Home |
THE other OP PRO MENTAWAIS--AN
ASP SPECIALTY EVENT Presented by Surfer Magazine
FIRST HEAT HITS THE WATER
Women take to the water at Lance's Left: Beachley wins round 1, $2500.
Day 1
photo by � Steve Robertson
Today, under slightly overcast skies, the first official
heat of the OP PRO other took place. Contest Director Bernie Baker chose
the peeling, hollow walls at Lance's Left for the lucky four women involved.
Surf size ranged from 3'-5', with an occasional 6-footer rolling through.
An onshore wind picked up midway through the heat, putting
a bump on the wave faces. Nevertheless, Layne Beachely didn't let the
less-than-optimal conditions stop her from snagging the biggest set waves
and carving them to the channel. Beachley's wave knowledge and tact led
her to the winner's circle in round 1, and she walked off with the $2500
for her efforts.
"The conditions were pretty poor. You have to adapt and
change your strategy in conditions like that," explained Beachley. "Basically
you have to slow down and really read the wave. You can't just throw caution
to the wind. You have to take it easier, and employing a cautious approach
to the bumpy conditions paid off."
Following Beachley in order of finish was Serena Brooke,
Rochelle Ballard, and Keala Kennelly.
Rochelle Ballard had a hard time in the challenging conditions.
"In one word: frustrated," explained defending champ Ballard. "Trying
to be in control out there, it just didn't work. You'd be in the middle
of a good hard turn and then you'd hit a chop...plus the tide was changing."
The women will surf again, in a 2nd round heat, and the
top three cumulative scores will decide who moves on into the next round.
Three women survive. One unlucky women surfer will be "voted off the island"
after round two.
The men spent the afternoon surfing small, offshore and
perfect HTs. More competition is planned for tomorrow, as a low pressure
system is setting up nicely in the Indian ocean.
Scott Bass
BLUETORCH TV on FOX SPORTSNET TV schedule for the OP PRO
MENTAWAIS
Tentative exact dates:
* SEPTEMBER 10-snow
at 4pm and 2am
* SEPTEMBER 24-28 at 4pm and 2am
<< Mentawai Surf Contest
Intro
<< Back
check out www.aspworldtour.com
SURF
@ www.boarding.nethttp://www.boarding.net
|