THE ARMADA ARRIVES

After a mostly comfortable trip from Padang to the Mentawai islands, the OP PRO armada dropped anchor at Lance's Rights. A hot sunny day accompanied a 3' swell, which rolled methodically into the reef--a fun day of surf and ideal for a tune up. The cobwebs of travel have now been cut away.

One of the boats in our fleet opted to move over to Lance's Left. However, at Lance's Right, Occy, Tim Curran, Bruce Irons, Andy Irons, CJ Hobgood and Shane Dorian tore into small but rippable surf. After a few hours the girls joined in on the fun and the vibe was terrific.

Shane Dorian, who hasn't surfed in three weeks, paddled straight into the heart of the lineup and turned on set wave. He took off and pulled in. Six seconds later he came flying out of a voracious tube. "My first wave in three weeks!" screamed Dorian ecstatically.

The "survivor" contest(pr link) format was the topic of the morning out in the lineup. "Any format, no matter what it is, will have it's flaws," said OP PRO judge Damien "Dooma" Hardman. "The "survivor" format is different, and in that sense alone it makes it kinda interesting. I reckon it's pretty cool--unless you lose first."

Being on the 'CT, we're used to surfing two heats, no matter what," added CJ Hobgood. "But this is a different event, and I kinda like the survivor idea. It adds drama."

On another note, Dr. Warren Kramer was put to work early, as a member of the Bluetorch film crew plastered his head onto the reef, requiring six stitches to the scalp. The slightly groggy lensmen is gonna make it. No amputation needed.

Tomorrow holds the hope of bigger surf. Either way, contest director Bernie Baker is chomping at the bit to get the first heat in the water. And even at this size (3'), it's totally contestable.

 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

Check out event coverage on OP.COM

For more information go to http://www.surfermag.com

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