Quicksilver Pro Tour

http://www.aspworldtour.com/quikpro/

Well today, was almost exactly like yesterday except for the fact that it was the men's day to compete. We stayed in Byron Bay last night, so we had to get up early and drive back up to Coolangatta for the event - luckily, there is an hour time difference, so we didn't have to get up too early. We made it up there around 7:45am, but of course they did not start the competition until 9:45am because they were waiting for the swell to pick up.

Since we got there so early though, we were able to secure some space under one of the tents set up for anyone. It made a huge difference with sitting out in the sun again all day. We still got a bit of sun and heat, but after yesterday, it was nice to be covered up for most of it.

So again, I had another Carlsbad nostalgia going today. In the third heat, I got to see Taylor Knox compete - he is another hometown surfing legend. He won his heat and will advance to the next round. After he finished, I went up to take his picture and saw him talking to some lady...I went up after and asked if she was friends with Taylor and if she was from Carlsbad/USA. She said she was friends with him, but not from Carlsbad - although she is also friends with the owner of Carlsbad Pipeline Surf Shop. We talked for a few minutes and I asked her to let Taylor know there were 2 Carlsbadians there cheering him on. Hopefully the message got passed.

We watched 10 heats - including Mick Fanning (currently ranked #1 in the world) and Taj Burrows - a major threat and one of the fastest guys on a board these days. There are 16 heats, but they called it after 10 to continue tomorrow. Kelly Slater is in heat 13, so we didn't see him compete, but as soon as they called it, he went charging into the water for a free surf session. We watched him for a little bit. Never have I seen him surf and now I have watched him in real life twice in three days - CRAZY! We haven't decided yet if we will go back tomorrow or not. We haven't done anything in Byron Bay and will be leaving tomorrow for Coffs Harbour.

The weather at the competition today was nice, but here in Byron Bay, it is kind of cold and raining on and off...hopefully we still get some sun in the next week so I can keep my great tan going!!! :) I don't think I have ever been this dark!!!