There’s many sights and sounds here in Fiji but one thing you might not see on the webcast is the anecdotal action. Here are the quotes of the day from day three of the Fiji Pro.
“You just know that in every one of his heats he’ll be on the best wave.” – Ronnie Blakey on the top deck referring to Mick Fanning in Round 4.
“He did about 10 turns on that wave and he probably still doesn’t have a heartbeat over 30.” – Ronnie Blakey again, after Mick the merciless goes to town on his highest scoring ride in Round 4.
“Tube ride, tube ride, tube ride … Yessss!” – Chief Druku as Kelly finds and absolute drainpipe and overtakes Filipe to take the win in Round 4.
“I don’t know about failure but maybe a let down,” – Kelly downplays the suggestion that if he doesn’t finish an event in the finals it’s a failure during his round 4 post heat interview with Ronnie Blakey.
“It’s been all top shop in this heat,” – Mick Fanning referring to Taj Burrow and Tiago Pires sitting way up the point in their clash in Round 3.
“Gabriel Medina just opened up a can of Kava! It’s on!” – Pat Parnell opens up the vocal chords after Gabby uses his priority, goes right and fades John John to keep him off a 2-foot closeout in Round 4.
“That’s the old Owen right there, the guy use to be that solid, no falling, ever.” – Photographer Jimmicane after Owen Wright throws down a 8.43 in his Round 5 loss to fellow Aussie, Mick Fanning.
“Give me a job, do me an air! Look Filipe is,” – Jimmicane egging on John John Florence before his no-loser heat in Round 4.
“Parko just had a fucking shocker,” – Mitch Coleborn after Joel’s Round 5 loss to Adriano De Souza and exit from the Fiji Pro.
“This is going to give us a heart attack.” “No, don’t give up Mick can do it!” – The girls from Namotu, Oni and Sova watching Mick’s round 5 heat from the Namotu bar.
“Namotu’s fucking sinking, everyone’s falling off!” – Bede Durbidge dismayed as Mick, Taj and Joel bow out of the Fiji Pro.
“Sova can you please get five beers for me, five beers for Johnny and five for Taj … oh just make it twenty.” – Joel Parkinson clears out the bar for an afternoon fishing trip with Taj, Wilko and Johnny Gannon to forget their disappointing results today.
“I don’t think anyone has a backside reo like Adriano right now. It is fucking unbelievable.” – Mitch Crews before Adriano and Kolohe’s quarterfinal show down.
“Wow, where’d that come from?” – Owen Wright watching Kolohe Andino surfing out of his skin in his quarterfinal against Adriano De Souza.
“The ratings are pretty exciting for the first time in about a decade.” – Matt Griggs after today’s shakeup of the top seeds.
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