What: No Fear Mexican Surf Fiesta, ASP 2 Star WQS Event

Where: San Miguel Beach, Mexico

When: 4 – 7 October 2007

CARISSA MOORE LEADS HAWAIIAN ASSAULT AT DAY 1 NO FEAR MEXICAN SURF FIESTA

The Hawaiian contingent dominated Day 1 of the No Fear Mexican Surf Fiesta in 1-metre surf at Baja California’s San Miguel.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star event commenced with the first round of 128, and ran all the way through the first two heats of the round of 96 before the day finished.

Although the international field looked solid on the opening day of competition, it was the Hawaiian contingent that stood above the pack. Female phenom Carissa Moore (Waikiki, HI), Kai Barger (Haiku, HI) and Alex Smith (Kilauea, HI) led the assault, netting the day’s highest scores.

“All three Hawaiians dominated by reading the pointbreak perfectly,” ASP North America Head Judge Jeff Klugel said. “They timed their turns and linked their maneuvers.” Moore, who entered into the men’s event as an alternate, put the rest of the draw on notice this afternoon, scalping a perfect 10 for a full-rail assault on San Miguel’s cobblestone peaks.

“She absolutely scored to the men’s standard,” Klugel said. “Top to bottom, full-rail turns and finished with a reverse.” Barger generated the day’s highest heat total of a 17.25 out of a possible 20 for his impressive backhand power and looks to be a major threat in the rounds to come.

The swell is projected to hold over the next couple of days before dropping in the latter half of the weekend. Event organizers will look to get as much competition completed while conditions permit.