Cooper Chapman (AUS), 19, was a standout on Day 1 of the ASP 6-Star Los Cabos Open of Surf.
ZIPPERS, Los Cabos/Mexico (Tuesday, June 18, 2013) – Opening day of the ASP 6-Star Los Cabos Open of Surf kicked off in clean two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at the righthand Mexican pointbreak of Zippers, completing the first 20 heats of Round 1 with top performances unfolding from an array of international standouts.
Stop No. 2 of 4 on the men’s ASP North America Series, the Los Cabos Open of Surf’s ASP 6-Star status has drawn several of the planet’s finest up-and-coming talent in search of vital points towards qualification for the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).
Marco Fernandez (BRA), 21, opened his Los Cabos Open of Surf campaign in strong form with fluid forehand surfing at Zippers. Fernandez showed impressive variety, unloading powerful carves and airs to earn the day’s high heat-total of 15.90 out of 20.
“I just tried to do my best,” Fernandez said. “At the start of the heat I got a really good wave and then came to the inside and got another one, so it was a good heat for me. I really just tried to focus on catching the sets out there.”
Brent Dorrington (AUS), 21, was deadly at Zippers and seamlessly linked committed forehand combinations on a long righthander to post the day’s highest single-wave score of 9.07 out of 10. Dorrington struggled to find a backup score throughout the heat, but eventually solidified the Round 1 win with another solid effort.
“I had an alright little heat,” Dorrington said. “I’ve been freesurfing a bunch but it’s hard to get waves so it was good to shake the cobwebs off and get a few. I was struggling to find a back-up and luckily I got one at the end of the heat.”
Kai Barger (HAW), 23, struggled to find a rhythm throughout the opening half of his Los Cabos Open of Surf debut, but a change in strategy would see the Hawaiian quickly launch from third to first. Barger found two righthand runners and unloaded series of powerful backhand turns on each wave, earning a 15.13 heat total and the Round 1 win.
“I just decided to catch as many waves as I could and eventually build a house on the inside because it wasn’t working out the back,” Barger said. “I got a couple on the inside and my board works really well, especially on the open face. I’m really happy to get through that one.”
Barger, who sustained a serious ankle injury at the end of the 2012 season, has been working hard to recover from the wound and admitted he has yet to reach full strength.
“I tore one of the ligaments in my ankle and I didn’t really know how to come back from it,” Barger said. “I’ve done a couple of events now. I did the Pipe event and my ankle still wasn’t really there. I probably shouldn’t have done it. I got knocked in the first round in Brazil and I’m trying to campaign back.”
Barger, past ASP World Junior Champion, noted a top result at the Los Cabos Open of Surf would be crucial towards his 2013 campaign, with the ASP 6-Star points playing a vital role in his seed towards the back half of the season.
“This is a big event for me,” Barger said. “I pretty much need somewhat of a result if I want to have a seed going in to the back half of the year. I’ve fallen back down the ratings now and I won’t be able to do primes in the back half of the year. It makes this event really important.”
Brazilian goofy-footer Krystian Kymerson (BRA), 20, added to the international flare to dominate Round 1 today with a dynamic backhand attack. The former ASP World Junior Tour competitor’s opening heat success was due to a fierce combination of backhand turns and multiple airs, contributing to a day Brazilian dominance.
“I’m really happy to have a strong Round 1 heat,” Kymerson said. “It’s tough out there on your backhand, but I tried to stay patient and wait for the set waves. With this event being a 6-Star, I’m hoping to have a strong result here.”
The Los Cabos Open of Surf holds a waiting period from June 17-23, 2013 and is webcast LIVE via www.loscabosopenofsurf.com
