Field Notes from the Hurley Pro

d l e i F s e t o N m o fr e th

y e l r o u r H P

We could say so much.

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.

The Hurley Pro spectator: Riveted.

Violently envious.

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Note: The best surfer

does not always win.

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Dearest Susie, You changed my life.

I will never forget you, Taj Burrow

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Note: Arrive earlier.

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Breakfast: Potatoes O’Brien, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, smoked ham, oatmeal, lox bagels, cereal and coffee. p h oto s : j i m m i c a n e

Lunch:

Pacifico, mostly.

Note: Don’t try to impress Taj.

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Note: The wave at Lowers is forgiving.

CJ Hobgood’s knee joint may not be.

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Kelly Slater, Paul Fisher & a phallus. p h oto s : s h e r m a n

Andy, Lyndie — and baby makes three.

En garde!

Jordy Smith (9.60)

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TouchÉ!

Brett Simpson, on the very next wave (7.70)

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Kelly designed his SemiPro Model surfboard and rode it to victory, but he lost his Semi-Pro headband — and his heat — in Round 4.

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Dane beat Kolohe Andino in Round 2.

9.33 slob air reverse

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So Kolohe shot him.

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

Remember binoculars.

(Hi Pam.)

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Note: Slater head games may be the only way to beat Mick Fanning at Trestles.

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Note: Owen and his claws Dane and his bike Jordy and his former world ranking p h oto s : s h e r m a n

Note: Power surfing l

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lives.

( K e l ly s l at e r )

( B ob h u r l e y )

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The man on the right paid the man on the left $105,000 last Saturday. The man in the middle is Pat O’Connell.

(nothing)

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(surf park)

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Note: The backhand.

Ace Buchan (here), Owen Wright and both Hobgoods — goofyfoots all — favored the flawless rights off the Lowers peak, their heats a study in modern backhanding.

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note: Do not cross the railroad tracks.

You will be ticketed.

Supposedly. p h oto : j i m m i c a n e

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

Jadson Andre’s fantastic/ familiar frontside whip.

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Davo was too sick to surf against Kelly in Round 5.

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Kelly’s surfing was too sick for Gabe Kling in Round 3.

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Sixfigure Saturp h oto : s h e r m a n

e -

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

Owen Wright (9.20)

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Buck up, Brother, there’s always the Expression Session.

(Kolohe Andino)

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Jerseys showed each surfer’s world ranking pre-Hurley Pro. These must now be adjusted.

Durbidge, 6 Slater, 1

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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.

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Note: 38 is the new 19.

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(later, on the same wave from the previous page...) p h oto s : j i m m i c a n e

Win #43. p h oto s : s h e r m a n

Kelly Slater’s dee

Note: You can get barreled at Lowers.

ep 9.53 in the final p h oto s : pa u l fi s h e r

9.5x World Champion

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Note: No alcohol allowed on State Park property.

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Maybe champagne.

thanks for compet

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