PUTTING THE FAN IN FANTASY: A BOOST MOBILE PRO TEAM TO CONSIDER

"Heeelloooo, remember me, world champ over here..."

With the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Hurley starting up on Sunday I thought it wise to share my thoughts on my Fantasy Team for Lowers. Take it with a grain of salt, as my team this year is somewhere south of the middle of the pack (thanks Bruce!).

Kelly Slater: Should be the pillar and four corners of ALL Fantasy Surfer teams. Owns the keys to the highway. This guy would anchor my NCAA Fantasy Womens Bowling team (Go Vandy!). The biggest no-brainer in the history of no-brainers.

Mick Fanning: Hungry and with nothing to lose, expect the current world champion to be firing on all cylinders. Of all the WCTers who would love to crimp Slater's run to a title, it is Fanning who waxes poetic about the opportunity. Here's a guy who hardly had a chance to enjoy his reign as King of the WCT, as Slater immediately snatched all intended mojo away from the Australian. Now the Aussie world champ can repay the favor on Slater's home turf.

Dane Reynolds: Mr. I-Just-Want-To-Surf actually does care what his WCT peers think of his performances. He cares. He just says he doesn't. And if he fails, he can say, "So what?" and point to his latest video offering, and we'll all say, "You know what, he's right. His contest performances really don't matter." Expect Dane to step up and swing for the fences with surfing that mixes contest panache with freestyle video flair. Put him on your team.

Jordy Smith: For a rookie with tons of promise, Smith has been a disappointment for my team. Nevertheless I'm sticking with him for the Boost Mobile Pro because his '08 line of 9th, 33rd, 17th, 17th, 9th, & 33rd tells me it's time for a 9th-- or better. Like Dane, great white hope #1a is keen for big result in front of the industry.

Damien Hobgood: The Hobgoods are sort of like two horses entered by the same barn at the racetrack. You should always pick one of them, although granted, at the track you get 'em both for the price of one. Not here though, bummer. But you'd be remiss not to include a Hobgood on your team. Smart money would suit up CJ, but I'm going on a hunch with Damo.

Timmy Reyes: Solid surfing So. Cal. favorite is primed for a good result and is consistent. Reyes' adjusted line consists of three - 9ths and a 17th. Pretty solid. I'll be sticking with him here at home.

Jeremy Flores: This guy bugs me. No reason, he just bugs me. I know if I take him off my team he'll win the whole thing. I'm keeping him on my Fantasy Surfer team so he doesn't haunt me later.

Brett Simpson: My remaining budget only allowed for one of the three wildcards: Machado, Yadin Nichol or Brett Simpson. Um… I don't know. Is Rob over it? The guy has been pulling into massive Indo cylinders for 8 months. Not even sure he remembers how to get to Lowers. If you see a fro-headed dude on a moto scooter checking out Cottons Point send him due south. Yadin Nichol. Not sure with him. Tons of talent of course. Brett Simpson is my pick. Competitively hungry.

STAY AWAY FROM:

Bruce Irons: He just won in Indo so his official "I went out in style" party starts today and runs through October. Keep him off your team.

Chris Ward: Too expensive and too um, how do you say…unpredictable for my liking. He'll either win it all or miss his heat. Buyer be warned.

Any Brazilian: They're all in Brazil trying to re-qualify.