Irons hopes to ring up Bells
Friday - April 06, 2007
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Three-time world champ and two-time Bells Beach champ
Andy Irons making his way back to the top with a
convincing first-place in Heat 1 of the Rip Curl Pro in
Australia
Aloha, student surfers!
Spring break scored plenty waves (five separate swells) ... and though it’s back to the books, it’s also more back-to-back swells! So, don’t let those grades slip!
Three-time world champ and two-time Bells Beach champ Andy Irons making his way back to the top with a convincing first-place in Heat 1 of the Rip Curl Pro in Australia
I assume you’re a good student and get your reading assignment done by devouring this MidWeek. In that case, let me say mahalo - now you get A+ surf advisories due to bigger-than-average April swells.
The first one should peak Thursday and Friday, at least eight feet with A-1 conditions early morning and late hours due to light and variables. Trades are expected to return quickly for the next advisory swell around Sunday/Monday ... it will be the same size or bigger. Plus, there’s some fun southeast action coming from Down Under, but 2,000 miles to the east of New Zealand. This one should arrive Tuesday (April 10) and last a few days.
It seems our North and South Pacific regions are as happy with us as we are with them. The weather should be fine, too. It’s such a stark contrast to last year at this time. In fact, to the week, in this column I wrote:
“Can this be real? Are we really out of the storm? It looks like it! As of Saturday, April 1, the National Weather Service posted this notice: ‘Record setting month of excessive rainfall finally ends.’ Remember this was April Fools Day and it’s possible Mother Nature has a few jokes left. This was the 42nd day of rain.”
So the synopsis was the central North Pacific had been “locked” in a rare pattern of repeated low pressure systems (storms) west of the state of Hawaii ... for more than six weeks! Every island had been impacted by severe weather and flooding events - especially the west half of the state: Kauai and Oahu. I lost count of the flash floods, but I certainly will remember the tornado on Lanai, the dam break on Kauai, the Ala Wai spill ... and surfer-son Oliver Johnson. If you wish to read more of this and any other back issue, just go to www.midweek.com.
The Fosters World Tour has kicked off event No. 2 in high gear! It’s the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in Australia. Bells has a rich 35-year history with an amphitheatre unlike any other. The atmosphere is amazing, and there’s not a pro alive who does-n’t want the chance to ring the Victory Bell.
Two of Hawaii’s most talented have had their chances: Sunny Garcia in ‘95, ‘96 and 2000 when he won the world title, and Andy Irons in ‘02 and ‘03, both world title years. Indeed, those who have won here do extremely well overall. Nine of the winners of Bells have gone on to win world titles: Slater, Irons, Garcia, Occhilupo, Hardman, Curren, Lynch, Potter and Richards. These guys are in the company of hugely gifted surfers, Bell winners like Fanning, Parkinson, Horan, Anderson, Hakman, Peterson and Dorian. If you like your surf history, you know the greatness I’m talking about.
The Bell Ringer in 2007 is anyone’s guess, but mine is on Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Andy Irons or Mick Fanning. Oh, what the hey - my bet is also on one of these “fab four” to win this year’s world title! I’ll keep you in the barrel/loop here and at SURFNEWSNETWORK.COM.
Next week we’ll have a new Pipeline Body Surfing Experience Champ! Plus, we’ll be getting to the XXL Billabong Banquet on April 13 to see who wins the Biggest Wave Award and more! These are the days ...
See you in the lineup and back here next week!
GQ, dropping in 4 U!
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