Round one of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti

Round one of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti

Round one of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti ran today, on the first day of its waiting period. The waves were amazing, clean blue barrels, the size of which we’ll leave for you to decide. Biggest upset was current world number one Joel Parkinson’s defeat and relegation to round two. Highest combined heat-score was from the same heat, with CJ Hobgood clocking in 19.38 out of a possible 20. Yikes. If the swell stays this big (or, fingers crossed, picks up) then who’s gonna win?

All photos courtesy of ASP

Cory Lopez proved he was deserving of his spot on tour (thought the void Dane’s left is a big one to fill). He beat fellow-goofy footer Ace Buchan, and Chris Davidson.

Josh Kerr fell to Jules Wilson, but finished in front of Adriano De Souza. Did y’know the aerial wizard is goddamn handy in the barrel?

Jadson Andre beat Frenchman Jeremy Flores, but couldn’t get past South African Travis Logie.

How many Monsters do you have?

Y’better believe Freddie P still gots it – dude took down Matt Wilko and Taj Burrow in his first round heat.

After being duped by Freddie P, Wilko will now face Alejo Muniz in round two.

Taj fell to Wilko and Freddie, but he got to surf awesome Chopes and, hey, there’s always round two.

CJ Hobgood took down world number one Joel Parkinson today, netting the highest combined score so far, with a 19.37 outta a possible 20. How good’s the front arm stall?

Coming back over CJ was never really on the cards for Joel.

Joel, falling to CJ (ahhh! Geddit?).

“I just tried to catch a lot of waves,” said Dusty Payne. “Teahupo’o is one of my top two favourite waves in the world, the other being Pipeline. I’ve been spending time with Bruce (Irons) here and we’ve had a lot of good talks about the spot and the event. I’m just cruising.”

Did y’see the clip we ran of Jordy packing his bags? Maybe it was all just a show, part of his game plan. Or, maybe, he really is just that lazy and naturally talented.

Coming off a win in South Africa, Jordy looked comfortable. He blasted through round one, saying afterwards: “It’s so much fun – just perfect, blue barrels.”

Kelly, having missed out on J-Bay, was looking dangerous in the pre-contest warm up. But it was only a last-minute wave that put him ahead of Dan Ross and Heiarii Williams. “I was a bit greedy and trying to stay in the barrel a bit longer than I should have.”

King Kell, slappin fives.

In a relatively low-scoring heat, Owen Wright, despite seeming made for Chopes (goofy, tall, strong, etc) couldn’t get it together against Heitor Alves and Kai Otton.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.83, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.47, Chris Davidson (AUS) 4.67
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 15.83, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.73, Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.27
Heat 3: Travis Logie (ZAF) 16.07, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.40, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.73
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.23, Gabe Kling (USA) 13.97, Tiago Pires (PRT) 7.97
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.36, Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 14.47, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.47
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.96, Daniel Ross (AUS) 13.07, Heiarii Williams (PYF) 10.47
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 11.47, Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.53, Owen Wright (AUS) 10.33
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 19.38, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.60, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.33
Heat 9: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.90, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.53, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.10
Heat 10: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.73, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.10, Brett Simpson (USA) 8.83
Heat 11: Dusty Payne (HAW) 16.76, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.63, Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.17
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.84, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.27

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 7: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 10: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)