Clip of the Day: Solid Surf's A Comin'

By now you've probably heard the Billabong Pro Tahiti is in action this week and they've been on hold the past few days waiting for a solid+++ swell coming to the event. Solid meaning double overhead (12' maybe 15' faces and lips just as thick). And then even BIGGER for Saturday.

Almost too big to the point they can't hold the contest as guys will need jetskis for tow-ins. Like Laird Hamilton big. Like Raimana dodging jet skis big. Like Dorian's waking up from his summer slumber big.

They held the 1st round a few days ago in super good 8' barrelling Teahupoo lefts and could have held the 2nd round the following day- but the ASP hasn't had a swell hyped like this in a LOOOONG time and they're holding out for the goods tomorrow. I can't remember the last time a contest lived up to it's potential. Maybe the 2005 Globe Fiji Pro that Slater absolutely destroyed at 8' Restaurants?!

Anyway, looks like 2 pulses of swell are headed towards Teahupoo- one currently building tonight and lasting through Friday (12'+)  then another slightly bigger bomb (maybe rogue 20' sets?) on Saturday. My feeling is that they'll try to run and finish the contest in the 'manageable' 12-15' surf tomorrow and Friday and let the tow guys have at it Saturday. Seriously, 20'+ Chopes isn't even paddleable which would make a contest virtually impossible. Make sure to check out all the death and glory here at Billabong Pro Tahiti.

On the other side of the world, there's a contest almost as important- the Vans Pro in Virginia Beach, VA. An ASP 4 star event (aka the minor leagues) it's major for all the mainland guys as they can earn points towards the big leagues as well as put some cash in their pocket. Some of the best young surfers here in the US (and from abroad) are competing this week- Kolohe Andino, Torrey Meister, Kaimana Jaquias, Garrett Parkes, Evan Geiselman, Kalani David, Ian Gentil, Dylan Graves, Luke Davis, Keanu Asing, Nat Young, Cory Arrambide, Andrew Doheny, Tonino Benson and Conner Cofffin to name a few as well as 'vets' like Nate Yeomans, Roy Powers, Nathanial Curran, Brian Toth, and Ben Bourgeois. And as luck would have it, there's some solid surf coming tomorrow and Friday to this contest too- from Hurricane Irene unfortunately.

Looks like they should have some solid surf tomorrow afternoon (probably head high+ then some bombing surf on Friday (probably 10'+ faces) and then all hell breaks loose on Saturday as the event may be steamrolled by Irene. Seriously. They'll probably run a million heats tomorrow and Friday just to finish the contest then get the heck out of town. Irene may be a category 4 hurricane by the time it makes landfall with 135mph winds. I don't know if it's worth getting a surf in knowing your town will be destroyed the following day. If I had to place my bets on the 4 man final, I'd pick the world tour vets since it's going to be solid. Maybe Roy Powers, Nate Yeomans, Nathanial Curran, and Benny B. Oh- and throw Kolohe into the mix since the kid has been on fire this year.

Good luck to all the contestants this week and pray no one gets hurt!