Yesterday saw above average New Jersey waves to wrap up the round of 128. In it's second year, the World Qualifying Series event has attracted more than 200 competitors from around the world.
Today starts the main event. The low-pressure system associated with the remnants of Hurricane Francis whipped seas into a fury on Thursday, with hard south winds and overhead surf.
As the storm pulled out of our region, the wind turned offshore, grooming yesterday's swell.
The surf wasn't ultra-consistent, however. In fact, at times, spectators appeared to be watching a flat ocean.
Yet, the swell was evident, as occasional chest to overhead sets rolled in from the horizon for nearly 30 straight heats.
Several local surfers were eliminated from the competition. However, a strong New Jersey contingency will advance to today's round of 96.
Patrick Emery, a carpenter from Beach Haven, advanced from heat 14 in dramatic fashion. With less than a minute remaining in his heat, the 30-year-old regular foot rider was in a bind, unable to find the better waves.
As the seconds ticked away, Emery picked off a left peak from mid-beach. Backside, he banked of the top twice, and worked the wave to the sand. The 4.3 score was not tremendous, but it was enough to bump Emery into second place, and keep him alive.
"I knew there had to be one more wave out there," Emery said following his heat. "I happened to see that left come through, and my backside is my strength."
Sam Hammer of Lavallette and Luke Ditella and Andrew Gessler, both of Ocean City, all took first in their heats to advance.
The fourth round of competition began yesterday afternoon, where Surf City's Randy Townsend already advanced. Seeded New Jersey surfers -- Ocean City's Matt Keenan and Dean Randazzo, and Manasquan's Nick Blunda -- will surf today.
The highest scoring wave of the day was an 8.0, posted by Bobby Morris of Santa Barbara, Calif. Morris found a fast section and busted an "ollie oop," three feet above the wave, landing it cleanly. Other notable waves included Devon Tresher's early 6.0.
Tresher, of Florida, took off from the south jetty, squeezed himself into a long barrel and kicked out, unscathed. Ben Bourgeois of North Carolina turned heads early by combining a barrel ride and big turn on an overhead right.
Top WQS surfer Tim Reyes, of California, and 2003 O'Neill Belmar Pro finalist Brian Hewitson, of Florida, will surf today. Heats begin this morning at 8 a.m., and tomorrow is the final.
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