Rip Curl Cup highlights - photos
It was won and run in just five hours - less than half a day. But in those five hours the Rip Curl Cup saw more great waves than the CT sees in a season. And considering it was just a barrel contest there was more variety on show than a QS and CT put together, from Clay Marzo's under-the-lip improv, Damo Hobgood's speed shfts, Mason Ho's dancefloor jive, and the gamelan hands of eventual winner Mega Semadhi. There was plenty more but you get the idea.
So here are the highlights, but who the fuck knows if these really were the best waves? After all, every second wave was a best ever affair. The poor chump cutting the highlights reel has one hell of a job to do.
All photos Nate Lawrence/Rip Curl.
Mason Ho parks his arse in the pit...
...before kicking back in the channel...
...and giving some skin to Clay Marzo.
His approach was unconventional, but Clay Marzo's barrel riding was sublime.
Jacob Wilcox swings off the bottom...
...and then vogues through an inside drainpipe.
Bruce Irons halfway to ten.
The two-hand stall was a favoured tactic. Mega Semadhi applies the hand brakes.
Agus 'Blacky' Setiawan keeps his nose clean on a late one.
Damo Hobgood sets up his run...
...with the foamball nipping at his heels.
Mega Semadhi's 10-pointer in the final.
Mega, end of day victory lap...
...20,000 watt smile in the channel...
...and double victory salute on the dais.
Comments
almost a perfect format 7 of the 8 guys in the semis scored the highest from both rounds Rizal scored higher than Paulo moura and should of been in the semi,s heat results should not count ...i loved the whole way they were were versatile and the WSL should take note...entertainment was thru the roof not just cause of the waves
oops correction Moura did deserve his spot as he scored higher than bisso then wilcox
couldnt stop watching..awesome stuff Mega!
Marzos wave sense is preternatural (I think I may have said that before) just sublime timing and positioning. He was the best surfer on the day imo but Mega deserved the win, he surfed well.
That first shot of Mason is smokin'.
"But in those 5 hours the Rip Curl Cup saw more great waves than the CT sees in a season."
Surely a comp like this should entice the WSL pursue different locations to score waves of this calibre, or are they just bound by there americanised commerical politics?
I liked the way the guys were clawing at the face to stall! I like pink bikinis too!!
Unreal comp. Better than a WSL 3-4 day smash out. How's the Amazing Mr Marzo! 6th sense stuff that shiz.
After just returning from Indo last week it was GR8 to see the rip curl cup run in excellent waves @ Padang in 5 to 6ft perfection! Mason really impressed as did Damo Sogood with his casual tube rides in the face of adversity! After surfing Padang extensively I can relate to how good these guys are because it's such a challenging wave (backside)! Congrats to Mega who was so casual in the pit!
Some of the best looking padang ive seen in 25years should get off my pear shaped bum and stop surfing airports and hit the bukit ah to be as fit as these young fellas.
Some of the best looking padang ive seen in 25years should get off my pear shaped bum and stop surfing airports and hit the bukit ah to be as fit as these young fellas.
Ryan Burch invited this year .