Quiksliver Pro France; Difficult Conditions for Day Two

Day two at the Quiksilver Pro France and surfer's are faced with small conditions making it hard to get through round 2.  Wildcard entry Julian Wilson (AUS) defeated Bede Durbidge (AUS) with a long backhand barrel.  The defeat was a shock to many due to the fact that the 77th ranked Wilson put out the flames on Durbidge. This ended his streak of wins from the past few contests.  Also, former nine time champion and first ranked ASP pro, Slater, survived round two but without ease.  Kelly was wave-starved going after any set and making best of the small conditions.  Slater defeated wildcard entry and home favorite Maxime Huscenot (FRA), Maxime put up a fight and surfed well despite the tough conditions that forced judges to call off day two of the Pro event being held in France.  The contest will continue tomorrow morning at 8am where conditions will hopefully be as entertaining as day one of the Quiksilver Pro.

Junior Pro's take advantage of perfect surf without getting "sea sick"

It's time to get out of the wet suit and into a pool of chlorine for the next perfect surf session.  Junior pro's such as Kolohe "Brother" Andino and and Evan Geiselman have been known to shred it in the competitions but many are intrigued with the new stunts and airs they are pulling at the new wave pool park in FLA.  This one of a kind wave pool opened a few years ago when Mr. Grom himself, Clay Marzo, started showing many advancements with never before seen airs and grabs.  Now,  acres upon acres of land is still enough room to occupy the new guys,  Kolohe and Evan, to bust out big 360 aerials in the pool that provides head high perfect surf.  The arena also contains multiple "surf trampolines" that  Marzo was the first to try out the signature trampoline boards to practice big airs.

Wave pools are becoming more and more popular within the surf culture but this Florida hot spot has been known to host contests, special events, as well  guest appearances from ASP title winners including Taj Burrow.  Too bad this surfers paradise has a "guest list only" but someday we are all hoping it will open up to the public for a reasonable price.

Check out some wave pools near you.
http://www.waveloch.com/global-destinations

Slater claims gold at Hurley Pro, Trestles CA

Kelly Slater celebrated a much needed victory this past Saturday September 18th at the Hurley Pro in Orange County.  With smaller than usual conditions Kelly and many other top ranked ASP surfers went to town on the chest to head high sets that gave surfers clean right hand lines.  Though Kelly seemed to be on his top game,  Bede Durbidge the young gun hailing from AUS, put Slater to the test after defeating the well known and top ranked Dane Reynolds and earning the silver medal.

After the victory at Trestles, Slater took the ASP tour lead with 40,000 points. Another challenging competition is right around the corner for the gold seeking Floridan who hopes to win his 10th ASP title come the beginning of December.  Nest stop is in five days,  overseas to the Quiksilver Pro France, good luck Kelly!