Everyone surfed incredibly, but Jamie O outdid them all. With 4 ten point rides on the day (2 in his round 2 heat), going switch foot in the barrel in round 3 and staying deeper longer all day, he was on a rampage.
The forecast was right on, the swell arrived big and on time and it was on.
It was the best surf competition I've ever seen. The massive barreling waves that came all day long, the format of a single day with 16 local pros and 16 International pros made it the most well-surfed and exciting event to watch.
Ten point rides, switchfoot barrels and the storybook sunset final between Made "Bol" Adi Putra (two-time winner) and Jamie O (renegade tube rider) in the green gold of the Balinese Pipeline. It was epic in so many ways.
more pics below
"Bol" found the best barrels of his life today. He's tucking in to another long one here in the final just before being comboed by Jamie O.
The WCT should take note, this is what the Dream Tour should be like. One day, perfect waves, no wasted heats and pit the best locals against the rest of the world's top 16. Every heat was stacked with well known talent. Heat 8 of round one was one of my favorites. Mikala Jones, Garut Widiarta, Rizal Tanjung and Jamie O'Brien all together. Ridiculous!
Mega Semadhi with arms wide open in his front yard.
I wasn't able to get access to the water for the event so I stationed myself at various points along the cliff throughout the day.
Here's a few shots from the day below. There will be more to come in the next week as I get through the day's take. (2000 images)
Laurie Towner in the quarter finals.
As always click an image for the large version. TR
..and i was there bring some water to the photografer.. :)
ReplyDeletesuch a grat day!