Field Notes from the Hurley Pro

Hurley

Pro

Field

Notes

From

tHe

We could say we told you so, that we called

the winner. That Hurley and Lowers destroyed

all preconceived notions of how a surf contest

could go and reinvigorated the tagline “Dream

Tour.” We could chuck in best-ever claims and

detail Dane’s slob air reverse in Round 3, Jordy

Smith and Brett Simpson’s air-for-air volley

match, Kelly’s WTF-barrel in the final or Owen

Wright’s corkscrew backhand and full-rotators.

We could tell you all about it. We usually do. But

less is more. Instead, here are our humble field

notes from the front line, the back line, and

everywhere in between.

We could say so mucH.

the Hurley Pro spectator:

riveted.

Violently envious.

photo: j imm icane

Note: the best surfer

does not always win.

phOTO: Taras

dearest susie,

you changed my life.

i will never forget you,

taj Burrow

phOTO: sherman

Note: arrive earlier.

phOTO: j Imm Icane

Breakfast: Potatoes o’Brien, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, smoked ham, oatmeal, lox bagels, cereal and coffee.

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

lunch:

Pacifico, mostly.

Note: doN’t try to imPress taj.

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

Note: the wave at lowers is forgiving.

cj Hobgood’s knee joint may not be.

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

Kelly slater,Paul Fisher& a phallus.phOTOs : sherman

andy, lyndie — and baby makes three.

eN garde!

jordy smith

(9.60)

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

toucHÉ!

Brett simpson, on the very next wave

(7.70)

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

Kelly designed his semi-Pro model surfboard and rode it to victory, but he lost his semi-Pro headband — and his heat — in round 4.

phOTO: sherman

dane beat Kolohe andino in round 2.

9.33 slob air reverse

phOTOs : KOlOhe and InO

so Kolohe shot him.

Note: the bird-watching at the Hurley Pro is unparalleled.

remember binoculars. (Hi Pam.)

phOTO: Taras

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

Note: slater head games may be the only way to beat mick Fanning at trestles.

phOTO: j Imm Icane

phOTO: sherman

owen and his clawsdane and his bikejordy and his former world ranking

Note:

phOTOs : sherman

Note: Power surfing lives.

phOTO: j Imm Icane

Note: Power surfing lives.

( Kelly s laTer )

the man on the right paid the man on the left $105,000 last saturday. the man in the middle is Pat o’connell.

phOTO: sherman

(BOB hurley )

(nothing)

phOTOs : paul F I sher

(surf park)

phOTO: Taras

Note: the backhand.

ace Buchan (here), owen Wright and both Hobgoods — goofyfoots all — favored theflawless rights off the lowers peak, their heats a study in modern backhanding.

phOTO: j Imm Icane phOTO: sherman

do Not cross tHe railroad tracKs.

Note:

you Will Be ticKeted.

suPPosedly.phOTO: j Imm Icane

jadson andre’s fantastic/familiar frontside whip.

Note: Variety is the spice of life, and surf contests.

phOTOs : jusT In lahr

davo was too sick to surf against Kelly in round 5.

phOTO: paul F I sher

davo was too sick to surf against Kelly in round 5.

Kelly’s surfing was too sick for gabe Kling in round 3.

phOTO: j Imm Icane

six-Figure satur-day

phOTO: sherman

six-Figure satur-day

Note: “safety-surfing” is an antiquated term.

owen Wright

(9.20)

phOTO: Taras

Buck up, Brother, there’s always the expression session.

(Kolohe andino)

phOTO: jusT In lahr

jerseys showed each

surfer’s world

ranking pre-Hurley

Pro. these must

now be adjusted.

durBidge, 6slater, 1

phOTO: j Imm Icane

the carving 360 at lowers is a Kelly

slater staple. this year it was

put to use against Kelly in the final

by Bede durbidge (here).

But to no avail.

phOTO: paul F I sher

Note: 38 is the new 19.

phOTO: j Imm Icane

(later, on the

same wave from the previous page...)

phOTOs : j Imm Icane

WiN #43.

phOTOs : sherman

Kelly slater’s deep 9.53 in the final

Note: you can get

barreled at lowers.

Kelly slater’s deep 9.53 in the finalphOTOs : paul F I sher

9.5x World cHamPioN

phOTO: sherman

9.5x World cHamPioN

Note: No alcohol allowed on state Park property.

phOTO: sherman

maybe champagne.

thanks for compet

phOTO: j Imm Icane