BRITS LEAD FIELD AT BOARDMASTERS

BOARDMASTERS SURFING LAUNCHES

The Boardmasters, Quiksilver Open launched yesterday in wind-affected three-to-four foot surf at Fistral beach and completed the opening two rounds of competition of the men’s event as well as the opening round of the women’s Boardmasters, Roxy Open.

Competitors made the best of the conditions on offer and put on a good show for the Newquay locals and tourists coming to enjoy the beach at Fistral.

Bude surfer Jobe Harriss (GBR), 21, opened his account with a solid heat to rack up a 14 points total and advance into the third round of competition in Cornwall. The long time WSL competitor had to put his surfing career on standby following the loss of his main sponsor this season and was extremely happy to put the competition jersey back on on home turf.

“I had a free surf this morning and barely did a turn so I was a bit worried, but luckily now at low tide it’s nice and steep and has a few sections!” Harriss stated. “Pretty much every U.K tour event ever is at Fistral so I’ve surfed loads of heats down here and I knew it was going to get better at low. I came fifth here last year, this year’s feels like it’s got a stronger field but I’m confident and hoping for the best.”

2016 Boardmasters runner-up Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), 26, managed to escape a treacherous Round Two matchup and advanced in second position behind Liam O’Brien (AUS) to keep his hopes of reaching the finals again alive. The Italian surfer returned to Fistral to launch his European season and try to improve on his overall ranking.

“I really struggled to find good waves and honestly didn’t expect to make it through this heat,” Bonomelli admitted. “Last year’s was my best result ever and I don’t know if I’m capable of doing better but I sure am going to try my hardest! I love the vibe here, I’m staying with the Timson family and it’s like being home.”

An avid traveler, Bonomelli found in Cornwall reasons to come back and enjoy the special vibe the place has to offer. As much as surfing a final was a highlight for the Italian surfer last year, the general atmosphere at Boardmasters is really what got him to come back.

“The weather here changes every ten minutes so you have to prepare for everything but some days we get really good waves and even pretty much to ourselves. People are super nice and it’s a pleasure to come back. I even went to the music festival last year and it was fun, a bit too crowded for me but if you’re into music you just have an incredible night there. It’s a great way to get more people to the beach and show them competitive surfing, there’s also skateboarding and other sports so it’s a festival for everyone and a great way to enjoy a sunny summer day.”

Bonomelli

Fresh off a victory at the Murasaki Shonan Open in Japan, Lliam Mortensen (AUS), 20, managed to keep his momentum going today and made his way into Round Three of competition. Currently sitting right outside the Top 100 on the Qualifying Series, the Australian is after a few more ranking points to access the prestigious QS10,000 events later this season.

“I’m glad to be here for the first time, it looks like an amazing place,” Mortensen said. “It’s tricky to surf a heat when you have no idea what the situation is, but you just kind of have to score your waves yourself and hope you’re surfing better than your opponents. Japan was awesome and it’s hard to come back in your first event after a win, but I’m going to try and better a few other results to hopefully get into the Top 100.”

A two-time event winner in the Longboard division at Boardmasters, Edouard Delpero (FRA), 27, got off to a good start on his shortboard as well today. In the hunt for another European longboard champion title, Delpero is also a threat on the QS and will try to better his best result at Fistral, an excellent third place a few years ago.

“I dare say this is classic Newquay conditions for Boardmasters,” Delpero commented. “It’s pretty windy but there’s waves out there if you can find the right sections. It’s good to come early and do the QS so you can work out the conditions. We have a great battle going again with my brother Antoine and Emilien (Fleury) leading this time, so I look forward to getting the longboard out and fight for the title.”

Other notable results include the successful starts of British surfers Liam Turner, Angus Scotney, Gearoid McDaid, Alan Stokes, Luke Dillon, Jay Quinn, Harry Timson, Joss Ash, Reubyn Ash and Seth Morris.

Capitalizing on conditions on Day One, the women then entered the arena to complete their opening round of competition at Boardmasters, Roxy Open.

Argentina’s Lucia Cosoleto belted the day’s highest combined heat total for the women, with a solid 13.17 to advance into the top seeds’ Round Two.

Longboarder and current No. 3 in the world Honolua Blomfield (HAW), 18, decided to enter the QS event as well and marched right through the opening round early this evening. The Hawaiian surfer jumped on the opportunity to visit a different part of the world she was yet to explore and will be a force to be reckoned with in both the short and longboard events this week.

“It was my mom and I’s dream to come here and I met a friend from here about a month ago in Bali and decided to come,” Blomfield said. “I came mostly for the longboard but thought I’d enter the QS as well just for fun! I’ve been here a couple of days and I love it so far, the festival is something really different from what I’m used to.”

In the following heat, former Championship Tour athlete and famed musician Lee-Ann Curren(FRA), 28, managed to advance into Round Two despite receiving an interference and being judged on her best wave only. The French surfer had earlier that day played her music for the public at Fistral during the Day Sessions.

The competition window opens Friday for Boardmasters, Jeep Men and Women’s Longboard, with a first call at 7:30 a.m for both the men and women. Qualifying Series athletes will reconvene at 11 a.m.

Boardmasters are scheduled from August 9-13, 2017 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.

Boardmasters are supported by Corona, Monster Energy, Cornish Orchards, VISA, Samsung, Quiksilver, Roxy, Jeep, Carve Surfing Magazine, Surfgirl, Radio X and DJ Mag among others, with MagicSeaWeed.com as official forecaster.

UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 3 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Lliam Mortensen (AUS), Jobe Harriss (GBR), Liam Turner (GBR), Alan Stokes (GBR)
Heat 2: Jock Barnes (AUS), Arne Bergwinkl (DEU), Angus Scotney (GBR), Gearoid McDaid (IRL)
Heat 3: Max Longhurst (AUS), Liam O’Brien (AUS), Jay Quinn (NZL), Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA)
Heat 4: Luke Dillon (GBR), Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), Theo Julitte (FRA), Ian Fontaine (FRA)
Heat 5: Ignacio Guisasola (ESP), Edouard Delpero (FRA), Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA), Moses Le Grice (AUS)
Heat 6: Slade Prestwich (ZAF), Alex Bauduin (CNY), Harry Timson (GBR), Joss Ash (GBR)
Heat 7: Tristan Guilbaud (FRA), Jordan Lawler (AUS), Pablo Montero (ESP), Marcos Rojas (CRI)
Heat 8: Reubyn Ash (GBR), Seth Morris (GBR), Kairi Noro (JPN), Luis Diaz (CNY)

UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS, ROXY OPEN ROUND 2 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Ellie Turner (GBR), Teal Hogg (ZAF), Emily Currie (GBR)
Heat 2: Reika Noro (JPN), Vahine Fierro (PYF), Nadia Erostarbe (EUK), Hannah Bristow (GBR)
Heat 3: Justine Dupont (FRA), Eliza Greene (AUS), Lucia Cosoleto (ARG), Leonor Fragoso (PRT)
Heat 4: Mikaela Greene (AUS), Peony Knight (GBR), Joanne Dennison (GBR), Yolander Hopkins (PRT)
Heat 5: Carol Henrique (PRT), Lucy Campbell (GBR), Honolua Blomfield (HAW), Lee-Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Ella Williams (NZL), Nagisa Tashiro (JPN), Summa Longbottom (AUS), Denver Young (AUS)
Heat 7: Camilla Kemp (PRT), Ainara Aymat (EUK), Uhaina Joly (FRA), Tiana-Breeze De Mooij (NZL)
Heat 8: Ren Hashimoto (JPN), Ariane Ochoa (EUK), Josefina Ane (ARG), Marion Philippe (PYF)

BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Max Longhurst (AUS) 11.00, Jock Barnes (AUS) 10.90, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 9.97, Kit Innes (GBR) 6.93
Heat 2: Jobe Harriss (GBR) 14.00, Arne Bergwinkl (DEU) 10.86, Jesse Halkett (AUS) 8.80, Cieran Hughes (GBR) 3.47
Heat 3: Angus Scotney (GBR) 11.50, Liam Turner (GBR) 10.43, Pedro Coelho (PRT) 9.67, Tom Butler (GBR) 3.93
Heat 4: Gearoid McDaid (IRL) 14.30, Alan Stokes (GBR) 9.06, Arran Strong (GBR) 8.76, Mark Boyd (SCO) 4.87
Heat 5: Max Longhurst (AUS) 13.07, Luke Dillon (GBR) 9.57, Ben Penny (AUS) 8.43, Rhys Barfield (GBR) 5.93
Heat 6: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 11.50, Angelo Bonomelli (ITA) 9.07, Charlie Rio (JEY) 7.50, Titouan Canevet (FRA) 6.70
Heat 7: Theo Julitte (FRA) 12.33, Jay Quinn (NZL) 10.94, Daiki Tanaka (JPN) 9.83, Harry De Roth (GBR) 8.97
Heat 8: Ian Fontaine (FRA) 13.00, Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA) 10.73, David Noy (ISR) 8.17, Stanley Norman (GBR) 4.93
Heat 9: Ignacio Guisasola (ESP) 11.03, Slade Prestwich (ZAF) 10.66, Tomas Fernandes (PRT) 6.24, Tom Boelsma (NDL) 6.03
Heat 10: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 10.33, Alex Bauduin (CNY) 7.70, Paul Moretti (NZL) 7.63, Logan Nicol (GBR) 7.33
Heat 11: Harry Timson (GBR) 12.70, Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA) 11.90, Liam Murray Strout (GBR) 6.27, Ariel Sanin (ISR) 4.14
Heat 12: Joss Ash (GBR) 11.00, Moses Le Grice (AUS) 9.67, Naru Awada (JPN) 8.10, Kaspar Hamminga (NLD) 6.83
Heat 13: Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) 13.00, Reubyn Ash (GBR) 9.87, Pepijn Tigges (NDL) 5.53, Will Bailey (GBR) 4.80
Heat 14: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 9.07, Seth Morris (GBR) 8.46, Kai Awada (JPN) 7.70, Ely Cassirer (ISR) 4.87
Heat 15: Kairi Noro (JPN) 10.00, Pablo Montero (ESP) 8.84, Miles Lee Hargreaves (GBR) 8.80, Max Payne (GBR) 6.87
Heat 16: Luis Diaz (CNY) 9.00, Marcos Rojas (CRI) 7.73, Patrick Langdon-Dark (GBR) 7.44, Jakob Lilienweiss (DEU) 5.80

BOARDMASTERS, ROXY OPEN ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Teal Hogg (ZAF) 10.00, Hannah Bristow (GBR) 4.76, Mirna Boelsma (NDL) 3.77
Heat 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 9.50, Emily Currie (GBR) 9.24, Ozvan Masseron (FRA) 7.93, Tehillah McGuinness (GBR) 5.07
Heat 3: Lucia Cosoleto (ARG) 13.17, Yolander Hopkins (PRT) 11.10, Dominga Valdes (NLD) 7.23, Ffion Hughes (GBR) 3.13
Heat 4: Joanne Dennison (GBR) 7.60, Leonor Fragoso (PRT) 5.83
Heat 5: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 11.67, Denver Young (AUS) 8.77, Nina Reynal (FRA) 5.53
Heat 6: Summa Longbottom (AUS) 8.46, Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) 6.77, Klervi Masseron (FRA) 5.17
Heat 7: Uhaina Joly (FRA) 12.93, Marion Philippe (PYF) 7.84, Mischa Maguire (GBR) 2.93
Heat 8: Josefina Ane (ARG) 11.83, Tiana-Breeze De Mooij (NZL) 7.33, Emily Williams (GBR) 4.20, Alys Barton (GBR) 0.40

BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Lliam Mortensen (AUS) 10.60, Cieran Hughes (GBR) 7.20, Joshua Hughes (GBR) 4.87
Heat 2: Liam Turner (GBR) 10.50, Alan Stokes (GBR) 8.50, Jordan Dean (GBR) 6.20, Kamron Matthews (GBR) 3.77
Heat 3: Max Longhurst (AUS) 9.30, Charlie Rio (JEY) 7.30, Chad Schwab (ZAF) 4.13
Heat 4: Jay Quinn (NZL) 10.07, Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA) 8.74, Joseph Morris (GBR) 2.90
Heat 5: Slade Prestwich (ZAF) 9.17, Logan Nicol (GBR) 7.00, Alex Ashen (GBR) 5.27
Heat 6: Harry Timson (GBR) 10.70, Joss Ash (GBR) 8.80, Samuel Coad (GBR) 7.47
Heat 7: Reubyn Ash (GBR) 11.77, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 7.97, Will Davey (GBR) 7.36
Heat 8: Max Payne (GBR) 9.27, Patrick Langdon-Dark (GBR) 7.23, Frankie Bamford (GBR) 7.03

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BOARDMASTERS 2017 COMPETITOR LINE-UPS ANNOUNCED

WORLD CLASS SURFERS CONFIRMED FOR UK’S LARGEST INTERNATIONAL SURF COMPETITION

EDOUARD DELPERO ⬥ TOM BUTLER ⬥ LUKE DILLON ⬥ ⬥ LUCY CAMPBELL ⬥ JOBE HARRISS ⬥ STANLEY NORMAN ⬥ ALAN STOKES ⬥ LEE ANN CURREN ⬥ JUSTINE DUPONT ⬥ PEONY KNIGHT ⬥ EMILIEN FLEURY ⬥ ADAM GRIFFITHS ⬥ ANTOINE DELPERO ⬥ BEN SKINNER ⬥ EMILY CURRIE ⬥
AND MORE CONFIRMED TO COMPETE

Boardmasters and the World Surf League (WSL) have once again confirmed a competitor line up of the highest-calibre for Boardmasters 2017 including the Quiksilver Men’s, Roxy Women’s Qualifying Series (QS1000) and the Jeep WSL Men’s and Women’s Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS1,000). These exhilarating events take place at the UK’s surf mecca, Fistral Beach, Cornwall from Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 August.

As stop #29 on the WSL international qualifying series tour the cream of the crop, elite athletes will cascade upon Fistral Beach reaffirming Boardmasters as the UK’s premier Surf Competition. Record numbers of fans, family and friends are expected to watch all the sporting action unfold. Boardmasters Fistral Beach site is open to the public, there is no ticket necessary so festivalgoers and locals are free to come down and take in all the competition has to offer. Don’t miss out on this chance to catch world-class surfing up close at one of Britain’s most exceptional beaches.

Boardmasters is delighted to welcome back Angelo Bonomelli, who nearly took the coveted Boardmasters title last year in the Quiksilver Men’s Open. Huge home names and visiting international stars will battle it out for the top spot, the formidable Edouard Delpero will be laying it on the line, as well as exciting wildcard entries from Boardmasters Ambassador Luke Dillon who’s consistently impressed at the prestigious competition. The bright rising star Jobe Harriss and highly decorated big wave rider Tom Butler will be looking to push UK surfing to the highest level, as well as the fearless young newcomer Stanley Norman.

Moving over to the exceedingly competitive Roxy Women’s Open category, the UK’s top female pros are set to give fans a thrilling battle out on the waves as Boardmasters confirms entries from UK #1 ranked Peony Knight and Boardmasters Ambassador Lucy Campbell. Renowned top French rider Justine Dupont will be looking to capitalise on her incredible agility and skill, while Lee Ann Curren will be on double duty, competing at the highest level as well as performing at the legendary Day Sessions on Fistral Beach.

The Jeep Men’s Longboard category will see reigning champion Edouard Delpero return to Fistral Beach defending his outstanding 2016 win. The French favourite showed sublime poise and exceptional skill narrowly beating his brother and then world #1 Antoine Delpero for the title. Antoine has lost no momentum and is bound to light up the competition with electric performances. The category is set to be tightly contested with Cornish local heroes and world class competitors Ben Skinner and Adam Griffiths making their bid for the title.

Boardmasters is stoked to welcome back Alice Lemoigne after two back to back wins in the Jeep Women’s Longboard (LQS1000) division. Hot on her heels will be 2016 runner up Rachael Tilly looking to triumph and craft-master Justine Dupont battling it out for the top spot. British prospects Emily Currie and Fistral Beach’s own Jenny Briant will also be vying for the all-important win.

Boardmasters International Surf Competition 2016 Champions were:
Men’s Open – Shane Campbell (AUS)
Women’s Open – Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Men’s Longboard – Edouard Delpero (FRA)
Women’s Longboard – Alice Lemoigne (REU)

Inspired by the freedom, adventure and creativity of surfing and music, Boardmasters was born in 1981. Expect parties that run late into the night and a beautiful beach to recuperate on during the day. The 5-day event is situated across two stunning locations in Cornwall – the surfing mecca of the UK, Fistral Beach, where world class International Surf Competitions take place, and arguably the most stunning location in the country to watch live music, Watergate Bay. Last year the grassroots surf and music festival welcomed over 150,000 festival goers to sunny Cornwall. Book your tickets now! Website link.

Ticket Information:

Watergate Bay tickets on sale NOW

Boardmasters operates a tiered ticket system with price bands for tickets changing over time. Book tickets now to guarantee the best price!

All tickets on sale now (Charger ticket includes bus pass, parking, VIP camping, Beach Session gigs, After Parties, Boardmasters t-shirt and tote bag)

BUY TICKETS HERE

WSL CEO Bails

It’s holiday time for the World Tour guys and gals. Traditionally a welcome break for a bit of downtime and once the batteries are recharged some pre-season training. The off season is now a bit more tense as the new fad is hunting for sponsors who dig the idea of putting their sticker on the beak of your board. It’s tough times for a lot of pros unless they’re talented enough to reside in the gilded John John/Jordy/Medina/Tyler stratosphere.

Folks with massive profiles like Josh Kerr have come down on the wrong side of the balance sheet and for the mid-level pros it’s even harder. Budgets aren’t what they were, there’s lots of newer, smaller brands without the clout to afford a large team so the short version: tough times in pro land. Unless you’re actually hitting the finals and getting those oversized cheques on a regular basis.

Sure being paid to surf is a dream job, available to a few charmed souls, and if you’re not bringing huge exposure and value to your brand then why should you get a lavish free lunch? If you’re not in the top 16 on tour or get Dane/Ando/JOB/Dion video views then a six figure salary is unlikely.

Managing a surf team is tricky biz for any brand, ideally you’d want a marquee freesurfer or two, a top CT guy and girl and a big wave dude. Then a top level domestic guy/girl in the countries you operate in to support the local market and media; that and a few promising groms on product/travel deals to help the next gen. Anything past that is going to be frowned at by the accountants department. Every pro needs a niche now, and to be a one man production team, giving the brand a return on their investment is more essential than ever. Seeking out sponsors outside of surfing is also vital.

So is the news that the WSL boss Paul Speaker is kicking out of the WSL a harbinger of doom or just innocent boardroom restructuring? The temporary CEO taking over the reins is Dirk Ziff, the benefactor and co-owner of the WSL with pockets so deep you need caving gear to reach the bottom, it’s his families ample funds and interest that keeps the wheels turning at the WSL. So thanks DZ!

There’s no question the WSL is going in the right direction, sure we were all suspicious of the motives and ‘sports!’ branding when it changed from the ASP to the WSL. The webcasts are now consistent and polished, way ahead of the game when it comes to live streaming even if we headbutt our phones occasionally with the mangled English that sometimes emits from the commentators. The flip side: commentating on a live event is ridiculously hard. Just think about the reality of trying to bring colour, commentary and insight all day when sat in a metal box out the back of the event site watching the same feed as everyone else. It’s a hard job. The whole production team delivers, whatever the locale.

The structure of the WSL is strong, the events are delivering, as to viewing figures, who knows. No surfer watches them all but most of us will tune in for events and surfers that pique our interest. The mainstream will, of course, never tune in. It’s like expecting someone that has no interest in tennis watching every Grand Slam. When personally I might watch Murray in the Wimbledon final.

Read the release below, draw your own conclusion. One key paragraph:
I am incredibly excited for our future. The Kelly Slater Wave Company offers a tremendous and unprecedented opportunity for the League to dramatically shift the landscape of high-performance surfing around the world with guaranteed conditions, total fairness for the competitors, greatly enhanced live viewing, and major television coverage at a scheduled time. Our sport’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics is a testament to the continuing rise of surfing as a global participatory and spectator sport, and will allow WSL athletes to represent and compete for their countries for the first time ever on arguably the greatest sporting stage in the world.

Interesting times lay ahead for professional surfing. We’re not so sure contests in pools are the answer…

WSL RELEASE

To the WSL community:

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends, and is looking forward to 2017. For many of us, the turning of the calendar is a time for reflection, and sometimes, a time for decisions.

Holding co-ownership and CEO positions at the World Surf League over the last five years has been an incredible honor for me. It has also been an awesome task that has required long hours, heavy travel and family sacrifice. It has always been my intention to pass the baton to someone at the right time to lead the next phase of what we have all created. I believe that time is now. With the acquisition of the Kelly Slater Wave Company, we are at a remarkable inflection point in the League’s history and we are ready for a new leader who can guide the organization to even greater accomplishments.

It is with this in mind that I have decided to step down as the CEO of the WSL at the end of January. I will continue to be a co-owner of the League and will work with the ownership group and Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition until a new CEO is in place. As many of you are aware, Dirk Ziff has been a deeply committed and passionate co-owner of our League and he has agreed to bring that commitment to the role of interim CEO until a new chief executive is brought on board. Dirk and I have a close and collaborative partnership and will work together on a seamless transition.

Nearly five years ago, I journeyed to Australia to meet with the Board of Directors of what was then called the Association of Surfing Professionals to raise the audacious idea of an acquisition. Since the transaction was completed some months later, I have done my best to build an organization with a best-in-class product and culture. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to oversee the transformation of professional surfing into the globally-recognized sport it is today. I have been privileged to share this journey with a great and committed group of people, and I owe so much to all of you who have worked tirelessly to elevate this sport to new heights. Your passion and dedication brought us to where we are today, and will be the driving force of our future success.

Among our many accomplishments together are: the remarkable increase in fan engagement; the highly professional quality of the broadcast; our stellar event production; the various athlete development programs, and the introduction of the sport to a new group of non-endemic corporate partners.

The commitment to our athletes in and out of the water has led us to many firsts for surfing, including: a pension plan for our athletes; the creation of the commissioner’s office to secure the integrity of the sport; prize-purse parity between the men and the women of our championship tour, and the first multi-year surfers’ agreement.

The WSL has pioneered new technologies and digital strategies that have been ahead of the curve, and have led to recognition throughout the sports industry as a first-mover in many areas. With a focus on the fan, surfing is now enjoyed on multiple media platforms around the globe, through traditional broadcast, but most frequently on our mobile app, website, and social media channels. We have also acknowledged the global nature of our sport by delivering our live event broadcast in English, French, Portuguese and Japanese.

I am incredibly excited for our future. The Kelly Slater Wave Company offers a tremendous and unprecedented opportunity for the League to dramatically shift the landscape of high-performance surfing around the world with guaranteed conditions, total fairness for the competitors, greatly enhanced live viewing, and major television coverage at a scheduled time. Our sport’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics is a testament to the continuing rise of surfing as a global participatory and spectator sport, and will allow WSL athletes to represent and compete for their countries for the first time ever on arguably the greatest sporting stage in the world.

I have enjoyed working with all of you more than you could ever imagine and now I am going to enjoy being a co-owner and a fan and spending time with my family who have been incredibly supportive over the last five years. I will miss you all dearly. You are a dynamic, committed and fun group that in many ways have become an extended family. Please keep up the incredible work.

See you at the beach.

Paul

Billabong Pro Tahiti Day 2…

The Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT), recommenced today with the 12 heats of Round 2 completed in challenging three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) conditions at Teahupo’o.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS), current Jeep Ratings Leader, survived elimination in Round 2 against event wildcard Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF). Teriinatoofa took control of the heat with a 6.43 and a 7.07, but Wilkinson fired back with an excellent 8.00 barrel ride. Teriinatoofa, needing a 7.11, had one last opportunity in the dying seconds of the heat, but could not finish the ride to challenge the Australian. Wilkinson will advance to Round 3 where he will surf against Bruno Santos (BRA) in a heated Round 1 rematch.

“I came into Tahiti really psyched,” said Wilkinson. “I went out yesterday and John John [Florence] was in the heat before mine and he got some absolute nuggets. When I went out for my heat, I was so psyched but there was not a proper set in the heat and it was low-scoring. Bruno [Santos] got me and it was frustrating. Going in this morning, I knew it was small and slow, but when they come, there are still some beautiful tubes. I wanted to put some pressure on him. I got that one set that sealed the deal, so I am stoked.”

2016 WSL Rookie Alex Ribeiro (BRA) upset the competition today as he dispatched reigning WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA). The heat saw low scoring rides, but the rookie stayed busy catching eight waves to the veteran’s three. With three minutes left in the heat, Ribeiro took the lead. De Souza only needed a 3.24 to regain control, but fell on his takeoff. De Souza will be eliminated in equal 25th place, his first Round 2 loss this year. The victory marks Ribeiro’s first Round 2 win of the 2016 season.

“I feel happy and stoked to make my heat today,” Ribeiro said. “The conditions out there were really hard. We were waiting and waiting, but there were no barrels coming. Luck was on my side and I am happy to make the next heat. I felt pressure going against Adriano [de Souza] because he is one of the best competitors in the world. The conditions were difficult and I knew I had to maximize my opportunities.”

“The waves are tricky today, but that is no excuse because we are professional athletes,” said De Souza. “We have to perform when it is amazing and when the waves are bad. We have to deal with whatever the ocean brings us. I will go back home and study what I did in this heat and come back strong for Lowers. Well done to Alex [Ribeiro]. He surfed well and best of luck to him and the rest of the team from Brazil.”

Keanu Asing (HAW) eliminated local favorite Michel Bourez (PYF) in Round 2 Heat 3. Asing got to work early in the heat with big carves and snaps to earn a 9.67 two-wave combined heat score. Bourez found a solid tube to earn a 5.70 and counter the Hawaiian. As the time wound down, Bourez searched for a section up the reef for the 3.97 needed to advance. Bourez was not able to find the required score. Bourez will leave the event with a 25th place finish, his worst result this season.

“I am glad I got a heat win,” said Asing. “You have to be smart out here when the conditions are like this. I was against Michel Bourez, who is the Tahitian prince out here. The whole channel is filled with Tahitians rooting for him, but I have to do what I have to do to stay on the CT. Whether I am doing bad on the rankings, I am just trying to do my best. I’ve come here to give it all that I have.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS) blazed through his heat against WSL rookie Jack Freestone (AUS)with a 14.00 combined score. Parkinson, former WSL Champion and event runner-up, posted a 6.67 and 7.33 to dominate the heat. The CT veteran will advance to Round 3 where he will face rookie Kanoa Igarashi (USA), who closed out the last heat of the day against Miguel Pupo (BRA).

“The last few years I have done pretty well here,” Parkinson said. “A couple of heat misses, but that is always expected, especially when conditions are like this. Teahupo’o is one of those places where you have to get in a good rhythm with it. It was hard to do in that heat but I just kept busy. I saw some bomb waves that came through, but just missed them. It is hard going against Jack [Freestone] because I watched him grow up and climb through the ranks. He is someone who I hope to pass the baton to, push and watch him do well.”

Heat 4 saw a heated battle between Julian Wilson (AUS) and 2016 WSL Rookie Ryan Callinan (AUS). Callinan put up a tough fight against Wilson, locking in one of the highest single wave scores of the day, an excellent 8.17. Wilson fired back with clean turns to earn a strong 7.17 and 6.67. On his last attempt, Callinan needed a 5.67, but just fell short with a 5.33. Wilson took the win by a narrow 0.34 margin over the rookie and will advance to Round 3.

“There are not that many opportunities out there and I just really wanted to start my heat well,” Wilson said. “Ryan [Callinan] took a few at the start and we were out of position for the best wave of the heat. I just had to wait for something that looked substantial and where I could get a barrel. That was a great heat against Ryan, who has been performing well all year. He is a good guy and I wish him all the best in the next event. I was happy to get away with a close one against a great competitor.”

Dusty Payne (HAW) scored the highest heat score of the day, a 14.27, which included the critical 7.10 that knocked out rookie Conner Coffin (USA) in the dying seconds of Heat 11. Payne will advance to Round 3 where he will face Josh Kerr (AUS), who won Round 2 Heat 9 against Stuart Kennedy (AUS).

“It probably was an exciting heat to watch,” said Payne. “Conner [Coffin] had a couple of good waves and I had a couple of good ones. We kept going back and forth. I made a priority mistake after going on that one wave and got an upper-cut to my chin. I am so stoked that last wave came. I was not sure if it would be a good barreling wave and it held open. Luckily I was able to sneak in.”

When competition resumes, up first will be Italo Ferreira (BRA) up against Keanu Asing (HAW) in the opening heat of Round 3.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for:

Stronger SSW swell looks likely to fill in Monday PM and into Tuesday with favorable winds and conditions. Surf eases Wednesday and Thursday. An increase in windswell and swell mix is possible for Friday and into next weekend but local wind conditions look poor at this point.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. local time for a possible 7:35 a.m. start.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.17 def. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 13.50
Heat 2: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 6.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5.70
Heat 3: Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.67 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.57
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.84 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.50
Heat 5: Matt Banting (AUS) 10.93 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 8.33
Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.43 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.63
Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.17 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.23
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.00 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 2.03
Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.17 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.00
Heat 10: Nat Young (USA) 11.40 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 10.10
Heat 11: Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.27 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 13.74
Heat 12: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 14.34 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.33

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 9: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

Boardmasters Gallery

"the best Boardmasters ever!"

It might be tucked way, way down in the south west of the UK (Newquay’s Fistral Beach, to be more precise), but that doesn’t seem to be halting Boardmasters Festival from going from strength to strength.