Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 27, had an incredible Round 2 heat against Jeremy Flores (FRA), 24, at the Hurley Pro at Trestles, but was narrowly edged out of the victory by a score of 17.30 to 16.93.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA ( Tuesday, January 22, 2013) – Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 27, donated some incredible performances throughout the 2012 season, contributing to some of the most memorable heats of the year. Following the Billabong Pipe Masters however, Gudauskas found himself just outside of the qualification bubble for the 2013 ASP WCT and is now first alternate heading in to the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. While Pat will likely get the call for several ‘CT events this season, he’s about to kick off his official requalification campaign at the upcoming Volcom Pipe Pro. The ASP caught up with the San Clemente native to reflect on 2012. This… is his story…
You had some incredible heats last year and had some really close calls in some of the best heats of the year. Now that the season’s over, how do you feel about your performances looking back and just reflecting on your year overall? Yeah, after the 2012 season finished I was stoked to have some time off and reflect on the year before. I felt proud of my surfing throughout the year and would say it was my best year yet for my surfing with some of the best waves of my life this season.
There were a few heats in particular where you really blew up and fell in close decisions like the heat against Adrian Buchan and at Lowers against Jeremy. Is it hard to maintain psych after losing heats where you’re surfing so well? Does it get you more motivated? How do you handle those types of ups and downs? Those heats I had with ace and Jeremy are the heats you dream of having on tour. Where the waves are pumping and you are going back and forth exchange for exchange with the crowd hanging on every score. I felt really happy to have had the opportunity to shine in those heats, I want more heats like that. I think as a tour surfer those are the battles that define you and your presence on tour. It can bring the best out of guys, and that’s what it’s all about.
It was getting a little tough coming out of many round 2 or 3 heats and having people say “any other heat you would have won” or something like this, but In those battles I was proud of my surfing and stoked at the opportunity to show it off. At the end of the year I could hold my head up high because I surfed well and gave it everything I had. I feel confident in my future journey and have nothing but inspired surfed moving forward, with a hunger for redemption.
Going in to 2013, you’re first alternate on the ‘CT and we saw Freddy P come back and qualify as the alternate. What are your thoughts on that spot between having really gnarly draws, but also having lots of points up for grabs? My alternate position is cool in some ways. I think it’ll allow me to just freesurf in the events I get in, since I have nothing to lose. That’s my mindset, like a wildcard when I get the call. I’ve got a lot to prove and can’t wait to fear the top guys.
What are your plans starting off the new year? I’m starting this year off at the Pipe 5-Star. I’ve been excited to do this event for a few years but injury has prevented me from it. I’m going to take this year to put myself in some of the best waves of the world, and charge hard on the prime events. I plan on making it rain.
