Approaching swell convinces Volcom Fiji Pro organisers to call a lay day – Surfing news
The opening round of Volcom Fiji Pro, stop No. 4 on the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour, failed to recommence at Cloudbreak in Tavarua, Fiji, on Wednesday, June 5, as the event organisers decided in favour of a lay
day.
Deeming the small two-to-three foot waves on offer at the primary event site inadequate, the organisers were reluctant to give the green signal for the recommencement of the competition.
If there was any doubt in their head, it was removed by the forecast by Surfline, official forecasters for the ASP World Championship Tour event, that a new swell will start to fill up at Cloudbreak on Wednesday afternoon and would peak with a very solid
surf on Thursday.
ASP International Head Judge Rich Porta admitted while talking to the reporters that there were good waves on offer at the main event site, but the since they are expecting great conditions on the following day, they have decided to opt for a lay day.
“While there are some good waves out there today, we’re expecting excellent conditions for the remainder of the waiting period and have decided to call competition off for today,” Porta Judge said. “We’ll be back tomorrow morning at 6:30am to make a call
for a restart to competition.”
After staying on hold for the first two days, the Volcom Fiji Pro finally got underway in high-performance four-to-six foot waves.
The excellent conditions saw the completion of the first ten heats of Round1, which turned out to be full of superb performances and huge upsets.
Australia’s Taj Burrow, South Africa’s Jordy Smith and Brazil’s Adriano de Souza were among the 20 surfers who bit the dust during their Round 1 heats, though they still have an opportunity to extend their life in the event by making amends in Round 2.
11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater from America and reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson from Australia were missing during the day one proceedings. However, they are expected to show up for their Round 2 heats.
When the competition resumes, young American talent Kolohe Andino and Nat Young will find themselves pitted against France’s Jeremy Flores in the 11th heat of Round 1.
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