LOWERS WT 2011
9/21/2011: Contest is over. Kelly Slater defeats Owen Wright. This guy has won this contest 5 times now and 2nd twice… pretty amazing. This was also the first time in ASP history that the same two people have met in 3 consecutive finals. Julian Wilson made it to the semi-finals on his Mayhem shape before getting called on a controversial interference against Owen but not before he did some of the most explosive and progressive surfing of the contest. Mick Fanning rode a 5′11″ Sub-Driver that Kolohe traded in all the way to the quarter-finals before losing in a count back to Owen. Kolohe Andino, Shane Beschen and Chris Ward also did some rather nice surfing in the Expression Session before the final. Our video guy was down there so there should be some highlights coming soon… To get complete results CLICK HERE.
Here are the complete dims to the boards Julian and Mick were riding. Check out Mayhem’s Blog for more inside info about what these guys ride.
Julian Wilson rode two boards. The clown faced one he rode in the three man heat against Parko and Fannnig was a Driver 6′0.5 x 2.25 x 18.56. The Green one he rode most of the contest was a F1-Stub 6′1″ x 2.25 x 18.56
Mick Fanning rode an old Kolohe Andino board that was in the corner of Matt Biolos’ shaping room for 6 months. It’s a Sub Driver 5′11 18.88 2.25
Julian put his Mayhem shape in the air and on a rail to finish 3rd. HURLEYPRO
Julian Wilson. HURLEYPRO
Julian Wilson backside helped him a bit. HURLEYPRO
Julian slob airing his way to a semi-final finish. HURLEYPRO
It all starts with the bottom turn. HURLEYPRO
Frontside blowtail HURLEYPRO
Backside blowtail. HURLEYPRO
Mick Fanning on Kolohe’s 5′11″ Sub-Driver. HURLEYPRO
Even Mick was getting into the air act. HURLEYPRO
Fanning was snapping. HURLEYPRO
Fanning puts it through the lip on a left. HURLEYPRO
Mick can throw spray. HURLEYPRO
Julian Wilson. Photo: ASPWORLDTOUR.COM
Fanning and Brother’s Sub-Driver. Photo: SURFERMAG.COM
Julian Wilson slob grabs his way to the semi-finals. Photo: SURFERMAG.COM
15 years after Crimo and Matteson starting doing these out at Lowers Julian Wilson takes it to the WT level. Josh Kerr did a pretty good one too. Photo: SURFERMAG.COM
9/20/2011: Round 3 and round 4 completed today.
Round 2 Update from Mayhem’s Blog.
I hate R2.
It’s the grave yard of a WT event. I didn’t go down there and opted to sort of watch online while shaping all day.
No good photos that I could find, but Davo vs Dan Ross (both on Mayhems) was excrutiating to watch. Both of them making bizarre strategic mistakes.
In the end Davo nipped Dan, and I think that’s for the best, as he looks like he could actually win a couple more heats if he puts it all together. He rode a 5′11 Whiplash in that heat and liked it better than the F1-Stub from R1.
Kieran P beat out Tiago in a battle of old school, traditional surfing. Kieran really loves that little Driver and I was impressed with him poping some tail out the back with his turns. He’s a competitor for sure.
Dusty got smashed by Jadson. He doesn’t look right just yet and has been out of the water since he got smashed in Tahiti. I bet he’s still hurting. At least he has a 6 pack of new Mayhems… In addition to all the boards he has from other shapers, to take to Europe.
Travis Logie got welcomed back to the WT with big slice of Gabriel Medina and went down fighting. The difference between their two bags of tricks is just too big.
The real highlight of the day for me was Mick coming to the factory and ordering a couple boards. He grabbed one of Kolohe’s old Magic Sub Drivers out of the shaping room, cleaned it up and went down last night and ripped the bags outta it. Mick’s boards are about the same length as KAs, but Kolohes board is over 1/2″ wider and has about 2 full liters more volume. He posted a shot of the board on his Twitter and calIed it the “Kolohe Fanning ” model. I dont expect him to be using it in heats or anything, but it’s fun to see guys like him take your board for a spin.
Today is R3 and we get to see Julian and Brett back in action and hope for the best.
Matt Biolos
Kolohe’s and now Fanning’s 5′11″ Sub-Driver.
9/19/2011: Round 2 completed today in really small surf at Lower Trestles. Some tough and close heats. Chris Davidson won a nail bitter against Dan Ross. Both guys were riding their Mayhem shapes in the small conditions. Davo commented afterwards that he was happy to find out that he’s not the only one to make mistakes in heats after a tactical error cost Ross. Conner Coffin kinda got ripped in his heat against Ace Buchan. The Brazilians put on a show in the small lefts with Gabriel Medina and Jadson Andre stealing the show with some crazy airs on the lefts. Round 3 tomorrow possibly.
Dusty Payne blew tail but fell short. Photo: SURFLINE.COM/Klein
Kieren Perrow carved his way to victory over Dan Ross on his Mayhem shape (Dan was also on a Mayhem). Photo: SURFLINE.COM/Klein
Kolohe Andino has a slide show going on STABMAG.COM.
The first round of the 2011 Lowers WT contest was held yesterday is small and inconsistent waves at Trestles. Julian Wilson was the standout of the day posting two 8 + waves on the tiny lefts that were coming through on his Mayhem shaped board. Check some of the photos below.
Julian Wilson was the standout yesterday scoring two 8 point scores on the small lefts. Photo: SURFLINE.COM/Klein
Here’s the day one update from Mayhem’s Blog
JW Slayed it. Paddled out and got a 8.6 and a 8.9 in about 2 minutes. Brand new F1-Stub he picked up on Saturday. Highest heat and wave scores of the day. Check the Heat review on the Hurley Pro site… very impressive on the small left.
Brett Simpson: 6′1 18.63″ 2.32 Whiplash. Updated from the one he rode in NY. He won his heat. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Brett Simpson. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Dusty rode a 6′0 F1-Stub but really only rode one wave. He’s got a tough R2 heat ahead of him. I saw his leg. Its pretty torn up still.
Watching the video highlights, Davo had a good rhythm going and a couple waves but dug a nose on his best one. He rode an F1-Stub, but wants a Whiplash or two “like Taj’s mate”. He says “I need to throw more tail mate”. He wants a narrower nose now.
Travis Logie picked up a couple boards on Friday night. Hadn’t made him a board in years. He really loved the 5′9 18.13 2.09 Driver and looked like a pro surfer on those tiny rights he caught. He’s got a damn tall order though in R2… Gabe Medina in tiny Lowers… scary.
Kieren Perrow. Also on a Driver… about 5′10 18.25 2.18 (foiled out). Kieren is a lot like Davo…. the old style classic pro surfer type. He surfed well but also needs to “toss a bit more tail” if he wants to stay in this game.
Kolohe Andino, textbook, timeless carve (could be Taylor Knox in this shot). Early AM pre contest warm up. The kid is amped. He cant wait to be on tour. He watched and studied heat after heat. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Taj had been ripping all week on a couple radical little boards we did, but opted for his old favorite FW in his heat. So fun working with him though. Hung out with his shaper Nev for a while… very under rated designer that red head is. Big Dan Ross also had a fresh Driver, but couldn’t seem to stay on his feet. R2 right now. I hate being down there for that… don’t like to be there when anyone goes down in that round… The Flyin’ Brazilians are gonna be going looney today.
Julian warming up. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Brett Simpson with some fans. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Ace Buchan stuck to his old faithful but sampled a few at Lowers on his backup Mayhem during the warm-ups. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Brett Simpson was also using his …Lost Future fins. Photo: HURLEY.COM
Julian snapping. Photo: HURLEY.COM
The board room. Photo: HURLEY.COM
DANE’S PICKS
photo courtesy of surfermag.com
Everybody has their favorite surf movies, even the guys that are in every surf movie. The people at Surfer Magazine asked Mr. Dane Reynolds what his favorite surf flicks are and low and behold we made 2 of his top 5. We’ll take it. Check out Dane’s picks below plus a little section from one of his favorite vids.
4) …Lost at Sea: “Oh man, that day at Lance’s Right—I’d dream of that shit. There’s lots of memorable surfing here. Chris Ward’s tube-riding and airs at Lance’s…actually everyone’s surfing at Lance’s. And that session at Thunders, where Andy and Wardo are trading off barrels and getting all competitive. There’s a section of Cory Lopez at Macaronis surfing better than anyone on Earth.”
5) …Lost Across America: “The Ventura section. It was like, ‘Holy shit, I surf with these dudes every day, and here they are in a real surf video!’ A sick surf video. Pro surfing seemed so attainable. I’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I was out that day. I saw that happen, and now I’m watching it in a surf video.’”
CHANNEL ISLANDS VS. …LOST
From Surfing Magazine, November 2011 issue.
Come up with more categories and answers in our comment box and our panel of experts will determine the best one. We’re also looking for more answers for the following categories: Patriarch, A (or possibly B) Team, In Five Words, Quote, As Seen In, Enemies, Top Models, Mascot, Theme Music, Flaws, Unofficial Beverage and ’80s Icon. Winner receives free copies of “What Really Went Wrong” and “5′5″ Redux” and a surfboard… on one of our T-Shirts.
NOAH BESCHEN ON SURFLINE.
Don't let this fool you. You have to click on the link below to watch Noah shred.
Check out this video of Noah Beschen doing what every 10 year old grom should be doing, surfing and skating! It’s clear to see how his skate tricks influence his surfing, and vice versa. Christian and Nathan Fletcher brought the surf, skate, go for broke attitude to the surfing world in the late 80’s and early 90’s. This video shows that even though Noah was born long after those days, he’s keeping the dream alive! CLICK HERE to watch this video of Noah from SURFLINE.COM.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK – END OF DAYS JACKET
No need to panic because our designers at …LOST Clothing have been coming out with some super fresh gear for our Holiday 2011 line. As the weather gets colder you can rely on us at …LOST to keep you warm in our End Of Days Jacket. This jacket isn’t for the faint of hearts; all black with custom metal hardwear, military shoulder epaulettes, ribbed waistband and ribbed cuffs, a zip in/ zip out drawstring hood, screen print …LOST Planet on the left shoulder, and constructed with heavy twill on the outside and flannel lining on the inside. This jacket will allow you to get down and dirty; but keep you warm and looking fresh-not flashy.
Check out the …LOST Holiday 2011 line in a shop near you with our dealer locator CLICK HERE
ON THE ROAD WITH GORKIN
So Gorkin got word via Twitter from Kelly Slater that he was in the trials for the Quiksilver Pro New York. Seeing as how he was also entered in the ECSC in Virginia Beach the week before the NY event, Gorkin decided to make a road trip up the coast to both events. Surfing a contest and staying in a powerless hotel in Virginia Beach when Irene hit, getting waves in New Jersey after the hurricane passed, making occasional stops at drive thru liquor stores, and surfing in the trials of the first ever World Tour contest in New York, it’s safe to say that this was an interesting trip. Although he didn’t make it to the main event of the Quiksilver Pro, Gorkin did manage to win the most innovative maneuver in the expression session with a heavy backside tail blow. We posted these photos to give you a look into an East Coast road trip through the eyes of Gorkin.
Good luck message.
...Lost pays tribute to the East Coast.
Final destination...New York!!
Life through Gorkin's Arnettes is a pretty smooth road.
Gorkin's nephew ripping.
Lots of bridges to cross going up the coast.
What a better time to go on an East Coast surf trip.
Only a ...Lost team rider knows the feeling.
Jeff Myers, Brett Barley, and Fisher Heverly blazing in the sun.
Is there one of these in Australia??? Chopper goes to one in the Australian film "Chopper".
The boys having a hurricane party in Virginia Beach.
East Coast beauty.
Ready to rip New Jersey
Watching some post Irene clips.
Rest stop.
Gorkin, Joe Alani, and Jeff Myers enjoying some frosty ones.
Why wouldn't you??
Road trip quiver.
The camp for NY.
Gorkin's hero...Not TIM Curran, TOM CURREN!!!
Ahhh... the luxury of pro surfing.
Don't jump off a bridge at 3am.
World Tour entry form...probably feels good to fill one of these out for the first time.
Gorkin on the Long Beach, NY boardwalk.
The waves were junk for the trials, but Gorkin killed it in the expression session.
Chatting with TJ Gumiela and Jeff Myers before the expression session.
Gorkin made some new fans in New York!
…LOST HOLIDAY 2011 PREVIEW
…LOST HOLIDAY 2011 PREVIEW
ALL PHOTOS: TOM PATTON
THE BOYS AT CATALYST HOLDIN IT DOWN IN THE ...LOST CLOTHING HOLIDAY 2011 LINE (left to right-Boss Man Biolos, Jesse Evens, Chris Ward, Aaron Cormican, Brandon Ragenovich, Mason Ho, Jeremy Carter)
The boys from …LOST Surfboards always know how to have a good time, and recently we got some of our team riders together for a photo shoot at the epicenter of our mayhem- Catalyst Boardshop. Catalyst Located in the heart of San Clemente is where the mayhem and magic began back in 91 or 93, so we thought it would be good for our boys to come down, have a couple beers and kick back for an afternoon while we put our new Holiday 2011 …Lost Clothing line on them. We bribed the …LOST Surf Team with pizza and beers, and sure enough the boys began to trickle in.
WHO CAN SAY NO TO PIZZA AND BEER
WARDO AND JESSE TALKING WITH ONE OF THE ...LOST GLASSERS
THANKS BRANDON FOR THE HOOK UP AT SONNYS PIZZA & PASTA
FATHER & SON MICHAEL HO AND MASON HO INSPECT RAILS
GORKIN ON AND OFF THE WALL
FRESH STACKS
NOW WHICH LOGO DO I WANT ON MY NEW BOARDS...?
EVERYONE AT ...LOST THROWS IN A HELPING HAND- JESSE MAKING SURE HE GETS HIS NEW BOARD ASAP
WARDO STOKED ON THOSE MAYHEM SHAPES
JEREMY CARTER ON QUALITY CONTROL
GOTTA LOVE GLASS ONS
KEEP CHECKING FOR WHEN THE HOLIDAY 2011 LINE DROPS!
…Lost Weekend Pics
11/18/2010: Here are some random pics we took with our phones last weekend.
Ian Crane launches a backside air in San Clemente
Ian slams the section in San Clemente
Above average Joe getting barreled in Newport on a …Lost surfboard with twin fuselage construction.
Andrew Doheny gets air on his Mayhem shaped Hydroflex surfboard.
An Average Joe heads out for some peaks on his …Lost Surfboards in Newport Beach.
Teddy Navarro gets his …Lost surfboard above the lip in Newport.
Chucky Rigano blasts through a lip on the Southside of Huntington Beach Pier.
Andy’s paddle out in HB.
Chad Towersey making sure we know what kind of board he’s on.
Chad puts his fins through a Huntington lip.
Chad’s a snapper.
HB grueler Marco Passaquindici carves one backside. Marco’s been around since the Carlson days and he’s still in High School.
This guys is paddling one of Andy’s old Mayhem boards out for the HB paddle out.
RIP Andy Irons
PICS OF THE DAY
11/17/2010: …Lost SurfSkate rider Juan Pablo Porras testing his new downhill model in San Clemente, CA. Photo: Edgar Saavedra.
For more on …Lost SurfSkates CLICK HERE
Jaun Pablo’s proto-type.
Juan Pablo’s graphics.
QUADS, THRUSTERS, TWINS, SINGLE FINS…
NO FINS???? Check out this video of Derek Hynd surfing pumping J-Bay on a board with no fins. Well, there’s two bumps on the side but we’re not sure you can call those fins.
Shop Of The Week – Wave Hounds
Whoever said that Seattle is only good for coffee, shitty weather, and grunge… apparently has never been to Wave Hounds Surf shop.
Sorry struggling poets and musicians, there is no free internet, and the shop does not smell like overpriced cappuccino.
Todd Welter unlocked and opened the doors of the shop for the first time in June of 2005.
He was able to translate his extensive surfing experience, knowledge and passion to the shop and its employees.
You can really feel it once you step in through the doors!!!
Since then, Todd and his wife Nadia have welcome every customer offering top quality products at great prices with a great customer service.
They treat you like a pro and will put you in the right …Lost gear to face that unpredictable Seattle weather.
Wave Hounds has not only a great selection of clothing and accessories, but also a unique selection of …Lost Surfboards that would make any shop jealous. Last time I heard, they had over 200 boards in stock to choose from, including old and new. So you know they have one for you!!
Check out the shop online at wavehoundssurf.com
or even better, stop by the shop and say hi to the crew
4033 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
phone 206.632.7750
fax 206.632.7911
HALIEWA 2010
11/22/2010: Joel Parkinson wins Haliewa and takes the Triple Crown Rating lead! Read the official press release below…
Story from www.triplecrownofsurfing.com Photo: ASPWORLDTOUR.COM
HALEIWA, Oahu, Hawaii – (Nov. 21, 2010) — Australia’s Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, QLD) made a brilliant return to the pro surfing stage after six months on the sidelines with injury, winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro today to take the lead in the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series. Parkinson, 29, is the two-time defending champion of this Hawaiian series that is the final stage of the ASP World Tour. It was an emotional day for the Australian who has experienced the highs and lows of life en-route to today’s win: The birth of his son last month, the death of close friend Andy Irons two weeks ago, and debilitating injury that forced him off tour.
This week Parkinson has been in devastating form, posting the only perfect 10 of the event and the highest heat total of the competition in his opening round. His form has been on-point and on-rail for the duration and easily deserving of the $20,000 winner’s purse.
“It has been a pretty up and down year emotionally,” said Parkinson. “I cut my foot and I was out of action for six months, I didn’t surf for three months and I didn’t compete for six months. Then I had a baby son so we had some joy, and then Andy (Irons) passed. It’s been one of those years with one good thing then one bad thing. The year is almost over, we’ll get through it and I’m trying to make amends with all good things that can happen from here to December.
“Riding a wave is always one of those things that, no matter what happens in or around your life, you can still ride a wave and forget everything.
“Considering that the last few years I didn’t make a final here, to actually get a win and go to Sunset, which is one of my strengths and Pipe, where I’ve done well, it’s definitely a good start to the Triple Crown.”
Runner-up in the final was Joel Centeio (Hawaii, $10,000), the defending champion coming into the event. Third was Julian Wilson (Sunshine Coast, QLD, $5,100); and fourth was Heath Joske (Coffs Harbour, $4,900). The highest placed Brazilian surfer was Alejo Muniz (=13th); the top US surfer was Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson (CA =13th); and the top European was Maxime Huscenot (France, =25th).
For Wilson and Joske, this was their first 6-star Prime rated final and the pair are now in the running for the JN Automotive Rookie of the Vans Triple Crown award – for the top newcomer to the series.
The 30-minute final was a relatively wave-starved affair with a total of only 11 waves ridden. Conditions over the past week of competition have ranged from double-overhead to head-high today.
The final of the Reef Clash of the Legends also ran today and was won by Hawaiian Sunny Garcia, a six-time Vans Triple Crown champion in his own right. Runner-up was Mark Occhilupo (Australia), Tom Curren (Santa Barbara, CA. USA) was third, and Tom Carroll (Australia) was fourth.
“It was inconsistent and I knew I got lucky because I got three set waves and those guys didn’t get any,” said Garcia, of his 30-minute final. “After I got the first one I figured I didn’t have anything to lose and I paddled them deep.
“I thought it was going to be a mellow thing, and that first heat woke me up to the fact that those guys were hungry and they still want to win so it was anything goes. But it was an honor to surf against those guys.”
The Reef Hawaiian Pro is the first stop of the 28th annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The show now moves seven miles north to Sunset Beach for the men’s and women’s O’Neill World Cup of Surfing. After that, the third and final stop of the series is the Billabong Pipe Masters & the Vans women’s Duel for the Jewel, where the men’s and women’s Vans Triple Crown champions will be crowned.
Live internet coverage happens every day, starting at 7:45 a.m. with “THE CALL” – the Triple Crown’s live daily morning show that features all the latest news, highlights and happenings. The series will also be broadcast live on television around Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Digital Cable channels 250 and HD1250.
RESULTS: REEF HAWAIIAN PRO
FINAL
1ST – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.00; $20,000
2ND – Joel Centeio (HAW) 7.04; $10,000
3RD – Julian Wilson (AUS) 6.86; $5,100
4TH – Heath Joske (AUS)
3.14, $4,900
REEF CLASH OF THE LEGENDS FINAL:
1ST – Sunny Garcia (HAW) 40.05; 2ND – Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 36.46; 3RD – Tom Curren (USA) 35.49; 4TH – Tom Carroll (AUS) 28.11
REEF HAWAIIAN PRO
SEMI-FINALS:
H1: Heath Joske (AUS) 13.00; Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.90; Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.56; Daniel Ross (AUS) 9.80
H2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.47; Joel Centeio (HAW) 10.17; Granger Larsen (HAW) 8.90; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 6.84
QUARTER FINALS
H1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.30; Heath Joske (AUS) 7.93; Ben Dunn (AUS) 7.26; Brett Simpson (USA) 6.57
H2: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.40; Daniel Ross (AUS) 11.33; Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.94; Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.60
H3: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.60; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.00; Taj Burrow (AUS) 7.26; Dusty Payne
H4: Joel Centeio (HAW) 11.27; Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.00; Adam Melling (AUS) 11.00; Blake Thornton (AUS) 7.07
ROUND OF 32
H1: Brett Simpson (USA) 8.34; Daniel Ross (AUS) 7.80; Michel Bourez (PYF) 4.13; Damien Hobgood (USA) 3.83
H2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.97; Alejo Muniz (BRA) 8.67; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 6.1; Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 2.17
H3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.70; Heath Joske (AUS) 13.07; Yadin Nicol (AUS) 12.50; Alex Smith (HAW) 9.83
H4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.53; Ben Dunn (AUS) 10.03; Kai Otton (AUS) 8.00; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 4.80
H5: Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.43; Granger Larsen 9.74; Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.00; Kieren Perrow (AUS) 7.33
H6: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.10; Blake Thornton (AUS) 9.37; Austin Ware (USA) 8.97; Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 7.57
H7: Joel Centeio (HAW) 13.33; Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.33; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 7.40; Evan Valiere 6.10
H8: Adam Melling (AUS) 8.50; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 8.17; Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.03; Jay Quinn (NZL) 1.97
11/19/2010: Layday today. They may run on Saturday but most likely on Sunday when the swell arrives.
11/18/2010: Round of 64 is on. Cory Lopez launched some nice backside airs but missed advancement. He did however better one of his lowest event score by 150 points. Sunset is going to be very interesting for Cory as he’s right on the cusp of re-qualification. Chris Davidson goes down in heat 13. Seems like everytime we start writing about how good these guys are doing in the comp they lose. Maybe we should just wait until they win then say something. But then the powers at be would wonder what the f*ck we were doing while the contest was going on.
11/17/10: Ward goes down. Cory Lopez advances and keeps his hopes of qualify for the 2011 tour alive. Wardo is in the water now in heat #8 in the round of 96… Tune in
11/17/2010: Women final today. Coco doesn’t even catch a wave in the semi and goes down. Coco Ho advances out of the quarter-finals and surfs in semi-final #2.
11/16/2010: Mason goes down in the most wave starved heat of the contest. Girls surf today after they finish the round of 128. Waves have dropped. Looks like some high performance surfing is going to go down today. Mason Ho surfs in heat 15 against Occy.
11/15/2010: The first contest of the Triple Crown is on at Haliewa. Waves are about 6-8 feet (Hawaiian style) with perfect conditions. Chris Ward squeeks through his heat in the last seconds. Needing a 4.2, Ward caught the last wave of the heat and pulled out a 5. Chris moves into the round of 96. They’re running most of the round of 128 today. Chris Ward surfs in heat 7. Mason Ho surfs in heat 15, which will be the first heat tomorrow.
Mason Ho launches an air in round 1. Photo: ASPWORLDTOUR.COM
Chris Ward hacks a Haliewa wall on day 1. Photo: ASPWORLDTOUR.COM
Sequence of the Week – Gorkin NSB Double Air
This week’s sequence is of …Lost high flying rider Aaron “Gorkin” Cormican punting over two sections on the same wave somewhere in New Smyrna Beach Florida in 2008. With all the sharks that pack the lineup in Smyrna on any given day Gorkin has found a way to decrease his odds of being bitten. All you have to do is learn how to bust airs all the way down the line, thus keeping your tasty body parts, legs, and arms out of the danger zone.
Gorkin kicks the sequence off with a hefty frontside air launching himself over the first section, landing in the bottom face of the wave, with enough speed and momentum to find a little ramp in front of him again, where he hucks himself off the oncoming section and into a huge frontside air reverse, before landing in the foam and riding away clean.
Thanks to Tupat for the seq.
…Lost Photo Caption Contest #2
12/10/2010: The winner of the grand prize is Shay for his comment, “How to use the smallest piece of chapstick ever”. We just thought Alex was pretending to smoke a joint and dress like a normal person but now we know he just uses really small chapstick.
Write a caption for the photo below in the comments area. An expert panel will determine who writes the best caption. The winner will recieve the entire collection of …Lost vids on DVD. Leave your email so we can get a hold of you.
To see the first caption contest CLICK HERE
Photo courtesy of RVCA.COM
North Shore Preview
Hawaii Preview Winter 2010
We are only days away from the start of this years Triple Crown so we went straight to the source and just got off the phone with Mason Ho. They have been surfing Rockies and Sunset. Putting time in the water riding all different types of equipment. 6′2″ whiplash, 5′ 11″ Davo board??? (grocket shortboard), and the usual 5′ 10″ F1 step ups, and Burger rode a Chilli Fish (mason’s board). We recently put up clips of Mason putting the 6′ 2″ to use at fun Rockies. Michael Ho had a good session at Sunset the other night, putting perfect positioning to good use as he picked up all the good ones. Riding his waves from the top of the point all the way through the inside bowl. With some early season swells already lighting up the 7 mile miracle we wonder when Davo and Wardo will show up??
Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipeline are the three events that make up the Triple Crown. It is one of the ultimate achievements in surfing to be crowned the Triple Crown Champion. Some World Champs have said they would trade their World Titles for Triple Crowns. It means you are the complete surfer. To dominate at all three spots over a two month period is not easy or for the faint of heart. Heats have run in gut wrenching 10-12 feet Haleiwa with the current so gnarly you would not want to be caught out there, let alone fighting for a spot on tour. But, like two years ago Haleiwa can be perfect rippable walls which seems to suit Wardo. He made the quarters that year. Davo’s frontside hacks could be irresistible to high scores from the judging, and sitting almost top ten on the WCT this could be his year.
Sunset is the second stop and is an open ocean wave that will crush hopes or create fantasies as guys either qualify or don’t in this the last WQS of the year. Last year we saw gigantic surf for the Sunset Beach event. Solid 12-15 Hawaiian with bigger 18 foot sets. Watching heats from the beach last year was scary enough. Imagine having to make a few heats for your career, never easy. Mason Ho went on a run last year only to be stopped in the semi finals with a twisted ankle and a dream of winning at his beloved home. He’s fired up to take another shot at the title.
Pipeline is the third jewel in the Crown. The ultimate wave. The most prestigious event in the World Tour. Davo will be tossing himself over the ledge looking to crack the Top 10 for the end of the year ratings, and his best year ever. Chris Ward, one of the most dynamic barrel riders at Backdoor will have to have a huge run in the first two events to get into the Masters with a Triple Crown wild card. Same goes for Mason as he will have to qualify through the first two events if he wants another run at the Masters Crown. Pops won it in 82′, with a broken wrist.
Mason was in the event last year but was stopped short with that ankle injury sustained at the Sunset event a week earlier.
Here we go into another North Shore winter full of drama and triumph and heartache. Stay tuned for updates….
Mason Ho in the Quater Finals of last year's Sunset Event. Photo: Tupat
