BEDE DURBIDGE TAKES YOU BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE 2008 ASP WORLD TOUR WITH HIS BLOG
BEDE'S BLOG: Durbidge Plots His Course Heading Into J Bay
Four events down, seven to go. Let’s cut to the chase. We need to haul Kelly Slater in pretty soon or he’s going to bolt away from the rest of us and make this year’s world championship a no-race.
I’m pretty sure there’s never been a year on the ASP where we’ve been four contests in and had only one winner from within the top 44. But that’s the state of play with Kelly winning three of the four and the other one going to a wildcard. It’s fair to say the rest of us in the top 44 are pretty keen to see that sequence broken, starting with JBay next month!
Kelly’s surfing has been amazing this year. He’s raised the bar to a new level and basically said: ‘Top that, boys”. It’s now up to us to pick up that gauntlet he has laid down.
For me, that means concentrating on what I’m doing rather than what Kelly’s doing. At No. 3 and with seven events to go, I feel I can stay in the race. I know guys like Parko, Taj, Mick, CJ Hobgood, Andy Irons, Jeremy Flores and Adrian De Souza feel the same way.
The last two contests were a mixed bag for me. I didn’t do as well as I wanted in Tahiti but then most of us in the top 10 had early exits at Teahupoo. I was happier with a quarter final appearance in Fiji and I feel like I’m improving every year in those South Pacific waves .
I thought Parko had a strong leg there and was surfing awesome at times. And CJ emphasised just how good he surfs in those howling lefts.
Kelly blew minds in Fiji. The closest he came to losing was in the quarters against Bobby Martinez. He looked gone for all money against Bobby until he got a crazy last wave and once again pulled a vital heat out of the bag.
We had quite a bit of down time during the waiting period between swells. But in Fiji, you don’t mind that because there’s just so much other cool stuff to do.
I did heaps of fishing (although my record didn’t improve from Tahiti…I’m having a shocker when it comes to the reel). Parko and a couple of the others caught all my fish. We all had some pretty competitive ping pong and pool sessions while some of the other guys went to the mainland to get in some golf ,stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling. At night it was lots of karaoke (hail Occy, the king of karaoke!)
That’s why Fiji is my favourite contest, It’s like going on a 5-star holiday where you get to compete in an event that features perfect surf. Definitely the best comp on the tour!
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READER COMMENTS
Thu Jun12, 2008, 3:19 PM
Enjoyed your blog. Would love to hear you comment on: what's up with Bruce Iron's and Pancho Sullivan? Two extremely talented waterman who haven't really stirred things up on the tour as was predicted. Any word on Dane Reynold's sickness? And lastly, who you see as scary talented in the next 5 years. Thanks and congratulations on your showings.
Thu Jun12, 2008, 5:09 PM
Rabbit and Al don't write often enough. We have the power rankings at surfline(not out yet for this contest) and some really weak coverage from surfing and surfer mags. Specialy Surfer, who is pretty much copying the ASP release...like we don't notice. Lame! Your blog is desperately needed and greatly apprecited. Just a starved surf fan.
Thu Jun12, 2008, 9:34 PM
hey bede..you're a KOOK..jaja..
Fri Jun13, 2008, 4:39 AM
Bede has the worst style on tour!
Fri Jun13, 2008, 7:23 AM
Johnny Boy and Bum Kum its cos your are gay that you dont get it.
Fri Jun13, 2008, 9:56 PM
ah yeah WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE http://globalinternetgovernment.com .
Sat Jun14, 2008, 12:27 AM
Bede rips! Go the White Fijian!!!
Sat Jun14, 2008, 12:53 AM
Haole Want Pound? Wot, gotta talk em crap on a man who's telling us all some good story, brah. No respect. I'll steal your stuff. Beat it, kook...
Sat Jun14, 2008, 10:03 AM
Me no haole bra! fuckn kauai..any time any day ...bra
Sat Jun14, 2008, 3:51 PM
hey as to someones claim about bede havin the worst style on tour?... obviously you havent seen adriana...leo neves..heitor alves..neco..jeremy flores...steady..do i need to go on... Bedes isnt the worst an isnt the best somewhere in the neutral part.. johnny boy shralps harder than them all.. well maybe not wardo or AI
Sun Jun15, 2008, 12:20 AM
c e l t i x AH YEAH
Sun Jun15, 2008, 4:13 AM
Bede will win Billabong Pro at J-Bay, his forehand style suits the waves perfectly at Jeffreys, Go Bede - Good Luck and shot bru!
Sun Jun15, 2008, 5:09 PM
Hey "Kun," to contradict your ridiculous attack on Bede, let me just say this: you don't win multiple events, take out Kelly more than once, be in contention for the world title, or sit at #3 on the ratings with "bad" style. In fact he's got one of the smoother and more polished styles around. How about we see some footage of you surfing? That's what I thought. Hopefully stupid remarks like yours won't sway Bede from posting more great blogs in the future. You should be greatful that one of the top ten is taking his time to write. Thanks Bede, and good luck in SA!!! P.S. Trust me, you've got STYLE... end of story.
Tue Jun17, 2008, 7:19 PM
Durbo winning at J-Bay is only a small piece of the puzzle. This kid is a proven title contender! Did you forget Vans triple Crown Champ, Pipe Master,NSI Hero???? He usually beats Kelly too!
Wed Jun18, 2008, 12:12 AM
jonny boys obviously a complete tool. have you ever seen bede surf in real life. just look at his results they speak for themselves.
Wed Jun18, 2008, 12:17 AM
jonny boys definetly a haloe gaybo
Wed Jun18, 2008, 3:43 AM
Bede is sitting at number 3 for a good reason. I would like to see anyone else try and achieve as much as he has and remain so humble and down to earth. Good luck Bede for JBay
Sun Jun22, 2008, 12:25 PM
BEDE.. RIPS !! HE IS MY NEW FAVORITE RIPPER ON THE CT ! KEEP IT UP.. WE ARE ALL BACKING YOU BEDE ! TJ SO CAL
Wed Jul 2, 2008, 7:39 PM
i have been watching since this whole web cast thing began, and well.... your the man. I would be willing to bet that you are the only person kelly really dreads in a heat. You are the ICEMAN!!!! I have always thought that in any sport it is more mental than physical, and you are the only one besides kelly that has go that kind of game. I am from florida and i am still pulling for you, and yes I am a Kelly fan!! If i could surf like anyone, it would be you mate!!! Keep going bananas when it counts and your dream will come true.... not like it all ready hasn't!!!!!??? Good luck & Cheers ......... B