2003 BILLABONG PRO JBAY: Slaters Slays 'Em

Plenty to Marvel at During Round One of the Billabong Pro at Jeffrey's Bay

Andy Irons out some wrinkles.

It was a risky call this morning when Billabong Pro Contest Director Mike Parsons made the call to go on day one of competition at Jeffrey's Bay. But with glassy conditions and a clean 3-4 foot swell running "Snips" quickly sent the three VZ wildcard heats out to serve as guinea pigs for the WCT competitors. Some long lulls in heat one caused one major casualty early on as South African Sean Holmes, who eliminated Andy Irons last year on his way to the Semi Finals, fell victim to a still ocean while needing a 6.5 point ride to advance into the Main Event.

But almost immediately after Holmes' heat concluded the swell began to pulse with the incoming tide. Clean 4-5 foot racetrack walls began to pour through the Supertubes section and without hesitation Parsons got Round One of the Main Event underway after the trials concluded. When J-Bay is under 6-feet, it's a remarkably fast running wave, which makes it challenging for competitors wishing to squeeze in an extra move or two. One early gouge can cost you two you would have had later had you made the wave.

Speed is undoubtedly the key at Jeffrey's, and not surprisingly two of today's standouts are both speed demons and Defending Billabong Pro Champions. Gold Coast whiz kids Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson made it look easy with marvelous displays of velocity and flair. On his opening ride Joel Parkinson executed three consecutive floaters by climbing the foam at top speed, riding the throwing lip for 10-yards and freefalling five feet back into the pit before bottom turning straight into the next one. "I haven't made it out of many First Round heats this year," Parko explained. "But this is J-Bay, and this is one place I really want to do well."

Meanwhile Fanning showed why he's considered the fastest surfer in the world, not only making impossible sections, but also releasing his tail a few times along the way. During the same heat Paulo Maura got the most impressive tube of the day on his backhand, making Mick earn his win that earned him a jump straight into Round Three.

Another standout was 2001 World Champion C.J. Hobgood, who's backhand attack looked especially lethal during his victory today. Hobgood and his brother Damien have looked very impressive during warm up sessions over the last few days. Meanwhile, Taj Burrow used his famous aerial attack to put in the highest scoring heat of the day. After a series of speedy gouges Burrow launched an incredible aerial on the closeout section, landing in water only inches deep.

WCT 'rookie' Tom Whittaker (Bronte, Aus) overcame current ratings #5 Cory Lopez (FL, USA) and replacement surfer Adrian 'Ace' Buchan (Avoca, Aus) - who filled the spot of injured surfer Michael Campbell (Port Macquarie, Aus) for the fifth wildcard. Whittaker surfed confidently to earn his first round one win of the year, making use of the empty lineup to select superior rides.