SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia — A year ago Wailua’s Malia Manuel struggled through the first several events of the Association of Surfing Professional’s Women’s Qualifying Series. As a rookie hoping to nab one of 17 spots on the ASP Women’s World
SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia — A year ago Wailua’s Malia Manuel struggled through the first several events of the Association of Surfing Professional’s Women’s Qualifying Series.
As a rookie hoping to nab one of 17 spots on the ASP Women’s World Tour, Manuel labored through the first half of the season before a late hot streak garnered her a spot in the Top 17.
Two events into 2012, it seems that hot streak has turned into the standard for Manuel.
After placing equal-third in the year opening six-star Australian Open of Surfing earlier this month, Manuel continued to surf well this week by placing equal-fifth in the Roxy Pro — the first event of the Women’s Tour.
“Last season was frustrating to say the least,” Manuel said from Australia. “I think the few simple things I changed in my surfing and overall lifestyle have helped me have a better start to my year.”
At the Roxy Pro, an event that Manuel said puts extra pressure on the tour rookies, the Kaua‘i native opened with a first round heat win, pushing her straight into the third round.
In the third round, Manuel faced stiff competition from the No. 2 surfer in the World, Sally Fitzgibbons. The Australia native couldn’t use the hometown crowd to bring down the Kaua‘i rookie, though, as Manuel commanded the round with a two-wave total 14.53 to Fitzgibbons’ 12.90. Courtney Colongue finished third in the heat with a 10.64.
The round three win vaulted Manuel into the quarterfinals where she yet again faced off against Fitzgibbons. Manuel’s shot for the Roxy title came to an end when Fitzgibbons crushed two 8-point-plus waves for a round score of 17.00 to Manuel’s 12.00.
Manuel said there wasn’t any added pressure facing off again against Fitzgibbons, who scored an 18.13 in the fourth round in order to qualify for the quarterfinals. It was the lack of consistent waves that threw her out of her groove.
“I was hoping we could have a good heat with non-stop waves to put on a performance, regardless of the result,” Manuel said. “But then my heat was a bit wave-starved which seemed to make me get out of rhythm.”
Although Manuel’s competitiveness would have liked her to go further in the competition, an equal-fifth place finish is a far cry from where Manuel was a year ago. Manuel said added focus on having fun in her heats and clearing her mind has played a major role in her recent success. With her next five contests taking place in either Australia or New Zealand, Manuel said she continues to grow comfortable with her temporary residence, a place where she will be for the next two months.
“Starting the year with an equal-third at the Australian Open, and then to make the quarter finals in my first even on Tour should really help my confidence leading up to the next five events,” she said. “I really can’t complain. It’s been a fantastic learning experience, and I’m looking forward to what the next two months has in store.”
∫ Tyson Alger, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or by emailing talger@ thegardenisland.com. Follow him on twitter.com/tysonalger.
