Ace had a strong, quarterfinal finish, while Conner and EG made the semis in the Pro Junior. Overall, a solid Hurley showing at one of the most high-performance events to date. Video: PK; Photos: Lallande
Our gift to you during this holiday season: a 15-minute video short documenting 60 days in Indo this past summer. Watch it here or click
here to download. Video by Tom Aiello.
Joel Centeio gives us the latest from the Rock, and Simpo nabs the Wave of the Day. Photos: Michael Lallande. Video: Tom Aiello
We know Kai Barger is a competitive warrior, but he went above and beyond the call of duty yesterday at the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge in Bali. Here's the details from the crew at Keramus:
"An inspiring performance was also put on by Hawaii’s Kai Barger today.
Barger suffered a knee injury sustained free surfing two days ago and this morning hobbled to the water’s edge fully braced around his knee to surf his semi-final.
Early in the semi-final he could barely turn on two extremely low scoring rides and most wondered why he even bothered to paddle out.
Half way through the semi on a good clean medium sized wave, Barger pushed his performance hard, clearly uncomfortable but still showing signs of his renown power and he scored a very worthy 6 point ride putting him in contention.
His following ride was simply amazing, taking one of the largest set waves, Barger unleashed a massive opening bottom-to-top turn and followed up with three more powerful controlled turns, scoring an excellent 8.5 and looked set to take an incredible semi win.
Barger’s injury clearly made it very tough for him in the final 5 minutes and a priority mistake saw Wrench claim the semi final but Barger’s remarkable performance was applauded by all at the event as limped from the water.
With an iced bracing around his knee after the event Barger spoke of the semi-final performance saying 'It was good to get through it and get an excellent score but I feel disappointed now as it was also a missed opportunity, I was so close and it’s frustrating for me right now.'
'The knee was painful throughout each turn and it’s difficult to surf fully braced.'"
Kai Barger wins the "Terminator Award" for never saying "die." Here's to a quick recovery for the reigning world junior champ.
Congratulations to Aussie Sam Wrench for the win and Oakley for putting on such a solid Junior event. For more, go to http://oakleyprojunior.com/.
Golden moments from a solid first day at the Hurley Pro. Photos: Michael Lallande
As we've seen at Dream Tour events in years past, wildcards always make the top seeds nervous. They have nothing to lose and the big guns have everything to lose, which can make for a lethal combination. For proof, look no further than this very event in 2007, when Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith eliminated Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow, respectively, causing pundits to proclaim..."The New Era has arrived!" OK, maybe it was a bit premature. But anything can happen in 30 minutes at one event. Here are the three Hurley wildcards in 2009 who hope to change the game.
1. KAI BARGER
DOB: November 20, 1989
Best Known For: World Junior Champ
Local Spot: Ho'okipa
Crew: Wallrips, Tall, Bad Boy, Meat Frother, Marlon, AK, Pono-man, Moglie, Hana Hippies, Hookipa Boys, Couple Westside guys, Crusty, Brown Eye, Mantooth, Marzo
Board of Choice: Wade Tokoro
Dream Wave: Big barrels
Top Five: 1) Too Short's "Cocktales" 2) The Game's "Doctor's Advocate" 3) Infamous, the first HGA video 4) Maui 5) Katsu from Ichiban downtown
Liner Notes: 2009 World Junior Champ Kai Barger remains on a roll. The 19-year-old Maui goofyfoot is the embodiment of modern-age power, style and precision. He knows how to compete, too. Since winning the coveted world junior title in January, he's gone on to dominate the Pro Junior series winning the 6.0 event at Lowers and the Nike 6.0 HB Jr. Pro during the Hurley US Open. He's been so dominant, it's no secret that Barger is ready to graduate and make his mark on the ASP World Qualifying Series. Recently, Barger made good on that goal by reaching the quarterfinals at the six-star Azores Islands Pro. "I can't wait to go up against my heroes at the Hurley Pro," says Barger. "It'll definitely be a, 'Go big or go home' situation for me. Which is exactly how I like it."
2. ROB MACHADO
DOB: October 16, 1973
Best Known For: Standing on a surfboard and riding moving pieces of water
Local Spot: Seaside Reef
My Crew:CG, Swift, Garner aka "Black Cloud"
Board of Choice: Love 'em all. You got to. Every day I wake up, I think about riding a different board. My latest fav is this new Bisquit/Robber thing. We haven't named it yet but it's really cute.
Dream Wave: Somewhere in Indonesia. Long, hollow fast left. Shallow.
My Top Five: 1) Bringing two beautiful children into this world 2) "Voodoo Child" by J. Hendrix 3) Gerry Lopez 4) The Tree pose 5) Pipe Masters 2000
Liner Notes: Rob Machado may be "Drifting" these days, but that doesn't mean he can't do damage at the Hurley Pro. One of the world's most iconic surfers, Machado is the embodiment of stoke. His recent wanderings and upcoming film, The Drifter, are a testament to his evolution as a surfer and human being — and we all applaud him for it. But competitive instinct is just that — it's in your blood. And judging from his multi-round journeys at both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and the Hurley US Open of Surfing, he's just getting warmed up for yet another golden moment in a contest jersey.
3. BRETT SIMPSON
DOB: January 5, 1985
Best Known For: Laybacks
Local Spot: HB Pier
My Crew: SWard, Guilmette, all the DSC boys and HB boyz
Board of Choice: 6'2" x 18.5" x 2.25" by Hamish Graham (Superstix) Dream Wave: 4 to 6 feet, take-off barrels on reef with a long wall and the end section ramp on sand.
My Top Five: 1)"Kids" by MGMT 2) Parko 3) Downward Dog 4) Surfing perfect waves with Timmy Reyes in Mex five years ago 5) Having a good time, traveling, trying to qualify
Liner Notes: Brett Simpson is having a dream year. Strong out of the gates. A bit of a plateau through early summer, then, in front of 150,000 screaming hometown fans, he took home the largest prize purse in history at the Hurley US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach. It was the biggest win of his career, and just the start of big results to come. After the win, Simpson got minor surgery on his ankle to take care of a nagging bone chip. He's sat out the last few qualifiers, but is putting all his focus on making an impact at the Hurley Pro. "I haven't competed since the US Open so this is a nice event to come in with the pressure off and show how hungry I am," says Simpson. "I've been working hard as of late and this will be a good test to see where I'm sitting right now and will also be some great practice for years to come."
For more on the Hurley Pro, go to
www.thehurleypro.com.
Reigning World Junior Champ got a solid result at the first-ever Azores Islands Pro this past weekend. Held in some tricky, chest-high surf at the obscure mid-Atlantic Island chain, the event provided some Rocky Point-like lefts for Barger's razor-sharp snaps. He was going strong the entire event before he lost to WCT surfer Tiago Pires, who then lost to event winner William Cardoso in the semis.
Barger picks up 1625 points and now has a solid foundation for a full run on the 2010 World Qualifying Series. With a good seed now in place, there's no limit to what Barger can do.
Simpo, Barger and Hobgood shine at the best HB event since, like, ever. Video: Aiello/PK
Local hero Brett Simpson takes home the largest prize purse in surfing history. Check the gallery here. Photos: Michael Lallande and Beau Roulette
Before 150,000 screaming fans, Brett Simpson fulfilled a childhood dream: to win the US Open at his home break. He couldn't have picked a better year to do it, as his main sponsor, Hurley, had an unprecedented $100,000 on offer for the winner. "There's nothing better than sleeping in my bed during the biggest event of my life," said Simpson. "I stuck to the same routine all week, and somehow it all worked out. I can't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now."
Simpson defeated 2007 world champ Mick Fanning in a final that saw some exciting exchanges in the beginning but lulled out toward the end as the tide increased. But the lull couldn't come soon enough for Simpson, who took the lead from the opening exchange and never gave it up. His best wave, a big hack with an air reverse on the end section, earned a 9.1. “When you’re riding on the ski in front of the crowd and you hear the applause it definitely pumps you up,” Simpson said. “Every time I was feeling a bit tired, the energy level of the crowd would lift me right up. It’s unbelievable to have all the support and my family and friends here with me. This is the best day of my life.”
After a few years of close calls on the World Qualifying Series, Simpson is now in good position for the coveted Top 45. This is by far his biggest win and the most significant result of his career. "I'm really focused on the points right now," he said. "But for Hurley to step up is just so good for the sport. To be the winner of the biggest prize purse ever is just icing on the cake for me."
The Hurley US Open of Surfing will certainly go down as one of the most -- if not the most -- US Opens of all time. So many memorable moments occurred over the nine-day period, it's impossible to list them all here. But a few that will be added to the "50-year timeline": Kelly's perfect 10 in the Round of 16, CJ Hobgood's impossible escape acts, Kai Barger's dominance in the Nike 6.0 Jr. Pro, 16-year-old Courtney Conlogue's gutsy performance, putting together the highest combined heat score for a female in US Open history and, of course, local boy Brett Simpson collecting the record-breaking 100K check.
As longtime observer and former world champ Peter "PT" Townend says, "The ultimate surf stadium is back, and it's bigger and better than ever before."
For full results from today's action, go to: www.usopenofsurfing.com/LIVE.
[Special thanks to the City of Huntington Beach, the HB lifeguards and police department and all the people who helped make this event the best US Open in history.]
