Pete Mel Wins The 2013 Mavericks Invitational

Pete Mel just won the 2013 Mavericks Invitational. He beat Mark Healey, Zach Wormhoudt, Alex Martins, Shawn Dollar and Greg Long in the final. Last week, the event was called on for Sunday (today PST), and once the call’s made, it’s all go. Waves weren’t ideal for the 24 invitees, but there were certainly some bombs and conditions (bar size) were as good as could’ve been asked for. Interestingly, Kelly Slater and Shane Dorian were both absent from the event. Shane pulled out due to a shoulder injury he scooped at Portugal’s Nazare. But Kelly pulled out because of a conflict with ASP. Since the Mavs event isn’t an ASP-sanctioned affair, Kelly would’ve been fined, lost ASP points (and possibly his seeding), had he entered Mavs. If nothing else, pulling outta the event could be an indication of Kelly’s intentions for next year (i.e. competing, as if there was ever any doubt.) Surfing highlights were Mark Healey’s airdrop into a left cave, and Pete Mel and Dave Wassel’s takeoff collision. Now playing on demand over at Red Bull TV. Check out more photos at the event website, here.