So far the forecast for the event is looking pretty spicy. Expect Socal’s skatepark like wave machine to turn on for the pros. Photo: Jack English
The 2016 Hurley Pro at Trestles begins on September 7th and runs through September 18th. Fed by a cobblestone river mouth, the perfect A-frame that is Lowers is widely considered to be Southern California’s foremost high-performance wave.
Mick Fanning will compete at stop number eight on the Tour, after winning the J-Bay Open and skipping Tahiti as part of his personal year. Mick hopes to do well enough at Lowers to allow him to sit out the rest of 2016 and still qualify for the 2017 ‘CT.
Going into the event, five favorites include Filipe Toledo, Mick Fanning, Jordy Smith, and Julian Wilson, and ratings leader John John Florence.
And let’s not forget about the dark horses. Kolohe Andino, Conner Coffin, and Jack Freestone all stand a decent chance of taking the event.
Former Event Champions:
2015 Mick Fanning, 2014 Jordy Smith, 2013 Taj Burrow, 2012 Kelly Slater, 2011 Kelly Slater, 2010 Kelly Slater, 2009 Mick Fanning, 2008 Kelly Slater, 2007 Kelly Slater, 2006 Bede Durbidge, 2005 Kelly Slater, 2004 Joel Parkinson, 2003 Richie Lovett, 2002 Luke Egan, 2001 event not held due to the 911 terrorist attacks, 2000 Andy Irons
Round 1 Heat Draw:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith, Nat Young, Keanu Asing
Heat 2: Julian Wilson, Kanoa Igarashi, Ryan Callinan
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan, Miguel Pupo, Kai Otton
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina, Adam Melling, Alex Ribeiro
Heat 5: Matt Wilkinson, Conner Coffin, Tanner Gudauskas
Heat 6: John John Florence, Davey Cathels, Brett Simpson
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza, Wiggoly Dantas, Matt Banting
Heat 8: Kelly Slater, Filipe Toledo, Jeremy Flores
Heat 9: Italo Ferreira, Caio Ibelli, Jack Freestone
Heat 10: Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Jadson Andre
Heat 11: Kolohe Andino, Josh Kerr, Stuart Kennedy
Heat 12: Sebastian Zeitz, Michel Bourez, Alejo Muniz
Surfline’s Official Event Forecast (Updated: Monday Evening, September 5th):
Brief Overview: “A long run of very rippable and favorably angled SW swell on track to build the first couple days of the waiting period, showing the most size the 8th-11th of September. Reinforcing SSW/S swell looks to keep fun-zone surf running through the middle of next week, with potential for modest SW’erly swell over the last couple days of the event waiting period. Winds look generally favorable in the mornings, though SE flow may add some light crumble Thursday. Afternoon winds are lightest Wed/Thu, with light to moderate Westerly flow returning for the afternoons on Friday.”
WSL Fantasy Surf Picks:
Tier A: (2 picks out of 8 surfers available in Tier A)
Jordy Smith; arguably the surfer whose approach best matches Lowers
Julian Wilson; due for an event win at Trestles, Julian’s progression will shine
Tier B: (4 picks out of 20 surfers available in Tier B)
Mick Fanning; the positive forecast deems well for Mick to excel
Kolohe Andino; his run of poor ‘CT events at home won’t continue, Kolohe will kill it
Filipe Toledo; he will blow all our minds, everyone else will have to step up to match him
Conner Coffin; sure to give the judges what they want to see at Lowers
Tier C: (2 picks out of 8 surfers available in Tier C)
Stuart Kennedy; may match the performance that he had at Snapper earlier in the year
Matt Banting; long overdue for a result worthy of his talent, it should happen here
Trestles Timeline:
1990 – Kelly Slater’s first professional contest event win at the Body Glove Surfbout
2002 – Epic swell for Luke Egan’s event Win
2003 – Andy & Bruce Irons’ Round 3 sibling rivalry match up; 15.5 to 15.17 in favor of Bruce
2013 – Julian Wilson’s brilliant runner up performance
2014 – John John Florence’s ridiculous Round 4 performance, earning five nine point rides
2014 – Jordy Smith’s highly anticipated maiden Trestles event win
2015 – Kelly Slater’s much discussed 4.17 scored ride; deemed incomplete maneuver
Don’t miss any of the Live/On Demand action of the 2016 Hurley Pro at Trestles!
