hurley pro guide

16
Photos: Courtesy of WSL

Upload: san-clemente-times

Post on 23-Jul-2016

233 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

DESCRIPTION

Presented by San Clemente Times

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Hurley Pro Guide

Photos: Courtesy of WSL

Page 2: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 3: Hurley Pro Guide

Facing diminishing reservoirs and irregular rainfall, Gov. Jerry Brown implemented a statewide, mandatory 25 percent reduction in urban water use. Californian’s answered the conservation call with a 27 percent cutback in June, followed by 31.3 cut in July. The cuts are substantial. But, the condi-tions aren’t likely to improve anytime soon.

So what else can be done? We can change the way we think about water.

To do so, the Ecology Center believes education is key. The San Juan Capistrano-based nonprofi t engages people of all ages in hands-on practi-cal, environmental solutions—from farm-to-fork cooking classes and summer eco camps. Now, they are starting a movement, a water movement: The Water Effect.

The Water Effect is a youth-driven program aimed to mobilize teens to think about water con-servation creatively.

Through collaboration with the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the hands-on envi-ronmental education program Inside the Outdoors, The Water Effect will deliver water conservation awareness programming to schools throughout Or-ange County. The program creates sharable, real-time water education and conservation solutions through an interactive digital platform to empower students to be the true voice of the movement.

In its fi rst year, The Water Effect will engage 50,000 high school students and 100 teachers

across 20 campuses through digital and in-person activities. Hurley and surf legend Rob Machado have also teamed up with The Water Effect to take it beyond the classroom.

“We are honored to be working alongside Rob and Hurley as we create The Water Effect—a movement to inspire our youth as leaders in the conversation on creative water solutions,” said Evan Marks, executive director of The Ecology Center.

The Water Effect will also connect students through social media, creating an open dialogue and allowing user-generated content to drive the water conservation conversation.

“The Water Effect challenges students to think creatively and empowers people to drive real posi-tive change for water,” said Ben Edwards, VP of Global Outreach at Hurley. “We are honored to be part of this inspiring platform and look forward to seeing it grow.”

The Ecology Center will be on the sand at this year’s Hurley Pro. Stop by and join the movement.

Twitter: @eco_center @thewatereffect

Instagram:@theecologycenter @thewatereffect

#TheWaterEffectCalifornia is in the midst of a historic drought. Residents are worried.

Leaders have imposed restrictions. People are taking action.

The Legendsof Lowers

Amid a stretch of protected California lands lies the surf refuge Trestles.

Trestles is made up of fi ve major surf spots: Church, San Onofre, Cotton’s Point, Upper Trestles and Lower Trestles—the latter, Low-ers, home to the Championship Tour’s Hurley Pro since 2000. Long untouched by the hand of development, this high-performance surf-ing locale offers a view of coastline from years gone by.

On the border of Orange and San Diego counties, these San Ono-fre State Beach breaks have long been a sanctuary for surfers. The Encyclopedia of Surfi ng credits Peanuts Larson—a quirky surfer and boardmaker from Laguna Beach—for putting Trestles on the map after riding a 12-foot wave at Church in 1939. Trestles was solidifi ed as a must-surf break in the early ’50s by the iconoclastic Mickey Dora and Phil Edwards in their pre-icon days.

Trestles has seen a proliferation of Southern California’s surfers over the years. Some of the current World Surf League Champion-ship Tour surfers even call this famous wave home: Kolohe Andino, Keanu Asing, Lakey Peterson, Jordy Smith and Filipe Toledo.

But Trestles wasn’t always open to the public. The Navy, which owns Camp Pendleton where the surf breaks are located, leases the land to California State Parks. It’s been this way since 1971 thanks to former President, and California native, Richard Nixon. The fi rst professional surf competition held at Trestles was in 1977.

For the past 15 years, Trestles has played host to the top men’s competitors. It’s seen Kelly Slater crowned six times. The world’s best female competitors joined the fold last year with the fi rst ever Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles. This year Trestles will see another fi rst as the WSL Heritage Series features a women’s expression session.

The Heritage Series is designed to celebrate icons in the sport. Last year saw aerialists Brad Gerlach and Martin Potter face off. This series will see three legendary female world champions take to the surf for an epic battle: Lisa Andersen, Layne Beachley and Sofi a Mulanovich. The event will also feature a men’s session with Simon Anderson, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Michael Ho, Cheyne Horan and Shaun Tomson.

Watch a live webcast at worldsurfl eague.com.—Andrea Papagianis-Camacho

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Photo: WSL/Rowland

Photo: Courtesy of The Ecology Center

Photo: Courtesy of The Ecology Center

Photo: Scott Sporleader

Page 4: Hurley Pro Guide

Keep Trestles PrimalTo help keep Lowers intact and healthy for years, and visitors, to come,

here are a few recommendations from Rich Haydon, South Sector Super-

intendent III with California State Parks. These tips will not only keep you

safe during your visit but will also help limit your environmental impact

on San Onofre State Beach’s unique ecosystem.

Steer clear of wetlands. Human entrants not only have the potential to damage fragile environmental resources provid-ing food and shelter for the region’s native plant and animal life, but may also come across dangerous wildlife such as rattlesnakes. Do the wetland’s habitants and yourself a favor and stay out.

Do not cross the railroad tracks. Aside from being danger-ous, crossing the train tracks is illegal. The tracks are private railroad property; therefore crossing them is considered tres-passing. Trestles is not accessible by vehicle so visitors have a trek to the beach. This is one long walk, through a pristine na-ture trail, that sees California’s lands unharmed by man. Stay safe. Avoid the tracks and take in the surrounding wildlife.

Avoid leaving a personal mark. Trestles is a world-class surfi ng site. Eyes around the globe fi xate on this local treasure during the Hurley and Swatch Pros. Help keep it clean. Please pick up trash—even if it isn’t yours. Don’t place stickers on signs and outhouses or write on paved areas with surf wax. It looks bad and it is vandalism. Remember to enjoy the park, ride the waves and pack up your trash and belongings before you depart in order to leave the beach a little better than you found it.

No hang ups. Do not place wetsuits, towels or boards on any of the natural vegetation or trashcans. As visitors and stewards, we must all be aware of the impacts, both negative and positive, that we have on our surroundings.

Step back and take Trestles in. Pause. Take a break from the surf action to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of your surroundings. Then, imagine your experience if the Lower Trestles area of San Onofre State Beach were something other than a park. Thankfully, that isn’t the case.

Twitter: @CAStateParks Website: parks.ca.gov

Nestled within the protective boundaries of a natural preserve, Trestles offers visitors a rare peek at California’s coastline virtually untouched by man.

One of fi ve major breaks along the shoreline of San Onofre State Beach, Trestles draws thousands each September for the Championship Tour’s Hurley Pro and Swatch Pro. But while San Onofre State Beach itself ranks among the top fi ve visited of Califor-nia’s 278 state parks—with an estimated 2.5 million visitors a year—it remains a specimen of pristine lands protected from development and nurtured by those who stop in.

The 3,000-acre coastal canyon park has seen California histories unfold. From its original inhabitants and Spanish missionaries to rancheros, caballeros, the Marine Corps and surf legends, San Onofre’s past is a storied one.

The San Mateo Valley, home of the state park, has long been of cultural and histori-cal signifi cance to Southern Californians. San Mateo Valley has been inhabited by the region’s native peoples, the Acjachemen Tribe—who were given the Spanish name Juaneños—for approximately 9,000 years. The ancient village Panhe once stood here.

Panhe, meaning “place by the water,” was among the largest villages in the Acjachemen system with an estimated 250 inhabitants. This native population relied on both fresh water from the San Mateo Creek and the Pacifi c Ocean’s salt waters for food, including salmon, steelhead trout, abalone,

lobster, clams and mussels. Many among the native population were

relocated by the Spanish to construct the Franciscan-order, “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano. The village’s population dropped off dramatically soon thereafter. The Spanish settlers would turn much of the region into ranchlands—which remained until World War II with the estab-lishment of Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps’ major West Coast base.

In the ’80s, fl ooding uncovered human remains near the San Mateo Campgrounds. Tribal elders held ceremonies and reburials of their ancestors. The ancient village and burial site remains of sacred, cultural and ceremonial importance to the Acjachemen tribe today. The area is also the site of the state’s fi rst Christian baptism. California’s native cultures are celebrated each spring at a San Onofre Parks Foundation hosted Panhe celebration.

Lying at the edge of the Santa Ana Moun-tains, the park’s terrain varies from sandy beaches and coastal cliffs to wetlands, marshes and prairie lands. This diverse landscape is home to more than 200 plant species, 100 bird groups and nearly 20 ter-restrial mammals. Ten federally threatened and endangered species also fi nd shelter here, including the Pacifi c pocket mouse, southwestern willow fl ycatcher and San Diego fairy shrimp.

The San Mateo and San Onofre water-sheds not only provide these species’ last ecosystems, they also act as a fi ltration sys-tem for the surf and make up the last natural corridor connecting the Cleveland National Forest to the Pacifi c Ocean.

—Andrea Papagianis-Camacho

San ONOFRE: A Sacred Legacy

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Photo: Bram Norman

Photo: Andrea Swayne

Page 5: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 6: Hurley Pro Guide

Want to become a better surfer? Hurley is taking its High Perfor-mance Centre on the road. It’s hitting Trestles’ sand during the Hurley and Swatch Pros giving surfers of all skill levels the chance to develop their talents alongside the world’s top professionals. Test out wetsuits, board shorts, jackets and more. Surf-ers looking to improve their surfi ng abilities can sign up each day for one of four, one-hour surf sessions where Hurley photographers will document their time in the water. The Hurley team will then use that footage to breakdown what participants are doing in the water, then provide tips for how they can advance their surf game. This is the fi rst time Hurley is presenting its High Performance Centre model in the United States.

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Enhance Your AbilityDevelop surfing skills with Hurley’s High Performance Centre

WATCH You don’t have to be on the sand to catch the world’s best tackle the famed Trestles surf break in this year’s Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro. For a live webcast and commentary, tune in at www.worldsurfl eague.com. When the day’s heats wrap up, stay locked onto the site for highlight videos and photos from each round.

STAY TUNED For up-to-the-minute event information, the latest athlete news and a one-stop fantasy portal, download the World Surf League app to your phone or tablet.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Use the #lowers, #hurleypro and #swatchwomenspro hashtags when post-ing on social media and search the hashtags to see what others are up to.

CONNECT WITH US Be sure to follow the SC Times on Twitter and Instagram @S_C_Times for coverage throughout the contest. Also, visit sanclementetimes.com to download a digital copy of the guide and for updates on your favorite local, and international, athletes.

FOLLOWFollow the World Surf League on Instagram and Twitter @WSL to get the latest contest updates and view athlete images throughout the day. Then head over to @Hurley and @SwatchUS and give the event sponsors Hurley and Swatch a follow. Connect with your favorite athletes via their Insta-gram accounts listed in this event guide.

CONTRIBUTE Heading to Lowers? Snap pics of the action then post them to Instagram with the #hurleypro hashtag. Do it for your chance to be featured on the Hurley Photo Wall—a 40-foot-by-8-foot wall updated daily with your photos directly from Trestles.

The Hurley Surfi ng Australia High Performance Centre is the world’s fi rst brick and mortar facility committed to the development of all surfers, not just the elite. The facility and its year-round programs were designed in conference with the Australian Institute of Sport. It features education facilities, a surf-specifi c gymnasium, onsite accom-modations for 22 and more. The HPC caters to surfers of all ages and ability levels, giving them access to world-class surf coaches and cutting-edge technology. Experi-ence the High Performance Centre’s advanced level of training at Lowers to reach your full surfi ng potential.

Instagram: @Surfi ngaushpcWebsite: surfi ngaustraliahpc.com

Don’t miss a second of the Lower Trestles action with #HurleyPro and #SwatchWomensPro

Tune In, Turn Up the Action

Photo: Andrea Swayne

Kelly Slater. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

Page 7: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 8: Hurley Pro Guide

Lakey Peterson, 20, feels like she is close.The southern California-based profes-

sional surfer, who lives in San Clemente dur-ing the summer months and is coached by Mike Parsons, big wave pro and Surfer’s Hall of Famer, has had seven consecutive top-10 finishes on the 2015 World Surf League Championship Tour but is still searching for a spot at the top of the winner’s podium.

Peterson grabbed a third-place finish at the Fiji Women’s Pro in June, then followed the performance with a ninth-place effort at the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro and a fifth-place finish at the Vans US Open of Surfing in August.

She heads into the Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles this week with plenty of momen-tum and good vibes emanating from a surf break just miles from her backyard.

The San Clemente Times caught up with Peterson days before she took to the water at Lowers to get her thoughts on her season, her training techniques and why she feels she is poised for a breakthrough in San Clemente.

San Clemente Times: You’ve had a busy year so far, how do you feel like you’ve performed in 2015?

Lakey Peterson: It’s been good, no wins so far. But I’ve been pretty steady, very consistent. I’m ranked fifth in the world right now so nothing huge, nothing bad. It’s good but it’s almost a little annoying. I would really love to have a big breakthrough perfor-mance. Hopefully it will be at Lowers.

SCT: So you feel like you’re right there

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Q&A with the WSL’s fifth-ranked surfer Lakey Peterson

where you want to be?LP: I think so. My surfing is there. This is

the best I feel like I’ve been surfing. I always work hard and I feel super prepared. I feel really rested too, which I think is really good. A lot of times with events, there is so much going on and it’s easy to kind of spread yourself thin but I think leading up to this event at Lowers I’ve been really good about staying rested when I need to and working hard when I need to. My body feels good so hopefully it will work out.

SCT: And this is obviously a surf break you’re comfortable with, right?

LP: Yes, I have a house in San Clemente that I live in during the summer time. I’ve surfed Lowers events since I was really young … it’s a place I’ve always kind of grown up surfing and loved and feel very comfort-able at. It sort of feels like a home-court advantage I guess you could say. Living here, I’ve always gotten to surf the wave a ton.

SCT: What is it going to take for you to come out on top at Lowers?

LP: A lot of things are going to have to align … but I think being on the right wave is going to be crucial. Lowers is one of those places where the waves are generally really rippable and fun. It’s nice. Everyone tends to get good waves. If you can put yourself on that one best wave of the whole set, I think that’s going to be really crucial, just wave selection. Also, for me, just to trust myself, trust my ability, not overthink things and stay focused, relaxed and let the surfing do the work. —Steve Breazeale

Peterson Looks to Push through at Lowers

Lakey Peterson. Photo: Melissa Fuller Photography

Lakey Peterson. Photo: WSL/Rowland

Page 9: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 10: Hurley Pro Guide

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

2014 Winner Stephanie Gilmore

Women’sMatchupsWant to know what

the number-one seeded

Courtney Conlogue of

santa ana, “Soul Surfer”

Bethany Hamilton and

San Clemente transplant

Lakey Peterson are up to

throughout the compe-

tition? Follow along

on Instagram for a

personal view of what

happens both in and out

of the water at Swatch

Women’s Pro.

ROUND NO. 1 MATCHUPS

Heat No. 15– Lakey Peterson (USA) @lakeypeterson8– Malia Manuel (HAW) @maliamanuel14– Laura Enever (AUS) @lauraenever

Heat No. 24– Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) @biancabuitendag9– Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) @tatiwest15– Alessa Quizon (HAW) @alessaquizon

Heat No. 31– Courtney Conlogue (USA) @courtneyconlogue12– Silvana Lima (BRA) @silvanalimasurfWC– Bethany Hamilton (HAW) @bethanyhamilton

Heat No. 42– Carissa Moore (HAW) @rissmoore1011– Coco Ho (HAW) @xococoho17– Sage Erickson (USA) @sageerickson

Heat No. 53– Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) @sally_fitz10– Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) @stephaniegilmore16– Dimity Stoyle (AUS) @dimity

Heat No. 66– Johanne Defay (FRA) @johannedefay7– Tyler Wright (AUS) @tylerwright13– Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) @nikkicandijk

CoCo Ho. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

Tyler Wright. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

Stephanie Gilmore. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

Courtney Conlogue. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

Page 11: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 12: Hurley Pro Guide

The current king of Trestles, Filipe To-ledo, returns to his newly-adopted home break this week to compete in the Hurley Pro—stop number eight on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. Though the 20-year-old Brazilian moved to San Clemente just a year ago, he already feels at home. It shows with his recent victory at the Oakley Lowers Pro.

Toledo, unexpectedly, gained a home surf advantage. His parents wanted to escape the obstacles and economic uncertainties of their country, Brazil. Government corruption, absent or apathetic sponsors and expen-sive airfare to and from contests proved to be challenging for the family of surfers. Regardless, Toledo said he wasn’t moving from Ubatuba—a small, surf-crazed city on Brazil’s southeastern coast.

They ultimately did. Toledo quickly came to realize San Clemente was “the only place [he] could move.” Within five months, paperwork was filed and the family’s visas were approved. They packed their surf-boards and headed to Southern California, leaving behind most of their belongings, extended family and childhood friends. The transition was especially tough on Toledo’s younger siblings.

“Now they are completely in love—they don’t want to leave either,” Toledo said.

“We’re used to living in Ubatuba [Brazil],” he added. “It’s a really small town and pretty much everyone surfs, so the energy is pretty much the same here. Everyone here surfs. Kids that are 5 years old to people that are 75 years old—so that’s really cool. It just feels like home.”

Toledo was 5 years old when he began surfing. He and his siblings would ride along on his father’s board.

The high-flying Brazilian grew up watch-ing his father and older brother surf—both are Brazilian national champions who instilled a competitive spirit in Toledo.

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

At 16, Toledo burst into the international competition beating out Kolohe Andino and John John Florence in a surprise victory at the US Open of Surfing. He earned a spot on the World Championship Tour in 2013 and finished his rookie year ranked No. 15 in the world. He struggled to earn points in 2014 but is firing on all cylinders this season.

Toledo has notched two Championship Tour victories in 2015. His first-ever CT win came at the Quicksilver Pro Gold Coast where he nabbed a perfect 10 in the last minutes of the final. Toledo went on to claim his second season win at Stop No. 4 before a home crowd at the Oi Rio Pro.

Championship Tour Rank: 4th

First Place Championship Tour Wins: 2

Years in World Surf League: 3

2013 Hurley Pro Finish: 13th

2014 Hurley Pro Finish: 13th

While other Brazilian surfers fell to rookies, Toledo drew energy from the crowd with each passing heat. He does that. Toledo draws his confidence from his surroundings, especially from the love and support of his family.

“They make me laugh pretty much the whole day,” Toledo said, adding that their humor helps take the pressure off of upcom-ing surf competitions. His father, too, is en-thusiastically supportive. He’s at every one of Toledo’s events. He’s the one wearing the brightest T-shirt so he can be seen from the lineup. “My dad tells me every time, ‘Just go out there and have fun. Don’t worry about it being your job. Just have fun,” he said.

It’s no secret Toledo takes pride in his roots. He wears his feelings about the matter on his sleeve—literally—in a growing patch-work of tattoos that began with “Toledo.” From there, the collection grew to include “Faith, Hope, and Love,” the three things he says he needs for a good life and a good surfing career. For his faith, he takes a few minutes every time he goes surfing to pray, which clears his mind and puts him at ease.

While having the right mentality is impor-

tant, it can’t replace practicing, which is one of Toledo’s favorite aspects of life in San Clem-ente. He spends a lot of time watching com-petitors’ videos before heading out to Lowers to practice with some of the local pros.

“[I like to practice] with Kolohe Andino, because we have similar styles,” Toledo said. “I say ‘Let’s try this one,’ and he tries and makes this maneuver. Then I have to try and do better, and we just push each other further.”

Toledo was recently out of the water for a couple weeks recovering from an injury that resulted in a stitched elbow, but spent this past weekend surfing with his family at Low-ers in anticipation of Hurley Pro. Toledo is a contest favorite coming off a May victory at the Trestles-located Oakley Lowers Pro.

“This is the event that I’ve really wanted to surf for the whole year,” he said. “I love Australia, I love Brazil, but I want to compete here. When I started this year I was just like, ‘I can’t wait for Trestles.’” —Alex Paris

Twitter: @filipetoledoInstagram: @toledo_filipe

Filipe Toledo talks family, surf and San Clemente

Faith, Hope and Trestles

(L to R) Felipe’s brother Davi, Felipe, his sister Sofia, and parents Mari and Ricardo at their home in San Clemente. Photo: Alex Paris

Filipe Toledo. Photo: WSL/Rowland

(L to R) Filipe Toledo, his brother Davi, and his parents Ricardo and Mari show off their family name tattoos. Photo: Alex Paris

Page 13: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 14: Hurley Pro Guide

ROUND NO. 1 MATCHUPS

Heat No. 16– Kelly Slater (USA) @kellyslater19– Jadson Andre (BRA) @jadsonandreoficial34– Dusty Payne (HAW) @dusty_payne

Heat No. 24– Felipe Toledo (BRA) @filipetoledo20– Adrian Buchan (AUS) @acebuchan36– Brett Simpson (USA) @brettsimpson

Heat No. 34– Julian Wilson (AUS) @julian_wilson21– Sebastian Zietz (HAW) @seabasszAritz Aranburu (ESP)

Heat No. 43– Owen Wright (AUS) @owright22– Keanu Asing (HAW) @keanuasing41– Tomas Hermes (BRA) @tomashermes

Heat No. 52– Mick Fanning (AUS) @mfanno24– Adam Melling (AUS) @adammellingWC– Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) @hirotoohhara

Heat No. 61– Adriano de Souza (BRA) @adrianodesouza25– Michel Bourez (PYF) @bourezmichelWC– Ian Crane (USA) @ian_crane

Heat No. 77– Jeremy Flores (FRA) @floresjeremy18– Joel Parkinson (AUS) @joelparko32– Glenn Hall (IRL) @glenhall81

Heat No. 88– Josh Kerr (AUS) @josh_kerr8417– Matt Wilkinson (AUS) @mattwilko831– Kolohe Andino (USA) @koloheandino22

Heat No. 98– Italo Ferreira (BRA) @italoferreira16– John John Florence (HAW) @john_john_florence30– Ricardo Christie (NZL) @ricardochristie

Heat No. 1010– Gabriel Medina (BRA) @gabrielmedina15– Bede Durbridge (AUS) @bededurbo28– Freddy Patacchia Jr. (HAW) @freddyp808

Heat No. 1111– Nat Young (USA) @nat_young14– Kai Otton (AUS) @ottz1626– C.J. Hobgood (USA) @cjhobgood

Heat No. 1212– Taj Burrow (AUS) @tajamos13– Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) @wiggolly26– Miguel Pupo (BRA) @miguelpuposurf

2014: Jordy Smith (ZAF)2013: Taj Burrow (AUS)2012: Kelly Slater (USA)2011: Kelly Slater (USA)2010: Kelly Slater (USA)2009: Mick Fanning (AUS)2008: Kelly Slater (USA)2007: Kelly Slater (USA)

HURLEY PRO + SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO EVENT GUIDE PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

men’sMatchupsTrack the action by down-

loading a bracket online

at worldsurfleague.com.

You can also follow your

favorite surfers as they take

on the competition at Lowers

on Instagram.

San Clemente’s Crane Faces Lowers

Wildcard win pits Crane against de Souza and Bourez in Round No. 1

Throughout the year, the surfing world’s elite profes-sionals traverse the globe on a championship tour that sees at-sea battles from the colossal Teahupo’o in Tahiti to the infamous Banzai Pipeline in Oahu. This week marks the tournament’s first U.S. stop as the top male contend-ers descend on San Clemente for the Hurley Pro Trestles. Here, will be among the world’s best.

Crane, 22, enters event No. 8 on the World Surf League Championship Tour, after besting fellow San Clementean Patrick Gudauskas in the Hurley Pro trials.

Each year, the trials offer on-the-cusp surfers a chance to compete in the local championship stop. This year’s tri-als offered two wildcard opportunities—one for a member of the Hurley Team, the other for a local.

The trials were held in a round robin format consist-ing of two, eight-man brackets—divided by Hurley team members and local surfers. The trials were held at T Street on July 23.

Crane, proving his familiarity with the area, advanced to the finals where he beat Gudauskas in a head-to-head faceoff with a final score of 15.77 to 14.47. The 18-year-old Hiroto Ohhara, of Japan, won the Hurley bracket. Ohhara has hit a hot streak of wins. After barely making it on the Vans US Open of Surfing roster, Ohhara became the first Japanese champion in the event’s history.

Despite his youth, this is not Crane’s first foray with top-level surfers. The local standout competed in the 2013 Hurley Pro where he was eliminated in a second round face off against Australia’s Joel Parkinson.

Crane will face Michael Bourez of French Polynesia and Adriano de Souza of Brazil this year.

De Souza, 28, leads the 2015 championship tour in total points with 34,950. He most notably won the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in April, prevailing in the finals over Hawaii’s John John Florence. —Connor Schmitt

2006: Bede Durbidge (AUS)2005: Kelly Slater (USA)2004: Joel Parkinson (AUS)2003: Richie Lovett (AUS)2002: Luke Egan (AUS)2001: Not Held2000: Andy Irons (HAW)

Hurley Pro Champions

Photo: Andrea Swayne

Ian Crane. Photo: Catherine Gregory

Page 15: Hurley Pro Guide
Page 16: Hurley Pro Guide