Kael Walsh getting critical at Avoca on Day Three of Competition. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Day three of the Komunity Project Central Coast Pro pres. by Rockstar saw another day of pumping surf four-foot waves today as competitors battled to earn a spot into the final two days of competition.
French brothers Nomme and Diego Mignot continued to turn heads with their trademark backside snap. The pair of goofy-footers unleashed a barrage of mammoth turns to both take a runner-up with heat totals in excess of 15.00 points (out of a possible 20 points) and a win in their respective round four heats.
Nomme Mignot and his cousin Diego put on an awesome display in Round Three at Avoca. - WSL / Ethan Smith
"I'm feeling pretty good," said Nomme following his runner-up finish. "I felt like there might be a small advantage on your backhand because you can really draw your turns out and go more vertical than a lot of the natural-footers. I'm just trying to get my year off to a decent start here and keep the momentum going."
Top seed Hiroto Ohhara is looking forward to surfing similar waves tomorrow, after taking out his round four exchange. The Japanese native - who is coming off a recent semi-final finish at the Australian Open of Surfing - kept the judges on their toes over the course of the heat, notching up a handful of decent scores, but took the heat with a total of 15.85.
Fresh of a Quarterfinal finish at Manly, Hiroto Ohara carried his good form into Round Three at Avoca. - WSL / Ethan Smith
"I didn't really know what scores I got, so I was pumped to find out I won," said Ohhara. "The waves at the Australian Open were nothing like this, so I'm just stoked to get a heat out there then and another tomorrow with just three other guys."
After putting on a standout performance in the early rounds of the Australian Open of Surfing, Brazilian David do Carmo nearly missed out on the Komunity Project Central Coast Pro pres. by Rockstar, sitting in the first alternate position. Do Carmo certainly made the most of his opportunity in the fourth round today, opting to surf the heavier wider lefts breaking down the beach instead of the point. The lightening fast goofy-footer posted a notable 8.00 wave score to gain the upper hand in the heat and cement his position into the fifth round.
Alternate David do Carmo posting an 8.00 point ride at Avoca. - WSL / Ethan Smith
"I saw a bunch of big lefts down the beach and just thought, ‘I need to go out there,'" said do Carmo. "I missed out on registering for this event and when I saw the forecast, I knew I had to be in it. Thankfully for me, my friend Luel Felipe wasn't able to make it and I was lucky to get in"
Jorgann Couzinet took another win for the French contingent, overpowering his opposition with a chain of giant carves and bread-and-butter power surfing. Currently sitting in third position on the WSL Qualifying Series rankings, a mistimed to rock-off nearly derailed Couzinet's campaign at Avoca.
Jorgann Couzinet making his name known on the Australian QS leg with another heat win. - WSL / Ethan Smith
"At the beginning of the heat I was standing on the rocks for ages and waiting to jump, it was a scary moment," said Couzinet. "Once I was out there, I found a few good ones and thankfully got the win. It's pretty good out there. I'm not super confident following the Australian Open, but I'm just trying to have fun while I'm here."
Local powerhouse and seasoned QS competitor Wade Carmichael came into his fourth round heat looking deadly today as he played the patient game, only catching three waves all heat. After a swag of decent freesurfing sessions before and after the event, many people have Carmichael pegged as the man to beat on the point as he tries to match fellow local Adrian Buchan's victory in the 2016 event.
Wade Carmichael utilising his local knowledge to progress through Round three at Avoca. - WSL / Ethan Smith
"I feel pretty comfortable, but that was certainly a pretty tough heat," said Carmichael. "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, not feel any pressure and see what the swell brings. I only caught three waves in that heat so I hope I can maybe get a couple more in the next round and take it heat-by-heat."
Internationals Make a Splash at Avoca
WSL
Day three of the Komunity Project Central Coast Pro pres. by Rockstar saw another day of pumping surf four-foot waves today as competitors battled to earn a spot into the final two days of competition.
French brothers Nomme and Diego Mignot continued to turn heads with their trademark backside snap. The pair of goofy-footers unleashed a barrage of mammoth turns to both take a runner-up with heat totals in excess of 15.00 points (out of a possible 20 points) and a win in their respective round four heats.
"I'm feeling pretty good," said Nomme following his runner-up finish. "I felt like there might be a small advantage on your backhand because you can really draw your turns out and go more vertical than a lot of the natural-footers. I'm just trying to get my year off to a decent start here and keep the momentum going."
Top seed Hiroto Ohhara is looking forward to surfing similar waves tomorrow, after taking out his round four exchange. The Japanese native - who is coming off a recent semi-final finish at the Australian Open of Surfing - kept the judges on their toes over the course of the heat, notching up a handful of decent scores, but took the heat with a total of 15.85.
"I didn't really know what scores I got, so I was pumped to find out I won," said Ohhara. "The waves at the Australian Open were nothing like this, so I'm just stoked to get a heat out there then and another tomorrow with just three other guys."
After putting on a standout performance in the early rounds of the Australian Open of Surfing, Brazilian David do Carmo nearly missed out on the Komunity Project Central Coast Pro pres. by Rockstar, sitting in the first alternate position. Do Carmo certainly made the most of his opportunity in the fourth round today, opting to surf the heavier wider lefts breaking down the beach instead of the point. The lightening fast goofy-footer posted a notable 8.00 wave score to gain the upper hand in the heat and cement his position into the fifth round.
"I saw a bunch of big lefts down the beach and just thought, ‘I need to go out there,'" said do Carmo. "I missed out on registering for this event and when I saw the forecast, I knew I had to be in it. Thankfully for me, my friend Luel Felipe wasn't able to make it and I was lucky to get in"
Jorgann Couzinet took another win for the French contingent, overpowering his opposition with a chain of giant carves and bread-and-butter power surfing. Currently sitting in third position on the WSL Qualifying Series rankings, a mistimed to rock-off nearly derailed Couzinet's campaign at Avoca.
"At the beginning of the heat I was standing on the rocks for ages and waiting to jump, it was a scary moment," said Couzinet. "Once I was out there, I found a few good ones and thankfully got the win. It's pretty good out there. I'm not super confident following the Australian Open, but I'm just trying to have fun while I'm here."
Local powerhouse and seasoned QS competitor Wade Carmichael came into his fourth round heat looking deadly today as he played the patient game, only catching three waves all heat. After a swag of decent freesurfing sessions before and after the event, many people have Carmichael pegged as the man to beat on the point as he tries to match fellow local Adrian Buchan's victory in the 2016 event.
"I feel pretty comfortable, but that was certainly a pretty tough heat," said Carmichael. "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, not feel any pressure and see what the swell brings. I only caught three waves in that heat so I hope I can maybe get a couple more in the next round and take it heat-by-heat."
Komunity Project Central Coast Pro
Finals Action from Avoca
Day 4 Action from Avoca
Day 3 Action from Avoca
Holly Wawn and Hiroto Ohhara take out the 2017 Komunity Project Central Coast Pro pres. by Rockstar
Avoca continues to provide the goods as the field is whittled further.
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