Stab’s Picks for the Hurley Pro Video Trials (round one)

The Hurley Video Trials are into the business end of round one. And, we’ve picked our favourites. Hate ’em, rate ’em, we don’t mind – these are our feels. (watch all the video heats here) **** Dusty Payne vs Caio IbelliStab pick: Dusty Payne Purely for the fact that Dusty’s two clips are late-2000s judging criteria and Caio’s are late-90s three-to-the-beach criteria. What? **** Messias Felix vs Albee LayerStab pick: Albee Layer We do like Messias’ entry. But, he’s in the unfortunate position of having come up against one of the biggest no-grab frontside airs ever done. This alone makes Albee Layer, without question, unbeatable in this round. **** Jay Davies vs Stuart KennedyStab pick: Jay Davies Fact: Stu’s reo to reverse combo, and safe-grab frontside swing don’t stand up to Jay’s huge slob throw and powerful backside work. Them’s the breaks. **** Yago Dora vs Ian GentilStab pick: Yago Dora Props to Ian and his smoothness, but Lowers is what we’re trying out for here, not a pointbreak, and Yago is the man who’s gonna be more exciting at the skatepark. **** Jack Freestone vs Cam RichardsStab pick: Jack Freestone Jack’s first wave is a little meh, but that backside roter? To the flats, and settled nicely. Cam’s frontside roter is undoubtedly impressive, but does Cam Richards need any help from us? No. He has the permanently-scrunched forehead of Will Smith’s offspring in his corner. So, #votejack. Oh, but wait, Jack dates Alana Blanchard, surfing’s most Insta-famous personality! Hmmm. Yup, still Jack. **** Matt Banting vs Carlos MunozStab pick: Matt Banting We adore Carlos like the deserts dig the rains, and those backhand blasts on wave two almost sealed this. But Banting’s two waves, as a set, are undeniably polished and consistent. Nobody’s fucking with Matt’s backside roter on wave one, either. **** Torrey Meister vs Ian CraneStab pick: Ian Crane The pepper Ian puts into the bottom turn before his first hit is one of those overlooked nuances we love. And the control he carries through both waves is impressive. Torrey gets extra props for sticking the backside roter with the distraction of a paddler in close proximity, and his two frontside finners are #doingwork, but Ian inches this round for us. **** Patrick Gudauskas vs Alex ChaconStab pick: Pat Gudauskas Have frontside air reverses lost their heft, even when done as a transition? Perhaps a little. Patty’s style ups his points on wave one over Al’s style on wave two, despite the transition air reverse in question. Therefore, what we’re really left to judge here is a Kerrupt vs a Rodeo. And, wait… are rodeos already throwback cool? Shit, they kinda are. Controversial!