Hurley Pro Warmup

Late summer in the San Clemente means mainly one of two things: Schools back in session and the Hurley Pro is coming to town. Usually the unofficial start of the fall season and bringing promises of combo swells and glass off conditions gets everyones blood pumping. With the forecast for the event looking less than promising, I headed down the trail early Friday to hang out with everyone that was in town and watch the best surfers in the world practice for the upcoming competition.

Adriano de Souza tearing one off the top before the fog lifted

The prince of Lowers, Kolohe Andino showing his years of knowledge

Anastasia Ashley and Malia Ward enjoying the perfect day 

Kolohe again, looking at his next victim

All of a sudden this bald guy came flying through the lineup. Kelly Slater putting the rest of the crowd on notice

Mick Fanning and his stylish arc

Original Z-boy Jay Adams sharing a wave with the champ

Supersession

With the temperature in the greater southern California region reaching over 100 degrees for multiple days in a row, I was searching for anything to do to cool off. After sitting at physical therapy for a my knee watching Surflines live feed of Lowers going off with all the world tour surfers in town for the Hurley Pro which started on Sunday, I knew I needed to get in on that action.

The line up was one of the most talent ridden that I have every personal experienced. There was the young guys like John Florence, Julian Wilson, and Gabriel Medina blowing up as well as the veteran slayers like Freddy P, Mick Fanning and Christian Fletcher. Oh and some guy named Kelly was catching every set wave and throwing giant full rotation backside threes.