2004 Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver

Jesse Billauer and Kelly Slater share a wave. aspworldtour.com/Tostee

Saturday, September 18, 2004 (Lower Trestles, CA, USA) Quarterfinalists were today decided in the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf Presented by Quiksilver. Round four of the Foster’s men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, as well as a Foster’s Expression Session, the Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge championships and the Snapple Best Damn Airshow. No competition will be held tomorrow, but the US$260,000 event will climax on Monday, September 20.

Perfect 4-5 ft (1.5m) peaks were on offer early at Lower Trestles, with glass-like conditions. Slight northwest winds picked up during the day, while a pod of dolphins graced the lineup, and Hollywood celebrities mingled with the surf stars.

World title contender Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, AUS) announced his Boost Mobile Pro intentions today, stamping authority with massive scores both heats he contested. Against fellow Australian Luke Hitchings this morning, in a re-surf of their round three clash, ‘Parko’ reiterated the original outcome by posting a near-perfect 9.93 first wave. The current ratings #4 then upped the ante when faced by Brazilian Peterson Rosa next, generating another near-perfect 9.73 score, and the second highest combined tally of 18.73-points to reach the quarters. Fellow Australian Nathan Hedge will challenge him there.

“I guess I was pretty fired up this morning,” acknowledged Parkinson. “I was pretty fired up last night when I heard I had to re-surf with ‘Hitcho’, as I didn’t think it was right, but figured the best option was to cop it on the chin and just do it all over again. I’ve got a really good board at the moment, and feel real confident. Kind of have to be though, as I’ve got a lot riding on this event. If I lose, there goes my (world) title. I’m focusing a lot of every heat, as I don’t want to lose. So now I can relax for a day and fire back up for Monday.”

Six-time world champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) continued his charge toward the business end of the draw, edging out close friend and local hero Pat O’Connell. The pair contested a close heat earlier this season in Australia, but results were reversed today under somewhat similar circumstances. Despite trailing Slater with a brilliant 8.5 ride to his credit, the Californian actually held a commanding position since most of the heat remained. As time elapsed however, and the current ratings #3 steadily improved his standing with some incredible maneuvers, O’Connell surprisingly missed two great waves and lost any hope of securing the 7.17 score required.

“Little retribution there,” began Slater. “There were two waves Pat paddled for and couldn’t catch. He was half a paddle off making it, so I was just praying there wasn’t another one behind. After what happened at Bells, when I literally needed one more second to win it, this was like a gift back from Pat.

“I woke up this morning and told myself I had to make the semis, at least,” he continued. “I might have put a bit too much pressure on, as I didn’t connect a couple of turns out there then, so I’m just going to loosen up and try to enjoy this. The fact Andy isn’t still in the event means we can all have some fun and gain a bit of ground.”

Darren O’Rafferty was quick to thank the pod of dolphins he surfed his best ride with. Opponent Taj Burrow held a commanding lead, but the current ratings #31 paddled into a set wave as the ocean’s favorite surfers began their performance. ‘Raff’ continued to the belt the righthander inside of them, while the crowd cheered on in disbelief, and ultimately swung the heat with a 9-point score. He now faces Slater in his second consecutive WCT quarterfinal.

“The dolphins probably made the wave look even better, so they blessed me,” reasoned O’Rafferty. “I can’t believe I made it. This is the best thing to happen during my career, so stoked.”

Australia’s Danny Wills secured his quarterfinal position by eliminating South Africa’s sole representative on the WCT, Greg Emslie. He’ll meet Cory Lopez (FL, USA) on Monday, following the Floridians win over Brazilian Raoni Monteiro today.

2001 world champ CJ Hobgood (FL, USA) and 2002 Boost Mobile Pro winner Luke Egan (AUS) make up the remaining quarterfinal.

The Snapple Best Damn Airshow showcased 10 of the best aerials on the planet. Defending champion Tim Curran (CA, USA) once again proved his dominance of the category, collecting another US$10,000 prizemoney, while Snapple generously donated a further US$20,000 to the Friends of Jason Bogle Foundation. The Hawaiian surfer is fighting a battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer.

“I’m baffled that I was able to win with all those guys,” said Curran. “It’s great that Snapple puts this whole thing on and donates to a good cause for Jason. I wish him all the best, and I’ve been praying for him. To pull it off two years in a row… guys are winning world titles back-to- back, so I thought it’d be cool to win an Airshow version (laughs).”

The Foster’s Expression Session proved another 45-minute extravaganza. 15 of the world’s best surfers put on an amazing show, with virtually every wave being utilized as a launching pad for some incredible maneuver. Special guest Jesse Billauer - who became a quadriplegic during a tragic surfing accident - was also in the lineup riding his fair share, after being assisted onto waves by the others.

Boost Mobile wildcard Jamie O’Brien (HAW) collected US$2,000 for his huge frontside aerial, while Kalani Robb (HAW), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Jake Paterson (AUS) and Taylor Knox (USA) split the ‘Best Repertoire on a Wave’ award for their synchronized surfing show.

“I wanted to push my limits and do something cool,” said O’Brian. “Stoked Foster’s put up the money and that I came out on top. Jesse was out there having a blast too. He was enjoying the stoke the same as all of us, riding waves.”

The Championships of the Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge presented by SURFER Magazine featured a 40-minute tag team final. Revolution Surf Shop (Camarillo, CA) took out the rare opportunity of surfing an empty lineup of Lowers, winning US$10,000, a full-page color ad in SURFER Magazine, a year’s supply of Snapple and most importantly, bragging rights over the other Surf shops.

Last but not least, legendary Hollywood actor Dennis Hopper added to the day’s show, soaking up the surfing action and enjoying a fine day at the beach.

“Kelly Slater is a friend, and my 14-year-old son started surfing in this area,” explained Hopper. “I’ve seen a lot of these events on television, but never been to one before. It’s great to see it here cause I know this beach. I surfed a little bit when I was younger, but my son’s doing it now.”

Boost Mobile Pro Round Three Re-Surf Heat (1st>Rnd4; 2nd=17th receives US$4,225) H13: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.26 def. Luke Hitchings (AUS) 9.33

Round Four (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th receives US$5,000)

• H1: Daniel Wills (AUS) 16.57 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 12.6
• H2: Cory Lopez (USA) 15.33 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.4
• H3: Darren O'Rafferty (AUS) 14.83 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.5
• H4: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.67 def. Pat O'Connell (USA) 12.5
• H5: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.0 def. Paulo Moura (BRA) 12.17
• H6: Luke Egan (AUS) 15.6 def. Jake Paterson (AUS) 11.97
• H7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.73 def. Peterson Rosa (BRA) 11.96
• H8: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 13.4 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 11.96