Volcom Pro Fiji - The first 2 Days

Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, ASP Dream Tour sophomore, put in a sensational performance, netting the event high heat total of an 18.57 out of a possible 20, in Round 2 of the Volcom Fiji Pro. (Photo: ASP)

We wanted it back, the surfers wanted it back and Volcom came to the party. The first weekend of the Volcom Fiji Pro did not disappoint as the world's best surfers were treated to solid 8-10ft Cloudbreak for Round 1 and 2. There are still 2 heats left to surf in Round 2, but the focus is now on Round 3. Yesterday is was a lay day, but there is a massive swell tracking towards Fiji and most of the guys will have probably phoned home to order bigger boards.

The surfers to impress so far in Round 1 were Jordy Smith, who in the first heat of the event scored a 9 for a really good backhand tube ride. Enter, Mitch Coleburn, the wildcard, who surfed an incredible heat to beat Kelly Slater and Kai Otton. The kid is not really known as a competitive surfer, being from the new school, free surfing, lifestyle, making video parts, but he out classed the other 2 surfers scoring the highest heat total of the round. He is definitely worth keeping an eye on as the competition progresses. John John, Mick, Joel and Owen all comfortably through to Round 3.

In round 2, the swell dropped a little but got way cleaner and it was Julian Wilson setting the pace with the highest heat score of the event and some amazing tube riding. Matt Wilkinson found himself losing with a heat score that would of won most of the other Round 2 heats, against an on fire Miguel Pupo. Josh Kerr, who tore his ankle the day before, strapped up and grinned through the pain to ride an epic tube and progress to the the 3rd Round. Kelly Slater also made short work of the local Fiji wildcard. Gabriel Medina scored the first 10 Point ride of the event with an incredible tube that had the commentators thinking he had not made it, when he blew out the section with the spit.

Next up is Round 3 and with the swell expected to boom the big question is, will they keep the guys at huge Cloudbreak or shift to Restaurants in front of the Tavarua Lodge? i am hoping for massive 10-15ft Cloudbreak with the best surfers in the world on it, but we will have to wait and see. Match ups in Round 3 to look out for are John John versus Adrian Buchan, Kerr versus Damien Hobgood, Parko versus Coleburn and Kelly Slater versus Freddy P.