Another QS Is About To Score: Blame it On Rio

Oh, how the tides have turned. The QS, formerly known as The Grind, is looking lot more like the Dream Tour than the poor, old CT when it comes to wave quality in 2016.

This week the Komune Bali Pro hits Keramas at precisely the same time a large south swell is forecast to smash the Bukit. And who should be in town but defending champ Taj Burrow, his mate Joel Parkinson, and good ol’ Bruce Irons. Game on!

“I really love this wave and I’ve got a lot of mates here so it’s a no-brainer to come and do this event,” said Taj. “Last year was such a fun event, winning it was just a bonus. It looks like there’s going to be plenty of swell this week so I can’t wait to get out there with just a couple of other guys.”

Taj, off the tour and still making all the right stops. Photo: WSL

So when Taj tells you he’s retiring, you can take that to mean that he’s retiring from slogging around the world in pursuit of points and shit surf. But eight-foot Keramas? Well, that’s another thing entirely. As high performance a wave as you’re going to find, Taj and the boys certainly don’t mind pulling on a jersey under such conditions.

Add a tablespoon of Jack Robinson, a dash of Kalani David, and pinches of Zeke Lau and Brent Dorrington to the Komune pot and the Bali stew simmers sweet.

Shoeys, Hueys, and a little magic via Brent Dorrington.

“I’ve surfed Keramas a bit and absolutely love the wave, it’s just so perfect, whether it’s barrels or turns, it has it all. I feel pretty confident so those CT guys better watch out because I’m coming in hot,” cackles Brenno.

The Komune Bali Pro, which runs from May 3-7, is half contest, half party. With a pool and bar on the beach and the Hueys throwing behind the wheel, how could it be anything else? 

The contest comes on the heels of the highly visible Rip Curl Mentawai Pro – another QS1000 rated event. With its bounty of perfection at Lance’s Right, young Aussie Chris Zaffis came away with the win in the Ments. What’ll happen in Bali is anybody’s guess, but it’ll probably be better than anything we’re going to see out of Rio in a couple weeks…