With a new swell filling in and heavy hitters on tap today things should start getting interesting at the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing. Though competition started all the way back on Saturday with some Pro Junior's and Women's prelims, today the WQS 6-Star main event reaches the Round of 96, where a throng of current and former world champions will do battle with several former US Open champions and a long list of up-and-comers. With $100,000 going to this year's winner, the largest prize ever in pro surfing, even tour veterans will be finding a little extra motivation.

Some of the more interesting plot lines are outlined in this breakdown...


WQS full timers certainly have their work cut out for them with the likes of Slater, Hobgodd, Irons, Fanning and Machado on hand. And there is a lot at stake for several American hopefuls, including home boy Brett Simpson, who is desperately trying to avoid a repeat of last year's slide down the rankings. While currently rated 9th on the WQS, he's on very slippery ground with several events to go. A nice defense of his home turf is necessary before he heads off to Europe.

Tanner and Patrick Gudauskas, on the other hand, will try to keep their recent momentum going. They've just returned from enormously successful campaigns in the Maldives and South Africa, where both surfed their way into the finals. Tanner's win at the Mr. Price Pro shot him all the way up the the number 6-slot in the WQS, while Pat's runner up finish in the Maldives has him sitting just ahead of Simpson in the 8th spot. Meanwhile Dusty Payne, Austin Ware and Nate Yeomans are all bunched together in the 11, 12 and 13 spots respectively.

Simpson and Tanner Gudauskas are both in the second heat of today's round. Nate Yeomans faces top ranked Jadson Andre in his heat. Pat Gudauskas has drawn former event champion Cory Lopez among others while Austin Ware faces a stacked heat with Eric Geiselman, Australia's Daniel Ross, and the battle hardened Luke Munro. As for Dusty Payne, he'll face his buddy Granger Larson and Australian standout Adam Melling.

Stay tuned for more...