Rip Curl Cup 2011 is ON…I Think

posted by / Photos / August 1, 2011

Photos and words by Nathan Lawrence

The swell has already hit West Oz. It’s huge. Freezing. Windy. All the right components to turn on this almost impotent wave. A wave that hasn’t shown its true colors this year. But as I type this the wheels are already in motion. Rubber boats are being put in the water. Jet Skis are on standby. Photographers are cleaning their lenses and video dudes are charging their batteries. The words on the contest T-shirts read, “IT’S ON WHEN IT’S ON.” And boy do I hope it’s on. I dug up these photos to remind me what this wave can do. How good it can be surfed. It’s been a while so I kinda forgot. I almost wanted to skip town and head to another island to score a long left with 100 other people out. But after looking at these images I’m a believer again. It’s the final hours of the countdown. Only six hours until daylight here in Bali and we will know for sure whether IT’S ON…

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This is Ganti. Bol and Garut's uncle. He's one of the original surfers to surf Padang. This shot was from the 2007 contest. Flawless conditions.

This is Ganti. Bol and Garut's uncle. He's one of the original surfers to surf Padang. This shot was from the 2007 contest. Flawless conditions.

Andy Irons. July 30th, 2006. Hands down the best surfing ever to go down at Padang.

Andy Irons. July 30th, 2006. Hands down the best surfing ever to go down at Padang.

The view from the cliff makes Padang one of the best arenas in the world.

The view from the cliff makes Padang one of the best arenas in the world.

Andy Irons reaffirming my claim from image 2

Andy Irons reaffirming my claim from image 2

Made Adi Putra. Also known as Bol. Look for him on the podium tomorrow afternoon.

Made Adi Putra. Also known as Bol. Look for him on the podium tomorrow afternoon.

I love Padang from every angle. It's definitely one of the most photogenic waves in the world.

I love Padang from every angle. It's definitely one of the most photogenic waves in the world.

A recent shot from the "best" day we had some far in 2011. Only 3-4 feet.

A recent shot from the "best" day we had some far in 2011. Only 3-4 feet.

Rizal Tanjung is the king of Padang. He really wants to take it this year. His 1st heat is stacked.

Rizal Tanjung is the king of Padang. He really wants to take it this year. His 1st heat is stacked.

Mustafa Jekson exiting a barrel in the 2007 contest. This kid has been getting shots at Padang since he was 3 feet tall. He's as dangerous out there as anyone. Probably even more this year because his life long sponsor, Quiksilver, just dropped him this year. Prediction: Mustofa wins the event and Rip Curl picks him up.

Mustafa Jekson exiting a barrel in the 2007 contest. This kid has been getting shots at Padang since he was 3 feet tall. He's as dangerous out there as anyone. Probably even more this year because his life long sponsor, Quiksilver, just dropped him this year. Prediction: Mustofa wins the event and Rip Curl picks him up.

The craziest woman surfing I've witnessed from the water. Bethany Hamilton back in 2009

The craziest woman surfing I've witnessed from the water. Bethany Hamilton back in 2009

Hopefully there won't be any boats on the reef for this years comp.

Hopefully there won't be any boats on the reef for this years comp.

Some random guy. Enjoying the benefits of his Bali vacation

Some random guy. Enjoying the benefits of his Bali vacation

Bol again. Looking way too comfortable.

Bol again. Looking way too comfortable.

You usually have to dodge and weave around the water photogs on any given day at Padang. But not at the Rip Curl Cup. No water photogs are allowed during the event. So leave your water housing at home fellas.

You usually have to dodge and weave around the water photogs on any given day at Padang. But not at the Rip Curl Cup. No water photogs are allowed during the event. So leave your water housing at home fellas.

Too bad this angle is now off limits. Construction never stops in Bali. A bunch of workers are sleeping in this little hut and using the surrounding area for their toilet. But don't worry, next year you can sip soy lattes from this viewpoint.

Too bad this angle is now off limits. Construction never stops in Bali. A bunch of workers are sleeping in this little hut and using the surrounding area for their toilet. But don't worry, next year you can sip soy lattes from this viewpoint.

I don't know why all these photos of Bol keep showing up. I guess he's gotten the best waves out there over the years. My prediction my have to change to Bol winning the comp. But Mustafa will still get sponsored by Rip Curl.

I don't know why all these photos of Bol keep showing up. I guess he's gotten the best waves out there over the years. My prediction my have to change to Bol winning the comp. But Mustafa will still get sponsored by Rip Curl.

Dede Suryana. One of the most comfortable backside surfers out at Padang.

Dede Suryana. One of the most comfortable backside surfers out at Padang.

Jamie O'Brien. Best barrel rider in the world.

Jamie O'Brien. Best barrel rider in the world.

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4 Responses to “Rip Curl Cup 2011 is ON…I Think”

  1. Black Dawg says:
    August 1, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    that last shot is at supersucks, not padang.

  2. Kung Fu Panda says:
    August 1, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Jamie O’Brien is not the best tube rider in the world.

  3. Mic says:
    August 2, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I don’t know Panda ya ever see the Desert Point footage where Jamie let’s the guy pass him, Jamie goes behind him dissapires for a long deep time and pops out and passes the guy again? I hear he is pretty good at Pipe too and o ya he won this contest in o9. I was paddling out to Impossibles when he did the go behind on rutine on R.T. Pretty fancy…

  4. FLOWER POWER says:
    August 6, 2011 at 6:11 am

    AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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