Leading the Charge - One & Only Carrissa Moore

The old dinosaurs of surfing have to realize one thing and fast, women's surfing is no longer the small often looked down to little sister any longer! With market share fast shifting over to the Brands supporting women's surfing, the numbers of women in the water growing every day and most importantly the level of girl's surfing exploding both on tour and in the free surfs, we may find ourselves as the second string one day...
Leading the charge for female surfing is Carrissa Moore and if you don't believe me just watch the video and accept!

John John Florence - Departure Delayed

There may be a sticker change on his boards soon, but the surfing stays the same!

The most talked about surfer in decades has just signed a 10 year deal with Hurley that had the surf world abuzz. But let's be honest, it does not matter who he surfs for, when he surfs this good! Check out some of the most mental airial surfing ever with his brothers and mates in Hawaii...

Departure Delayed from John John Florence on Vimeo.

Day 1 Review Hurley Pro at Trestles

Yadin Nicol finally found his form and destroyed the fun waves at Trestles. (Photo: ASP)

The waves were fun, the light onshore allowing massive air attempts, and the surfers were pumped for Day 1 at the Hurley Pro. Surprise of the day was Yadin Nicol absolutely blowing up in his Round 1 heat with 2 of the biggest airs of the event so far. World number 1, Mick Fanning, showed why he is controlling the top spot this year with a clinical display. Kelly Slater and Jordy Smith were also in impressive form. Surprises aplenty as John John, Julian Wilson, Miguel Pupo and Kohole Andino were knocked into Round 2, after most would have thought these guys would dominate at Trestles. We now see a stacked Round 2, with many big players. Travis Logie was on fire, but unfortunately, he was unable to meet the power turns of a rampant Jordy.


HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.30, Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.10, Brett Simpson (USA) 7.94
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.00, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.57, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.37
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.66, Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.90, Taylor Knox (USA) 8.10
Heat 4: Dusty Payne (USA) 12.47, Kai Otton (AUS) 12.00, John John Florence (HAW) 9.00
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.16, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.87, Evan Geiselman (USA) 12.50 Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.60, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.60, Conner Coffin (USA) 12.16 Heat 7: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 17.57, Owen Wright (AUS) 17.17, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.67
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.20, Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.63, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.00
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.20, Kolohe Andino (AUS) 13.30, Jeremy Flores (PYF) 12.70
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.50, Adam Melling (AUS) 13.57, Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.66
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.30, Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.87, Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.83
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.90, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.17, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.20

UPCOMING HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA) Heat
2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Evan Geiselman (USA)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 7: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 12: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

Jordy Smith is looking his old self.  Check this video of his build up to the event training at Trestles.

Slater is the Boss - Hurley Pro Wrap Up

Kelly dominated Trestles and is well on track for another Title. (Photo: ASP)

King Slater, that should be his official name change! After he missed Jbay a lot of people were writing him off and claiming his time was done - I might have thought it. He came back to win Teahupoo, nearly took the NY Pro from Owen and absolutely killed Trestles this week to win the Hurley Pro. Firmly back at number 1, World Title 11 on track. Lets not forget Owen Wright though. The kid has made 3 finals in a row with Kelly and won one of them. Owen was ripping all week at trestles, but just did not have the legs to pip Kelly at his favorite contest wave in the world. So now the tour moves across the Atlantic to Europe for the Quik Pro France - a contest Kelly has been know to win! Lets hope Jordy is back from injury and able to climb back into the title race. Right now Owen is Kelly's only competition.



ASP Press Release:

LOWER TRESTLES, California/USA (Wednesday, September 21, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has won his fifth Hurley Pro at Trestles title, defeating Owen Wright (AUS), 21, in a hard-fought Final that saw the iconic Floridian overtake the young Australian in a last-minute exchange with a final score of 17.50 to 16.74.

Slater and Wright’s third consecutive Final bout marks a first in ASP history, as no two competitors have faced off in three successive ASP Dream Tour Finals – a noteworthy statistic in sparking this new rivalry in the battle for the ASP World Title.

Slater roared to life on the Final day, unloading the highest heat-total of competition, 18.40 out of 20 in the Semifinals, and maintained his lethal form throughout the day’s entirety with a consistent display of new-school airs and patented carves to clinch his unprecedented 48th elite ASP World Tour victory and third of the season.

“Owen (Wright) is tough and he’s been surfing great,” Slater said. “There really are no weak points to his surfing and he’s going to be a standout in every spot. A lot of the guys tried to get him this week and I got lucky in that last exchange. I was taking the first wave of the set under his priority and once I got priority I wanted to wait. It almost looked like there wasn’t a wave after Owen’s. It’s been fun surfing against Owen and surfing Lowers. It’s been a great week and thanks everyone for the crazy support, it’s been wonderful.”

Wright, current No. 2 on the ASP World Title rankings, has continued to build momentum throughout his sophomore year amongst the ASP Top 34 and dispatched of a rampaging Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, and rookie prodigy Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, en route to his rematch against Slater, but was unable to solidify the victory over the veteran in the Final.

“I’ve been enjoying the rivalry,” Wright said. “We’ve had some great heats and the last three finals have been great. I’m glad the sets came through at the end. It was a bit of a dud final but I’m glad that last exchange came though at the end. It made it exciting.”

Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, was a standout throughout the Hurley Pro at Trestles, earning the highest single-wave score of 9.80 as well as the second-highest heat-total of 18.23 in his Quarterfinals win over Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, and consistently unloaded some of the most progressive maneuvers of the contest.

“I had a bit of fire after yesterday, not against Joel (Parkinson), but just to show that I could beat him,” Wilson said after his Quarterfinal win. “I’ve dreamed about surfing against Joel and Mick (Fanning) my whole life and yesterday gave me a lot of confidence to go against him today.”

The young Australian got off to a slow start in his Semifinals matchup versus Owen Wright after an interference and was unable to rebound, finishing equal 3rd overall. Wilson now sits at No. 11 on the ASP World Title Rankings.

Heitor Alves (BRA), 29, who finished equal 5th in New York, continued his giant killing spree at the Hurley Pro Trestles, defeating ASP World Title campaigners Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, and Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, before falling to Slater in the Semifinals to earn his career best result of an equal 3rd place finish.

“Thanks God for everything in my life,” Alves said. “This is a good result for me. Adriano is a good surfer, he rips this wave and surfs very well. This is a great event for me and I enjoy this wave.”

Alves’ performance moves him from No. 20 to 14 on the ASP World Title Rankings.

The next stop on the 2011 ASP World Title season will be the Quiksilver Pro France from October 4 – 13, 2011.

Highlights from the Hurley Pro at Trestles are available via http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES FINAL RESULT:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 17.50
2 – Owen Wright (AUS) 16.74

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.40 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 16.57
SF 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.74 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.04

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Heitor Alves (BRA) 12.77 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.50
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.60 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.07
QF 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.67 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.67
QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.23 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.93

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Heitor Alves (BRA) 12.74 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 9.80
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.27 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.97
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.23 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.27
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.67 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.37

CURRENT ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 10 (After Hurley Pro at Trestles)
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 44,950 pts.
2 – Owen Wright (AUS) 39,900
3 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 35,400
4 – Adriano de Souza (BRA)31950
5 – Josh Kerr (AUS)30,800
6 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 29,250
7 – Mick Fanning (AUS)28,200
8 – Jordy Smith (ZAF)27,500
9 – Jeremy Flores (FRA)23,700
10 – Michel Bourez (PYF) 22,250

Hurley Pro Trestles Preview

King Kelly loves Trestles, is on a roll and clearly wants another Title! (Photo: ASP)

Shew, Ok big week building up to Trestles and we have had the changing of the guard on the Pro Tour. Many an old face has disappeared and a couple of new ones have joined the ranks. The most notable joins are Travis Logie and John John Florence, who thanks to injuries etc have made the cut and are on the top flight tour. Both these guys rip small bowls for breakfast, so the other guys on tour must be somewhat jealous. (See the new Top 34 Further Down.) Here is your 2011 preview video...

So who are the danger men come Sunday and the start of the comp?
Kelly Slater - Cummon, the guy has an almost mythical relationship with Trestles! No need to say more.
Jordy Smith - He missed out on the air fest in new York and needs to get his title race back on track. Expect a lean, mean and very hungry Jordy! He may still be out, watch this space.
Taj Burrows - He was looking unbeatable in NY, but somehow came unstuck! Trestles suits his surfing and he will also want to get back into the title hunt.
Owen Wright - Straight off of 2 finals in a row. He won NY. The kid wants in on the World Title race!

Who are the Wild cards and loose canons?
John John Florence - the new kid from Hawaii rips everything and was on fire earlier in the year at Trestles. Could just knock a couple of egos! Keep watching this space.
Miguel Pupo - New on tour and won the 6 Star at Trestles earlier this year. Airs on demand if the Lefts are cooking. Could dent some established egos!
Jadson Andre - The Brazza has been a little quiet this year, but Trestles and its perfect Left-hander will give him ample opportunity to throw multiple airs on every wave. You don't want him in your heats!

This could be one of the best contests in a long time after the mayhem at Teahupoo and NY. I will keep you posted! The ASP Release and Ratings:

LOWER TRESTLES, California/USA (Wednesday, September 14, 2011) – The Hurley Pro at Trestles, Event No. 7 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, is set to commence this weekend with the world’s best surfers descending upon the jewel of Southern California surf venues, Lower Trestles.
The Hurley Pro at Trestles will reconvene this season’s red-hot ASP World Title race on the heels of historic events in Tahiti and New York where this year’s frontrunners have already begun to distinguish themselves.
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion and defending Hurley Pro at Trestles winner, started 2011 with mixed results, winning the opening event of the year before posting relatively an uncharacteristic Equal 13th in Brazil and missing South Africa altogether. However, the past two weeks have seen two consecutive Finals from the iconic Floridian, including a win in Tahiti, and an ascent to the No. 1 spot on then ASP World Title rankings.
“Of course when that opportunity (the ASP World Title) arises, you don’t pass it up,” Slater said. “I fight focusing and competing for all these years in my head, but when I’m there, I know what to do and a title chance is obviously a good goal.”
While Slater is coming off of back-to-back elite tour Finals, it bears mentioning that both appearances were face-offs against young Australian standout Owen Wright (AUS), 21, with Wright taking out the event in New York and moving into Slater’s rearview mirror as the current ASP World No. 2.
“Owen (Wright) is the toughest guy in my opinion given the venues we’re facing,” Slater said. “That might be a big call to some, but having just won and probably should/could have won in Brazil and how things are shaping up, he’s the most well-rounded and confident competitor to deal with. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and I don’t think it (the ASP World Title Race) is an unwelcome pressure for him.”
Last Friday, Wright took out the richest event in surfing history in New York, claiming the US $300,000 first prize. Coming off of his East Coast win against Slater, and his penchant for hi-fi ripping at venues like Lower Trestles, Wright descends upon the Hurley Pro at Trestles as one of the most dangerous men in surfing.
“My confidence level would definitely be at a all time high for myself,” Wright said. “I’m happy to have my first win in a WT event leading into the back half of the year. I was just as stoked after Tahiti as well because of how good the waves we had there. The way I look at it is that I’m in a great position and have a great opportunity. I’ve been working hard with my coach Dean and we are starting to get some results. We didn’t think we would be in this position, but it’s where we are at and we are not going to stop working hard to achieve what I want to achieve.”
In addition to this year’s battle between Slater and Wright, the two met time and again at the Hurley Pro at Trestles in 2010. Wright got the better of Slater in the non-elimination three-man Round 4, but it was Slater who ended the Australian’s run in the Quarterfinals.
“Last year, Trestles was a strong point for me although I ended up losing to Kelly (Slater),” Wright said. “But I found a bit of form from the contest and I’m looking forward to competing in one of the most high-performance venues on the tour. I’m excited about this back half of the year knowing that it was where my best results came from last season. Portugal has been an event I’ve really enjoyed with some wild surf that reminds me of where I grew up. Pipe is always going to be one of my favorites, I hope it’s big!”
Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, current No. 4 on the 2011 ASP World Title Rankings, was absent from the last event in New York after a severe injury suffered in Tahiti relegated the powerful natural-footer to the sidelines. At time of writing, Smith is “day-to-day” on whether or not he will be healed in time for the Hurley Pro at Trestles.
Following the last event in New York, the ASP activated the first incarnation of the midyear rotation, where the ASP Top 34 are updated with the current top 32 surfers on the ASP World Rankings (plus two surfer wildcards). Joining the elite ranks for the remainders of the season will be Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, and John John Florence (HAW), 18.
“Those guys are all sick and they’re going to stir things up for sure,” Slater said. “People would have a hard time arguing that anyone else falling out would be more exciting at Lowers.”
Surfline, official forecasters for the Hurley Pro at Trestles, are calling for a series of small south-southwest to south swells for the first few days of the waiting period for very contestable surf.
The Hurley Pro at Trestles will be webcast LIVE via http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro/ from September 18 through 24, 2011.
For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

NEW ASP TOP 34:
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
3. Mick Fanning (AUS)
4. Owen Wright (AUS)
5. Taj Burrow (AUS)
6. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
7. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
8. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
9. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
10. Michel Bourez (PYF)
11. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
12. Julian Wilson (AUS)
13. Damien Hobgood (USA)
14. Josh Kerr (AUS)
15. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
16. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
17. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
18. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
19. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
20. Jadson Andre (BRA)
21. Heitor Alves (BRA)
22. Chris Davidson (AUS)
23. Brett Simpson (USA)
24. Dane Reynolds (USA)
25. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
26. Daniel Ross (AUS)
27. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
28. Dusty Payne (HAW)
29. Kai Otton (AUS)
30. Taylor Knox (USA)
31. Tiago Pires (PRT)
32. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
33. Travis Logie (ZAF)
34: John John Florence (HAW)

1st Alternate: Adam Melling (AUS)
2nd Alternate: C.J. Hobgood (USA)

King Kelly is back on top with victory at the US Open of Surf

Kelly Slater showing up the young guns for the win at the US Open of Surf (Photo:ASP)

After much build up and fanfare as to the arrival of the new school generation at the US Open, it turned out that they were not quite ready to take over the reigns of Pro surfing quite yet. When the final siren blew it was the mercurial Mr Kelly Slater left holding a cheque for $100'000 and once again in Number 1 on the ASP Men's ratings. The kids, Kohole Andino and John John Florence, must have been left scratching their heads as to how after all the hype and song and dance, they let an old man eclipse their efforts - haha, welcome to every surfer for the last few years on tours feelings of inadequacy. Kelly it seems, even after missing the last WCT event in Jbay, has still not lost his desire for victory or pulling the big pay outs! Got to respect the old man.

For us South African's, we were all praying that Royden Bryson could go all the way, but unfortunately he lost out to Yadin Nicol, who ended up making the final. Good news is that after the US Open we have 2 surfers climbing the ratings towards requalification in Travis Logie (44) and now Royden Bryson (64). Two of our youngsters are in the Top 100, Shaun Joubert (70) and Brandon Jackson (91). Lets hope a few more of the boys can lift their games for the rest of year.

ASP Press release:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California / USA (Sunday, August 7, 2011) – Reigning 10-Time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 39, has won the 2011 ASP PRIME Nike US Open of Surfing for the first time since 1996, defeating Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, in a dominant final in two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at the iconic Huntington Beach Pier.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, was also victorious when she clinched the final stop on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title series, the Nike US Open of Surfing, when she topped dangerous wildcard Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara, CA), 16, in a hard-fought battle.

Slater quickly asserted his dominance in the Final against Nicol when he launched a frontside air-reverse and solidified the ride on the reform to earn an 8.50 and backed the ride up with a 7.77 to put the Australian in an early combination-situation and controlled the heat throughout the entirety of the bout.

“I guess Yadin (Nicol) wanted me to win because he didn’t catch any waves,” Slater said. “I was just really frustrated for him because he was sitting out the back waiting for the big sets and the big sets were close outs. The small ones he was just two far outside and I got them. I think what happened is I got the 8.50 to start and he was just going to be patient. If he got a good one he would have thrown a big rotator, but it just never came.”

Slater went on an absolute rampage on the final day of competition and fought his way back into a tough battle to overtake progressive Hawaiian Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HI), 22, by launching a hail-mary, no-grab backside 360 air. The massive punt garnered the highest single-wave score of Nike US Open of Surfing competition, 9.77 out of 10, as well as the highest heat-total of 17.94 out of 20.

“Dusty (Payne) had priority and he had gone on a couple of lefts that kind of fizzled out on him and he was probably thinking that left was going to do the same thing his other ones did,” Slater said. “It just let me get going on the face enough and I just tried to rotate as hard as I could and somehow the board stuck to my feet.”

Nicol fought hard throughout the entirety of the ASP PRIME competition, taking out dangerous South African Royden Bryson (ZAF), 28, and prodigious Californian Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, on the Final day of competition, but struggled to find a wave in the Final against Slater.

“Kelly started off strong with the 8.5 and I thought I’d wait for a good wave and I think I waited too long,” Nicol said. “At the start of this week I wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in the Final with Kelly. I love it. Sometimes things work out and you make the Final and I’m stoked, I’m over the moon.”

Yadin, who was rated No. 36 entering the US Open of Surfing, now sits at 27th on the ASP World Rankings, moving him inside the coveted ASP Top 32 midyear cut for the halfway mark of the year, but with two events remaining on the ASP World Title Season, Nicol remained guarded in claiming his spot for the final elite events.

“There are still two World Tour events to go so it doesn’t completely change my life just yet,” Nicol said. “It definitely helps the vibe though.”

Fitzgibbons, who finished second on the ASP Women’s World Title Series, was strong on both her forehand and backhand in the final and fought off the determined wildcard to clinch her third elite event on to finish her 2011 season.

“It’s such an unbelievable feeling to get chaired up the beach,” Fitzgibbons said. “There is just a sea of people and it’s one of my biggest achievements. To get three wins this year, it has been a really special year and although I didn’t get the title, I can’t believe I’ve won this event.”

Fitzgibbons feels that there is more to come for the highly-talked about progressive movement in women’s surfing and wildcards such as Lakey Peterson are a perfect example of the future of the sport.

“Today was just about connecting the dots and stepping it up,” Fitzgibbons said. “I think the future is bright for our sport. Lakey (Peterson) is only 16 and she was in both finals in this event it was a great week for her, but to get the win was an amazing way to cap off the year.”

Peterson proved to be a giant killer throughout the entirety of the Women’s Nike US Open of Surfing, taking wins over veteran Melanie Bartels (HAW), 28, ASP Women’s World Title Rookies Tyler Wright (AUS), 17, and Laura Enever (AUS), 19, as well as freshly crowned ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore but was unable to find the scores needed to surpass Fitzgibbons in the Final.

“I’m stoked with the way this week has turned out,” Peterson said. “It was an honor to surf against Sally (Fitzgibbons) and I’m really happy to make the Final in my first World Tour event.”

Peterson, who won the ASP 4-Star Nike US Open of Surfing Pro Junior yesterday, asserted herself as a frontrunner among the progressive movement of women’s surfing via dominant run at the Nike US Open of Surfing. The young Californian was the only competitor to put a stop to Moore’s run of finaling in every ASP Top 17 contest this season when she topped the Hawaiian in their Semifinals matchup.

“Winning yesterday was what I wanted to do, to win in the Juniors and do well in this event,” Peterson said. “My heat against Carissa (Moore) felt like no pressure and I just wanted to go for it and I’m just so excited to win that heat. I’ve always wanted to surf against Carissa. She really pushes my surfing to the next level and is an amazing friend.”

Highlights from the 2011 Nike US Open of surfing can be found at www.usopenofsurfing.com

For media downloads log on to www.usopenofsurfing.com/downloads

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

The Nike US Open of Surfing was a massive action sports festival which also includes Skate, BMX, Art, Music and Fashion shows all of which are free to the public.

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Final Result:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 16.27
2 – Yadin Nicol (AUS) 2.57

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.94 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.90
SF 2: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 13.44 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.87

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.93 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10.10
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.50 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.27
QF 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.44 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 10.33
QF 4: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 11.60 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 8.26

Nike US Open of Surfing Women’s Final Result:
1 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.23
2 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.40

Nike US Open of Surfing Women’s Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.67 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.60
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.46 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 14.16

Royden Bryson the Silent Assasin at the US Open of Surfing

Royden going about his business at HB (Photo: ASP)

It has been a good month for South African surfing. Jordy Smith made the Semis at the Mr Price and then backed that up with a second victory in 2 years at the Billabong. Much of the talk though has been who else is going to do well for SA in the waters of the ASP World Tour. Most of the chatter has centered around the names of young guys like Shaun Joubert and Chad du Toit, the super groms dominating in the Junior contests and starting to attack the tour.

But, it is another man who is stepping up to the plate at the richest contest in professional surfing, a man who normally steers away from the limelight and the circus that is professional surfing in California. Royden Bryson has worked like a silent assassin through the rounds at this years contest to earn himself a Quarter Final Berth. No song and dance, just head down and win heats. In fact, today, after making the Quarters, was the first time I was able to find a photo of the man in action and he has won all his heats. Says a lot when you notice the hubbub going on over some of the US surfers like Kohole Andino. I will guarantee the rest of the field know that Royden is around. He has made his presence felt over the years, both on the CT and the QS. They all know what the little pocket rocket from SA can do. In the small bowling beach break of Huttington Beach it would take a brave man not to put some bills on the explosive goofy footer pulling off the biggest victory of his career.

Live Broadcast starts this evening - US Open of Surfing

So keep an eye out and watch the live broadcast tonight - we might well have to start blowing some Vuvulezas at volume! Make us proud Roy!

(Notice the absence of Roy in the highlights video!)

Asp Press Release:
Thanks to stadium seating, sideline pier access, and jumbo big screens, the south side of the HB pier is the closest thing our sport has to an arena. When the waves are good it’s the best venue in professional surfing and today the waves were going off.

There was no Huntington hopping going on.

Recently the ASP has copped a lot of heat for its decision to bring events to locations with questionable wave quality—and though Huntington has always had that wrap, you’d never know it looking at the ocean today. For two hours Dusty, Dane, Slater, Taj, and Kolohe went absolutely loony. Kelly scored two Nine’s. Taj got a dry tube (below). Kolohe nailed a near perfect 10 for the move of the event—a frontside grab air reverse on a meaty closeout section.

And who won? We all did. Today was good for our sport. Good for the sponsors, fans, and the surfers. Quality waves brought out quality surfing. The spectators were treated to the most high performance action in the history of the US Open and none of the surfers lost. (Round 4 is non-elimination)

Kelly’s in the quarters. Joining him is Dane, Dusty, and Royden Bryson. In Round 5 Evan Geiselman is matched up with Taj and John John comes up against Kolohe.

This thing is setting up for a banger finish this weekend, let’s just hope the waves stick around.—Zander Morton

Nike US Open of Surfing Round of 12 Results:
Heat 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 17.17, Richard Christie (NZL) 12.63, Evan Geiselman (USA) 9.47
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.77, Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.50, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10.00
Heat 3: Dane Reynolds (USA) 16.43, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.60, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 8.93
Heat 4: Royden Bryson (ZAF) 12.90, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.53, John John Florence (HAW) 10.80

Nike US Open of Surfing Round 24 Results:
Heat 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.06 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 7.87
Heat 8: Dane Reynolds (USA) 11.17 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 6.77
Heat 9: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 14.33 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.83
Heat 10: Royden Bryson (ZAF) 11.10 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.84
Heat 11: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 11.17 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.77
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW) 15.83 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.60