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KELLY CESTARI / ASP
Beyrick De Vries of South Africa scored a perfect 10 on a huge barrel at Sunset Beach.
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Perfection.
South African Beyrick De Vries didn’t expect it on his dayslong journey from Durban to Hawaii and the Triple Crown of Surfing. But that’s what he got on Friday.
De Vries, 20, scored the day’s only perfect 10 in heavy 12- to 15-foot waves during Day 2 of the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach.
"It was incredible," De Vries said of his perfect ride. "It was one of the best rushes I have had on a surf trip, let alone in contest.
"It was coming down to two minutes left in the heat and Koa (Smith) was kind of on the outside, both of us were really pumped up because we were both in a good position to get it. It was a scary drop and after I made it I stood there and kind of closed my eyes to be honest, when I came around and opened my eyes there was this humongous wall looking at me.
"I just held my line and copied all the older guys in surfing who have done it at Sunset all these years and it worked."
De Vries also rode a 7.5 wave for a combined score of 17.50 out of 20, good enough to win his heat.
Six Hawaii surfers won heats on Friday. Among them was Kiron Jabour, who had the highest combined heat total of the day with an 18.33. Other Hawaii surfers taking their heats were Ian Walsh, Makuakai Rothman, Gavin Gillette, Torrey Meister and Zeke Lau.
The swell forecast looks likely for competition to resume today with top seeds Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Dane Reynolds and John John Florence hitting the water.