WeAreH2O.Com Fresh Friday Sept 15 2006

"With two days needed to complete the seventh event on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour and with the waiting period running out till Saturday organisers will wait until tomorrow, where a new swell is predicted to arrive, before continuing with round three. It is also forecast that the final day on Saturday will have excellent conditions. And with a hotly contested draw, the climax to the event should be one of the most exciting of the tour season to date." -from contest website

Round Three Heat Draw:

Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Marcelo Nunes (BRA)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Nathan Hedge (AUS)
Heat 3: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Peterson Rosa (BRA)
Heat 6: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 7: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Toby Martin (AUS)
Heat 10: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 11: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 14: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) vs. Frederick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 15: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 16: Phillip Macdonald (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

Live coverage and latest news can be found here: http://www.boostmobilepro.com/

Despite the misty morning, the photographers were out in full force to capture the best surfers in the world tearing apart Lower Trestles.

The surferrattzi were out in full force on day 1 of the Boost Mobile Pro.

A clean 3-4ft swell greeted day 2 of the Boost Mobile Pro.

Taj Burrow powered to victory in round 1, sidelining wildcard Rob Machado (USA) and Cory Lopez (USA) to the losers round 2.

Wildcard Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA, USA) was true to form during round 1, boosting his trademark airs & 360’s but was beaten by 7 times ASP world champ Kelly Slater.

Aussie Nathan Hedge convincingly won his opening round heat to advance directly to round 3.

Mark Occhulipo has every reason to smile - not only did he win his round 1 heat, but the former world champ is also expecting his second child.

Kelly Slater was in his usual devastating form, beating Dane Reynolds & Greg Emslie in round 1.

A typical Southern Californian sunset.

Beautiful sunsets, palm trees and a care-free vibe at the beach. No wonder everyone wants to come to California.

All photos and captions above copyrighted ASPWorldTour.Com

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Pier Talk

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Pretty much all of Florida recieved huge and epic surf from Hurricane Florence this past week. The surf started to come in last weekend and was fun for Sunday and Monday and then got really big for Wednesday and Thursday. 20 mile buoy peaked around 10 feet and 15 seconds with the winds turning offshore on Thursday.

We will be talking about this swell for years to come!

Burry on a nice one! Photo: 2ndlight.com by Dan

http://2ndlight.com/

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We Are Water Happenings

Satellite Beach lost a great friend and surfer yesterday. Rob Youngkin drowned while surfing in Florence’s huge swell on Thursday, September 14, 2006.

Rest In Peace Rob, aka Blackbeard, you will be sorely missed. A paddleout is in the planning. Also, Rob just found out that he was going to be a grandfather a couple of days ago. Rob leaves behind a beautiful wife, two great sons, and a ton of family and friends.

I had just got denied from paddling out and was walking back to the boardwalk when I saw Rob standing near the shore-pound and looking out to sea. Rob is the type of guy that could always put a smile on your face. But, this time he was somber and serious. I said I got denied and he returned with, “This is the first time in 20 years that I got denied.”

Rob was a paddling machine and always would make it out on the biggest of days. He did make it out but said he got pushed in by a big set wave.

He looked distraught but determined to redeem himself and go at it again. I said I was heading North to find smaller surf and an easier paddle out.

He said he was going to paddle back out there and was just resting up to try again. I high-fived him and wished him luck. As I walked away I turned around and saw Rob paddle out for one more time.

See you on the outside Rob!