SEVEN GOOD REASONS
Why The New Aussies Will Be Dangerous At The Quik Pro
With sand being wrenched out of the Superbank after last month's cyclone, Burleigh Heads has been the destination of choice for pros seeking some pre-event fine tuning in quality right-handers.
The most common sightings have been fresh 2008 incumbents Dan Ross and Bottle Thompson, plus born-again rookie Kieren Perrow. Though pretty much unheralded, they're looking hungry and downright dangerous whenever they paddle out and will not be messed with when the Quiksilver Pro starts in a couple of weeks.
Kieren Perrow clouting Burleigh Rockbreak this week.
photo: Shield/WPS
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1. THEY CAN SURF RIGHTS, AMAZINGLY
Think there's already a slew of guys on tour who grew up next to righthand pointbreaks (Martinez, Fanning, Parko, Dingo, Willsy, Bede, et al)? Well the first event will have a couple more. Rossy grew up in Angourie, Kieren at Byron Bay, and Bottle at Burleigh.
Bottle, with feet planted firmly in Northern NSW last year.
photo: Shield/WPS
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2. THEY HAVE FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND
No next-big-thing, immaturity problems here, a bit older, bit more experienced. Unlikely to throw tantrums or expend energy where it shouldn't be going during the season's first event. Obviously, Kieren's been here many times before, and has the tactical nous of a Prussian General when it comes to two-man heats.
The Gold Coast this week: Dan drawing the kind of pure lines that would make his mentor proud.
photo: Shield/WPS
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3. INSPIRATION COMES FROM CLOSE QUARTERS
Plenty of good genes and top pointbreak nurturing. Dan Ross's mentor/step dad is Baddy Treloar, (Morning of The Earth icon); Kieren's dad is super-respected shaper Nigel Perrow; and Bottle's now-departed brother Vaughn (VT) was a legendary Burleigh tuberider.
With waves like Lennox in his backyard, Kieren knows how to get the best out of his equipment on a right pointbreak.
photo: Shield/WPS
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4. THEY KNOW BOARDS:
Bottle works with Simon Anderson on equipment; while Kieren's particularly meticulous with his boards, and having grown up on waves like The Pass, Broken Head and Lennox, he knows exactly what works best in righthanders of all variations.
Rossy hacksawing through a right.
photo: Shield/WPS
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5. THEY HAVE SOLIDARITY
Kieren and Dan did a lot of board testing and trips together with former sponsor Salomon and they travelled together for much of the WQS. A certain solidarity built up over the WQS grind can't be a bad thing when going into the first event of the year.
Burleigh Heads, Bottle's home break.
photo: Shield/WPS
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6. THEY GOT SUPPORT
Parochialism can be a good thing. For example, Burleigh was once the jewel in the Gold Coast's pro surfing crown (the best venue, the hottest locals) it has since paled compared to Coolangatta. So, if the sand at Snapper doesn't sort itself out and the event were to be moved to Burleigh, Bottle would be darn near unstoppable with half of the headland behind him.
Dan Ross: fearless, from Micronesia to Polynesia to Tasmania.
photo: Grambeau/WPS
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7. THEY GOT GUTS:
All three of them charge, especially when the bottom starts to drain out. All pushing the boundaries at waves such as Sunset and The Box. If a cyclone slams the hammer down during the Quik Pro don't bet against any of them.
Submitted By
www.worldprosurfers.com on the 30th January 2008.
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