Official Event Guide of the 2010 Hurley Pro

WELCOME TO THE HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES The Grounds for Revolution

Photo: Michael Lallande

HURLEY PRO OFFICIAL CONTEST GUIDE PROJECT EDITOR: Evan Fontaine Produced in partnership with SAN CLEMENTE TIMES 34932 Calle del Sol, Ste. B Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 Phone: 949.388.7700 Publisher: Norb Garrett Senior Graphic Designer: Jasmine Smith Ad Sales/Marketing Director: Michele Reddick HURLEY PRO EVENT STAFF Hurley Pro General Managers: Jeb Siqueiros and Paul Gomez Operations Director: Ratha Harntha (IMG) Event Manager: Lisa Jenkins (IMG) Event Coordinator: Tony Wodarck Contest Director: Pat O’Connell Hurley Media: Evan Slater, Evan Fontaine ASP North America Manager: Meg Bernardo ASP North America Media Manager: Dave Prodan ASP North America Head Judge: Jeff Klugel ASP North America Tour Rep: Mike Martin

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t’s that time of year again…the days are getting shorter, it’s cooler outside and kids are going back to school. This also is the time of year when the best surfers in the world find their way to what is called the most “rippable” wave in the world: Lower Trestles.

Now in its 11th year as an ASP World Tour event, the Hurley Pro (formerly the Boost Mobile Pro) has had its share of memorable performances. Andy Irons’ prelude to future world titles kicked it off in 2000, while Luke Egan laid down some serious tracks in flawless 6- to 8-foot Lowers in 2002. We saw Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith showcase the “New Breed” approach in 2007, taking out Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning in the process. We’ve seen Kelly Slater flare up at just about every Lowers event, taking three victories and a few more world titles along the way. And, of course, we saw Mick Fanning begin his 2009 world title campaign in earnest at Lowers, winning the world’s biggest first-place prize purse in surfing history and his second world title a few months later.

This is just par for the course at Lower Trestles. Because ever since surf contests first made their way to these cobblestone shores, it’s been the grounds for revolution.

It’s where Christian Fletcher put real, functional airs on the map way back in 1989. Where Kelly Slater first showed the world how to put it all together in 1990. And, more recently, how Dane Reynolds and Slater inspired everyone to cut the length of their shortboards by 5 inches. The wave is such an

open canvas, so high-performance friendly that it’s where everyone’s biggest ideas play out in real life.

This year will be no different. For one, the ASP structure itself has been revolutionized, the Hurley Pro being the site of the first change in format since 1992. Starting here at Lowers, 32—not 44—of the world’s best will compete, paving the way for a “One World Ranking System” in 2011. The downside? There are a handful of surfers who had a very short stint on the ASP World Tour in 2010. The upside? A more focused field, an extra round and even more incredible surfing from the world’s elite.

This is also the year where we’re seeing a true tipping point in judging the world’s best. For many of the top guys, airs are like cutbacks, so it’s important to really analyze the criteria, what kind of surfing should be rewarded and where it’s all going. Lowers provides the perfect stage for these “criteria conversations” to be resolved.

Lower Trestles doesn’t just provide in the water — it remains one of the most pristine beaches in Southern California. Working with the California State Parks, we will continue to push for a light footprint and to make sure the beach is cleaner than we found it. In addition, Hurley’s H20 initiative will ensure this is a plastic-water-bottle-free event.

More than anything, we’re excited to host the world’s best surfers in Southern California during our favorite time of year. Crisp mornings, late-season south swells…change is in the air.

See you in the water.

—Pat O’Connell, Event Director

SPECIAL THANKS: California State Parks, San Onofre Surfing Foundation, Arrowhead Water, Surfline, Surfing Magazine, FCS, The City of San Clemente, A-Frame SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

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Kolohe Andino earned a wildcard berth into the event by winning the Hurley Pro Trials at this year’s US Open. Photo: Michael Lallande

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Local wildcard Kolohe Andino hopes to deliver at the Hurley Pro

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olohe Andino’s future is rife with expectations.

Great big ones. At 16, young Andino is one of the most recognizable faces in the surfing world, and rightfully so—he is one of its most talented prospects and fastest rising stars (see this month’s SURFER Magazine cover). He is currently ranked third on the ASP North America Pro Junior series, but will make the jump straight to the Big Leagues as a wildcard in this year’s Hurley Pro. We managed to steal away a few minutes with the San Clemente local before an afternoon session at Lowers to talk about pre-contest jitters, who he digs watching surf his home break and his take on the shift in judging this year.

SC TIMES: HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO YOU TO WIN THE HURLEY PRO TRIALS AT THE US OPEN? KOLOHE ANDINO: After I won it I figured it was the most important thing to win, just because to be able to get into the event and surf my home break with the best surfers in the world is amazing. But at the time, I wasn’t thinking about it as much as I was thinking about the main event and the Junior. But, now that I look back, you know, I’m freaked out that I won it. There were so many good surfers, I just thought I’d try to have fun and see what happens. But it was really important for me.

Kolohe Andino is all smiles going into the event at Trestles. To surf in a World Tour event at his home break is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Photo: Michael Lallande

“I have nothing to lose and everything to gain...”

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SURFING TRESTLES EVERYDAY, YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT WORKS WELL OUT THERE. WHAT WILL YOU BE RIDING? I’m getting a bunch of boards right now. I’ll be riding a 5’11”, 18 1/2” x 2 1/8”. That’s my normal board. All my boards are pretty much made to work at home, so they’re all made to work at Lowers.

WHO ARE YOU EXCITED TO DRAW? I don’t really know who I’m going to draw yet, because

SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

of Teahupo’o, but I’d be psyched to surf against anyone. I’m just freaked out to be in the event. I guess the coolest would be Kelly, because he’s the nine-time world champ, a living legend, the whole deal… So, anyone would be cool, but I guess Kelly would be the sweetest.

WHO’S SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE YOU NERVOUS IF YOU DREW HIM? I don’t know. I probably shouldn’t be nervous because I have nothing to lose and everything to gain, but I’m sure everyone would make me nervous.

WHOSE STYLE AND SKILL SET TRANSLATES WELL TO THE WAVE AT LOWERS? It’s pretty hard not to surf good, and not to have the wave reflect everyone’s style just because it’s such a great wave.

For me, the guys who are the most fun to watch—there’s probably about four or five of them—are Kelly, Mick, Taj, Dane and Jordy. You have to watch their heats, because they’re amazing out there.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THE REVAMPED JUDGING CRITERIA? I think it’s really good. I think it’s great how they’re trying to push progressive surfing. I think it’s fabulous. But if they want to do it, they should do it right, where they get more in depth. There are so many more things they could go into, like how long you hold a grab, if you grab, how many times you do the same maneuver, repeating things. So, I think it’s great, but there’s still a lot more room for improvement.

DO YOU FEEL ANY PRESSURE BEING THE LOCAL WILDCARD? No. It’s been my lifelong dream. I don’t feel any pressure.

I’m just ecstatic to be in the event.

Coming off an equal 3rd in Tahiti, coupled with Jordy’s 17th, Kelly has jumped up to second in the standings and closed the gap to just 250 points. Photo: Michael Lallande

THE NEW DEAL

Making sense of the first major ASP format shift since 1992

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ou may have heard the buzzwords by now. Kelly Slater’s Rebel Tour. The Cut. The One World Ranking System. But after all the rumors, questions and misinformation, the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles is the first event where these changes are actually taking place.

What does it all mean? For one, we lost 13 surfers last week in Tahiti, including San Clemente locals Tanner Gudauskas and Nate Yeomans. It also means that we’ll have a leaner, meaner ASP World Title tour. Here are a few key points, along with some frequently asked questions, to help make sense of the confusion.

• The ASP World Tour and ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) are no more as such, being combined in terms of rankings under the umbrella “ASP World Tour” banner, and distinguished through the “ASP World Title Race” and the “ASP World Rankings.”

• The surfer with the most points from just the ASP World Title Race events will be crowned the 2010 ASP Men’s World Champion. This will also be the system for every year to come in deciding the ASP World Champion.

• In addition to the ASP World Title events, the ASP World Tour will encompass the former ASP WQS, running events from ASP 1-Star through 6-Star to PRIME as it was previously.

• At the end of 2010 and moving forward, the ASP Men’s World Title 32 seeded surfers for 2011 will be the 2010 Top 22 plus the next 10 based on the ASP World Tour Rankings as of the end of the Billabong Pipeline Pro in December, along with two wild cards selected by ASP. • During 2011, there will be changes to the ASP World Title Race selected surfers, with the Top 32 from the ASP World Tour Rankings being selected after a yet-to-be determined number of events.

• From 2011 onwards, this new ASP World Ranking will decide who gets to compete in the ASP World Title events and eventually decide the ASP World Champion. These ASP World Rankings also decide the selection order and seeding for all men’s events from ASP World Title through PRIME to 1-Star.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Who can win the 2010 ASP World Title?

Any one of the ASP Top 45 surfers that were invited at the start of the 2010 season. The one with the most points at the end of the year is the undisputed ASP World Champion.

Will there be any changes to ASP World Title invited surfers during the year?

The Top 45 will be cut back to 32 at the end of the 5th event. These 32 are the highest 32 seeds on the ASP World Title Rankings.

Will ASP World Tour surfers be able to break into the ASP World Title events during 2010?

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Dane Reynolds, current World No. 4, was edged out in the Final at the 2009 Hurley Pro, and is one of the most exciting surfers to watch at Lowers. Photo: Michael Lallande

No, only during 2011 tour will there be changeover periods. The number of changeover periods is yet to be decided.

What happened to the ASP WQS? The WQS has been replaced by a Star and PRIME events. Events range in progressive importance from 1-Star through 6-Star to PRIME. What events can be used to count towards rankings?

The best 8 of all 10 ASP World Title events count towards the ASP World Title Rankings and best 8 of all 10 ASP World Title plus all 1-6 Star and PRIME count towards the ASP World Rankings.

Do ASP World Title event seed replacements and wildcards get to use their results towards their ASP World Rankings?

ASP World Title replacement seeds can use the results, but wildcards cannot.

Who will contest the ASP World Title events in 2011?

The Top 22 from the end of 2010 ASP World Title Rankings will automatically start the 2011 year as ASP World Title event seeds. These 22, along with the Top 10 from the ASP World Tour Rankings (combined World Title and 1-6 Star and PRIME results) plus two ASP wildcards will start the 2011 year.

Why have an ASP World Tour Ranking?

The ASP World Tour Ranking after the first 12 months will be used to decide who makes the cut into the ASP World Title events, decide the seeding order for all events plus who gets into 1-6 Star and PRIME events.

SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

TOP 32

Jordy Smith Kelly Slater Taj Burrow Dane Reynolds Adriano De Souza Mick Fanning Bede Durbidge Owen Wright Bobby Martinez Adrian Buchan Jadson Andre Joel Parkinson Damien Hobgood Michel Bourez Fredrick Patacchia Tiago Pires Andy Irons Adam Melling Chris Davidson C.J. Hobgood Jeremy Flores Taylor Knox Luke Stedman Patrick Gudauskas Dusty Payne Matt Wilkinson Roy Powers Kai Otton Daniel Ross Luke Munro Brett Simpson Travis Logie

WILDCARDS Kieren Perrow Gabe Kling Rob Machado Kolohe Andino

RELEGATED

Tom Whitaker (AUS), 30 Dean Morrison (AUS), 29 Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 25 Ben Dunn (AUS), 24 Tanner Gudauskas (USA), 22 Neco Padaratz (BRA), 34 Jay Thompson (AUS), 28 Nate Yeomans (USA), 29 Mick Campbell (AUS), 34 Drew Courtney (AUS), 31 Marco Polo (BRA), 29 Blake Thornton (AUS), 25

2009 Hurley Pro Champion, Mick Fanning, enjoys a champagne shower courtesy of runner-up Dane Reynolds.

Photo: Michael Lallande

MUST SEE TV: THE HURLEY PRO

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porting events can be fun to attend in person (beer, hot dogs, foam fingers), but they can be just as fun to watch on the screen at home (no traffic, front-row seats , beer, hot dogs, foam fingers). Same goes with the Hurley Pro. Even if you can’t make it to the beach between Sept. 12-18, we are going out of our way to make the digital experience “just like being there.” On www.thehurleypro.com, you will witness a full HD webcast, with seven cameras, multiple-angle instant replays, 3D live broadcast graphics, compelling pre-produced stories, Heats on Demand and much, much more. And if you can’t get to your computer, we have an app for that. Go to the iTunes store and download the free Hurley Pro app for iPhone and iPad. Live streaming, Heats on Demand, schedules, results, photos…it’s all in the palm of your hand.

WATCH: WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM DOWNLOAD: The Hurley Pro app for iPhone and iPad

HURLEY PRO MOBILE APPLICATION iPhone and iPad

The Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles (stop No. 6 on the ASP World Tour) is the ultimate high-performance surfing event, and this application will help put you there no matter where you are. Featuring a live stream of our state-ofthe-art webcast, heats on demand, videos, photos, news, merchandise... it’s all here. Streaming works on both 3G and WiFi and, of course, this app is entirely free. Who knows? The biggest air in pro surfing could go down.

And as long as you have the Hurley Pro app on your iPhone or iPad, you won’t miss it.

Features: • A live stream of each day’s action • Daily photos

• Heats on demand and daily videos • News, schedules and merchandise

Languages: English Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

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SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

younger park, also has a growing list of infrastructure concerns, despite being largely undeveloped. San Onofre is traditionally the fifth most visited State Park in the system. San Onofre State Beach is also a critical habitat to nearly a dozen federally-listed endangered or threatened species of wildlife, and we are currently working in conjunction with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Environmental Services and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect these species through various conservation methods and habitat restoration. At all three parks, we are actively assessing the vegetation types, and are in the process of eradicating invasive, non-native species and replacing them with drought tolerant native plants where appropriate. Additionally, San Onofre is leased property from the US Department of the Navy, under a 50-year lease, which is set to expire in 2021. It is a prime concern of my office to work over the next 11 years to maintain San Onofre as a State Beach for future generations of Californians.

Richard Haydon.

Photo: Jasmine Smith

HE SPEAKS FOR THE PARKS South Sector Superintendent Richard Haydon picks up where Steve Long left off

SC TIMES: STEVE LONG WAS SUCH A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR THE PARKS. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT HE INSTITUTED THAT YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE? RICHARD HAYDON: I think the most obvious initiative that Steve Long began that we are maintaining today is the surf contests at San Onofre, specifically at the Lowers surf break. Steve worked very hard over many years with past District and Park Superintendents to craft a comprehensive policy and framework for these types of special athletic events that both promotes the highest caliber of athletic competition in this sport, while at the same time calls attention to one of California State Parks’ greatest treasures in San Onofre. Steve also helped create the District’s Surf Contest policy, which calls for a limited amount of contests at this most prestigious surf break, as well as the breaks at Church and Old Man’s. Since being promoted to this position, I have also included a limited number of surf contests at Upper Trestles in the policy, with smaller contest windows specifically designed for amateur surf competitions. Working with Special Events coordinator Lori Coble, we have continued to permit only the finest surfing competitions for San Onofre, and have emphasized to contest promoters the need to reduce footprint size, reduce waste, incorporate green technology such as biodiesel generators or solar panels for the electrical needs, and to encourage the creative teams for these contests to design structure wraps that, in the words of Greg Cruse, blend with “sea, sand and sky.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARKS AND THE SURF COMMUNITY EVOLVING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS? First, it’s important to point out that the surfing community is but one stakeholder group who has an interest in the future of San Onofre State Beach. However, given the numbers of park visitors that come to San Onofre for surfing, it is seen as a very important stakeholder group and one that we are very interested in maintaining a positive relationship with. The surfing community, along with organizations such as Surfrider, Friends of the Foothills, and the newly formed San Onofre Foundation were crucial in the preservation of the park during the toll road expansion proposal. The South Sector of the Orange Coast District has always enjoyed very good relations with local surfing organizations such as the San Onofre Surfing Club, the Hawaiian Surfing Club, and at Doheny, the Doheny Longboarders Association, and I plan to continue those relationships long into the future as well.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT HOSTING THE ONLY ASP WORLD TOUR EVENT ON THE US MAINLAND? The one thing that stands out in my mind about Lower Trestles is that no matter what the conditions are elsewhere on the coast, Lowers always seems to produce a high quality, consistent surf break unlike anywhere else. The place is magical—surfing’s very own eighth wonder of the world—and I can’t imagine another surf break on the continental US that is better suited to host the 36 best surfers in the world for a week of intense competition. I know the surf will be there, the weather hopefully will be warm and breezy, and that it’s going to be another great event. That’s what excites me.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POINTS YOU’D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT FOR SURF FANS AND EVENT ATTENDEES WHO’LL MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN TO THE BEACH DURING THE WEEK? I would ask that they always remember that from the time you drive into the temporary parking lot at Trestles, you are on sacred ground. Please take the shuttle down to the beach, and don’t use the unofficial trail and trespass on the railroad tracks. Leave your alcoholic beverages at home—it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages on the beach, and besides, with this level of surfing competition, you won’t need it! Please respect the beach. Stay out of the wetlands, pick up your trash and someone else’s, and if you have to smoke, do so away from others and collect and dispose of your cigarette butts appropriately. Most importantly, have a great time and try to leave San O just a little better than it was when you got there.

HOW DID YOU BECOME THE NEW SOUTH SECTOR SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE ORANGE COAST DISTRICT? I began my career with California State Parks as a seasonal lifeguard here at San Clemente, Doheny, and San Onofre State Beaches in 1985. In 1994, I was selected to attend the State Parks Peace Officer academy, graduated in February 1995, and was assigned to Huntington State Beach where I worked for the next 13.5 years. In the spring of 2007, I changed classifications to State Park Superintendent, and transferred back down to San Clemente to prepare for a possible promotion to South Sector Superintendent upon the retirement of Steve Long. I worked as the District Services Manager and studied under Steve until his eventual retirement in the spring of 2008, and in July 2008, I was promoted once again to South Sector Superintendent. Like Steve, my roots are based in the Lifeguard series within my department, which is a perspective that I believe gives me great insight to the specific needs of heavily aquatic-oriented parks like Doheny, San Clemente and San Onofre.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DOHENY, SAN CLEMENTE AND SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACHES? Doheny and San Clemente State Beaches are very old, Southern California parks that trace their lineage back to the Great Depression era. Originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, these parks have undergone numerous facelifts over the years, but still possess an older and failing infrastructure that must be replaced. These two parks are also extremely popular southern California coastal parks, annually listed in the top 10 most visited parks in the State Park system. San Onofre, while a much

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SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

How to fill up on Hurley’s water initiative Meet the Juggernaut, a 30-foot plastic beast that symbolizes our daily water consumption. Currently, the average Southern Californian’s water footprint exceeds 1,700 gallons per day — while the world’s poorest survive on less than five.

Every leaky faucet, 10-minute, post-dawn patrol shower and marathon lawn watering only makes the Juggernaut stronger.

Fortunately, there is a way to knock this Goliath down to size. At this year’s Hurley Pro, we will completely eliminate the use of plastic water bottles on site (down from 10,000 bottles in 2008), which will save up to six gallons per bottle. We will also introduce our Clean Water Couriers program in partnership with Waves for Water and show you the few simple steps to dramatically lightening your water footprint.

Help us defeat the 1700-gallon Juggernaut. Join us at the Hurley Pro or go to www.theecologycenter.org and www.wavesforwater.org for more info.

Dane Reynolds, always a favorite at Lowers.

Photo: Michael Lallande

WE HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE…

San Clemente’s soothsayers tell us the winner of the 2010 Hurley Pro

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incon may be the Queen of the Coast, but Lower Trestles is King. As the only wave on the mainland United States to host an ASP World Tour event, Lowers is far and away the focal point of the surfing world stateside. And since there’s no substitute for local knowledge, we decided to tap the shoulders of a handful of the region’s most talented and in-the-know surfers for their picks on who will raise the $105,000 winner’s check at the 2010 Hurley Pro.

Three of the last five winner’s checks at Trestles have been paid to the order of Kelly Slater. Considering his recent results, he’s a pretty safe bet to make it four-for-six. Photo: Michael Lallande

Luke Davis

Local surfer, PacSun USA Surf Team Member and currently the No. 5 ranked surfer on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series

W H O D O Y O U T H I N K WILL WIN AND WHY?

Shane Beschen

Local surfer, former World No. 2 on the WCT “First pick would have to be Jordy Smith. He’s shown a lot of maturity this year, and is surfing really good.

He’s coming off some good results and he has a good board set aside for Lowers.

Second pick would have to be Dane Reynolds. He’s surfing incredible right now, and can turn bad waves into nine-point rides. He has also been showing some composure lately. The wildcard pick is actually the wildcard in the event—Kolohe Andino. I’ve been working with Kolohe a lot this year and he’s surfing incredible, if he gets the right waves and holds his composure he can challenge anyone and potentially win the event. This should definitely be an exciting event to watch.”

“I think Mick Fanning could win. He’s always one of the best out there and he’s the best-trained guy on tour.”

Jason Miller

Online Editor, SURFING Magazine “I might be a little biased but... Kelly is going to pull some last-minute heroics and take the win over Mick. It’s going to make for an exciting title race through Europe and into Pipe. 10 in 10.”

Timmy Patterson Shaper, T Patterson Surfboards

“Jadson Andre as long as he holds back a little bit and then saves the real fireworks for the final.”

Mick Fanning, the defending event champion, is hungry to string together a few good results. Why not repeat history and use Trestles as a catalyst for a stellar second half? Photo: Michael Lallande

SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

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RECOGNIZING A DECADE OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE KINGS 2000 The new guard officially announces its arrival when

22-year-old Andy Irons, still getting his competitive sea legs on the ASP World Championship Tour, blasts his way past Jake Paterson in the final. If it wasn’t clear before, it is now.

Future World Titles: guaranteed.

2001 The attacks of September 11 force organizers to cancel the event for a year.

2002 Despite high-flying performances from Kelly Slater, Andy Irons and Shane Beschen, Luke Egan sticks to the formula and carves out a solid win.

2003 Consistency triumphs over flash once again when

Aussie journeyman, and sentimental favorite, Richie Lovett beats Taj Burrow in the final of the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver on the strength of a blistering backhand attack.

INTERVIEW:

BRETT SIMPSON, THE 31st MAN O ne week, he’s the Hero of Huntington. The next week, he’s on pintails and needlefish in Tahiti, wondering if he’s still on tour. Brett Simpson lost a close one in Round Two of the Billabong Pro Tahiti to Dusty Payne, and he watched in horror as his No. 24 ranking slipped to 29 to 31... fortunately, it stopped at 31. Making the cut by the slimmest of margins, Brett was able to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that he’s safe for the second half of the year.

Fresh off a flight back to the States, we caught up with the Open champion to pick his brain on his second half outlook, the new, leaner field, and which would mean more to him—a World Tour win or this year’s win at the US Open.

SC TIMES: AFTER SOME BAD LUCK AND A SECOND-ROUND LOSS IN TAHITI, YOU BARELY DODGED THE RELEGATION BULLET. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? BRETT SIMPSON: Well, it definitely wasn’t the way I wanted it to play out, but I did what I needed to do to make the top 32, and now it’s time to clamp down and use what I’ve learned and put it to use.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE PRESSURE IS OFF A BIT NOW THAT THE CUT HAS PASSED? There’s always a little pressure. The cut, for us bottom guys, was on all our minds, for sure. There’s no getting around that one. I felt like I was a bit lazy, in a way, in the beginning of the year, but have started to find my feet.

WHAT WILL YOUR SECOND HALF APPROACH BE LIKE? HOW WILL IT DIFFER FROM YOUR FIRST HALF APPROACH? Well, I have some experience now. I think that will benefit me a bit and, like I said, learning from some mistakes I’ve made and trying to surf smart and push my level. I felt in the beginning I was, in a way, just happy to be there. Now I want to stay and beat these guys.

WHAT WOULD A GOOD RESULT AT THIS EVENT MEAN TO YOU? My mind frame has to be just go in there and think win. Focus on the task at hand and one wave at a time.

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Brett Simpson feels like he’s finally got his feet under him.

Photo: Michael Lallande

It’s easy to over think these things, and it makes it much more difficult. We’re just surfing.

AS A ROOKIE, DO YOU FEEL HALF A SEASON WAS ENOUGH TIME TO GET ACCLIMATED TO TOUR LIFE AND GET YOUR FEET UNDER YOU? It’s definitely been a wake-up call seeing a lot of my friends and amazing surfers get cut after the fifth event. In my mind, it probably wasn’t the fairest way.

But to push our sport to the next level, this needed to be done. So, in a way, I feel that my feet are a bit more stable than some, but it definitely hasn’t been buttery smooth.

WHAT WILL YOU RIDE AT LOWERS? Either a SixStar Surfboard or a SUPERSTIX surfboard somewhere in the range of 6’0”-6’2”, and, depending on conditions, 18 1/2” x 2 3/8”.

WHICH WOULD BE BIGGER FOR YOU, YOUR WIN AT THE US OPEN THIS YEAR OR IF YOUR FIRST WORLD TOUR WIN CAME AT LOWERS? This is a tough one because the win at the Open is so special for me and my city. But a WT win at one of the highest performance waves in the world.... Wow, that would be a stellar feeling.

2004 An ultra-smooth Joel Parkinson beats Kelly Slater in the final. Parko is feeling so confident, he even busts a halfSuperman and claims it for the crowd. “Could you tell I was joking?” he asks.

2005 The best surfer of all time — Kelly Slater — finally

adds his name to the Trestles WCT Wall of Champions when he takes out Aussie power-surfer Phil MacDonald in the final. Though controversy brews over a scoring discrepancy, Slater savors his first win at Trestles in 15 years, and goes on to win his first world title since 1998.

2006 Gentle Assassin, Bede Durbidge, does the damage

at the Boost Mobile Pro Presented by Hurley. In a single day, he takes down the three giants: Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater, and accepts the $30,000 first-place check from Richie Lovett.

2007 Next generation surfers Dane Reynolds and Jordy

Smith announce their presence by upsetting Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning, but one thing remains the same at the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley: Kelly is King. He waltzes to his second win in three years and a commanding lead in his quest for eight world titles.

2008 Taj has two nines to Kelly’s nothing, and seconds

are ticking at the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley. But The Greatest outdoes himself yet again, posting a 9.7 and then, with Taj holding priority, gets a dribbly in-betweener under him and magically turns it into a 9.2. Kelly pockets the record-breaking $75,000 prize purse and disappears before anyone even realizes what happened.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE NEW 32-MAN FIELD? The 32-man field is a prestigious thing to be a part of. Every heat’s gonna be action-packed, a bump in the prize purse… just a lot of things for me to be excited about and go perform my best.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THIS EVENT? I love the Trestles event because it’s only 40 minutes from my house. It’s a wave I surf often and it’s probably the most rippable, high-performance spot on tour.

WHOSE SURFING ON TOUR IS BEST SUITED TO THIS EVENT? Everyone on tour can go good out at Trestles, but guys who come to mind are Taj , Kelly, Dane, I mean I could go on and on. Not to be biased, but I feel it suits my surfing great as well.

SEPT 12-18 2010 | SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH, CA | WWW.THEHURLEYPRO.COM

Mick Fanning, the 2009 Hurley Pro champ. Photo: Michael Lallande

2009 Focusing on trying to enjoy himself, an approach that helped propel him to a 2nd place finish at the US Open, Mick Fanning beats perhaps the most captivating surfer at Lowers in Dane Reynolds. The win is a springboard to a stellar second half for Mick, who went on to clinch his second World Title at Pipeline.