FANTASY SURFER presented by Boost Mobile
2007 Mid-Year Review

Bruce Irons sits at a point where he could soar or sink rather easily.

=16 - Bruce Irons

Best 2007 result: Equal 9th at Gold Coast and Bells.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 89

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $7,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $7,000,000

Did you know?: Irons has not advanced to the final of a WCT event since the 2005 Pipeline Masters.

The Dirt: When Bruce shows up to an event, Fantasy Surfer users are always left wondering if this will be “The Event” for the Hawaiian. So far this year, Bruce has lost in the 3rd or 4th round in every event. Unless he catches a bit of his brother Andy’s competitive fire, expect to see him around the 15 – 20 range in the ratings.

=16 - Chris Ward

Best 2007 result: Equal 9th at Tahiti and Chile.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 86

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $6,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $6,000,000

Did you know?: Since his 2005 finals appearance at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Ward has only appeared in the semifinals of a WCT event 1 time (’06 Pipe Masters).

The Dirt: “Where’s Wardo?” has never been more appropriate than when it comes to choosing Chris Ward for your Fantasy Surfer team. Consistently inconsistent, Wardo drives the average Fantasy Surfer player crazy with his fluctuating results. The smart players will roll the dice on him for Trestles and some of the heavier waves like Pipeline, and let the rest take their chances with him for the rest of the events.

=16 - Pancho Sullivan

Best 2007 result: Equal 9th at Tahiti and J-Bay.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 87

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $5,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $4,750,000

Did you know?: Pancho has only surfed against two Top 10 WCT surfers in 2007 (Andy Irons & Mick Fanning). He lost to Fanning at J-Bay in Round 4, and beat Irons at Chile in Round 1.

The Dirt: Pancho seems to have fallen into that group of surfers that are expected to make it to Round 3 and not much further. He does well against some of the lesser talent on the tour, but once he comes up against a surfer in the top half of the rankings, the wheels seem to come off. With the right match-ups, he could be a great darkhorse pick at any event with sizeable waves, but otherwise you’re taking a risk expecting him to make it past Round 3.

19 - Fred Patacchia

Best 2007 result: Equal 9th at Bells, Chile and J-Bay.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 60

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $7,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $7,000,000

Did you know?: Since his finals appearance at the 2006 Billabong Pro Tahiti, Patacchia has made it past Round 4 only 2 times.

The Dirt: Highs and lows. That pretty much sums up Patacchia’s last year and a half on the WCT. He will either make it to the quarters or flame out before them. If he could put together a consistent run, the top 10 awaits him. Decent results at Tahiti, France and Brazil highlighted his year in 2006. He’ll need to post solid results in the European leg again this year in order to secure his spot in the upper half of the Top 45.

20 - Adrian Buchan

Best 2007 result: Equal 9th at Tahiti and J-Bay.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 75

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $3,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $4,750,000

Did you know?: In his rookie year on tour in 2006, Buchan missed the first 6 events. This years contests in Australia, Tahiti, Chile and J-Bay were the first times he had competed there.

The Dirt: Buchan has talent. SERIOUS talent. He can charge with the big boys, do every trick the young crew can, and has the smooth style of a polished veteran. Last year’s leg injury is a thing of the past. And as we move into the second half of the year, he will have the luxury of familiarity on his side. He has surfed at all the remaining venues previously, and can now concentrate on moving into the Top 16. Expect big things from this Australian. It’s not out of line to think that a few semifinals and even a final could be in the cards this year.

=21 - Cory Lopez

Best 2007 result: Equal 5th at Billabong Pro Tahiti.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 65

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $7,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $6,750,000

Did you know?: Since qualifying for the WCT tour in 1996, Lopez has only won 1 WCT event (2001 Billabong Pro Tahiti)

The Dirt: Apparently, if it’s not a serious left, we really shouldn’t expect much more than a 3rd Round loss from Lopez. At all three righthand point venues (Gold Coast, Bells, J-Bay) this year, Cory has failed to make it into Round 4. Lopez was definitely a surfer that would have benefited from the addition of Fiji to the year’s schedule. Look for him to put some results together at Mundaka and Pipe, but don’t expect much else. Those two results should be enough to re-qualify him for the 2008 WCT.

=21 - Luke Stedman

Best 2007 result: Equal 5th at Billabong Pro Tahiti.

2007 Avg Fantasy Surfer Points Per Event: 63

2007 Starting Fantasy Surfer Value: $5,000,000

Current Fantasy Surfer Value: $5,250,000

Did you know?: While Stedman typically excels at righthand pointbreaks, he typically does much better when the water temperature is below 70 degrees. Decent results at Bells, J-Bay and Trestles over the years seem to confirm this.

The Dirt: While many consider Stedman’s marriage to Malia Jones to be his biggest accomplishment so far, the Aussie is actually quite proficient in using his underdog status to his benefit. While the majority of the attention at most events is focused on the Irons’, Fannings and Slaters of the WCT, Stedman seems to quietly sneak up the draw by closely eliminating his competition. Never a surfer to win via a blowout, Stedman uses tactics and precision to carve away at his opponents. Trestles and France should suit his style well, but the other remaining events could present a Challenge to his re-qualification hopes.