It’s been a hell of a few days for Florida. Yesterday the newswire was abuzz with Kelly Slater’s ninth title, today it’s CJ Hobgood’s name who’s all over the headlines. With time ticking off the clock, and needing a solid score a two-wave rolled into the lineup. CJ paddled like the first, but with Parko holding down priority the Australian was able to keep him off the wave by taking it for himself. Bad move. CJ got an absolute drainer with no time left on the clock, came flying out into the channel, broke Parko’s heart, and won the Billabong Pro Mundaka in the process. Parko may be a bit broken hearted, but it was a hell of a final, and after a few beers and some time there’s no doubt he’ll rebound. But for now, a huge congratulations go out to CJ on a job well done.

Top Five Moments of The Billabong Pro Mundaka Final:

1. Hats off to CJ Hobgood, who as you’ve read, with a huge win, and luck on his side, ended a four-year winless drought.
2. The Aussie contingent, maybe a bit bummed they couldn’t hoist their countrymen onto their shoulders, gave CJ a very thorough dousing of beer as he was in the middle of his post-final victory announcement.
3. After his loss Parko bee-lined it through the crowd and into the competitor’s area, throwing is board and punching walls. It was the kind of emotional output that can only come from a broken heart.
4. A definite pat on the back goes to contest organizers who gutted out what may be the toughest contest on tour to keep running. They utilized the duel heat format when they had to, and pushed through the morning today, well aware that when the tide dropped the surf would be good. The only suggestion, next year, if you come back, please, please, please do something about the food…the inmates at San Quentin eat better than everybody here.
5. The town of Mundaka is well on its way to a serious bender. Bars are overflowing and by Sunday morning it’s pretty obvious the town will be drank dry.

Most Defining Performance:
When it was gut check time CJ proved his mettle. A true competitor, CJ proved once again there’s no need for an asterisk next to his 2001 world title.

Upset of the Day:
CJ Hobgood hasn’t won an event since 2004 (where coincidentally he met Joel Parkinson), well, you can go ahead and consider that demon exorcised.

Insight That Would Have Helped Your Team If We’d Only Known:
We told you this contest was going to go to a goofy-footer. Only two of them made it into the quarters, but both of those two would advance into the semis, and as we all know now, CJ would win it in dramatic fashion.

Talk of the Beach:
There was a lot of skepticism as to whether or not the contest was going to run today, but when organizers announced they were pushing forward once the tide dropped everybody around the site began walking with a newfound spring in their step. There’s just something revitalizing about knowing that in a few hours the contest would be done and beers would be cracking open left and right.

Wildcard Report:
Not much room for wildcards when five of the eight quarterfinalists are rated in the top 10. With Kelly out, today’s show went to the rest of the surf stars on tour.

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