best three round ii: kelly 1, owen 1
part ii of iii; New york september 4-9, 2011
photo: jimmicane
photo: jimmicane
best three
“I’ve surfed Newport when they were claiming it was the best day in 10 years. And it was good, but it gets better here.”
—Balaram Stack
new york september 4-9, 2011
photo: sherman
The airwaves were ablaze. “What kind of bullshit is Quiksilver trying to pull running a WT event in New York? “Clearly it’s not about the waves, it’s about the money.” “This contest is going to suck.” “Dream Tour my ass.” “The dream tour is over. It’s a fucking money-making tour for these companies.” Well, let’s get one thing straight: They are a brand. A brand is technically a business and making money is a factor. Sure. But I’ve got a different take here. Quiksilver wasn’t just out for money. They spent enough in two weeks to nearly run themselves out of money (11 million +). They were out for surfing, and America, and the east coast of America, which throughout history has been looked down upon by self-righteous California surf industry dictators. The fact that the east coast has never had a world tour event is a testament to that severe bias. Not even the once great Sebastian Inlet got play from the world’s best even though she more or less formed the best surfer ever. The east coast is very informed about these pedestal standing pricks from the west and nearly boiled over the top waiting to show what she was worthy. And show she did, peaking at the perfect time before passing out for a week. Did Quiksilver get lucky? What are the chances they score like that again over the next two years? Has the bar set itself too high for this place? Those are all legitimate concerns and we will see, but for now let’s just reflect on how rad a little change was in a suburb of the greatest city in the world: NYC. — Jimmicane
photos by
EDITORIAL travis ferrÉ
jimmicane
Managing Editor
stuart cornuelle
steve sherman
Associate Editor
Taylor paul
Editor in Chief
Photo Editor peter taras Associate Photo Editor jimmy wilson
captions by
Art Director
chato aganza
jimmicane
Art Director
Scott Chenoweth
Online Editor
jason miller
new
york
If you aren’t from the east coast, you probably didn’t know who Balaram Stack was before the Quiksilver Pro NY. He’s just a 20 year old from Long Beach whose primary coverage has come in ESM, his primary results have been making it to the final in a few Jr. Pros, and maybe a tall tale from the US Open. but amongst the world’s pro surfers, there aren’t many who don’t know Balaram. I asked Bal if there’s anyone he met during the contest he didn’t previously know, all he could come up with was “Yeah, I met Heitor! The guy is a legend!”
The host of the event: Bal ar am Stack
Surfing Magazine was lucky to have Balaram as our personal host during the waiting period. He taught us how to navigate the subway system, where to get the best pizza (it’s all good but Gino’s reigns supreme), and really showed us what his hometown is all about. His supporting cast of family and friends is second to none. His mother Mary even hosted Clay Marzo, Fisher “Fisherly” Heverly, Cristobal De Col, Asher Nolan, Michael Dunphy and more — all at her Point Lookout home. The fan support on the beach for Balaram rivaled Puerto Rico from last year’s Rip Curl Search with Dylan Graves. Balaram Stack is a hometown hero. Easily the most popular man on Long Island. His left hand nearly fell off from all the autographs.
photo: jimmicane
This is the definition of a 360 air: Nose lands in the same position it starts out. Balaram, Textbook.
sequence: jimmicane
9 steps to doing a Yankees game right: 1. Long Island Rail Road 2. Cruise the city 3. Hop on the subway 4. Luxury Box tickets 5. Pre-game field access 6. Meet up with Jeter 7. All the food and beverages you can handle 8. Hang with Owen, Ceej, Simpo and company. 9. Please your date
photos: jimmicane
Rooftop on the Allegria Hotel. It sure wasn’t easy to get a pass up there, but if you were lucky enough, you’d be lounging in the sun with 32 of the world’s best and their model-like wives/ fiances/girlfriends, while sipping cocktails. A little advice for next time: BYOB. $8 for a Bud Light just isn’t winning.
photo: jimmicane
The paparazzi were out in full force. Photos: Sherman
Winning the trials was like winning the event of a lifetime for most invited. Guaranteed 11k, a room at the Allegria, gift cards, leisure vouchers, Jose Cuervo room service, and a chance to take out a top seed. It was only fitting that Jacksonville’s Asher Nolan snatched the undecided wild card spot. He’s the best surfer in east coast history to never qualify for the World Tour. He’s also the newly anointed captain for #teamgivinithell, which puts him in elite company.
photos: Jimmicane
photos: Jimmicane
Omelettes, leis, lockers, and cash money wetsuits. You’re surfing in the richest surfing event of all time. Why not?
photos: shermanA
“Care for a beer, Owen?” Shitty weather Doesn’t stop Fishtales from bringing his best...
sequence: jimmicane
Photo: Sherman
…or fans from rooting on their favorite player.
Photos: jimmicane
Adriano De souza. Photo: Jimmicane
Bobby Martinez right after his world famous post heat interview.
Photo: Sherman
Simpson vs. Wilson. New age firepower in a heat that ultimately went Julian’s way.
sequence: jimmicane
Alejo Muniz’s career-best finish came to the surprise of no one in the rippable beachbreak conditions.
Julian Wilson. Photos: jimmicane
Not just winning heats, but dominating them.
It was a hard sight to watch CJ Hobgood get
pushed off the tour at the mid-year cut with
his loss to Owen. After the heat he was very
candid and reflective. What can you do when you
draw someone surfing at Owen Wright’s level?
sequence: Jimmicane
The number 11 rated surfer on tour is also the number one rated teenage heart throb. Anytime Julian exited the competitor’s suite, he was greeted with hectic shrieks louder than anything heard since JTT.
Photo: jimmicane
Kelly likes to boss people around in those no-loser round 4 heats. How about a 9.37 for this ally oop?
sequence: Jimmicane
Josh Kerr does not like to be bossed around. 9.70. The king of one-upping gets one-upped and he wasn’t very happy about it. I saw Kelly throw a quick middle finger Kerr’s way as he took a shower. Sorry I missed that photo op.
sequence: Jimmicane
the Final Day
The wind switched north around midnight, Hurricane K atia was just a tick to the east, extending her blessing to the town of Long Beach just in time for the finals.
photo: Jimmicane
Why weren’t people getting more barreled? There certainly were opportunities out there. My understanding was that they saw more scoring potential waiting out the back for the long lefts that offered 9+ rides, while only seeing lots of 6’s, 7’s, and 8’s for getting spit out of a quick, peaky tube. Too bad we couldn’t have seen three man heats because without priority I bet you would’ve seen some really fun barrel rides.
photos: Jimmicane
And here’s one reason not to get tubed. Taj Burrow, choosing wisely.
photo: Jimmicane
The fact that Kerr is doing this with offshore wind puts
a whole new perspective on how good he is at aerials.
sequence: Jimmicane
Payback’s a bitch. Kelly redeeming his Round 4 loss to Kerr. He always does it in the clutch!
photo: Jimmicane
Alejo Muniz. Photo: Jimmicane
business friend.
Fake friend.
special friend. Photos: Sherman
I’m telling you there were tubes to be had! Photo: Jimmicane
What in the... ? Ok, I’ll order one. Photo: Sherman
photo: Jimmicane
is It possible to do this and lose? When that guy is in the water it sure as hell is. Taj Burrow, not for lack of trying.
photo: sherman
“You’ ve got t o be k idding me…”
photos: Jimmicane
Yep. Again.
photo: sherman
photo: jimmicaane
the f
final photo: Jimmicane
photo: Jimmicane
Either there’s a stripper in that locker or this chief is in the fuckin’ zone.
“You go left,
photo: jimmicane
I’ll go right.”
photo: sherman
“Yeah that sounds good. Thanks Kelly.”
photos: Jimmicane
Did Kelly peak too soon for once?
photos: Jimmicane
Owen wright and air wind — a 3 0 0k combo.
photo: sherman
photo: sherman
The first of many victory chairs this 21 year old will experience in his WT life.
photo: sherman
photo: sherman
photo: Jimmicane
$300,000 via Bob Mcknight, the biggest prize purse in surfing history.
photos: sherman
“What are you going to do to celebrate Owen?�
“Probably just keep it mellow with a nice dinner…”
photo: sherman
“Psych!”
n.y.see
photo: Jimmicane
part
ii
of iii; new york september 4-9, 2011