Azores, Portugal is the scene for the World Surf League’s Azores Airlines World Masters Championship. This is the first year the WSL has streamed the event to my knowledge and it’s a welcome reprieve as we wait patiently for the CT to head to Europe.
Now it’s no question that many of the invitees are past their prime. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t hungry to win. Even if the fire only flickers like a flame it’s hard to let go of an injustice you’ve been mulling on for years.
Some of the biggest names from the original power era of pro surfing are battling it out at Azores. From Michael Ho and Sunny Garcia, Derek Ho, and Tom Curren to Shane Beschen and Matt Hoy. Legends like Buzzy Kerbox are in the house as is Hans Hedemann. While the Aussies are represented by Simon Anderson, Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton, Rob Bain, Luke Egan, Dave Macaulay, Damian Hardman, Glen ‘Mr X’ Winton and Jake ‘The Snake’ Paterson.
If anything, it’s worth watching the event to see your childhood heroes.
For instance, most competitors are riding their own self shaped boards, paying homage to the era they came from when pro surfers did it all.
And just like the 80s the commentary is far looser than anything you’ll hear on the WSL broadcast. Jokes about competitors of this vintage needing to “get up to pee during the night”, or references to perennial classic North Shore film, in jokes and general banter you’re more inclined to hear at a Boardriders event sans marketing overtones.
In conditions that draw parallels to a Northern Beaches peak, Rob Bain, affiliated Swellian and cone lord delivered some of the most spicy surfing. While “rookie” Jake Paterson has shown that he’s not only one of the best coaches on the CT but can also implement his own game plan. Kong failed to post a scoring wave, Hoyo hacked at lips and Shane Beschen was smooth as silk. Unfortunately, the replay doesn’t include Tom Curren’s heat but he kept it weird with a unique self-shaped board that looks like was cooked up with the help of a hacksaw and glue.
Watch below and tune in here when competition resumes to watch the Women’s Masters and remaining Men’s Masters tonight.
UPCOMING AZORES AIRLINES WORLD WOMEN’S MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rochelle Ballard (HAW)
Heat 2: Pam Burridge (AUS) vs. Pauline Menczer (AUS)
Heat 3: Rochelle Ballard (HAW) vs. Jodie Cooper (AUS)
Heat 4: Pauline Menczer (HAW) vs. Frieda Zamba (USA)
Heat 5: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Jodie Cooper (AUS)
Heat 6: Pam Burridge (AUS) vs. Frieda Zamba (USA)
REMAINING AZORES AIRLINES WORLD GRAND MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 MATCHUPS:
Heat 7: Iain Buchanan (NZL) vs. Glen Winton (AUS)
Heat 8: Michael Ho (HAW) vs. Buzzy Kerbox (HAW)
Heat 9: Cheyne Horan (AUS) vs. Terry Richardson (AUS)
AZORES AIRLINES WORLD GRAND MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Rob Bain (AUS) 12.33 def. Iain Buchanan (NZL) 7.64
Heat 2: Simon Anderson (AUS) 10.43 def. Michael Ho (HAW) 9.83
Heat 3: Cheyne Horan (AUS) 11.26 def. Hans Hedemann (HAW) 10.37
Heat 4: Rob Bain (AUS) 14.27 def. Glen Winton (AUS) 9.43
Heat 5: Simon Anderson (AUS) 9.06 def. Buzzy Kerbox (HAW) 8.90
Heat 6: Hans Hedemann (HAW) 12.74 def. Terry Richardson (AUS) 12.07
REMAINING AZORES AIRLINES WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 MATCHUPS:
Heat 7: Sunny Garcia (HAW) vs. Dave Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 8: Gary Elkerton (AUS) vs. Shane Besehen (HAW)
Heat 9: Damien Hardman (AUS) vs. Fabio Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 10: Sunny Garcia (HAW) vs. Joao Alexandre (PRT)
Heat 11: Gary Elkerton (AUS) vs. Matt Hoy (AUS)
Heat 12: Damien Hardman (AUS) vs. Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 13: Luke Egan (AUS) vs. Dave Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 14: Tom Curren (USA) vs. Shane Beschen (HAW)
Heat 15: Derek Ho (HAW) vs. Fabio Gouveia
Heat 16: Luke Egan (AUS) vs. Joao Alexandre (PRT)
Heat 17: Tom Curren (USA) vs. Matt Hoy (AUS)
Heat 18: Derek Ho (HAW) vs. Jake Paterson (AUS)
AZORES AIRLINES WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Luke Egan (AUS) 12.10 def. Sunny Garcia (HAW) 11.53
Heat 2: Tom Curren (USA) 6.30 def. Gary Elkerton (AUS) 0.00
Heat 3: Damien Hardman (AUS) 11.83 def. Derek Ho (HAW) 8.70
Heat 4: Joao Alexandre (PRT) 10.16 def. Dave Macaulay (AUS) 8.93
Heat 5: Shane Beschen (HAW) 11.83 def. Matt Hoy (AUS) 7.67
Heat 6: Jake Paterson (AUS) 14.70 def. Fabio Gouveia (BRA) 4.13
