06.17.01
by: Scott Bass
Surfer Magazine

The OP PRO 2001 got a huge shot of adrenaline today as 6-8' heaving left hand barrels reeled through at No Can Dos. CJ Hobgood took out the first heat of the men's competition, and Andy Irons won the second men's heat, each cashing in on $5000 in the process. Keala Kennelly proved why she is considered the most dominant goofyfoot on the women's tour, as she pulled into macking left barrel after macking left barrel. She took home $2500 for her efforts today.

CJ Hobgood

Hobgood's efforts didn't come easy however. Halfway through the heat, CJ plastered his face across the reef. After spitting out some coral, CJ, bleeding profusely from the face, required immediate medical assistance from Dr. Kramer. After getting scrubbed clean, and with medical clearance to go back out, CJ made his way into the lineup. Ten minutes later he got pitted straight through to the channel, an 80-yard tube ride that had the entire armada shitting themselves.

"The best tube rides of my life," said Hobgood ecstatically. "Cloudbreak takes a back seat. I've never gotten a better barrel than that one! How can the waves be any more perfect? Everyone's is getting the best barrels of their lives out here!"

Tim Curran

The surfing in the first men's heat was so mindblowing, it's hard to imagine how the judges came to grips with putting numbers on those waves. But they did. And unfortunately (because he got pitted like a Greek olive) Tim Curran was "voted off the island" first.

"It's kinda of a bummer to get the best barrels of your life and not advance," said a dejected Curran. "But at least they are running another heat today, so someone else will be eliminated with me."

And that person, as it turns out, was Shane Dorian. Both Dorian and Curran will have another chance to get back in the contest by virtue of a repercharge heat that will be held later. After two heats, the four remaining men surfers are CJ Hobgood, Bruce Irons, Andy Irons and Mark Occhilupo.

Shane Dorian

After two heats, the remaining women's surfer are Keala Kennelly, Serena Brooke and Rochelle Ballard. Layne Beachley, who was in first place after heat 1, couldn't put it together in the extremely fast waves of No Can Dos. Her fourth place finish today moved her from first to worst. As a result she is out of the competition and also "voted of the island."

No one is sure what to expect tomorrow, but after today's sensational surfing, it's all gravy from here on out. The swell is expected to hold strong, and the aramada is expected to pull anchor tonight and move on to another spot and another adventure.

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