In possibly some of the best surf of their lives, the Irons brothers took advantage of the gorgeous conditions yesterday to move into the fourth round of the Rip Curl Search in Mexico. Bruce demolished Australia’s Mick Lowe, 16.40-2.80. “The
In possibly some of the best surf of their lives, the Irons brothers took advantage of the gorgeous conditions yesterday to move into the fourth round of the Rip Curl Search in Mexico.
Bruce demolished Australia’s Mick Lowe, 16.40-2.80.
“The high tide is making it really slow,” Bruce said in an e-mail. “I caught one wave and then waited the whole heat for my next one. You look at the waves and you want to get the set ones. Lowe could have caught the inside waves and beat me, but I just got lucky and got good waves.”
Older brother Andy also cruised in his third round heat over Brazil’s Jihad Khodr, 14.74-5.00.
“I watched the heat before mine, and there were a lot of waves so I figured there would be a few sets at least,” Andy said. “I got that one at the beginning and it was a really nice start, so I thought ‘OK, one more score,’ and then I started loosening up.”
Andy also said he was very appreciative for the fan support.
“They’re cool,” Andy said. “The people are really stoked that we’re down here. It’s nice to see that because the waves are so great. They could be pretty bummed that the whole WCT is down here, but they’re pretty supportive and they’re all stoked. They just want to watch us surf.”
The three-time world champion has yet to win an even this year, but was quick to talk about surfing giants Kelly Slater and Bobby Martinez.
“Kelly’s got two wins,” Andy said. “Bobby’s surfing really well, he’s got a win and a third and a bunch of good results. If you want to stay competitive, you’ve got to make a final. So hopefully I can get some momentum going this contest and get a finals berth and pick the pace up for the year.”
Pumping in around six-foot surf, La Jolla fired all day with competitors putting on extra special performances.
Slater, a seven-time world champion who is competing for the first time since being sidelined with a rib injury, moved on to the fourth round.
“I feel pretty good,” Slater said in a press release. “I’m not quite up to full strength yet because I haven’t been in the water a lot. You need that time in the water to get that muscle memory back. It’s not a huge difference in my surfing, but there are a lot of small details. I would probably fall less and definitely put more power into my turns.”
Organizers of the event will assess conditions this morning.
With only one day needed to complete the event and with an extended July 1 waiting period, officials have the luxury of holding the contest for a bigger swell.
The waves are expected to drop slightly overnight, but should increase the following day.
The Irons brothers battle a pair of Australian surfers in round four.
Andy jousts with Tom Whitaker and Bruce faces Joe Parkinson.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
