Steve Hughes takes out Int´l Siargo Surfing Cup 2002

International Siargao Surfing Cup 7th edition

Siargao Island, Cloud 9 surf break
Mindinao, Philippines
26 - 29 September 2002

Aussie Steve Hughes wins from Hawaiian and South Africans.

It’s been another fantastic week for surf in the Philippines for the 7th annual Siargoa Open Surfing Cup and following countless perfect clean barrel rides, Australia’s Steve Hughes came away the big winner in an exceptionally high quality field for this years event.

The final was a truly international affair, comprising four highly rated World qualifying series surfers from Hawaii, Australia and two South Africans – the highest quality for this event so far – and the surfers certainly displayed their talents by consistently scoring clean barrel rides and big progressive moves throughout the event.

The final results were –
1st – Steve Hughes Australia - $US4000
2nd – Aaron Fredett Hawaii - $US2000
3rd – David Weare – South Africa $US1500
4th – Roydon Bryson – South Africa $US 1200

Hughes put his win down to some good fortune by picking off the finals highest scoring ride in the final – an excellent 9 point ride at the half way stage of the 30 minute final where he sat perfectly poised in the barrel from start to finish! – An elated Hughes later said – “ that one wave made all the difference – it was a little bigger than any other wave in the final and allowed me to get the big score. I knew David and Aaron had some very good waves but for me to pick off that particular wave was a blessing – I’m so stoked, I’ll take the win for sure – I’ve had a great week of surfing here – I had no idea the waves in the Philippines were so good!”

The two South Africans were certainly the favourites coming into the final following both their winning performances in the respective semi finals – Bryson looking particularly strong as he spent almost the entire time in his semi final deeply barreled in the perfect 1 meter waves – In the final however, Bryson , on his backhand and the only goofy in the final found it hard to find the right waves with the three experienced forehand surfers possibly advantaged by the fast righthand reef waves.

Weare was a crowd favourite throughout the event as he consistently went for the most progressive moves which included a number of successful air moves and many stylish and perfect barrel rides – Weare was caught just one good ride short in the final despite pulling a high scoring air reverse.

The other big surprise from this years event was the great performances from the local Philippine surfers – The highest ever placing in this event being recorded by Fernando Alapayo who made the semi finals and finished an amazing 5th place overall. In such a high quality field which included surfers from USA, Hawaii, Japan, Australia and South Africa – Fernando’s result was outstanding!

Waves for the event were again excellent throughout – day 1 saw waves up to 5 feet and many perfect tubes while day 2 was smaller but very clean and again offering the elite surfers many long tubes along with high performance wave face moves.

Optimism is high for next years event to be included on the Official ASP World Qualifying Calender – ASP Australasia Tour Director Matt Wilson spoke with many Government Officials about the prospects of making this event part of the WQS and the planning has already begun!

Wilson said “It’s such an excellent wave and the surfers really appreciate competing in these types of waves so we have to try and secure this event on the WQS – It’s exciting as it should be the Philippines biggest annual sporting event which has the potential to be great for Surfing and the Philippines.

More information & Photo gallery available here

Press release

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