Island men surfed out in same heat

DAY Two of the WSL Phillip Island Pro surfing event returned to Summerlands Beach today, the home of the world-famous penguin parade where conditions were much cleaner, with the wind lighter and more offshore.

But the news wasn’t good for Island locals Harry De Roth and Carl Wright, both surfing in Heat 4 of the Round of 16 although it wasn’t without trying.

The pair grabbed six waves and five waves respectively in a very competitive heat with Roth in particular really working up a head of steam the further the heat went.

His last three scoring waves were scored 5.15, 3.65 and 6.10 for a good total of 11.25, agonizingly close to going through to the Quarters behind Tully Wylie on 11.60.

Harry Phillips was the ultimate winner of the heat with a combo of 12.45 including two very consistent efforts of 6.25 and 6.20 from his five waves, to be clearly the class performer in the field.

But the competitive nature of the heat and the strength of the juicy 4’ to 5’ waves was an ideal build up for both De Roth and Wright who represent the Phillip Island Boardriders in Sunday’s Australian Battle of the Boardriders Victorian round against the best local surfers from around Victoria.

The Island Pro will move to Cape Woolamai for the finals on Saturday, likely to start off in easterly and then north-easterly conditions with a big swell predicted, so get along from early in the day for some great sporting action.

Sunday at Cape Woolamai will also be a big day as the first signs of summer start to roll in with a mostly sunny day and some great beach-break surfing on the cards – don’t miss it!

The action continues at Summerlands today with the men’s and women’s Quarter Finals coming up.