Earlier this year, C.J. Hobgood announced that this would be his final season on Tour. The Floridian has had one helluva career, winning the World Title in 2001, and being a ruthless opponent at nearly every event across the globe. And his final bow as a WCT competitor is shaping up to be very worthy of the surf world’s roaring applause.
Within minutes of starting his Round 1 heat, Ceej dropped in on a screamer. As his first wave of the heat, he pulled in, pumped relentlessly, and miraculously made it out. He was riding the foamball so deep that most people watching probably turned away (myself included). It seemed like a far cry from a makeable wave. Straight out the gates, C.J. had the jump on his very qualified competitors, Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow.
Back in August, C.J. showed he’s still got it after all these years when he nailed another perfect 10 in Tahiti. It seems like a lingering trend this season, one where tour veterans are retiring on their own terms, showing that they’re still on top of their game. Remember Freddy P.’s perfect 10 denouement?
And this early round showing makes it clear that C.J. is out for blood at his final event ever. He has said that Pipe is the one event he has always desperately wanted to win – he’d even trade his World Title trophy for one from Pipe. Talk about going out with a bang.
