SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The 6.0 Lowers Pro commenced competition yesterday, in clean 2- to 3-foot surf at Lower Trestles, Calif. and Day 1 saw the famed, cobblestone pointbreak play host to some of the most dynamic surfing of the
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The 6.0 Lowers Pro commenced competition yesterday, in clean 2- to 3-foot surf at Lower Trestles, Calif. and Day 1 saw the famed, cobblestone pointbreak play host to some of the most dynamic surfing of the season.
The Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series 4-Star event completed the opening round of competition today as well as the first nine heats of Round 2.
Shane Beschen, a four-time past champion of the ASP WQS event at Lower Trestles (1992, 1993, 1996, 2003) and former world runner-up on the ASP World Tour, proved why he is the man to beat at the venue, posting a solid 14.33 out of a possible 20 to advance through to Round 3.
“I’m just going out and having fun and want to keep making heats,” Beschen said, in a release. “It looks like some swell is on the forecast too, and I’m looking forward to a good event.”
Jason Collins of Santa Cruz, Calif., was another standout surfer yesterday, amassing an impressive 17.16 points out of a possible 20 in his Round 1 heat before advancing through to Round 3 (behind Beschen).
“The waves are pretty good — better than I thought they would be as I thought it would be flat,” Collins said. “I’m riding a Stretch epoxy and it seemed to be working really well, so hopefully I can keep getting a couple of good waves each heat and have a good event.”
Zach Keenan, a veteran campaigner on the ASP WQS, put his years of competitive experience to use yesterday, winning both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats. Keenan dropped an impressive single wave score of 9.17 out of possible 10 for a series of blistering rail gouges and will look to the generated momentum to his advantage in Round 3.
“I usually have a better seed, but I only did a couple of contests last year,” Keenan said. “I definitely think it’s important to get into a rhythm early on in an event, especially at a wave like Lowers. It helps to get into a groove in the earlier rounds to get your form up. That way you’re able to continue that rhythm in the later rounds when it really matters.”
Kyle Ramey of Po‘ipu, utilizing his progressive blend of new school wizardry, smashed his Round 2 heat choosing the clean Lowers righthanders to unleash his impressive forehand attack.
“I’m feeling pretty good, my boards are going good, and the surf is a lot bigger than it has been,” Ramey said. “I’m just going to try go get good waves, go big, do some big turns, and get some good scores in the rest of the event.”
Australia’s Brent Dorrington, last season’s Oakley Pro Junior at Lowers Champion, has graduated from the ASP Pro Junior Series onto the ASP WQS, and proved he is ready for the challenge, dominating his Round 1 heat.
“I’m feeling good and I’ve got a few good boards right now, so I’m stoked,” Dorrington said. “I really like this wave, and I got a couple of good ones today. I’m just looking to go heat by heat to try and advance through the next rounds.”
With Dorrington now competing exclusively on the ASP WQS, a new champion will be crowned in this season’s ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior, which begins competition on Friday.
In addition to the importance of helping surfers qualify for the prestigious ASP World Tour, the 6.0 Lowers Pro also kick starts the 2008 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series (and ASP North America Specialty Series).
The event at Lowers will see three past Trifecta Champions in Asher Nolan (Jacksonville Beach, FL), Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) and Adam Virs (Ventura, CA) all donning competition jerseys in the coming days so the Surf Series is looking at an explosive start.
The ASP WQS 4-Star 6.0 Lowers Pro will recommence at 8 a.m., today, with Heat 10 of Round 2.
For results, see today’s Scoreboard on opposite page.
