2012 Sunset Beach Pro SUP surf trials

The media did a great job to capture the athletes perspective after each heat; made for some great commentary.

Sunset Beach Pro SUP Surf World Tour Trials

It was a solid day of rising swell 6′-8′ swell with a bunch of 10′-12′ ft clean up sets.

Went out at sunrise to get a couple good warm up waves and get the conditions dialed.

I got a couple great waves and my Naish Hokua 9’8 was feeling great for the size.

Some of the sets were so big; the only thing the crowd would see is the track from the rider as they glided down the face.

Sure enough when you get a little comfortable, thats when it happens; Kai Lenny and I were paddling for this one steep bomb that I

didn’t want to let go by and getting into it a little late, I air dropped down the face, landed and set up for the bottom turn just as the lip went over my head and shut the garage door, sending me deep to the bottom, rag dolling for several seconds trying to figure out which way was up and finally I climbed my leash rope to the surface for air.

I came up laughing and collected my gear and paddled back out to get a couple more just to keep my head in the game.

I competed in 3,  20 minute heats against a strong competitive field of athletes from all over the world.

I went into each heat with one thing in mind; to have as much fun as surfing and hitting the lip in the most critical place possible and it worked.

Setting up on the inside bowl for a couple sharp turns and just staying busy was the ultimate goal.

Its all about the delivery on setting up for the grand finally.

I really love to go for it and finish the wave by hitting the closeout section.....

I can’t say I wasn’t nervous or full of adrenaline, but going against the best always brings out the best in you.

In The last heat, the swell was getting pretty maxed out with a couple close out sets and the wind and rain turned onshore making it pretty difficult, where any mistake could take you out of the game.

The inside section really set up nicely for a couple fast hard turns...

Sunset Beach Pro 2012 – Trails.mov

 

 

I concentrated on getting the biggest waves and if nothing came my way, I just stayed busy on the inside which ended up working in my favor.

It’s funny how sometimes you really feel like you didn’t surf to the best of your ability and you come in after your heat thinking you lost and you end

up winning.

Thats a great humbling reminder to never give up and to always remember that everyone in your heat deals with their own set of challenges where you

never know what can happen. That always makes for a pleasant surprise… LOL

Now I made it into the first round of the main event, I really look forward to doing it all over again.

Super stoked and I’m hoping for huge surf to separate the men from the boys.

Thanks to all my sponsors for your great support and in helping me do what I love to do.

Aloha,

Chuck P

chuckpattersonsports.com