San Clemente, Calif. — The Association of Surfing Professionals PRIME 6.0 Lowers Pro continued to play host to the future of progressive surfing Friday with several ASP Dream Tour competitors launching their way into the Round of 16, states an ASP press release.
With the influx of the ASP One World Rating, the 6.0 Lowers Pro’s ASP PRIME status attracted over 30 ASP Dream Tour competitors and some of the world’s finest up-and-comers looking to capitalize on the increasingly valuable ratings points on offer towards their global standing.
Brazil’s Jadson Andre, 20, continued to flare by continually punting massive air-reverses while logging in the highest heat total of the day in his Round of 24 heat, a 17.70 out of 20, en route to surpassing his personal best result at Lower Trestles by advancing through to the Round of 16.
“I don’t event really know what to say about this wave, it’s one of the best in the world,” Andre said. “Competing here always pushes the level of surfing and everyone’s out there trying to do their best. I’m just stoked to make one more heat. This is the best result of my career at Lowers. Last year I lost first round, so I’m stoked to make it to the Round of 16.”
Hawai‘i’s John John Florence, 17, unleashed a fury of massive airs and rail gouges to scalp the highest single-wave score of the day, a near-perfect 9.87 out of 10, while taking an impressive heat victory over fellow Hawaiian and three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons, 31, who advanced behind Florence in second.
“I’m super stoked to make it to the Round of 16,” Florence said. “The waves are just perfect and it’s great to surf against guys like Andy (Irons), who are guys that I’ve looked up to since I was little.”
The young Hawaiian charger was elated to take the heat win over his idol, Irons, and continues to build his confidence while moving into the Round of 16.
“This heat win builds up my confidence so much,” Florence said. “Andy is a three-time World Champ, so I’m so stoked right now. I made the Semifinals at the 5-Star at Pipeline, but this is my best result in a PRIME.”
Andre, who is currently rated fourth overall on the ASP World Title ratings, is fresh off of his inaugural ASP Dream Tour victory in front of his Brazilian home crowd and although Andre is still elated with the win, he remains focused on the task at hand at the 6.0 Lowers Pro.
“I’ve already won my first event on tour and it’s my first year and I don’t know what to say, I’m still really happy about that contest,” Andre said.
Australia’s Chris Davidson, 33, detonated one of the highest single-wave scores of the day, a massive 9.57 out of 10 with rail-to-rail carves and fins-free blasts on a long Lowers righthander.
“We started with those sets so it was good,” Davidson said. “The boys all sort of got a wave and my first one was good. Then the next one was just on the line, I’m stoked I got it. I’m just happy to keep it going and glad I made it to the last day of the contest.”
Also putting in memorable performances today were Irons, who advanced through to the Round of 16 behind Florence after a brilliant Round of 48 performance, current ASP Dream Tour rookie, Australian Owen Wright, 20, who posted some of the event’s highest scores, and Brazil’s Alejo Muniz, 20.
