$100,000 and 2500 APS points towards the WQS
This had to be one of the greatest events for surfing in many years!
Funny how Swaylockians claim to love surfing however know nothing about pro surfing?
You watch the Lakers, Baseball, Football, Soccer but not surfing?
What a bunch of posers?
I saw it…am I still a poser?
I watched it in Hawaii.....and your ??? where'd you say ??
Adriano surf'd great against Kelly and should have won that heat. Same for CJ ... Simpsons semi's was killer..he was just tunning up. Kelly deserved to loose his heat.. he seemed off... but Hurley needed Kelly...and Kelly needed Hurley.
Win-win Kelly & Hurley.. Kelly may start his own tour...thats still up to many involved partys including Sponsorship.... if that happens.. who do YOU, think will make the jump over to Kellys tour?? yes, the pro's that your talking about. AND....
Do you think Kelly's star power AT THIS TIME, is strong enough to pull along SOME, of the sponsorship as well is some of the pro's move?
and dude... some of these gentleman have been behind a planer and riding their own brands for decades. You get respect by giving as well ..... some of these guys have sucked more hazardous material into their bodys than the thread count in your underwear. Being humble, opens alot of doors, as well as a smile. Seems like the "new youth" have places to go... and never stopped to smell the roses & thats, a shame too. " Our " priority's may differ as well, from what your's are. More than 55 years ago I got into surfing, it was my life, still is, but there are more things TODAY in LIFE for me to do. Chase the Pro's! I'm chasing life, dude.
PPK
Congrats to Brett he ripped the whole week, and to Courtney who won the womens event. I think this was the best us open ever. It would have been nice to see Alex Knost win the noseriding event but I guess the local kids can't win it all.
WE have a lot of topics on swaylocks. I just thought it would be good to talk about what went down at the US Open.
It’s was good for the sport of surfing! No one seem willing to talk about it and I’m glad to hear your comments!
SD
Only you know the answer to that!
Just want to get something going on the US OPEN.
Been going since 1966 and it was the best one to date!
Hi surfding,
I guess I'm a poser. I like to DO sports much more than watch them. I'm only mildly interested in professional surfing. Please educate me. Why was this good for surfing? Mike
PPK;
I just wanted to let you know that I have been surfing
for 51 years and I was at the contest for four days and
having a blast every day. I have been shaping since 1968 and
inhaled plenty of bad stuff… At this contest I talked to or saw:
Bill Stewart, Stretch, JC, Dave P, & Matt Biolos. None of these
shapers post here on sways anymore. When was the last time
that you saw shapers in this quantity and calibre at the Pipe Masters?
Just saying, it was great to have a contest like this in the
States! I think you guys are spoiled with the Triple Crown!
LOL By the way, talked to Kai Barger who won the Juniors,
you guys should be proud! Don’t dis the young guys cause
some of them have the aloha and give props to their elders!
~chuckles~ I would have liked to see the "ole Man" win it. Kevin Connly took it to the wall though. Didn't seem like Joel could find the waves..he rode good, but he didn't do the "joel".
PPK
The poser comment was only to get people talking. I’m sorry about your mild interest in professional surfing. Different strokes for different folks I guess?
Growing up in HB gave surfing a different meaning to me. Seeing the Duke at the US Championships in the sixties impressed me with his class. Surfing with the traveling pros since I was a grom had a big impact on how I view surfing. I remember during the 70’s when Shaun Thompson would come to town and make surfing look professional when Pot heads and acid freaks were maintaining a Zombie image for surfers. Surfing started to become credible after PT won the first world tittle. The US Open became an important part of this progression. Back when OP backed the Open and Curren had the crowds roaring was the beginning of stadium style surfing. This US Open of 2009 was the best event in surfing’s history, Swell, Good Surfing, Pro Surfers with Class! Brett Simpson’s win was a Cinderella Story. Brett being a close friend and traveling partner on tour with my son made me appreciate his win as I know how hard he trains. If you knew his Dad Bill Simpson (Former Los Angeles Rams) and the jubilation on his face when it was announced that Brett won. I’ve seen some great sporting events and this one was just as exciting. Then we have Bob Hurley who put together an event that will change professional surfing forever. Image $100,000 for first place? Now the bar as been raised. Billabong, O’neill, Rip Curl and so on will have to increase the purse of future events.I support Pro Surfing being a father of a Pro and surrounded by surfing professionals I know how hard they train and the disciple that it takes to surf at the level these guy’s surf. I’m sick of the druggie hippie surfer low lives that I had to avoid my whole childhood. Surfing having a respectable image is a good thing I believe.
Hi surfding,
No need to be sorry about my mild interest. My response was intended in good humor and I assumed your comment was intended with humor. I do enjoy watching surfing. Just don't really care about who wins. If I had a child as talented and involved as your son it would be different. My girls play softball for which I'm a rabid fan, and coach. We're the same generation and I remember(was a member?) of the 'zombie'seen, too. I suppose I never cared what "people" thought of it, but now that I am an adult I can see how pathetic that seen was. Anway, I see where you are coming from and I 'hear you loud and clear.' Thank you for the education. Mike
Surfding...
I apologize for being so "brash", but far from being a poser.. just a surfer here..Never followed the pro's... I certainly enjoy watching the progress that surfing has taken since the shortboards have evolved, but it doesn't consume my life as much as it use to. Your a Dad of a Pro. I expect you to be involved with your son as any Father would be. btw, I don't watch baseball, basketball a lil football during the season. Haven't owned a TV in 15 years.
I know and understand what your talking about. I use to live in Sonny Vardemans Shop on PCH right next to the Golden Bear in the 60's. Did the contest and use to hang around with the questionable characters. Remember when Greeks shop went up on PCH. Remember when someone drove through his front door in a car one time. lol. Would walk around the cornet from Vardemans Shop and drop in to say hello to the Katins many.many years ago. You live in Surf City, USA, I live in Hanalei, Kaua'i, mellow and quiet. Different priorities is all.
Surftech,
I live on Kaua'i, haven't done nor gone to contests in years. It's just not my thing. Been there, done that. Hell, I get to watch / surf with Andy, Bruce,Malia, Titus Kinimaka, Riddle, Laird, Steve Lis, Billy Hamilton and the up and coming gremmies here in the waters of Hanalei. I don't need to do the contest scene to see the pro's surf. Again, different priorities for me. I assist in the local contest and help in getting the gremmies going. I've been doing Andy and Bruce's Keiki Contest as the commentator since it began here on Kaua'i 7 years ago and the PineTree's Longboarding event for 18. Thats about as big a crowd as I want to be around. 100,000 people is just a bit too many for me to be comfortable with. Thats just nuts.
Surfding
looks like you were the can of resin and I was the catalyst to get this thread rolling... my apologies again and respect to all concerned here.
PPK
ps: Bernard "Midget" Farrelly won the First World Contest , 1964 (Longboard, who sometimes posts here).... Surftech... Hawaii is part of the "States", the 50th State, since 1959 ~winks~
It was good for surfing for several reasons. For one we haven't had a swell like that in like ten years. Not outta the south anyways. 50th anniversary of the US open. Largest crowd ever for a surfing event (50,000). Largest purse ever for a surfing event (100,000). Hopefully it'll up the ante for prize money. But more importantly it got people fired up..but thankfully not enough to start a riot. Well, one bare set of titties and it might of been game on lol. This industry needs a kick in the arse and this was a help. Now if we can get another good swell before christmas...:-)
Great response! I would love to live back in the Islands. You have the best situation. I have to travel surf. fortunely I can.
Greek Bob Bolen's PCH surf shop - CLASSIC!
GOLDEN BEAR - HENDRICKS
This years US Open was one of those moments that made history.
Andy and Bruce were the perfect gentlemen
Andy said Simpo's life will never be the same!
Mick was the Ideal Sportsman.
Kelly made some nice barrels during the peak of the swell.
Rob brought his vibe.
Simpo got the crowd on their feet.
Hurley fed the fire.
Surfing's spirits lives on!
Thanks PPK for keeping it alive!
SD
ahem
You know, the Pipe Masters is held in “the States” too
Sorry everyone for the gramatical “States” error…
I should have said “Continental States” or “Cali”
Island pro surfers are not registered for contests as “USA”
instead of “Hawaii” and the amateurs have and compete
internationally with their own team against the “USA” team.
PPK: I would love to join you there for your light crowds!! And
surf with Andy & Kokua too!! The crowd wasn’t too hard to navigate
and all the set-up stuff is almost gone as of today and we will be
back to what we call normal!! Aloha