Defending event champion Tanner Hendrickson put in a strong opening performance at Playa Revolcadero.
PLAYA REVOLCADERO, Acapulco/Mexico (Tuesday, July 2, 2013) – The second annual Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco presented by Vans kicked off competition in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Playa Revolcadero, completing Round 1 with some impressive performances from an international field.
Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA), 26, punctuated an exciting opening day of competition, detonating the day’s highest single-wave score of a near perfect 9.40 out of 10 for three searing forehand power-turns on a steep righthand wall in the final Round 1 heat of the day.
“It’s super fun out there,” Waring said. “It’s like an Huntington Beach lip. I tried to get going early because it’s hard to wait for a good wave to come in and you want to get going. I got lucky and locked in to that sick right and it opened up for me. That thing was fun.”
Waring, a regular in the Huntington Beach lineup, looked at home in Playa Revolcadero’s similar conditions today and attributed his success to a relaxed approach to this year’s event.
“I’m just having a lot of fun,” Waring said. “I’m just glad to be here. I’m here with my Dad and enjoying the trip and not really focusing too much on the heats. I’m going out there and enjoying myself.”
Caetano Vargas (BRA), 25, was deadly on the wedgy righthanders of Playa Revolcadero, igniting the day’s high heat-total with seamless forehand turns. Vargas unloaded a near-perfect 9.33 for three powerful gouges on his forehand, culminating with a clean air reverse. The Brazilian would quickly back up the high score with a massive forehand air, solidifying his dominant Round 1 performance with a 18.20 out of 20 heat total.
“Today, I was a little nervous but after I got my first two waves I was a little more relaxed,” Vargas said. “I continued to get better scores as the heat went on and was able to build momentum. It was a good heat and I was happy to have some good waves here in Acapulco.”
Tanner Hendrickson (Maui, HI), 21, defending Surf Open Acapulco champion, began competition in Round 1 due to a late entry, but looked lively in the peaky beachbreak conditions. Hendrickson wasted little time in his opening affair, belting powerful combinations on both his forehand and backhand, securing a commanding Round 1 win.
“I’m stoked that I’m starting from Round 1 because it gives me a chance to build some momentum and the waves are fun,” Hendrickson said. “I felt good out there. I was lucky enough to start off with a decent score and build house from there.”
Hendrickson’s victory at the Surf Open Acapulco in 2012 marked the pinnacle result of his young career, and the Hawaiian hopes he can build on his Round 1 success to back up last year’s effort.
“Coming back here is amazing,” Hendrickson said. “I love this place. I’m so happy that I won here last year and hopefully I can do it again.”
The Surf Open Acapulco presented by Vans holds a waiting period from July 2 through 7, 2013. Event organizers will reconvene at 7am local time for a possible 7:30am start to Round 2.
