California’s Dane Reynolds, 26, closed the day with the highest heat total (18.37 out of 20) and the highest single wave score of the event (9.37 out of 10) in solid 8- to 12-foot waves at Sunset Beach to steal the show at the Vans World Cup on Thursday.
Reynolds’ high score came from his first wave that featured a series of hard carving power turns. His second score came from another display of on-rail power surfing, good for a 9.00. And he did it on a board borrowed from French surfer Marc Lacomare right before the heat.
"I actually had very little confidence going into that heat. I don’t really know the Sunset lineup and I was on a board I’ve never ridden before," Reynolds said. "But maybe you’re better off not knowing the lineup.
"Competition for me is just an opportunity to see what pans out. I got really nervous, but it’s pretty rad to feel that sort of intense pressure. I kind of dig it. It makes you surf in a different way. And whatever happens, you always learn something from it."
Maui’s Ian Walsh brought enough local knowledge with him to nip fellow Hawaii surfer Joel Centeio 11.9-11.07, leaving Jadson Andre of Brazil (9.50) and California youngster Kolohe Andino (7.27) behind. Walsh’s win was one of five by Hawaii surfers in the 16 heats. Evan Valiere, Dusty Payne, Sunny Garcia and John John Florence were the others. Along with Centeio, Hawaii surfers Jamie O’Brien, Ola Eleogram, Tonino Benson and Hank Gaskell also advanced.
"Today is a lot different than the last day," Walsh said. "Today there is a rising swell that is peaking today. The ocean is piling in from the west and piling in from the north, making these big A-frames come in. It’s a lot of work, but sometimes you get the waves … they are really steep with fun drops that wall up and you can make it across the whole bay. When you’re stuck out the back you get pounded over and over. It just shoves you on the reef, so it’s hard to get back around the channel."
For all of the rigors athletes faced trying to stay aboard their boards, they looked forward to being tested by Sunset Beach’s legendary rollers. Just don’t ask them to take time out to see the sights — they have their hands full.
"It’s ideal for us," Walsh said. "People come to Hawaii to watch Sunset Beach with big waves. If I am watching I am way more entertained because it makes it so much more dramatic. I definitely feel more comfortable when it’s solid like this because it mixes the heat up. I barely saw the other competitors. It makes me more focused on what I am doing for 30 minutes as opposed to worrying about the other competitors. Right now it’s you against the ocean."
Florida’s C.J. Hobgood was another past champion — he went backside in 2007 on giant 12- to 15-foot waves to take the crown — to make it through, scoring 9.23 points to knock out Hawaii’s Keanu Asing (7.27) and Adrien Toyon of France (4.10). Australia’s Adrian Buchan won the heat with a 15.87 performance, behind only Reynolds and Florence for best heat of the day.
The second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar looks to finish up today in 6- to 10-foot surf.
