WCT SEASON STARTER

QUIKSILVER PRO 2010

The start of the new WCT season came with great anticipation. Revised judging criteria, rewarding progressive surfing, new rating system, new faces and the usual hype surrounding new talent.

Bells may be regarded as the spiritual home of Australian competitive surfing, Queenslands, Snapper Rocks when it's firing, would have to be regarded, the best wave on the Australian leg of the World Tour. The long right hander is a blank canvas for spectacular surfing. Barrels, rail carving and aerial opportunities all present themselves. The perfect scenario to suit the current judging criteria.

While the waves for both events this year never really did meet great expectations, they were fair to reasonable.

This didn't detract from the performance level as new and old faces barrelled, hacked and punted their way down the the line.

After a shakey first round start Taj Burrows proved to be the most consistent performer and went on to win.

Notable standout was Bobby Martinez from the U.S who's in-laws live on the Goldie. Martinez eventually fell to Burrows in the semis. The highly anticipated Jordy Smith V Dane Reynolds semi, fizzled out as Reynolds couldn't back up his Quarter final sizzling performance.

As for the hype surrounding the tour rookies, they were all eventually rolled by the end of round three. Owen Wright was the best OZ rookie performer.

There's nothing like experience at the end of the day, heh

ROXY PRO 2010

What can I say? I'm blown away by the level of performance by the girls. they're absolutely ripping.

Steph Gilmore continued her World Championship winning form and made it back to back Roxy Pro titles.

Steph Gilmore is a champion in every sense of the word.