Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 April, 2006 : - - TAHITI’S infamous Teahupoo reef break will take centre stage on the world surfing arena with the Air Tahiti Nui/Von Zipper Trials kick starting what is regarded the greatest test on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
An international field of over 40 big wave surfers along with 46 highly respected locals will do battle in this weeks trials which offer the winner and runner up wildcards into the $US 270,000 Billabong Pro Tahiti the third World Championship Tour (WCT) event for 2006 beginning May 4th.
Following three days of torrential rain at Teahupoo trials hopefuls from Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Brazil, France and Tahiti commenced competition this morning in less than perfect 1-1.5 metre (3-5ft) waves. The six-day event, the longest waiting period for any WCT trials has until April 29th to finalise.
Australian surfers Dylan Longbottom (Coolangatta), Laurie Towner (Angourie), Damon Harvey (Coolangatta), Wade Goodall (Caloundra) and Josh Kerr (Coolangatta) will begin competition in the top seeded fifth round tomorrow. With both Harvey and Longbottom renowned Teahupoo chargers, the younger Aussies will be out to prove themselves in a tough surfing arena.
19-year-old Towner was recently recognized in the XXL Global Big wave awards while fellow natural footer Kerr is a highly respected tube rider. Both Teahupoo first timers, Kerr and Towner are eager to test their skills against a wave as heavy as they come. “I think it would be good if it stopped raining,” joked Towner. “It’s my first time here, it’s been fun just surfing small waves but I’m looking forward to surfing solid ‘Chopes.”
“I’m a bit nervous, I’ll don’t know how I will go when it gets massive, but I’ll definitely have a look at it and see how I go.”
Fellow Australian junior Luke Cheadle (Culburra) progressed through two rounds of competition today. The goofy footer won his opening round heat before placing second behind Brazilian surfer Everaldo Texeira to book a spot in tomorrows third round. “it’s not proper Teahupoo like you see in movies, but to be in the line-up, look at those mountains and get the perspective you have seen so many times is just insane.”
“It is tough, but with the waves being small, it’s bringing it back to the quality of turns you do, there isn’t really any massive barrels out there like usual,” said Cheadle. “I came here to get it 8-10 foot, hopefully over the next week we can score it. It is a dream to come here, so I just want to survive through these opening rounds while the waves are average.”
Hawaiian surfers have also proven themselves fierce competitors at Teahupoo, none other than legend Liam McNamara who finished second in 2005 and Kalani Chapman who rode one of the tubes of the event on his way to the quarterfinals. Both McNamara and Chapman have been granted automatic fifth round seeds alongside fellow Hawaiians Danny Fuller and Tamayo Perry.
Tahitian surfers will be the strongest opposition for their international counterparts having honed their tube riding skills at Teahupoo and the numerous shallow reef passes surrounding Tahiti. While 2005 Trials winner Manoa Drollet (Tahiti) has received a direct wildcard into the main event, local hero’s Hira Terinatoofa, Vetea “Poto” David, Michel Bourez and Heiarii Williams are fancied to upset the big internationals.
Underground Teahupoo specialists Kevin Johnson, Nicolas Leetham and Steven Pierson will also start in the fifth round. Johnson and Leetham were undeniable standouts in the 2005 trials, eliminating quality opposition to reach the semi-finals.
The Air Tahiti Nui/ Von Zipper Trials are supported by Coke, Hyundai and Bose.
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