Slater’s departure was the big story of the round, though both Hobgood brothers were also eliminated.

Defending ASP World Tour champ Mick Fanning had no problem with Brazil’s Rodrigo Dornelles and will meet Bruce Irons in Round Four.  Also advancing are Bobby Martinez, Ben Dunn, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge.

Read on for the official press release and full results.

Tiago Pires

Rookie Pires Bests ASP Ratings Leader Slater in Rip Curl Pro Search Round

SOMEWHERE, Indonesia (Saturday, August 2, 2008) – Tiago Pires (PRT), 2008 Dream Tour rookie and current No. 39 on the ASP World Tour ratings, caused a sensational upset today, eliminating eight-time ASP World Champion and current ratings leader on the ASP World Tour, Kelly Slater (USA), from Rip Curl Pro Search competition in Round 3.

Running in solid six foot (2 metre) waves at the primary venue ‘somewhere’ in Indonesia, Round 3 of the Rip Curl Pro Search was treated to some fantastic performances, none moreso than Pires’ come-from-behind victory over Slater. Needing a 7.16 in the dying moments, Pires watched a priority-holding Slater take the first wave of the set, leaving the European to pig-dog an incredible backdoor pit for an 8.40 and the win.

“There were two waves at the end of that heat and he went on the first one and I took the second and it turned out to be a really good wave,” Pires said. “When I came out of the barrel and into the channel, everyone was screaming. This is the biggest win of my career. I have won a few ASP WQS events, but to beat Slater here in these conditions is amazing.”

Pires’ victory was well celebrated on the cliff by several members of the ASP Top 45 as the young Portuguese surfer is the first Dream Tour competitor to defeat Slater in 2008.

“When I came up through the cave it felt like I won the event,” Pires said. “There were so many people screaming and cheering. It felt really good. I guess it’s a big deal that no one else had beat him this year, but I’ve been training hard and I hope to be going much further in this event.”

Slater, who has won a staggering four out of five events thus far on the 2008 ASP World Tour, was gracious in his defeat, congratulating his opponent while considering his tactical mistake.

“I knew I shouldn’t have gone on that first wave,” Slater said. “Congratulations to Tiago (Pires) as he surfed really well. He’s definitely not one who I underestimate and he is probably one of the best barrel-riders in the world. It was one of those situations that I played through in my head about a minute before it actually happened, but that happens from time to time. Before the contest started, I said my luck would have to run out somewhere and I guess it was here.”

Still sitting with a comfortable lead in the race for the 2008 ASP World Title, Slater will regroup and look towards the next event at Lower Trestles, California in September.

“It’s an unfortunate result here – no one likes a 17th,” Slater said. “However we get two throwaways and when I do that, I’m still counting four wins this year which is pretty good. Lowers has always been a good venue for me. It feels like my backyard and it is typically one where I do really well. You can never discount any one in any heat though, these are the best surfers in the world and they’re all dangerous.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), reigning ASP World Champion and former Rip Curl Pro Search winner (2005), competed immediately following Slater’s elimination, comfortably advancing past Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 16.34 to 3.90.

“Our heat was so slow for waves it was unbelievable,” Fanning said. “I was in the water at the end of Slater and Tiago’s heat and when Tiago (Pires) came out of the barrel, the entire cliff erupted and I thought, ‘wow, that sure isn’t for us because nothing has happened yet.’ Fortunately a few rolled through and I was in position to capitalize. I’m happy to be moving through to Round 4.”

Fanning, currently sitting No. 4 on the 2008 ASP World Tour ratings, is in position to benefit from Slater’s early elimination and regroup his 2008 ASP World Title defensive campaign.

“Tiago (Pires) has been putting in a lot of great performances all year long and it was only a matter of time before he took down a big name,” Fanning said. “I think what it’s done is really fired everyone up, especially the top seeds since it offers us a chance to gain some ground on Kelly (Slater).”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), current No. 2 on the 2008 ASP World Tour ratings, put in the strongest performance of the day, eliminating goofy-footer Royden Bryson (ZAF) with the day’s high heat total of an 18.40 out of a possible 20.

“Indonesia is such a tidal spot,” Parkinson said. “Some heats will have really good waves while others have a bit of a struggle. Thankfully for us, the waves really turned on there and I was able to grab a couple of good ones.”

Kai Otton (AUS), current No. 12 on the 2008 ASP World Tour ratings, was another to cause a big upset today, eliminating dangerous goofy-footer Damien Hobgood (USA) from Rip Curl Pro Search competition.

“Damien (Hobgood) and I are really good friends and we’ve been surfing out here a lot the past few days,” Otton said. “We knew we were seeded pretty close for this Round and we were watching all day yesterday to see what would happen – seeing who could lose or win so that we didn’t end up with each other. That’s how it goes sometimes and I was able to get a couple of really good ones towards the start and managed to get through.”

Otton opened up with two lengthy forehand barrels, netting him a heat total of 17.50 out of a possible 20, to eliminate Hobgood and the young Australian hopes his momentum will carry him though the remainder of the event.

“I’ve had a pretty shocking year so far and I haven’t managed better than 9th,” Otton said. “I’m fired up to be here though and into Round 4 and I’m ready to break through with a result.”

Surfline, official forecasters for the 2008 Rip Curl Pro Search, are calling for the current Southwest swell to maintain throughout the night and into tomorrow before fading tomorrow night.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am for a possible 7am start.

The event will be webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com/

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH ROUND 3 RESULTS
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.84 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 9.77
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS) 17.50 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.83
Heat 3: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 6.86 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 4.90
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.40 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 11.43
Heat 5: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.64
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.43 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 14.40
Heat 7: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 17.43 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 11.83
Heat 8: Tiago Pires (PRT) 17.57 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.33
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.34 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 3.90
Heat 10: Bruce Irons (HAW) 15.50 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 6.24
Heat 11: Mikael Picon (FRA) 14.00 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5.67
Heat 12: Ben Dunn (AUS) 14.43 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.17
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.30 def. Ben Bourgeois (USA) 8.43
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.10 def. Roy Powers (HAW) 9.60
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) 17.33 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.34
Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) 14.84 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 8.67

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 4: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 6: Mikael Picon (FRA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 8: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

Round two of the Billabong Pro J-Bay went down today and there were a few exits of note as Joel Parkinson dispatched wildcard Mark Occhilupo and Aussie Mick Campbell knocked out Damien Hobgood.  Andy Irons and Bobby Martinez also advanced into Round Three, with Martinez nabbing the second perfect 10.0 on one of his waves.  Local Jordy Smith (pictured) posted the highest heat total of the day as he advanced over Neco Padaratz.

Among the other surfers to see their day end were Pancho Sullivan, Dane Reynolds, Ben Dunn and Tiago Pires.

After two straight days of action the contest may be off this weekend as conditions are expected to be uneven.  Check out the official site for more and read on for the press release about Friday’s action from South Africa.

Jordy Smith Whales on the Competition in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro J-Bay

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 11, 2008) – South African rookie Jordy Smith gave the local crowd what they came for when he posted the highest heat total of Round 2 to advance to Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay today.

Smith eliminated Brazil’s Neco Padaratz in three to five foot (one and half metre) waves courtesy of the 18.60 heat total he amassed – the second highest of the event thus far. He has drawn Dean Morrison (AUS) in Round 3.

“It’s good to get one nailed away and get the nerves out,” Smith said. “Now I’m just stoked I didn’t get a 33rd and looking forward to the next round.”

Smith scored a 9.00 on his first wave ridden. He sealed the deal with a 9.60 toward the end of the heat.

“I wanted to catch one early in the heat just to feel my board and feel my feet,” Smith said. “The wave was a real nice peeling one and I ended up getting a 9.00. After that score I just realized that I needed to wait for a better one. Luckily I waited and I got it.”

A 30-foot humpback whale was among the locals on hand to support Smith. The massive mammal surfaced just meters away from the surfers a handful of times – set waves rolled through right after each time.

“Hopefully the whale sticks around for a couple more of my heats,” Smith said. “The set came and it was there so I’m hoping to see it again!”

Today’s elimination of higher-rated rookie Dane Reynolds (USA), leaves opportunity for Smith to close the gap in the ASP Rookie of the Year race. Reynolds is currently rated 16th, Smith 19th.

“Dane is a great surfer but I’m just trying to do my own thing really,” Smith said. “It’s a bit unlucky that he lost earlier. I actually would have liked to see him get through.”

Reynolds went down to Brazilian Heitor Alves in the second highest scoring heat of the day. Alves’16.66 trumped Reynolds 13.83, and sent him home with his first 33rd place result of the year.

“I’m so happy,” Alves said. “To get two 8s in a heat? I can’t believe it. I feel comfortable here. I like this wave.”

The second perfect 10 of the Billabong Pro JBay was earned by Bobby Martinez (USA) today. Martinez hasn’t scored a perfect 10 since Chile in 2006 – and event then, he didn’t win his heat. The deep barrel Martinez emerged from was clearly the wave of the day.

“It was a weird wave because I took off and couldn’t see – the sun was in my eyes,” Martinez said. “I’m not even sure why I went for the barrel because I haven’t been barreled the whole trip but it just happened. I almost fell in there, I got off balance, but luckily I didn’t. I came out. I was lucky to get a wave out there period and then to get a wave like that… it came from someone I think.”

Martinez’s Round 2 victory over wildcard Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) will see him draw Luke Munro in Round 3.

Andy Irons (HAW) also got the better of his wildcard opponent but was quick to disclose that the cold water has been an issue for him.

“You have to pick the right ones and that has been tough for me lately,” Irons said. “I’ve been battling the cold badly. I went to Bali before this and I think that was a bad move because it’s hard to get motivated to get out there. I only surfed once before the contest and then only in heats ever since.”

ASP World No. 2 Joel Parkinson was the highest seeded surfer negotiating Round 2 today. He beat his traveling buddy in 1999 ASP World Champion and wildcard Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in the first heat of the day.

“We were both serious about it,” Parkinson said. “We both wanted to win but Oc broke his fin on the way out and it kind of sent him into a frenzy there for a while. I was kind of laughing because, typical Occy, he had the full panic head on saying, ‘Oh, I’ll be right, I’ll be right,’ then he just grabbed some other kid’s board and surfed it. It was a good heat though.”

Pancho Sullivan (HAW), who was unable to arrive in time to surf his Round 2 heat due to passport problems beyond his control, gave Ben Bourgeois (USA) a bye into a Round 3. Bourgeois will use that saved energy to take on reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) when competition resumes.

Forecasts indicate that conditions may be unsuitable for Billabong Pro competition over the weekend. Still, event officials will meet each morning at 7 to monitor the waves and make an official call.

Additional information can be found on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.33 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 9.67
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 15.17 def. Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.83
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 16.33 def. Rudy (jnr) Palmboom (ZAF) 4.33
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.07 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 11.00
Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.67 def. Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 11.34
Heat 6: Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.00 def. Daniel Ross (AUS) 7.60
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.27 def. Jihad Khodr (BRA) 13.94
Heat 8: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.50 def. Timmy Reyes (USA) 12.00
Heat 9: Ben Bourgeois (USA) adv. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) n/s
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 15.66 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.50
Heat 11: Heitor Alves (BRA) 16.66 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.83
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.10 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 13.70
Heat 13: Mick Campbell (AUS) 15.30 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.50
Heat 14: Luke Munro (AUS) 16.33 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 12.55
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.60 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 11.33
Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) 13.16 def. Mikael Picon (FRA) 12.17

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 16: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

When the event starts, one big name may not be in attendance. Dane Reynolds, currently ranked no. 10 in the world, posted an update on his site saying he was sick and was going to miss at least round one. If he missed it, he would still have a chance to compete in round two.

Here’s what Reynolds wrote on his website yesterday.

I was meant to fly out to Fiji last night for the next WCT event that starts tomorrow. Instead I’m stuck at home nursing some kind of illness that nobody can say what it is. It started 2 days ago with some serious chest pain and something restricting my breathing. I went to urgent care and they did an EKG and a chest x-ray. They sent me to the emergency room where they did more of the same, along with some blood tests. At about 3 AM I was discharged without an answer.

Yesterday I was bedridden with some bad flu like symptoms. My brain felt like it was in a deep frier, aches, pain, still some trouble breathing. Hot and cold flashes. Anyways, The point is is that I’m missing the first round in Fiji due to this illness, but if my health improves I’ll fly out tomorrow night and try and catch the second round. So basically, if I’m on your fantasy surfer team, pull me off. Trade me for adriano or something.

dane

(Note to Dane: I ended up dropping you and picking up Joel Parkinson. Sorry)

On a positive note, the event’s defending champ, Damien Hobgood, will be back in action after missing the recently completed Billabong Pro Tahiti.

Check out the official site for the latest info and then read the press release below for more.

The Going Looks Good for the 2008 Globe Pro Fiji

COOLANGATTA, Australia – Just one week after wrapping up competition at Teahupoo in Tahiti, the ASP Top 45 are eyeing promising surf forecasts in Fiji – it looks as if the fourth event on the 2008 ASP World Tour, the Globe Pro Fiji, could get underway the first day of waiting period on Sunday, May 25, 2008.

While the surfers will arrive on the idyllic islands of Tavarua and Namotu on Saturday, May 24, a traditional Fijian Welcome Ceremony and freesurfing will take center stage –official competition cannot commence before Sunday.

“I spoke to the Globe crew who are preparing everything for a likely Day 1 start in Fiji,” Contest Director Steve Roberts said. “They tell me it is flat today but the weather is whipping up and there’s clearly some serious activity in the Tasman Seas so everyone is excited about arriving into some great swell.”

According to the official Globe Pro Fiji forecasters at Wavewatch.com, conditions are expected to be in the double overhead and higher range through the weekend.

“I don’t want to get too excited just yet but apparently Jon Roseman and Dave Clarke are optimistic that Sunday could see Restaurants fire up,” Roberts said. “The last time we surfed the Globe Pro at Restaurants was the Kelly Slater vs. C.J. Hobgood final in some of the best surf ever seen in an ASP event. Between Cloudbreak and Restaurants we’re in for an amazing event in one of surfing’s dream locations and with swell coming, well, let’s get ready for a really special event!”

Damien Hobgood won the event in 2006, and after recovering from a recent shoulder injury, is ready to defend his title next week. (NB: the Globe Pro Fiji was not held in 2007).

“I just started surfing and feels pretty good,” Damien Hobgood said. “My shoulder gets stronger every day and I will be surfing for sure.”

Hobgood was also the defending champion going into last week’s competition in Tahiti, but he had to pull out of the event at the last minute when it was apparent his fractured shoulder had not healed completely.

“It was really hard not surfing Tahiti but I know it was the right decision if I wanted to be able to surf Fiji and the rest of the year,” Damien Hobgood said.

A third of the way through the season, ASP rookie Dane Reynolds (USA) sits just inside the Top 10 as the highest rated tour newcomer of eight. Next in line and 11 spots below him sits South Africa’s Jordy Smith.

“I guess it relieves a little pressure,” Reynolds said. “It’s early in the year though and doesn’t really mean anything yet, I don’t think. I’m happy to be there though.”

Despite his rookie status, Reynolds has competed in ASP World Tour competition in Fiji before.

“I’ve never had much luck at Cloudbreak – I find it pretty tricky although I’ve never had it really good,” Reynolds said. “I love Restaurants though. I actually won the trials out there in 2004.”

A LIVE webcast of the Globe Pro Fiji will be available on www.globeprofiji.com.

Top 10 ASP World Tour Rated Surfers going into the Globe Pro Fiji:
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 2810 points
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 2340 points
3. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 2318 points
4. Andy Irons (HAW) 2196 points
5. Mick Fanning (AUS) 1989 points
6. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 1932 points
7. Taj Burrow (AUS) 1886 points
8. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 1874 points
9. Kai Otton (AUS) 1800 points
10. Dane Reynolds (USA) 1742 points

Damien Hobgood has officially withdrawn from the Billabong Pro Tahiti after breaking his shoulder last month.  He had been hoping to be healed enough to make the event, but with it expected to kick off today, time ran out.

“I wanted to wait until the last minute to see if it would be possible for me to surf but my arm was too weak to be able to pull that off,” Hobgood said. “Also if I would have hit my shoulder again, that could have put me out for a lot longer and after making that mistake last year, I didn’t want to repeat it. I should be able to surf Fiji so I am really looking forward to getting back in the water for that event.”

Hobgood is the defending champ at the contest (he’s pictured above in ’07) and will be replaced by Aussie Nic Muscroft.  The next ASP World Tour event is the Globe Fiji and Hobgood is the last winner of that contest which was last held in 2006.

Because of the change in seeding, first-round matchips have changed for the Billabong Pro. Check out the latest order below and then catch the webcast later today on billabongpro.com.

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Roy Powers (HAW), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Tim Reyes (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW), Ben Dunn (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 12: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 15: Dane Reynolds (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 16: Neco Padaratz (BRA), Bruce Irons (HAW), Daniel Wills (AUS)

The Billabong Pro Tahiti started its holding period today and due to less than optimum conditions a lay day was called.

“We had a good look at it and we are opting not to run today,” Contest Director Luke Egan said. “I watched it for an hour last night and if it looked like that this morning then I was definitely going to run. Time is on our side with the waiting period so we are going to utilize it fully.”

Conditions could be small for a few days and last year’s champ, Damien Hobgood, who was apparently going to miss the contest due to injury, may still sneak in if he feels up to it.

When action does kick off, you can watch it live on www.billabongpro.com. Until then, you can go to the site to see some pretty pictures of the Tahitian people. Like the woman above.

Here are the first round match-ups.

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Roy Powers (HAW), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Tim Reyes (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW), Ben Dunn (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 12: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 15: Dane Reynolds (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 16: Neco Padaratz (BRA), Bruce Irons (HAW), Daniel Wills (AUS)

And here’s my fantasy surfing match-ups. I still have Damien in there. I may regret it. Last month I took out Kelly Slater because it looked like he was going to miss the Gold Coast event and look what happened then.

Mick Fanning
Bobby Martinez
Damien Hobgood
Bede Durbidge
Adriano de Souza
Dane Reynolds
Tiago Pires
Jamie O’Brien