PACSUN USA SURF TEAM REMAINS IN SOLID POSITION AT THE 2009 BILLABONG ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES
Women had the day off and the four USA Men surfed their heats; Three of them advance and one is sent to the Repercharge Round-all are still in the event
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica – August 4, 2009 – The PacSun USA Surf Team continued its advancement through day three of competition at the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games. Only the men competed yesterday while the women took a well deserved day off.
Clouds shielded the sun’s piercing rays yesterday-a welcome respite from the Sahara-like conditions during the first two days of competition. The swell dropped a bit and crowds were lighter too as the weekend warriors from San Jose returned to work and school.
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America
The day started off with Cory Lopez in the very first heat where all competitors struggled with limited opportunities on very few waves and low scores. Lopez scrambled hard, however, and finished in second place behind Hawaiian Joel Centeio. Austin Ware worked multiple peaks and won his heat handily ahead of Australian Dyyan Neve.
Cory Lopez
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America
Nat Young had a hard time finding the waves and his rhythm and was bumped into the Repercharge round-the first American to do so.
Nat Young
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America
Benny Bourgeois got off to a slow start and fell into second behind Jeremy Flores. He fought hard, worked North to South and back, and scrapped his way through several challenges from Puerto Rican surfer to hold onto his second place finish and subsequent advancement.
As the Team had an early finish, they decided to go out and explore some Cosa Rica wildlife up close and personal. As evidenced by the image below, crocs are alive and thriving in the rivers of Costa Rica!
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America
Today, PacSun USA Surf Team women are up first in the morning followed by a mid afternoon heat for Nat Young. Qualifiers Lopez, Bourgeois, and Ware all get the day off.
The swell is expected to pick up later in the week. The Longboarders start their event on Wednesday. With several longboarders flying in from the ASP event in Japan, there will be much catching up to do with regard to learning the complicated break.
“With three of our four open men surfers advancing and one in the repercharge, we’re still sitting in a solid position,” said Ian Cairns, PacSun USA Surf Team Coach. “The event is about half way through and we’re managing our intensity and momentum pretty well.”
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