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Oxbow World Longboard Championships - Young Leads Charge On Opening Day
Author: ASP World Tour
Great 4-6ft (1.5-2 m) waves greeted competitors at La Rocca early on, though the increased wind and lower tide forced later heats to move further south to the section named ‘Pescaditos’, as submerged rocks became more troublesome.
Young, who finished equal third last year at Jeffreys bay (SAfr), was in form today executing big re-entries, carving cutbacks, and walked his board with poise. The Australian comfortably advanced, leaving both Zack Howard (USA) and Noah Shimabukuro (Haw) requiring a combination of rides to catch his lead. After collecting a 9.0 and 8.0, his best two-wave total of 17-points was the highest of the day.
“It’s pretty nice to be back in Mexico,” said Young, who had previously only surfed at Puerto Escondido in Mexico. “I’m still loving competition, as it’s good fun, and I love nose riding, so that’s a good thing (laughs).
“It’s pretty good for a longboard,” he added of the venue. “I think everyone is surfing really well and all the heats are hard. It says a lot for longboarding at the moment and it’s art form.”
Fellow Australian Jye Byrnes also made the most of the best two-wave rule utilized by judges today, amassing the second highest total en-route to beating Brazilians Eduardo Bage and Augusto Saldanha.
“That was the first time I’ve a surfed a heat with just two waves counting and I enjoyed it,” explained Byrnes. “In the end I was getting a little worried ‘cause Eduardo was getting the smaller ones that I thought wouldn’t score as high, but he must have worked them pretty well to the beach. We had a bit of a paddling battle at the end for the last set, but it went my way.”
Danilo Rodrigo (Brz), one of the youngest competitors in the event at only 17 years of age, dominated the day’s opening heat. Scoring the first wave of the 2002 tournament and later a fantastic 9.0 ride, he delegated Josh Constable (Aus) and Keegan Edwards (Haw) to the ‘losers’ second round. His total placed him third in the overall points tally for the day, with six fellow Brazilians also progressing directly into round three following their respective wins.
“I felt good,” said Rodrigo. “I knew the competition was going to be hard with such a high caliber of competitors to beat, such as Colin (McPhillips) and Bonga (Perkins), but I’m confident. My mission is to be the first Brazilian to bring the Oxbow title to Brazil.
“This wave is totally different from my home,” he added, of La Rocca’s rocky lineup. “I was pretty worried, as the only rock-bottom break I’ve surfed before was at Jeffreys Bay (SAfr) during the last Oxbow championships. I was very cautious, as the rocks were popping up everywhere. But I relaxed after a few waves and didn’t worry so much, and then I got that nine.”
Current ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) ratings leader and 1996 Oxbow champion Bonga Perkins (Haw), who won the last event in France a month ago, continued his momentum. Against Darren Ledingham (USA) and Mexico’s local wildcard entrant Angel Salinas, the Hawaiian controlled the 25-minute decider.
“It was kind of tough out there,” reasoned Perkins. “I don’t think you can see the bumps from the beach, but you’re feeling them out there. We’ve got some size, though, which is really good.
“Mexico’s fairly new in the sport of longboarding, but give them a few years and I think there’s going to be some kids who come out of the woodwork,” he added, of the host nation and his fellow opponent. “I saw him get some good waves at the beginning. Angel’s one of the pioneers of Mexican longboarding, so you’ve got to give him that.”
2001 Oxbow world longboard champion Colin McPhillips (USA), who had the honors of pouring the mixed waters into the ocean during this morning’s Ho’okupuu ceremony, went on to win his heat. Despite admitting he was feeling the nerves as defending champ, he still managed to hold off challenges from Josh Baxter (USA) and Leo Ranzoni (Ita).
“I was a little wobbly and had the first heat jitters going big time,” admitted McPhillips. “I think I fell at the end of every wave, and found every chop I could (laughs). Luckily I squeaked through and I think I’ll turn it around and get rid of the nerves next heat.”
Last year’s runner-up Jason Ribbink began his campaign on track with a win over Sam Bleakley (GB) and fellow South African Michael Gredon. The powerful natural footer (stands with left foot forward) excels in bigger surf, so felt right at home with the larger set waves during their clash. Although only catching two waves, both were rewarded well by the judges.
“I just waited for my two waves and got one really good one,” said Ribbink. “The waves are insane. A lot of the guys prefer smaller waves for longboards, but I think it’s cool. Very similar to the waves we had last year at Jeffreys’ Point (SAfr).
“I think the level of surfing has definitely come up since last year,” he continued. “Everyone is taking the tour really serious. The standard in small waves during the European events was really high.”
1997 Oxbow champion Dino Miranda, who gained entry after Kevin Connelly (USA) withdrew from this year’s event, utilized his opportunity against fellow Hawaiian Duane DeSoto and Japan’s David Kinoshita. Miranda, 38, is always one of the most determined competitors and eager for another world title.
“I’m really stoked I am in the contest and did make the cut,” said Miranda. “It’s unfortunate other people couldn’t show up, but better chance for me to win another world title.
“Today’s surf was really good compared to the other venues we go to,” added. “I love this place with warm water and weather, and the people are nice. I’m still in the running, so can’t wait until the next heat.”
France’s Jonathon Larcher created an upset by beating three-time (1993-95) Oxbow winner Rusty Keaulana (Haw) - an event wildcard - as well as David Simons. Larcher proved too strong and avoided the dreaded second round, with a day off now.
“That heat was perfect,” said Larcher. “I’m really happy to be here in Mexico with the warm weather and water, and everybody is cool. We are lucky to have a good swell and the waves were great today. It’s paradise here, so thanks to Oxbow.”
The Oxbow World Longboard Championships boasts a 10-day waiting period from August 22-31. Only 33 hours of competition are required to determine the 2002 champion, with detailed releases and digital images available daily.
Live heat scores are available on www.oxboweb.com & www.aspworldtour.com during competition hours. A decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time), with round two expected to begin at 7:30am.
Official results of the Oxbow World Longboard Championships Round One
H1: Danilo Rodrigo (Brz) 16.6; Josh Constable (Aus) 13.4; Keegan Edwards (Haw) 12.55
H2: Jamie Viudes (Brz) 12.75; Sebastein Wilson (Aus) 12.65; Romain Maurin (Fra) 11.0
H3: Jonathan Larcher (Fra) 14.0; Rusty Keaulana (Haw) 12.4; David Simons (Aus) 11.25
H4: Alex Salazar (Brz) 14.25; Chris Vandervoort (Haw) 10.95; Andrew Logreco (USA) 9.1
H5: Dino Miranda (Haw) 13.6; Duane DeSoto (Haw) 12.15; David Kinoshita (Jpn) 10.6
H6: Jye Byrnes (Aus) 16.75; Eduardo Bage (Brz) 15.05; Augusto Saldanha (Brz) 10.85
H7: Jason Ribbink (SAfr) 14.5; Sam Bleakley (GB) 9.85; Michael Gredon (SAfr) 6.75
H8: Colin McPhillips (USA) 13.0; Josh Baxter (USA) 11.25; Leo Ranzoni (Ita) 6.9
H9: Bonga Perkins (Haw) 14.5; Darren Ledingham (USA) 10.15; Angel Salinas (Mex) 8.4
H10: Beau Young (Aus) 17.0; Noah Shimabukuro (Haw) 12.15; Zack Howard (USA) 10.75
H11: Amaro Matos (Brz) 13.25; Yoshinori Matsuyama (Jpn) 9.6; Elliot Dudley (GB) 7.4
H12: Jeremias da Silva (Brz) 13.75; Kekoa Uemura (Haw) 12.65; Alex Knost (USA) 7.25
H13: Mathew Moir (SAfr) 14.0; Devon Howard (USA) 11.3; Thibaut Dussarat (Fra) 10.6
H14: Grant Thomas (Aus) 11.0; Ian Bell (Aus) 10.75; John Lee Ryan (GB) 8.6
H15: Phil Rajzman (Brz) 14.75; Dane Wilson (Aus) 10.1; Lucas Proudfoot (Aus) 9.75
H16: Olimpio Batista (Brz) 14.0; Taylor Jensen (USA) 11.15; Paulo Kid (Brz) 7.25
Further information: www.oxboweb.com & www.aspworldtour.com
Jesse Faen
Media Director, ASP Int’l
jesse@aspworldtour.com
www.aspworldtour.com
Mobile (on-site): +61-(0)-407-189-289
ASP Int’l office (Aus): 617-5599-1550
Oxbow
Christelle Séguy: christelle.seguy@free.fr
Tel: +33(0)5 56 82 07 15 Fax : +33(0)5 57 70 24 49
Digital images will be available free of charge from Pierre Tostee/ASP: tostee@aspworldtour.com