Connor O'Leary may be the owner of the most underrated backhand on the men's Championship Tour, and if you needed any proof just check out the edit he dropped earlier this year, Far East.
These clips thrust him back into the surf world's eye after a year flying under the radar, with the Championship Tour curtailed thanks to the covid pandemic.
It was a reminder of just how good the goofy-footer surfs, a proof that he'd come a long way since breaking onto the CT in 2017, when he was named Rookie of the Year, before failing to requalify for the 2019 season.
In a new video from Channel Islands, his board sponsor, O'leary talks about how stripping things back to basics, especially when it comes to his board design and surfing, helped him reinvigorate his approach, and eventually reclaim his spot on the CT.
This really fed into how he works with his shapers and the models he chooses to ride -- in his case, the Bunny Chow, which was Jordy Smith'sJordy Smith signature model when he was riding for CI.
With more events in Australia than ever before, many in conditions he grew up surfing (Newcastle, Narrabeen especially) this could be the year he really capitalises on the serious potential he clearly possesses.
How A Challenging Year Reinvigorated Connor O'Leary's Surfing
Ben Collins
Connor O'Leary may be the owner of the most underrated backhand on the men's Championship Tour, and if you needed any proof just check out the edit he dropped earlier this year, Far East.
These clips thrust him back into the surf world's eye after a year flying under the radar, with the Championship Tour curtailed thanks to the covid pandemic.
It was a reminder of just how good the goofy-footer surfs, a proof that he'd come a long way since breaking onto the CT in 2017, when he was named Rookie of the Year, before failing to requalify for the 2019 season.
In a new video from Channel Islands, his board sponsor, O'leary talks about how stripping things back to basics, especially when it comes to his board design and surfing, helped him reinvigorate his approach, and eventually reclaim his spot on the CT.
This really fed into how he works with his shapers and the models he chooses to ride -- in his case, the Bunny Chow, which was Jordy Smith'sJordy Smith signature model when he was riding for CI.
With more events in Australia than ever before, many in conditions he grew up surfing (Newcastle, Narrabeen especially) this could be the year he really capitalises on the serious potential he clearly possesses.
Connor O'Leary
Every 8 and up aka all the excellent waves. Watch the CT put their rails to work at unruly and immaculate Main Break.
There are plenty of new faces from the proud surfing nation of Australia about to make their Championship Tour debut.
Bettylou Sakura Johnson upsets 5x World Champ Carissa Moore at Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger, while three more surfers
The 30-somethings take on the next-gen for precious CT spots, which will be decided at the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger.
A new collective spirit has pushed the Australians on the Challenger Series towards CT qualification.
News
After two consecutive days of men's competition, the women hit the water on Day 3 of the World Surf League.
Women decimate their respective debuts with Silva, Wong and Van Dijk paving the way as Simkus and Couzinet closed out men's Round of 96.
2022 Women's Ride Of The Year Michelle des Bouillons at Nazare on February 10, 2022. Video from Artur Carvalho.
2022 Women's Ride Of The Year Paige Alms at Jaws on January 9, 2022. Video from Marcus Rodrigues.
2022 Women's Ride Of The Year Justine Dupont At Teahupoo on October 6, 2021. Video from Fred David.