Some things you should know about this year’s Hurley Pro

The Lowers party starts in fiveish days. And as the radical pre-game continues, which has so far included an expression session auction and public-voted video trials, the Hurley Pro more and more becomes the event that’ll drain the most data in webcast streaming and most limited disposable incomes in betting. With which there is positively nothing wrong. As game day draws closer, we have the pleasure of three surfers’ headspaces during the lead-up. Joel Parkinson, defending world champ and current world number three, with another required win to defend his world title. Jordy Smith, world number four and looking to scratch the itch that is a champagne shower at Lowers. And, Ace Buchan, world number 10, greased with a Chopes win (all the sweeter over Kelly). Here’s each surfer’s current trajectory and what to expect from this event, as collected by our pals at the ASP.

This is Joel Parkinson, famous power surfer, doing a large air. Below you’ll find Jordy Smith, famous aerial surfer, doing a large power turn. ASP/Rowland

Joel Parkinson

“I’ve just got to channel what was working for me last season. I had a great run though California and Europe last year and I’ve just got to recapture that consistency again. Looking at the ratings, I’ll probably need to win one of the next three events, if not two, if I’m going to be a chance to put myself in the world title mix again. However, I’ve felt great about my surfing this year. I love Trestles. It’s such a high performance wave and I think everyone acknowledges that, but it’s also a great ‘flow’ wave. It’s a great wave to flow your turns together and choreograph a wave and make it look great from beginning to end. Trestles – when it’s on – is the kind of wave where everyone looks good. In terms of results, Kelly and Mick are always good there, Taj and Jordy will be in the mix, and I reckon Gabe and Julian are big chances as well.”

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Jordy’s brilliance lies in the fact that he ain’t just an airspace occupier. ASP/Rowland

Jordy Smith

“I still think the title is a possibility, but I understand I need to post a win in the next couple of events,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m slip streaming the breakaway pack at the moment, ready to strike. I’ve had a great preparation for Lowers so far. I’m living in Carlsbad at the moment and have been surfing Trestles every day there has been waves. I love Lowers. I think the slopey wave suits my rail game and I’ve been fine-tuning my CI equipment out there for two years now. Last year still haunts me – if I’d just finished either of my top two waves, I would have been into the Semifinals and possibly further. That’s definitely in the back of my mind and driving me this year. I’ve put in my time at Lowers and when it lines up, the rights are a pretty perfect canvas to tick off everything in your repertoire. I love to use my size and hack the open walls then make the most of the end actions with a punt.”

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Ace is a champion of old fashioned values and ain’t nobody complaining. ASP/Rowland

Ace Buchan

“I think anytime there’s someone outside that established status quo of big multiple event winners there’s an element of surprise and a bit more emotion in the victory (Tahiti). That’s probably a nod to just how good those guys are. I think this era is really going to go down as the strongest ever and deepest as far as talent goes. Lowers was actually where my professional career really kicked off. I got a second there to kick off my qualification run in 2005 and I’ve had some really strong results over the years (3rd at the Nike last year) and a bunch of ninths and a Quarterfinal loss to Kelly last year where I really felt strong but made some wave selection errors. In terms of my strengths I think Lowers is up there with my stronger events. It’s a perfect wave but it’s also a very technical one and that suits me. You need to read the wave well and play the game and I like playing the game.”

Other stuff you should know: Glenn Hall’s back is still tweaked from Fiji, and Patty Gudauskas will be taking his chair. And, Dane Reynolds has injured his hand, but is yet to withdraw officially – more info coming shortly. Oh, and Trials runner-up Ian Crane is in, too (the real life trials, not the digital ones).

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Nat Young (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA), Mitch Crews (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Brett Simpson (USA), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS), Gabriel Medina (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 9: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS), John John Florence (HAW), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF), Kai Otton (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA)
* Draw subject to change pending withdrawals.