Heath Walker (Surfers Paradise, AUS/Carlsbad, CA) sniffed out the high single wave score of the day with an 8.67 out of a possible 10. After waiting to catch a wave for over half the heat, Walker finally unleashed four massive turns on a speedy lefthander.
“It’s really hard out there – I sat for 12 minutes without catching a wave,” Walker said. “I had a free surf down by the buoy a little earlier and I knew I was going to have to be patient. I was really fortunate that that little wave came through and I got the score.”
Walker, a former ASP WQS campaigner, now manages the Reef team, but his performances here and at other ’QS events have led some to believe he may have another crack at qualifying for the Foster’s ASP World Tour.
“I’m just here to assist my guys and hopefully some of the experience I’ve had on the WQS will rub off on them,” Walker said. “I’ll enter the odd contest here and there, but I’m really just here for my guys. I’m still enjoying my surfing and I compete really just for my own benefit.”
Bud Freitas (Santa Cruz, CA) was another who found a decent wave despite the tricky conditions this morning lighting up a punchy righthander with several explosive maneuvers.
“These are the best conditions, but these have been the worst waves by far,” Freitas said. “Only one (wave) came through during that whole heat and I was just lucky to get it.”
Freitas, who is in his second full season on the ASP WQS, is hoping for a solid result here at the O’Neill SI Pro to kick off his ’07 campaign.
“Last year was my first year on tour and it was pretty tough,” Freitas said. “I’m hoping for a result here and at some other four-stars this season so I can build my seed and get into the higher-rated events.
Surfline has forecast unfavorable conditions Tuesday with a potential swell filling in for Wednesday and Thursday. Event organizers will still meet tomorrow morning at 7:30 am to assess the conditions for a possible 8:00 am start
Competition will look to resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 am with the opening heat of the round of 64.
RESULTS: DAY FOUR O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star
Round Four: 96 surfers remain (1st and 2nd advance) Heat 13: Bud Freitas (USA) 11.00, Dane Johnson (USA) 8.16, Rylan McCart (USA) 7.66, Dion Agius (AUS) 6.17 Heat 14: Josh Montgomery (USA) 12.34, Kellen Ellison (USA) 11.67, Devon Tresher (USA) 10.07, Kai Barger (HAW) 9.93 Heat 15: Heath Walker (AUS) 13.00, Shea Lopez (USA) 12.50, Sean Marceron (USA) 10.17, Gavin Beschen (HAW) 10.07 Heat 16: Darrell Goodrum (USA) 10.50, Bryan Hewitson (USA) 9.93, Ryan Briggs (USA) 8.96, Danny Melhado (USA) 8.63
Event Schedule: O’Neill SI Pro pres. by Ron Jon – ASP WQS four-star event
Day One – Friday, January 5, 2007 8:00 am – 12:00 am: Heats 1 – 8 (Round of 176) 12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 16 (Round of 160) Day Two – Saturday, January 6, 2007 8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1 – 12 (Round of 128) Day Three – Sunday, January 7, 2007 8:00 am – 9.20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 128) 12:30 am – 4:00 pm: Heats 1-12 (Round of 96) Day Four – Monday, January 8, 2007 8:00 am – 9:20 am: Heats 13-16 (Round of 96) Day Five – Tuesday, January 9, 2007 To be determined Day Six – Wednesday January 10, 2007 To be determined Day Seven – Thursday, January 11, 2007 To be determined
NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
