South Swell Status and Hurley Pro

 By Carlos Rock

Ma’alaea circa September 2011. Hopefully Sept. 2012 will look like this. Photo: Carlos Rock

The small south swell is still in effect with the predicted long lulls in between sets to produce rather mediocre sessions, especially with a crowded lineup.

However, if you have the patience and knowledge of where to go to get decent waves despite the long waits, you can still fulfill your surfing fix for the day, week, or even month.

Lahaina was its usual crowded self with the peak of the swell occurring on a weekend. Basically, there was no shortage of wave hungry surfers paddling for everything in sight.

This can be discouraging at times at the most popular spots, but Lahaina is not known for only one spot. Explore new spots that look less crowded and who knows you might find a your new favorite wave.

Just be sure to tell your friends how much they missed out.

With another, slightly larger south swell predicted to hit the islands on Tuesday (9/18), there will be plenty of waves for all surfers, and most, if not all will be uttering the words, “Thank you September!”

This swell is coinciding with stop number six on the ASP World Championship Tour, the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles, California.

This event is held in high regard because according to the pros themselves, it really shows who is in form and will

Aerial Antics from Hawaii’s own double John Florence. Photo: D. Bahn

really expose any flaws in your surfing. Also, that this event helps to build momentum for the rest of the year when the tour finally wraps up at Pipeline.

This event like most of the popular surfing events now is available to watch on webcast, and with Lowers known to be one of the most “rippable” waves on tour, viewers are able to watch the world’s best dismantle the waves with inspiring precision, power, flow, and innovation.

With the judging criteria of ASP changing to include airs and a variety of maneuvers, the world’s best really get to experiment and really leave it all on the line when trying to get a huge score.

Basically all the aerial aficionados are going to perform.

Yesterday and today saw an incredible level of surfing from the top seeds but it was tour rookies Gabriel Medina from Brazil, Hawaii’s own John John Florence, and Yadin Nicol from Australia dominating the field with a combination of turns, airs, and whatever else they are doing these days.

Being able to watch the world’s best just rip these waves to shreds is truly inspiring, and with this new south swell arriving and the thought of another El Nino-like winter ever-looming in the back of surfer’s minds, there will be plenty of practice time to at least try and mimic the pros and do what they do best.

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t surf like Mick Fanning.

Nice carve! Jeremy Flores. Photo: D.Bahn

Expect the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles to finish in dramatic fashion Tuesday (9/18) as a swell is predicted to grace Southern California hopefully providing non-stop, high flying action from the world’s best.

Catch it all on the webcast, http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro/live.cfm or Oceanic Cable channel 250 or 1250 in HD.

Then use that inspiration to get out and lay down some turns and attempt some airs for yourself.

Hawaii still has John John Florence in the mix, but expect underdogs to produce upsets.