The 2022 Krui Pro QS 5000 sees two huge opening days of competition at Ujung Bocur, Indonesia, with Billy Stairmand and Daniel Farr both advancing to the Round of 32.
Competitors in the opening rounds of the men’s met with pumping waves in the three-to-six foot range for the first two days of competition.
Farr managed to win Heat 8 in the Round of 64 with a heat total of just 6.83. Stairmand finished second in Heat 16 of the Round of 64 with a 10.83 that included a 7 – the highest wave score of the heat. Earlier, in the Round of 96, and surfing under an Indonesian flag, Westen Hirst, son of Troy Hirst, finished Heat 4 in third, just a smidgen off second-place. In the same round, Elliot Paerata-Reid also narrowly missed advancing in Heat 8.
Former CT surfer Jesse Mendes (ITA) only had his first surf in South Sumatra in his opening heat. The stylish goofy footer couldn’t believe his luck when he arrived to find the ruler edge left of Ujung Bocur with only three others out. The excitement paid off with the Italian representative claiming a win in his first and second heat of the day at the Krui Pro.
Mendes posted the highest two-wave combination of his opening heat with a 15.76 total.
“This is an unbelievable place for a competition,” Mendes said. “I had my first surf out there this morning and I can believe how fun this wave is. Can’t wait to get back out there. Indonesia is such a beautiful place, this is my first time to Krui, it makes me want to explore more of this country.”
It was a notable day one for the Japanese contingent of competitors at Krui with Toy Tanaka (JPN), Rinta Oooto (JPN, Hiroto Arai (JPN), Kaito Kurakawa (JPN), Kaiki Yamanaka (JPN), Takuto Ohta (JPN), Roi Kanazawa (JPN), Momoto Tsuzuki (JPN), and Kyoshiro Suda (JPN) all progressing through their heats.
The event was called off on Day 1 after a rain squall and bad winds came through the lineup late in the day. The following day met with pumping conditions again but the day was cut short, this time due to the afternoon glare.
Saffi Vette is scheduled to compete in Heat 1 of the Round of 48 in the women’s competition with Paige Hareb seeded directly into Heat 4 of the Round of 32. The Ujung Bocor lineup is perfectly suited to the Kiwi women’s styles.
The event is expected to resume today in favourable conditions.
