06.14.01
by: Scott Bass
Surfer Magazine

Yesterday evening the OP PRO armada sailed north towards the area in the Mentawais known as "Playgrounds." At first light we marshalled the 400 horse speedboat Vinandi for a reconnaisance mission to the surf spots of Nipussi, Bank Vaults and Burger World.

Cruising in the OP Pro boat.

A decision was made to...go surfing! The men's boat, Strictly Business, headed towards the speedy left known as No Can Do's. The boys disembarked and proceeded to fly down the line and through air on each and every wave. Mark Occhilupo got an extremly deep pit-- somewhere in the range of six seconds long--and came flying out with the standard Occster grin of delight beaming across his face. The men surfed for three hours, then pulled up anchor and sailed to Bank Vaults to continue their assualt.

The women surfed at Bank Vaults and scored head high, hollow, rippable waves. Keala continually pitted herself on her backhand. Layne, Serena, and Rochelle each ripped apart the glassy, consistent surf.

OP Pro competitor Shane Dorian

The decision to hold off on running any heats was based primarily on the surf forecast, which is calling for a solid swell to arrive tomorrow. "I'm glad there not running it today," said Shane Dorian. "We didn't fly halfway around the world to hold it in small (chest/head high) waves." A sentiment that is held by everyone involved. Nonetheless, with just seven more days remaining, contest director Bernie Baker will have to start getting to it. Baker, no stranger to waiting for the best possible conditions, worked his magic last year, holding the last heat of the event an hour before heading back to the mainland. Hopefully, the conditions won't make Baker put his good karma on the line again this year.

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