The second semi between Parko, Taj, Damien Hobgood and Flavio Padaratz started with Damien surviving a sectiony left pit for a healthy score. Taj ran under lip the other way a few minutes later and could have been given a 10 for his art and drive, but he wasn’t; a mere 9+ stingily decreed from the tower. The crowd loved it. Flavio had a shocker before blitzing his last wave; too late. Damien was sent packing towards heat’s end with a gnarly over-the-falls which hammered him, and snapped his favourite board, of just two surfs. Taj went on to dominate the showdown with his trademark electricity, Parko eventually coming in with a late rush of characteristic brilliance which was, frankly, repeatedly underscored. The consensus from the competitor’s arena today was that the judges need to watch Joel’s board, and not be ‘fooled’ by his deft loose but always almost ‘casual’ style.

Porko got that board rockin’ and a’rollin’ in the final, as did Taj his, after the elder Brazilian went for his traditional early heat charge. The poor Brazilian grommet suffered stage fright, repeatedly eating it before thoroughly clamping a solid right, but it was all too late.

The duel centred on the Aussies from opposite sides of their massive continent coming at each other. They thrilled the crowd with a captivating blend of vertical attack, repeated agility and flair like few are capable of, succinct carve and drive, as well as immaculate timing, all peppered by an inherent and instantaneous inventiveness that gave you goose bumps and tended to make the bottom jaw drop. Competition surfing can no longer be categorized as stereotyped formula surfing. We are talking consistent state of the art.

There’s a bloke called Joel Parkinson, who IS the state of the art – him and his mates. They’re coming. Joel came through throwing rail and tail on anything that mounted in his direction in the closing stages of the final stanza. As they cheered on the passing surfers, in a manner that Taj Burrow later imagined might be comparable to being centre-ring in a stadium, the passionate crowd became part of the show. It was good stuff. Running up the beach, Joel Parkinson had his arm raised saluting the crowd, as much as justifiably claiming victory in what was a stunning finale to yet another thoroughly entertaining Lacanau Pro. Gotcha got it!

Sarge

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