The location was a mystery to most throughout the first half of the season, but an official press launch in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon unveiled the secret to media and the surfing industry. The Rip Curl Pro Search 2009 would be in Supertubos – Peniche, one of the most powerfull wave of Europe.
After two days on hold, the third came with kaos. The primary site structure at Supertubos was destroyed high waves and heavy storms. The first round was run at Molho Lest and unfornatly Tiago “Saca” Pires lost against Nathaniel Curran. A major upset for all of us who were counting on “Saca” for a great resulta at is home country.
The first 13 heats of Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Search were completed on the 24th in punchy three-to-four foot waves at the second backup site of Belgas. And the young Owen Wright was the star off the day eliminating the nine-time ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater.
And them came the best day of the event, in the third round, at Supertubos, we got solid eight-to-ten foot barrels. Perfect 10 waves, broken boards and even some injuries!
On the first heat, CJ Hobgood lost is heat but staid on the water for some free surf. Then, in the fifth heat, Owen Wright got a perfect 10, in one log barrel. On the seventh heat, and after losing to Mick Fanning, Frederick Patacchia decides to give is board to a fan. On the eight heat, Adriano de Souza looses the heat to Tim Reyes and also the chance for the ASP World Champion title.
For the Quarters, the the waves were at is best and the surfers had to give all their best if they wanted to get to the semis.
On the first heat, Dede Durbidge wins with 0.32 difference to Jordy Smith, and just in the final moments. Bobby Martinez looses to Joel Parkinson, who got a perfect 10 on an endless barrel. At the end of the heat, Bobby decides to also give is board to a kid. The came Owen Wright vs Damien Hobgood. Another perfect 10, and a win for Owen, but one big wipeout got him in a bad situation, with a neck injury and a ruptured his eardrum. The final heat of the day, confirm the great moment of Mick Fanning, giving no chances to Tim Reyes. And this was the end of the best day of surf of the circuit so far.
As i was living the beach, a got the chance to speak with Joel Parkinson and he was really surprised with the conditions, and very happy with the results.
The last day of the event, the conditions just weren’t the same but even so, there were some good waves. Joel lost to Bede Durbidge, after dominating all the heat in the last minuts, Bede made two good waves, making him one of the finalists. With Owen off with is injury, Mick went strait to the final.
And in the final, Mick proved that is in great form, and looking for the secound world title. His the winner off the Rip Curl Pro Search at Supertubos – Portugal. And i was there for one of the best surfing days of the circuit.
