Contest Director Mike Parsons threw the back end of the Top 45 into the water for Round One of the Billabong Pro today, having chosen the new one-and-done format to make the most of the clean 3-foot lineup that materialized at Supertubes. With only an average size swell approaching Jeffreys Bay in the contest window, competitors battled not only each other, but J-Bay's speedy wind tunnels and ferocious rocks that always threaten skin and fin when it's small. Thanks to some friendly winds and a healthy dose of sand wedged between the rock fingers there were some pretty incredible barrels to be had. As night fell on J-Bay, Parsons managed to also complete two heats of Round Two.


Nathaniel Curran put in his best performance of the season against Jay "Bottle" Thompson in Round One. He looked sharp in the unforgiving speed sections. Curran has a tough road ahead, though, as he's up against the red-hot Adriano De Souza next. Photo: ASP/CI/ Cestari via Getty Images


Opening day proved to be a successful one for most of the American contingent. Even Nathaniel Curran and Dane Reynolds moved into the next round, which is worth celebrating since both of them are having such shocking seasons. Timmy Reyes and Chris Ward backed the young Californians up with convincing wins over wild cards Devyn Mattheys and Torrey Meister, and then late in the day, as Round Two got underway, C.J. Hobgood kept his roll going by defeating Michael Picon with some incredible backside tuberiding, where he put his Heisman Trophy stance to work.

While the U.S. mainlanders suffered no casualties today the Hawaiians weren't so lucky. While Kekoa Becalso and Roy Powers both advanced Dustin Barca had the unfortunate luck of drawing perennial J-Bay powerhouse Sean Holmes, who by now should be considered the world's most dangerous wild card. Holmes, who is always a giant killer at J-Bay, looked silky smooth against Barca. Sadly, Barca was surfing strong, indeed well enough to beat anyone else in the round except Holmes, so this loss hurts. With Holmes moving forward into Round Two world number four Taj Burrow will be losing sleep tonight, as he's next on the menu for Holmes.

The other painful loss belonged to Fred Patacchia, who, according to his blog, has been itching to get things moving in Jeffreys Bay. In his Round Two match against a very furry Kai Otton Freddy was never able locate his rhythm. Otton, meanwhile, weaved through one of the longest, cleanest barrels of the day on his backhand, which sent Freddy packing.

If you happen to be up late tonight you'll definately want to be tuning in for the highly anticipated Occy vs. Curren duel. Occy had the entire lineup in stitches today during a warm up session. When Curren went flying down the line past Occy, the Occ yelled, "Bring it on!" The boys loved it. Even Curren's son, who was sitting right there, had a good laugh. The clash certainly seems to be fueling some old cold war patriotism, as the Top 45 are passionately choosing sides. Slater is said to be commenting the dual, which should make it even more interesting.

Here's what's on tap tonight if you feel like pulling a late one..

OCCY vs. Curren (TBA, but could go first thing.)

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 7: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 16: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

I ran into Kauai's newest edition to the WCT, Dustin Barca, today at the Oakley house. He was coming in from a quick surf at Off the Wall on a rainy day, and I had my tape recorder on me.

Barca's had the talent to make that tour for while, I knew it was only a matter of time. Big waves, small waves, turns, airs, he's got the whole package. He's also got that Kauai attitude, which I think is fucking rad.

Here's a MORINformed interview with the newest member of the Dream Tour:

How does it feel to make to the Big Leagues?

It hasn't really kicked in yet.

How has your winter been so far?

My winter has been real slow, but real fast at the same time. It's been kind of weird and stressful.

Stressful?

You know having to make heats to make that tour. I'm gonna go regroup for a little while at home.

How is the long hual of trying to qualify?

You've got to be patient and determined to do well. It's a lot of downs with a little bit of ups.

Bruce is over it [WCT], are you stoked to come in and represent for Kauai?

Yup, I always try to represent Kauai in whatever I'm doing.

Are you just going to hang out at home until the first event in OZ, or you going to come back here for a little?

I'm gonna hang at home, probably come back [Oahu] for a couple swells. Just build my hunger up for next year.

Alright, see you around?

Aloha.