Quiksilver King of the Peak

Sebastian Inlet North Jetty Florida
3 - 4 November 2007

Eric Taylor wins the Quiksilver King of the Peak

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 November, 2007 : - - Sebastian Inlet -- The stage was set, 92 of some of the best surfers from up and down the Eastern Seaboard showed up ready to battle for the  $11,400.00 Skin Purse and a $700 dollar "ESM" Air show.  What brings it all together is solid surf in the 5-6 foot range. It all came together for Quiksilver's 13th Annual King of the Peak Skins event on November 3rd and 4th. 

With another strong high pressure system getting the squeeze play, and tropical storm Noel tracking right by the Florida coast the night before, the East Coast ultimate fighting arena was set for the Sebastian Inlet Coliseum.  The KOP Skins event has seen many of the best in the East take the thrown and stake claim to the Crown, names to likes of Kelly Slater, CJ Hobgood, Bill Hartley, Brian Hewitson, Jeremy Johnston, Todd Morcom, David Speir to name a few and now after many, many attempts, ET Eric Taylor. 

Taylor's surfing was power punctuated and rock solid with a brilliant strategy approach to each heat.  He even showed a bit of cut loose wreckless abandon on a few back hand through the lip fin drift power gauges.  This falls into the "go for broke" and "claim your one wave" criteria that has made the Quiksilver King of the Peak format very popular. 

"The format has proven to be very enjoyable for the spectators as all claimed wave scores are called out live," says contest director, Matt Kechele.  It was to be ET's day from the start.  First, out of the hat draw and into the first heat of the day(which if you're up to the challenge of being on the front lines of the battle field) can give you the kind of momentum to catapult you to the "King's Thrown" along with a fat wallet or leave you in the trenches to be trampled over amongst the battle field. 

ET showed he wanted to be a leader, and won seven straight Skins on day one which was good for $1,680.00.  Other shining knights in battle for Sebastian Hierarchy, surfing exceptional like always and taking charge behind ET was a very noble Sir Asher Nolan trampling a strong forward charge nabbing 3 Skins.  Until Cocoa Beach's, Chris Duff, got the barrel of the day with a nice "Pig Dog" to a clean doggy door exit.

Chris Duff's glory didn't last long, for in his next attempt, Cody Thompson decided that maybe Asher "The Slasher" Nolan isn't the only guy that could vie for bringing the Crown to Jacksonville Beach.  ET's run was finally stopped by one of Quiksilver's best surfing sales reps, Kenny Kozack.  Davey Awbrey, Nick Guilarte, Alek Parker, and Shane Murray all swung a mighty sword, but were all short flurries that were good for only one Skin. 

Caleb Johnston got courageous and fought through a few heats for Two Skins! At the end of day one, Sean Poynter and Brian Hewitson, were the last men standing at the conclusion of Round One of the 23 Skin's heats!

On day two, the draw was flipped upside down, and Gary Wheeler nabbed the first Skin.  While Former King, Brian Hewitson, saw the opportunity before him to potentially go "Brave Heart", and take out everyone as he had 12 skin battles that lay before him.  Brian captured five skins until horseman, Chris Duff, hooked into yet another nice barrel! 

Other chargers winning multiple Skins were Travis Beckmann with some solid aerial assaults and clean barrels gaining him three skins and $720.00.  Matt Bender stopped Todd Holland's charge and kept last year's King, Jeremy Johnston, at bay.  Another former King, Kyle Garson, grabbed one and was looking to start campaigning, until Puerto Rico's Dylan Graves decided he wanted Skins to bring back to PR.

Dylan and Philip Goold went on a Skins run. Dylan with four and Philip (who had surfed for three)  Philip was stopped by King, ET Taylor, who decided he was going to be greedy and collect a little more tax and grab the final Skin of the day in heat 23.  ET certainly put a exclamation mark on his Crown Campaign, winning the first, and the last Skin's heat of the event which was good for $1,920.00. 

ET, who has had his nose in the books, studying College up in North Florida the last few years, may have just wanted to remind all the boys at the Inlet that he doesn't want to give up his slot at the peak just yet!   Hail to the King...King E.T. aka "Erik Taylor".

Skins Placings and Earnings
1. Eric Taylor, eight skins, $1,920
2. Brian Hewitson, six skins, $1,440
3. Dylan Graves, four skins, $960
4. Travis Beckmann, three skins, $720
4. Phillip Goold, three skins, $720
4. Asher Nolan, three skins, $720
5. Chris Duff, two skins, $480
5 Caleb Johnston, two skins, $480
6. Cole Anderson, one skin, $240
6. David Awbrey, one skin, $240
6. Todd Holland, one skin, $240
6. Ron Keindl, one skin, $240
6. Bryce Cohn, one skin, $240
6. Alek Parker, one skin, $240
6. Matt Bender, one skin, $240
6. Cody Thompson, one skin, $240
6. Davey Awbrey, one skin, $240
6. Sean Poynter, one skin, $240
6. Zander Morton, one skin, $240
6. Gary Wheeler, one skin, $240
6. Nick Guilarte, one skin, $240
6. Shane Murray, one skin, $240
6. Kenny Kozack, one skin, $240
6. Kyle Garson, one skin, $240

ESM Air Show
1st    Ryan Helm  $425
2nd  Cody Thompson  $150
3rd   Travis Beckamn  $75
4th   Evan Thompson  $50

www.quiksilver.com

More USA/Cen. Amer. surfing news available here
Check the latest East Coast Surf Reports and Forecasts

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

Press release

Contests - Surfersvillage