PROGRESSIVE EXPRESSION: COMP-SURFING OF NOW [21.09.2010]Surfers

Owen Wright's high-performance approach was a standout at the Hurley Pro                                   Image: Hurley Pro
 
'STREET BALL' MOVES GETTING IT DONE IN COMPETITION

LOWER TRESTLES, California/USA - The 2010 Hurley Pro Trestles showcased competitive surfing at its high-performance best. The wave itself is extremely user-friendly but even so, the moves on display were far more reminiscent of those seen in an Expression Session than the sort expected in serious ASP competition. What in the world-tour is going on?

I stumbled across this highlights clip from last year’s Hurley Pro Expression session. Expression Sessions are designed to let the pro’s cut-loose and pull out the big manoeuvres they ordinarily wouldn’t try in the pressure situation of regular competition. So why are the moves seen during this year’s actual Hurley Pro competition of a similar or superior calibre to those seen in their Expression Session of only 12 months ago? This shouldn’t really be the case … not that anyone’s complaining.

It’s amazing how freesurfing playground moves have made their way into the ASP competition realm. Much to the viewer’s pleasure, a safety-first approach to competitive surfing just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Check out the following clip of high-performance comp-surfing from this year’s Hurley Pro. You’ll be excused for mistakenly thinking you’re watching a trailer for some form of progressive new surf film.

- micholas

* All moves seen in the below clip took place during actual Hurley Pro competition except for the very first aerial by Dane Reynolds, which took place in this year’s expression session.

Share this:

Share

User Comments

• RIP CURL PRO SEARCH - PUERTO RICO [30.Oct.2010]

  

  RIP CURL PRO SEARCH - SOMEWHERE IN PUERTO RICO - Stop No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour takes us to Puerto Rico for the Rip Curl Pro Search. After an amazing first five years on The Search with the ASP World Tour's best surfers, Rip Curl are excited about calling Puerto Rico home for 2011. A lot of research, planning and hard work was put into choosing this year’s destination and we're loo...

• SEAN DAVEY | SURF PHOTOGRAPHER PROFILE [27.Jul.2009]

  

  Hawaii is the adopted home of Sean Davey, widely respected as one of the world's top surf photographers. He has a love for the sport that goes back to his school days in his native Australia."I spent my teens in and around the surf scene of Sydney's city beaches through the late 70's and early 80's and got into photography when I was 16."

• RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SAN FRANCISCO - DAY 1 [02.Nov.2011]

  

  Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco - Kelly Slater (USA), 39, defending Rip Curl Pro Search champion, looked sharp while opening his campaign in San Francisco, navigating through several barrels and executing committed turns to earn a 16.03 heat total and a Round 1 heat victory.