Special to TGI SNAPPER ROCKS, Aus. — Reigning two-time world champion Andy Irons of Hanalei landed a huge frontside ‘Alley-Oop’ to take out the Best Aerial section, adding another $1,000 to his bank account in the Foster’s men’s Expression Session
Special to TGI
SNAPPER ROCKS, Aus. — Reigning two-time world champion Andy Irons of Hanalei landed a huge frontside ‘Alley-Oop’ to take out the Best Aerial section, adding another $1,000 to his bank account in the Foster’s men’s Expression Session Saturday.
WCT newcomer and younger brother Bruce made up for his round two loss in the Quiksilver Pro presented by Boost Mobile main event, winning the Best Maneuver category for his aerial 360.
The event took place following the postponement of the World Championship Tour event, and allowed surfers an opportunity to make use of available swell that, despite onshore northerly winds and difficult four- to five- foot surf, attracted a large beach crowd who were witness to some incredible surfing.
“I just dropped into the wave and it wedged up really nicely for an air section,” said Andy. “I went up for the alley-oop and spun out of it really quickly. I was pretty stoked to pull it off.
“Expression Sessions are awesome, especially with conditions like we had. Everyone was doing huge airs and big turns, so it’s exciting to watch,” he added.
Andy, who will surf against Floridian C.J. Hobgood in the fourth round of the Quiksilver Pro, started things of with the huge air.
Bruce followed later, busting his 360 on a solid section.
“Extra money and Expression Sessions are fun,” said Bruce. “You go out there and just do what you want. I definitely didn’t want to let him (Andy) take it all. I knew he already had the best air, so I just went for a variation move and was stoked to win a spot.”
Australian Tom Whitaker also picked up $1,000 for the Best overall ride.
In the women’s session, WCT newcomer Melanie Bartels dominated the women’s Boost Mobile Expression Session, picking up $3,000 for both the Best Maneuver and Best Wave categories. She beat out world #1 Layne Beachley, and Hanalei native and world #2 Keala Kennelly. “Doing an Expression Session you just get to surf, and don’t have to worry about making your heat or hassling anyone,” explained Bartel. “Pretty stoked to be able to surf with all my friends. It was a cool contest and the money helps for sure.”
In the Quiksilver Pro main event, organizers expect the contest to continue on later this week, as a new southerly swell is expected to reach the worldfamous sandbar. The contest was canceled for both Sunday and today due to unfavorable wind conditions.
As for the women’s Roxy Pro presented by Boost Mobile, Kennelly was upset by a local surfer, WCT newcomer Laurina McGrath of Australia, last week in the third round.
Kennelly does have a chance to win some prize money, though, as she leads the “Torquay Time Tunnel” race, which awards the longest recorded tube ride during the event. She free-fell backside into a dredging tube in round one, and emerged 4.5 seconds later, which still stands as the best tube ride through round four.
The men’s “Torquay Time Tunnel” leader is Australian Shaun Gossman, who held on for an amazing 13-second barrel in round one.
