The Quiksilver Pro, France

Meet Miky Picon, Contest Director of the Quik Pro, France. Here, the man behind the event (which starts tomorrow) talks about, among other things, his thoughts on the contest and the kinda waves that locals have been scoring in the event’s lead-up. This clip’ll also remind you of some awesome moments that’ve gone down in previous years (with many more to come this year, no doubt).

A welcome sight will be the return of Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith in contest jerseys, as they’ve both been confirmed in the draw (both back from rib injury). “After several weeks of rehab and sitting out for two events, I’m excited for my return to competition in France,” Jordy recently told the ASP. “The ribs are still a bit sore when I’m paddling, but it’s time for me to be back and hopefully we have good waves for the event here in France.” Hopefully the cage won’t hinder his flare too much.

Another element of sizzle is the continuing Owen Wright/Kelly Slater rivalry. Will Kelly’s arsenal give him the edge? Channel Islands recently posted some details about his quiver for the Euro leg.

L to R: 5’11″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 51/6″ Step up Fred Rubble, 5’11″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 51/6″ Step up Semi Pro, 5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Fred Rubble, 5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Fred Rubble, 5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Semi Pro, 5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Semi Pro. All tri, quad or five fin compatible.

“Kelly has been surfing around the Malibu area lately and trying his new sticks. The feedback has been super positive and I would put money that if France is smaller, like it could be this year, those epoxy Fred Rubbles and Semi Pros will be his go to boards. It’s tough because there is always the possibility that the Quik pro France could get big like last year. He has to make sure he has a step up or two in his quiver. A 5’11″ sufficed last year at maxed-out Hossegor. Also, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, which could also have some solid swell, is directly after France so he has to plan for two back to back events in Europe.”

Read the whole thing over at CI’s site, here.

Just so y’can ready your online betting account, here’s the first round match-ups:

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA), John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBA
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), TBA
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Josh Kerr (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
NOTE: Draw subject to change pending withdrawals.

Watch the whole thing live, here.