The first glimpses from the judges' tower on Day 1 looked something like this. - WSL / Scott Hammond
The Komune Bali Pro pres. by The Mad Hueys got underway in clean and pristine waves at this world renowned high-performance wave. The surf was in the four-to-five foot range with both barrels and turn sections on offer. The Komune Pro is a WSL Asia QS1,000-rated event offering competitors the chance to compete for valuable Qualifying Series ranking points and prize money.
The event ran though the first round of competition, completing 16 heats before hosting a expression session featuring Taj Burrow and Brent Dorrington.
Marlon Gerber took a smooth heat win to easily advance into the next round. Gerber is one of Bali's top style masters, and is one to watch when tomorrow's new swell kicks in.
Bali legend Marlon Gerber has done his time out at Keramas, and it shows. - WSL / Scott Hammond
"I wanted to get an early start because the heat before ours was slow then our heat started to pulse," Gerber said. "This event is my style -- it really feels like a holiday. We get to surf a few heats and hang out with all of our friends from overseas that come into town."
Mitch Parkinson was able to advance into the next round holding onto a solid 7.50 and only a small backup score. Parkinson scored the 7.50 for a lofty air-reverse on a solid section.
Mitch Parkinson throwing a Hail Mary and making it stick. - WSL / Tim Hain
"That heat was exactly what coaches tell you not to do -- go for an air when you have only a small score on the board," Parkinson said. "This contest is a bit of fun, in perfect waves and paradise."
Dean Morrison, former Komune Bali Pro event runner-up and this year's contest director, took a commanding heat win today in one of his only contest appearances of the year.
Komune Bali Pro contest director Dean Morrison is a serious threat to win the event with hacks like this. - WSL / Tim Hain
"I won my heat but I didn't feel like I put on a good performance," Morrison said. "When you haven't competed in a while it can take some time to get the hang of it again. I just surfed up the beach at carparks and felt a lot better. Hopefully I will be better tomorrow, the surf forecast is looking good and I can't wait to score some waves. This event is so fun, we always score epic conditions."
Skip McCullough put on a show in his opening heat at Keramas today, in conditions similar to some waves around San Diego the young Californian looked right at home. McCullough launched and landed multiple aerials to claim the highest heat total of the day.
Skip McCullough is not one for punts, but on Day 1 at Keramas he changed the game plan and it worked. - WSL / Tim Hain
"That was the first time I surfed Keramas and was able to get a lot of waves and now I know how much fun this wave really is," he said. "I can't really do airs that well but the waves were so good and giving me sections so I just went for it. It was so much fun. Hopefully I can make a few more heats and get more time out there."
Lee Wilson notched a solid heat win today over fellow Indonesian Rio Waida who also advanced in second position and Brazil's Douglas Noronha, who was eliminated in 3rd place.
Lee Wilson will be one to watch as competition continues at Keramas - WSL / Tim Hain
"I think all events should be like this," Wilson said. "The competitors are all relaxed, the vibe is amazing and everyone is happy. My heat had a few fun waves, I surf this place all the time and I knew that there would almost be two peaks and a few lulls so I just tried to stay busy and keep moving and it worked out. Tomorrow the swell is supposed to pick up and we could see some epic conditions."
Komune Bali Pro Kicks Off at Keramas
WSL
The Komune Bali Pro pres. by The Mad Hueys got underway in clean and pristine waves at this world renowned high-performance wave. The surf was in the four-to-five foot range with both barrels and turn sections on offer. The Komune Pro is a WSL Asia QS1,000-rated event offering competitors the chance to compete for valuable Qualifying Series ranking points and prize money.
The event ran though the first round of competition, completing 16 heats before hosting a expression session featuring Taj Burrow and Brent Dorrington.
Marlon Gerber took a smooth heat win to easily advance into the next round. Gerber is one of Bali's top style masters, and is one to watch when tomorrow's new swell kicks in.
"I wanted to get an early start because the heat before ours was slow then our heat started to pulse," Gerber said. "This event is my style -- it really feels like a holiday. We get to surf a few heats and hang out with all of our friends from overseas that come into town."
Mitch Parkinson was able to advance into the next round holding onto a solid 7.50 and only a small backup score. Parkinson scored the 7.50 for a lofty air-reverse on a solid section.
"That heat was exactly what coaches tell you not to do -- go for an air when you have only a small score on the board," Parkinson said. "This contest is a bit of fun, in perfect waves and paradise."
Dean Morrison, former Komune Bali Pro event runner-up and this year's contest director, took a commanding heat win today in one of his only contest appearances of the year.
"I won my heat but I didn't feel like I put on a good performance," Morrison said. "When you haven't competed in a while it can take some time to get the hang of it again. I just surfed up the beach at carparks and felt a lot better. Hopefully I will be better tomorrow, the surf forecast is looking good and I can't wait to score some waves. This event is so fun, we always score epic conditions."
Skip McCullough put on a show in his opening heat at Keramas today, in conditions similar to some waves around San Diego the young Californian looked right at home. McCullough launched and landed multiple aerials to claim the highest heat total of the day.
"That was the first time I surfed Keramas and was able to get a lot of waves and now I know how much fun this wave really is," he said. "I can't really do airs that well but the waves were so good and giving me sections so I just went for it. It was so much fun. Hopefully I can make a few more heats and get more time out there."
Lee Wilson notched a solid heat win today over fellow Indonesian Rio Waida who also advanced in second position and Brazil's Douglas Noronha, who was eliminated in 3rd place.
"I think all events should be like this," Wilson said. "The competitors are all relaxed, the vibe is amazing and everyone is happy. My heat had a few fun waves, I surf this place all the time and I knew that there would almost be two peaks and a few lulls so I just tried to stay busy and keep moving and it worked out. Tomorrow the swell is supposed to pick up and we could see some epic conditions."
Rio Waida
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Komune Bali Pro
Barreling conditions on Finals Day of the Komune Bali Pro pres. by the Mad Hueys, with Brent Dorrington taking home the event title.
Dorrington overcomes Indonesian prodigy Rio Waida in the final of the 2017 Komune Bali Pro pres. by The Mad Hueys.
Quarterfinalists Decided at Keramas
Komune Bali Pro pres. by The Mad Hueys is down to its final eight competitors and is set for a huge final day.
Top Seeds hit the water at the Komune Bali Pro pres. By Mad Hueys