Kelly Slater, punching 50 at Lowers, CA

Kelly Slater just beat Joel Parkinson in the final of the 2012 Hurley Pro, Lowers. The Floridian got busy early, as he always does, and controlled the heat from the start. A couple of dazzling pocket wraps and some priority jostling later, Kelly had a bow on it. And, it was the 50th world tour win of his career. At Lowers? We ain’t big on providence, but we’re crazy about dominance.

“I know I went out there feeling like I didn’t have anything to lose because Parko was the form guy,” said Kelly. “He was pretty much the standout in every round. He schooled Medina yesterday somehow and was combo’ing everybody. I just figured I had to get myself on the best waves and let go a little bit, but it got really quiet out there. It was the first time something really felt like it went my way when they (the judges) took my priority away. By the time they announced it, Joel was above the wave and couldn’t catch it. That was the turning point for me. Every contest I’ve won, there’s some moment where things go my way.”

The win was also an important one for Kelly’s world title campaign. The win moved the Floridian from fourth to third on the ratings, coming into the European leg. “I knew that heat would either make or break me for the year,” Kell continued. “I would have let Parko have those extra 2,000 points if he’d won and it’d look very different on the ratings. It’s nice heading into Europe. I feel like I’ve had so many good years at Lowers and the pressure is really on every year to make the Final – I feel like it’s been like that since I’ve been on tour. It’s cool to win the 50th here. I won my first event as a pro here and it’s great to get this win.”

CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Hurley Pro at Trestles):
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 41,250 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
3. Kelly Slater (USA)
4. John John Florence (HAW)
5. Adriano de Souza (BRA)