LOWER TRESTLES, CA/USA (Thursday, April 30, 2015) – Action intensified as the Oakley Lowers Pro, the first World Surf League (WSL) QS10000 of the 2015 season, charged into Round 2 in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Lower Trestles.
Attracting a cross-section of elite Championship Tour (CT) surfers looking to protect their places amongst the world’s best as well as a bevy of hungry up-and-coming talent, the Oakley Lowers Pro
Kelly Slater (USA), 11-time World Champion and sporting icon, has been competing professionally at Lower Trestles since 1990. The legendary natural-footer’s timeless power, progression and flow were on display this morning as he capped off Round 1 with a heat win and advancement through to Round 2.
“My first event here at Lower Trestles, the waves were perfect,” Slater said. “It was my second week of my senior year of high school and it was a perfect week for me. I had a lot of fun. Things have changed a lot since then but this is a special place.”
Brett Simpson (USA), currently ranked 29th on the CT ratings, is competing in his first Qualifying Series (QS) event of the year and the Huntington Beach-based natural-footer has been in sensational form, emphatically advancing through Round 2 with a 16.40 heat total.
“All the heats are competitive at this point and with priority everyone gets chances with good waves,” Simpson said. “I’m stoked and that was probably one of the better waves I got in a while. I just want to surf well and be relaxed, I feel like I’ve been frustrated at times on the tour and put a little too much pressure on myself. I love Lowers.”
Filipe Toledo (BRA), current CT No. 2, continued to dazzle at Lower Trestles this afternoon. The fleet-footed Brazilian hammered section after section on his backhand, stomping massive full-rotation aerials and executing incredible combinations.
“The waves are so fun and I was freaking out and frothing to get out there and do my best,” Toledo said. “I maybe made a couple of mistakes at the start, but settled into a rhythm soon. It’s a great vibe down here with my family and friends. The waves are fun and it’s a great place to get ready for Rio.”
Tanner Gudauskas (USA), former CT surfer and local standout, was another Southern Californian to lead the charge on during Round 2 of competition, utilizing his years of experience at the venue to notch high scores on both his forehand and backhand.
“With the priority system out there it’s really fun and I got lucky with the waves,” Gudauskas said. “These guys shred so it’s lots of fun out there to see what’s going to happen. I get really fired up going out in the water especially with everyone out here watching. There’s so much history here and this event is a great springboard for those on the QS.”
Gudauskas was joined by older brother Patrick in advancing through to Round 3.
Not all went well for the local San Clemente contingent as yesterday’s form surfer Kolohe Andino (USA) was ousted from competition in an impressive showing by Wade Carmichael (AUS). Carmichael’s power-based approach was utilized on both his forehand and backhand as the young Australian crushed an 18.40 out of a possible 20 for the day’s high heat total.
“It’s been a great trip to Southern California so far,” Carmichael said. “I’ve been surfing a lot and have some good boards under my feet so I feel confident and ready. Lots of lefts leading up to that heat so I grabbed one earlier on but was fortunate to get a great righthander towards the end of the heat. Stoked to be into Round 3 and hopefully we keep getting fun waves.”
The Oakley Lowers Pro will recommence tomorrow morning at 8am and will be webcast LIVE at OakleyLowersPro.com.
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
OAKLEY PRO LOWERS REMAINING ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 18: David do Carmo (BRA) 13.83, Adam Melling (AUS) 12.50, Carlos Munoz (CRI) 11.97, Marco Fernandez (BRA) 10.03
Heat 19: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 16.83, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 14.76, Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.33, Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.03
Heat 20: Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.80, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.40, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.07, Sunny Garcia (HAW) 9.20
Heat 21: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 10.60, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.23, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 10.07, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 8.93
Heat 22: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 14.80, Perth Standlick (AUS) 13.20, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 9.67, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 8.83
Heat 23: Ricardo Christie (NZL) 16.20, Michael Dunphy (USA) 15.20, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.07, Jean da Silva (BRA) 10.26
Heat 24: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.97, Kelly Slater (USA) 13.74, Mitch Crews (AUS) 10.97, Jack Robinson (AUS) 6.36
OAKLEY PRO LOWERS ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.13, Stu Kennedy (AUS) 14.70, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.33, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 11.87
Heat 2: Brett Simpson (USA) 16.30, Charles Martin (GLP) 14.10, Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.07, Brent Dorrington (AUS) 11.80
Heat 3: Conner Coffin (USA) 14.56, Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 13.33, Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.03, Krystian Kymerson (BRA) 10.93
Heat 4: Joan Duru (FRA) 11.06, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.90, Marlon Lipke (PRT) 10.43, Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 10.10
Heat 5: Eziekel Lau (HAW) 14.16, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 14.16, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 14.03, Granger Larsen (HAW) 13.84
Heat 6: Davey Cathels (AUS) 13.40, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.57, , Fredrick Patacchia Jr. (HAW) 10.77, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 10.50
Heat 7: Jack Freestone (AUS) 16.90, Nathan Hedge (AUS) 13.80, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 13.70, Tim Reyes (USA) 13.24
Heat 8: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 16.43, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.70, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.70, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.20
Heat 9: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 18.40, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.57, Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.30, David do Carmo (BRA) 10.20
Heat 10: Frederico Morais (PRT), Marc Lacomare (FRA), Adam Melling (AUS), Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
OAKLEY PRO LOWERS REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 11: Alex Ribeiro (BRA), Willian Cardoso (BRA), Michael Dunphy (USA), Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 12: Ryan Callinan (AUS), Ricardo Christie (NZL), Perth Standlick (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA)
