with 1st priority meaning he could prevent Craig from getting another crack of the whip on any good ones.
The crowd was astounded by the level of surfing by the two 12 year olds and there were roars of cheers and applause as the finalists battled it out. The two Dunbar surfers did well to make the final especially Clover finishing 3rd against the boys.
RESULTS U16s:
Ben Larg (TSC)
Craig McLachlan (NSSC)
Clover Christopherson (DSC)
Michael Wimbledon-Hall (DSC)
Northcore Under 18 Boys
Another 12 year old takes out the Under 18 Boys title this year with Craig McLachlan winning his first U18s. Craigs surfing is super consistent and dynamic and it was enough to pip the older favourite to win this division – Finn MacDonald from Tiree who placed 2nd.
RESULTS U18 Boys:
Craig McLachlan (NSSC)
Finn MacDonald (TSC)
Ben Larg (TSC)
Owen McQueenie (EBSC)
Blackhouse Watersports Under-18s Girls
Clover Christopherson was a standout all event long. The goofy footer from Dunbar has fantastic form and her solid surfing made for a comfortable victory in the U18 girls getting the nod ahead of last year’s winner Iona McLachlan. The two youngsters Robyn and Emma taking 3rd and 4th places respectively.
RESULTS U18 Girls:
Clover Christopherson (DSC)
Iona McLachlan (NSSC)
Robyn Larg (TSC)
Emma Swanson (MFSR)
Coast to Coast Bodyboard
Michael Wimbledon-Hall (DSC)
Craig Greyvenstein (DSC)
Malcolm Todd (DSC)
Jamie Gibson (DSC)
Noah Carter (DSC)
Coast to Coast Junior Bodyboard
Michael Wimbledon-Hall (DSC)
Malcolm Todd (DSC)
Jamie Gibson (DSC)
Noah Carter (DSC)
Thanks to all the event sponsors, category sponsors and sponsors who gave us raffle prizes for our fundraiser. Thanks to Andre Silva for photos and Malcolm Anderson for video.
Top seeds continue to fall at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Today witnessed all but three WSL Championships dispatched with John John Florence, Joel Parkinson, Adriano de Souza, and Carissa Moore out of the draw. Now, only Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, and Gabriel Medina represent the class of elite World Champions heading into the Final Series of the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event.
Two-time, reigning WSL Champion Florence is out of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach after losing to compatriot Ezekiel Lau (HAW) in the opening heat of the day. In Round 3 Heat 7, Lau put the pressure on Florence by jostling for position. Lau’s physical assertion seemed to throw Florence off his game as he struggled to find a wave of substance. Lau, on the other hand, looked confident and powerful in that heat as well as in Round 4, where he defeated Frederico Morais (PRT) and Conner Coffin (USA).
“I’m stoked to be still going in the competition and can’t wait for the Quarters,” Lau said. “I wanted that heat [Round 3 Heat 7] to be at my pace and wanted to make John (Florence) feel the pressure, as you can’t give a World Champion any room to move. My goal is to just keep doing big turns on big waves. I’m just tapping into what I was doing last year, and I hope I can keep a similar pace to what I had this time last year.”
Last season, 25-year-old Florence locked in 3rd place results on the Gold Coast and at Bells Beach, but uncharacteristically, has yet to surpass 13th place in 2018. As the defending event winner of the next stop on the WSL CT, the Margaret River Pro, Florence is out to repeat his groundbreaking performances and reboot his World Title campaign.
“That was a tough heat, unfortunately,” Florence said. “Zeke (Ezekiel Lau) surfed really well and the waves were pumping. I had to laugh a little bit when he paddled over my board. In one way it was kind of lame because it’s fun to surf a heat with pure surfing and not win by sitting on someone’s board, but it is a competition so maybe I’ll incorporate it as a tactic next time. I’m really pumped to head back to Margaret River, the waves always fun and I have some great memories from there.”
2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 36, was eliminated from the event by CT sophomore Morais, 26, in Round 3 Heat 8. The veteran struggled to complete his rides, allowing the newcomer to take the win with only mid-range scores. The three-time Bells winner who has not missed a Bells event since 2001, exits in Equal 13th place.
The upsets continued with Adriano de Souza’s (BRA) elimination following Parkinson’s heat in Round 3. Californian Coffin ousted the 2014 WSL Champion by just 0.2 points with a 9.83 combined score (out of a possible 20). In the year he won the World Title, De Souza earned four 13th place results, so the Brazilian could make a huge comeback at the Margaret River Pro, where he is a former event winner.
After completing Round 3, event officials decided to switch to Winkipop, the backup event site that offered more opportunity over the lunchtime hightide for men’s Round 4 and the women’s Quarterfinals.
Three-time WSL Champion Fanning took to the water in Round 4 Heat 2 to edge closer to a fairytale fifth Bells trophy in the last event of his competitive career. Fanning fought off stablemate Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and comeback-kid Patrick Gudauskas (USA). Gudauskas made a quick start locking in two 7.00 rides with some solid wave selection, whilst 2016 event winner Wilkinson posted a 7.50 to get the ball rolling. Fanning waited patiently and demonstrated why he is a three-time World Champion with big turns across the Winkipop walls to take the win. Fanning and Gudauskas will move to the Quarterfinals, while Wilkinson ends his Bells run in Equal 9th. Fanning will take on good friend Owen Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. Fanning is now the only surfer left in the men’s draw that has rung the Bell before.
“The heat wasn’t too nerve-racking as I was out there with my mates,” Fanning said. “I knew if I lost, at least I was surrounded by some good mates. I made that bad decision early giving Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) that wave, but I’m stoked I started to get some good waves after that. I’m really enjoying what I’m doing and getting to surf against my friends has been great. I don’t mind when I go out just as long as I’m getting waves.”
The last heat of Round 4 pitted dynamic Brazilians Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) against Jeremy Flores (FRA) in a high-intensity battle for a slot into the Quarterfinals. Ferreira was quick to get started with a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) off the bat. However, Medina kicked into gear late in the heat to score a 7.00 and clinch the lead. He and Ferreira took the top two progressing spots to knock out Flores.
“I’m stoked the competition is here at Winkipop,” Medina said. “I really like this wave and I’ve been surfing here a bit in freesurfs. Winkipop is a really high-performance wave and it seems to suit my surfing. I’m feeling in good shape and my boards are feeling great, so I’m stoked to win the heat and move into the Quarterfinals.”
Round 4 started with a bang as Michel Bourez (PYF) took down Wright and rookie Wade Carmichael (AUS). Bourez looked at ease at Winkipop as he ripped his way through the long walls with his trademark powerful style. A 15.77 heat total saw Bourez take the win and move straight through to the Quarterfinals along with Wright.
“The waves were really good out there and everything was feeling good,” Bourez said. “I’m finally starting to get some consistency where my body and mind is feeling strong as well. I have a new mentality and fire going into this year.”
The opening women’s Quarterfinal saw two former Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winners, Moore and Silvana Lima (BRA), go head-to-head in a battle to ring the Bell again. The two went score-for-score, each exchanging the lead until the dying minutes of the heat. Needing a 5.53, Lima took a wave in the final seconds of the heat to post a 7.27 and win her spot in the Semifinals. The three-time WSL Champion walks away with her second 5th place finish this season.
“I thank God that I got that wave at the end and made that heat,” Lima said. “I just want to keep going in the contest and am feeling really good along with my equipment. I’m stoked to be in the semifinals. I’m loving surfing out at Winkipop as I think it’s such a high-performance wave.”
Johanne Defay (FRA) barely missed the mark against 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA) in their tight Quarterfinal battle. Less than two points separated Defay from advancing past the Quarterfinals, giving Marks her first CT Semifinal appearance.
“I am really stoked,” Marks said. “That was a lot of fun. I think Mike Parsons has helped me so much. In the past, I’ve gotten wildcards but was so nervous and flustered, but now I feel like I have all year to show what I’ve got. I feel like a new person this year — my surfing feels better and my boards feel great. Hopefully, I can keep it up all year. I still have two more heats to go, so let’s keep it going.”
Six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) closed out the day with a win in the final Quarterfinal matchup against Sage Erickson (USA). Gilmore handled the challenging Winkipop conditions with powerful turns and control for a 13.36 combined score over Erickson’s 11.07. CT veteran Gilmore will be up against rookie Marks in the Semifinals.
“It is weird seeing all the top seeds fall but kind of awesome at the same time,” Gilmore said. “You have to capitalize on these moments. The pressure is really on everyone because you have to rise to the occasion, as well. I will see what I can do with this little opportunity and try to make the most.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) continues her run at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro by taking out Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. With Van Dijk out, Victorians will have to wait another year to see if one of their own will ring the Bell, a feat that hasn’t been achieved since Gail Couper did in 1976.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. AEDT for a possible 6:45 a.m. start.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:
The current SW swell will ease over the second half of today (Tuesday) and into Wednesday. However, another good pulse of SW swell moves in Wed/Thurs to maintain solid overhead sets. A slow easing trend will ensue once again over the second half of the week, but still providing very contestable surf. Mornings will generally offer the best conditions with favorable offshore wind and lower tide.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 3 Results:
Heat 7: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 13.07 def. John John Florence (HAW) 9.76
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.60 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 9.07
Heat 9: Conner Coffin (USA) 9.83 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 9.63
Heat 10: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.60 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.40
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.86 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.73
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.16 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 13.30
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.77, Owen Wright (AUS) 12.00, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 10.60
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.33, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.00, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.17
Heat 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.57, Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.16, Conner Coffin (USA) 11.10
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.33, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.17, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.00
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Quarterfinal Matchups:
QF 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
QF 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
QF 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Frederico Morais (PRT)
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Semifinal Matchups:
SF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)
SF 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Big eliminations swept the second day of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach competition, Stop No. 2 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). The male and female competitors took to the main stage at Bells Beach in five-to-eight foot (1.5 -2.4 metre) waves to complete the remaining heats of men’s Round 1, men’s Round 2, and women’s Round 2.
Anticipation was at its peak in the final heat of Round 1 as the retiring, three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) entered the water for the last opening heat of his CT career. The four-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event winner faced Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and 2018 CT Rookie Jesse Mendes (BRA) in Heat 12. Although it wasn’t his most outstanding performance at Bells, Fanning won the heat to progress into Round 3, much to the delight of the record number of adoring fans that lined the shores to cheer on their hero.
“It’s so awesome to have so much support down here at Bells, and to have my family and friends around is great,” said Fanning. “I’m stoked to get through that heat. It definitely wasn’t my best, but it will do for now. I really want to put on a good performance and continue that form throughout the whole competition. Regardless of my result, I’m just stoked to be down here at Bells, one of the most special places I travel to.”
The opening heat of Round 2 saw contender Filipe Toledo (BRA) pitted against local wildcard Carl Wright (AUS) in a battle to avoid the event’s first elimination. Toledo was eager to shake off his Round 1 jitters and find a rhythm in the Bells Bowl. The electric young Brazilian got the nod from the judges with an epic display of rail-surfing to win the heat. Wright will go home with an Equal 25th finish in his first CT event.
“That was a really close heat,” Toledo said. “I was really nervous. The local wildcards are always so dangerous as they are really familiar with the wave. There is a reason that he [Carl Wright] won the trials. I’m super grateful to advance and look forward to surfing again in Round 3.”
After falling off the CT in 2013, Californian Patrick Gudauskas (USA) has returned to the main stage in 2018. After a 25th place finish at Stop No. 1, Gudauskas was keen to make amends at Bells Beach. Coming up against Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in Heat 4 of Round 2, Gudauskas looked sharp as he surfed to the sound of a 14.33 total and the heat win.
“It feels really good to advance through to Round 3 at such a special place like Bells,” said Gudauskas. “It reminds me a lot of home and gets me psyched on that cold-surf energy that I love. Surfing Victoria has been helping me out a lot and it’s been great catching up with everyone down here.”
Michael February of South Africa returned to the elite stage at Bells to again replace the injured 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA). Unfortunately, February suffered bad luck in his matchup with Frederico Morais (PRT), breaking his board in half and having to swim to the beach to swap his equipment. Once he returned to the lineup, the waves slowed and he never found a solid opportunity. February will get more opportunities this season as he replaces Fanning for the rest of the 2018 season.
Morias will face 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Round 3 Heat 8. Earlier this morning, the Australian won his Round 1 heat against rookie Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Igarashi. Carmichael won his Round 2 heat over fellow rookie Tomas Hermes (BRA) and will face 2017 event winner Jordy Smith (ZAF) in Round 3.
Following his Round 1 heat against Fanning, Zietz dispatched CT sophomore Ian Gouveia (BRA) to bounce out of Round 2 and back into the event. Shaking off his early morning loss in Round 1, Zietz was on fire the entire heat, posting the first excellent score of the men’s event, an 8.17. Zeitz ended the heat with a two-wave combination of 15.17 (out of a possible 20), which proved unbeatable for Gouveia. Zeitz will now have the unenviable task of taking on Fanning in Round 3 Heat 5.
“I’m stoked that I posted the first excellent score of the men’s event,” Zeitz said. “I was feeling a bit shaky this morning and never felt like I was in control of that heat. I totally re-focussed heading into my Round 2 heat and felt my wave selection was solid. When you get on the right wave, everything else comes to you so hopefully, I can repeat that in Round 3.”
2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) rarely finds himself in Round 2 matchups but today faced a potential early elimination at the hands of event wildcard Mikey McDonagh (AUS). Former Rip Curl Pro event winner De Souza surfed to his strengths and attacked the lip to take down 16-year-old McDonagh.
“I really love coming here to Bells Beach,” De Souza said. “I have won here before and have great memories of this place and feel really comfortable. The judges are really making us earn big scores, which is awesome as it pushes us to take our surfing to another level. I have been studying the criteria and am working hard to achieve another solid result here at Bells Beach.”
Fellow Brazilians Willian Cardoso, Italo Ferreira and Jesse Mendes will also advance to Round 3 after dispatching Caio Ibelli (BRA), Michael Rodrigues (BRA), and Joan Duru (FRA), respectively.
Following the men’s opening rounds, wildcard Kobie Enright (AUS) upset the competition in women’s Round 2 with a major win over 2017 World Title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in Heat 3.
In her professional surfing career, Fitzgibbons has never fallen below 5th place at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event. Today marked the two-time event winner’s first early elimination ahead of the Final Series in nine years. 18-year-old Enright will advance to Round 3, while 27-year-old Fitzgibbons leaves in 13th place.
“I was going out there just wanting to surf and do my best,” Enright said. “I love this wave and just to be a wildcard in the event is amazing. I am excited to make another heat. There is definitely some pressure. I was in the trials for this event four times before this, so the pressure has chilled out over the years. I am just going out there to surf and have fun.”
Six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) won her elimination Round 2 heat today and did not let Paige Hareb (NZL) disrupt her race for a fourth Bells win. Gilmore has dominated the Rip Curl Pro event throughout her career and has yet to fall below 5th place in her 12 years competing at this event. The 2017 event runner-up will be against Johanne Defay (FRA) and Coco Ho (HAW) in Round 3 when competition resumes.
“The judging scale, you can tell they are really pushing us to go bigger and better,” Gilmore said. “At Snapper, I don’t think I ever scored over a 4 or 5, and my first heat here was a struggle, as well. It feels nice that you can just go for it and get rewarded. Out here at Bells Beach, the judges want clean, solid and complete waves and maneuvers. They want to see you do three solid turns and finish strong. I knew I had to spice it up on the inside section and it worked out.”
Americans Caroline Marks and Sage Erickson lit up the first two elimination rounds with wins against Australians Keely Andrew and Bronte Macaulay, respectively.
Andrew, current World No. 2, was eliminated Round 2 Heat 1 by the 2018 CT Rookie Marks. Earlier this month, Andrew earned a runner-up finish at the first CT event of the season on the Gold Coast but did not find the rhythm at Bells to match her earlier success. Marks, the youngest surfer ever to qualify for the CT, dominated the heat with a 7.33 and 6.33, forcing Andrew to exit in Equal 13th place.
“This is my first time surfing here at Bells Beach, and I absolutely love it,” Marks said. “I came straight here after Snapper and have been surfing a lot, which has helped as it is a tricky wave to understand. I’ve been watching clips of Mark Occhilupo and Bobby Martinez, who were two of the best goofy-footers out here. It’s been really inspiring seeing how they surf this place. I had a really good start to the season at Snapper, which has given me a lot of confidence and making that Round 2 heat has just built on that confidence.”
It has been over 20 years since a Victorian has rung the iconic Bell, and fortunately for Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), there is a chance after defeating injury replacement Macy Callaghan (AUS) in Round 2. Van Dijk will advance to Round 3 where she will surf against Enright and Carissa Moore (HAW).
The final heat of the day was an all-Hawaii affair with Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) coming up against current World No. 3 Malia Manuel (HAW). In an intense battle, Manuel fell just one point short of the win and will be eliminated from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. A standout from Stop No. 1 on the Gold Coast, Manuel will look to improve her ranking at the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia next month.
Event officials will reconvene at 6:00 a.m. AEDT tomorrow morning for a possible 6:30 a.m. start.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:
Solid SW swell tops out today (Saturday) with overhead to well overhead sets, then easing over Easter Sunday. Favorable offshore wind conditions for the mornings, then turning onshore in the afternoons. More sizable swells stacking up for next week to keep surf elevated, with the next one due Mon/Tues, then another by Thursday the 5th. Possible pulse on the 8th as well. For the most part, conditions next week are looking pretty good (although not so favorable on Monday).
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.50 def. Carl Wright (AUS) 8.33
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.57 def. Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 8.87
Heat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.17 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.43
Heat 4: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.33 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.03
Heat 5: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 11.43 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.00
Heat 6: Frederico Morais (PRT) 7.73 def. Michael February (ZAF) 6.43
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA)11.60 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.84
Heat 8: Conner Coffin (USA) 13.74 def. Yago Dora (BRA) 13.64
Heat 9: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 13.36 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.33
Heat 10: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.83 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 9.73
Heat 11: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 14.00 def. Tomas Hermes (BRA) 11.70
Heat 12: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 14.26 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 12.80
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Matchups:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 6: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Frederico Morais (PRT)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
