Before hundreds of thousands of spectators, I was able to maneuver a front row spot on the pier and snap a few pictures during Saturday's "Expression Session" featuring all the big names of surfing, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Sunny Garcia and Taj Burrow. Let's just say they did not disappoint!
The legendary, 10x ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater, who hasn't won the US Open in Huntington Beach, California since 1996, took home the $100,000.00 First Place prize. He made it to the finals by scoring a 9.77, on an incredible, giant Hail Mary backside 'no grab' air reverse. Then in the finals, Kelly scored an 8.5 to start off the round. This put Yadin Nicol, chasing a perfect wave to compete. Unfortunately...it never came and Slater seemed to be in the competition all alone. On a final wave, before the buzzer, Slater had position but gave it up to Nicol to at least give him a chance.
(Now that's the sign of a true Champion!)
Kelly Slater
Taj Burrow
Alejo Muniz
Kelly Slater heading out
Rob Machado Barreled
(Now that's the sign of a true Champion!)
Kelly Slater
Dane Reynolds
Joel Parkinson
Occupational Hazard=Spectator Souvenir
Joel Parkinson
Taj Burrow
Sunny Garcia
The annual Surfing Competition leaves our beaches virtually unrecognizable, as the swarms of people cover the sand.
Congratulations Kelly...you are a TRUE CHAMPION! 
1 comment:
These are AWESOME shots.. seeing the beach and these awesome waves is making me so anxious to hopefully move to Cali next year!!
By the way, I'm giving away a piece of jewelry of your choice from Towne&Reese! Head over to www.l0velindsey.com to enter!
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