Gabriel Medina’s high-flying antics got him on tour. What’s going to get one of these competitors into the Hurley Pro? Photo: Trevor Murphy
Like I mentioned before, social media has been exploding to completely new levels over these Video Trials! Whoever proposed this idea to Hurley should be applauded because they are the true winners here — a marketing jackpot. But let’s get back to brass tacks: we have our quarterfinalists. Once again, let me give you an unbiased opinion of who should have made it through to the semis.
Heat 1: Dusty Payne (2900 votes) v. Albee Layer (2699 votes)
Like Dusty’s first round, his clips are on point. He opens with a backside air reverse but lands on top of the wave — which I’m sure he didn’t prefer. His backup clip consists of a another wave from a recent Sumbawa adventure with a manly combo of lots of power, but he is unable to give the wave a proper closing because the reef had other plans. Albee, on the other hand, opens with another banger full rotation alley-oop. His backup, however, I’m not too jazzed about. Both the tricks are kinda chop hoppy for my liking, but if you look closely there is a whale breaching in the far right corner which makes up for that. Kinda crossed on who to vote for on this one; I feel Dusty’s clips are more suited for a comp like Trestles, and Albee’s are more for a place like France or Brazil because Lowers doesn’t have a crazy air wind blowing into it. Seems like many voters agreed that Dusty was the man in this heat. With that being said: Albee had my vote. It would’ve have been nice to see how he goes outside of Maui. Maybe next year.
Heat 2: Jay Davies (1969 votes) v. Ian Gentil (2856 votes)
Jay’s two clips are the absolute last things I thought I would see in the quarters! He’s still in Hawaii laying it on rail. What’s funny is these two waves aren’t banger airs like Albee’s, but you can appreciate them in the same manner. I’d want to watch a guy like Jay take off on a perfect wall at Lowers and just go to town. Ian’s clips, on the other hand, were a little better than Jay’s. Someone mentioned to me in a comment that clips with barrels should be irrelevant (unless you’re Kelly Slater) so I guess the second one shouldn’t really matter as much. Yes, Ian’s clips are better in context, but when breaking them down to format Lowers, I feel Jay displayed more raw power than Ian. I gave my wildcard vote to Albee, so Jay was my pick for this heat. Yallingup in the house! Er, then again, as with Albee, maybe next year.
Heat 3: Cam Richards (7827 votes) v. Carlos Munoz (15497 votes)
Before I dive into this heat, let me start with a prelude. A lot of people took my last post the wrong way. Especially people from the East Coast. My brethren from the best side took this as a “call-out” to Cam but are pretty stupid for thinking this and let me explain why: just because I don’t agree with a certain fan base and a self-righteous #hashtag, that doesn’t mean I don’t like someone. Friends that operate Billabong’s social media contacted me saying Cam’s chorines were typing some of the most raw and uncalled for comments that even they’ve ever witnessed, and that they had to delete certain things. I simply want Cam’s surfing to do the talking, and that’s not the case here. This heat proves that point singlehandedly.
In my opinion, both Cam’s clips were better than Carlos’. His first backside combo was powerful and refreshing to see rather than his standard air reverse turn combo which follows in the second clip. Carlos’ waves were both exquisite airs but Cam’s combos showed a bit of diversity and flow. What sucks here is what the polls ended up showing. We should have had a neck-to-neck battle, not a complete blowout, like yesterday with Jack Freestone. Only this time, Cam got a taste of his own medicine and faced a crazy underground push that fucks the polls. This gets back to the point I raised yesterday: online platforms like this will always be a virtual popularity contest. Looks like the Costa Rican kid hit this year’s social media lottery. I opted not to vote this heat.
#ivotedforpedrodidyou
Heat 4: Ian Crane (980 Votes) v. Patrick Gudauskas (2659 Votes)
“I voted for @patrickgud because his clips are way better than mine. You should too! Let’s get this guy in the comp!!” I saw Ian’s Instagram quote before I watched this heat and wonder why he seceded so easily? Especially on his birthday!?! Well, Ian, you’re tripping. You ripped the bag out of your waves! Pat’s waves are indeed better than yours, but not by much. Oh well, looks like we’re going to see Pat in the Semis. Stoked your finally legal, though, Ian! Beers are on me.
Note: #cranedbyianscrane is a hashtag I support.
See ya tomorrow for the Semis!
