Fisher arrives late; Goodale gets his feet wet

The first day of the six-star World Qualifying Series Reef Hawaiian Pro at Ali‘i Beach Park kicked off with stellar conditions on Monday, Nov. 12. Spectators celebrating Veteran’s Day were treated to awesome 5-to 8-foot waves and world-class surfing at the first event of the Vans of Triple Crown of Surfing. The surf allowed competitors to display their high performance wave riding.

And, for 16-year-old Dylan Goodale, it was a chance for the Reef team rider to wet his feet in professional competition in the first heat of the day.

“This was the first ‘QS I’ve ever done and I was kind of nervous out there,” Goodale told the media. “I thought there was going to be more waves out there.” The Kauaian super grom had problems finding a backup score and also lost his board in the heat. Goodale wasn’t the only Reef rider experiencing problems. Australian Paul Fisher missed his flight on Sunday, showed up in Honolulu on Monday morning at 6 a.m. and jammed out to Hale‘iwa.

Despite the tardiness and jet lag, Fisher surfed brilliantly on the head high rights. “I paddled out for my heat and those two waves just came,” Fisher said in a release. “Mate, I could sleep for two days right now.”

There was no time for a nap though as the Aussie natural-foot faced fellow Reef team mate Jack Perry, Brazilian Gilmar Silva and Hawai‘is Daniel Jones.

The Hawaiian would go on to win the heat and Fisher would advance in second. Although Fisher would get to Round 3, he narrowly missed a berth into the fourth round. Fisher will be hanging out at the contest site though, interviewing the competitors.