The Australian rookie continues to impress in a variety of conditions.
One day after knocking out four-time Fiji winner Kelly Slater at Cloudbreak, rookie Connor O'Leary reminded everyone why he's the current frontrunner for this year's Rookie of the Year honor. In a hard-fought heat, O'Leary earned a huge Round Four win over fellow rookie Joan Duru and a resurgent Joel Parkinson. While Duru made a valiant late charge, O'Leary edged him by the slimmest of margins -- just .16 points, to earn another trip to the Quarterfinals.
"It's hard to avoid the barrel out here," O'Leary said afterward, referring to the turns vs. tube debate at play on Wednesday. "But Luke Egan [O'Leary's coach] said it's more risk than reward, he told me to open up and get back on my tail...so I did." Egan, it should be noted, already has one 2017 Fiji Pro Champ in his stable in the form of Women's Pro winner Courtney Conlogue. Now he's banking on the rookie to make it happen again. If his plans pan out, the bartenders will be handing out life preservers with the pints over on Namotu.
This Australian rookie has been one of the biggest surprises this season...but he shouldn't be.
Rookie Connor O'Leary Advances to Another Quarterfinal
WSL
One day after knocking out four-time Fiji winner Kelly Slater at Cloudbreak, rookie Connor O'Leary reminded everyone why he's the current frontrunner for this year's Rookie of the Year honor. In a hard-fought heat, O'Leary earned a huge Round Four win over fellow rookie Joan Duru and a resurgent Joel Parkinson. While Duru made a valiant late charge, O'Leary edged him by the slimmest of margins -- just .16 points, to earn another trip to the Quarterfinals.
"It's hard to avoid the barrel out here," O'Leary said afterward, referring to the turns vs. tube debate at play on Wednesday. "But Luke Egan [O'Leary's coach] said it's more risk than reward, he told me to open up and get back on my tail...so I did." Egan, it should be noted, already has one 2017 Fiji Pro Champ in his stable in the form of Women's Pro winner Courtney Conlogue. Now he's banking on the rookie to make it happen again. If his plans pan out, the bartenders will be handing out life preservers with the pints over on Namotu.
News
A momentous conclusion to a The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro QS 1000 crowned Zoe McDougall and Joshua Moniz its victors in pumping
North America's QS contenders are back at The Rock with the back half of the 2024/2025 in full swing and everything left to surf for.
The CT went huge from Yago Dora to John John to wildcard Bryan Perez. Relive the madness.
Zoe McDougall Claims First QS Win in Home Waters, Joshua Moniz Adds Iconic Haleiwa Win to his North Shore Trophy Case