The Volcom Fiji Pro got underway this weekend, with the world’s best surfers battling it out at the world famous Cloudbreak.
A big enough swell showed up to get the contest started on the first day of the waiting period on Saturday, with waves in the 6 -8 foot waves showing up. It was the first time in years that a World Tour contest was held on the island, with many surfers excited about having the world-class break to themselves.
CHECK OUT SOME PHOTOS FROM DAY ONE OF THE EVENT:
On day 1, the Orange County surfers among the world’s best didn’t fair well, with none of them winning their round 1 heats. Brett Simpson, Pat Gudauskas and Kolohe Andino were all shot to the round 2 elimination round.
Gudauskas was unfortunately knocked out in round 2, in a heat against Julian Wilson. Wilson scored two high scores – a 9.47 and 9.10 – to win the heat, against Pat’s 2.33 and 4.50. Gudauskas took a hard spill at the end of his heat, coming out bloody with his back and arm grated after hitting the reef.
Fellow San Clemente surfer Kolohe Andino was knocked out by Tiago Pires. Huntington’s Brett Simpson is the last remaining O.C. surfer, after he won with a tight lead of just .20 points, after scoring 12.40 over Travis Logie’s 12.20.
Here’s highlights from Day 2:
Here’s a recap from Volcom on Day 1:
The morning started off with Jordy Smith getting the opening wave of the Volcom Fiji Pro scoring a 4.67 and then backed it up with massive 9 point tube ride on his second wave. Smith would eventually win the heat advancing to round 3, sending Fred Pattachia and Brett Simpson to round 2.
Saturday’s biggest story was wildcard Mitch Coleborn upsetting 11 time world champion Kelly Slater with the highest heat total of round 1. Mitch paddled into one of the best tubes of the day halfway through the heat earning a 9.27 wave score. Afterwards, the ocean went quiet for several minutes leaving Coleborn in need of a mid range score.
As the timer counted down towards the end of the heat, it looked as though Mitch would not get another scoring opportunity. Then, with only 7 seconds left, Mitch dropped into a wave and threaded through a fantastic tube scoring an 8.10 as the horn sounded. “When I got that last wave, I knew that I was going to make it and I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Said Mitch. “I’m so stoked! Its a dream come true.”
Visit volcomfijipro.com for live video coverage, news, surfer interviews, heat matchups and more!
Follow reporter Laylan Connelly on Twitter @ ocbeaches, or at facebook.com/ocbeaches.
World’s best surfers battle at Volcom Fiji Pro is a post from: OC Beach Blog
Sourced from: OC Beach Blog
