Bigger Waves Finally Make Late Showing at Trestles

The good news Wednesday at the Billabong Pro was that the waves at Lower Trestles were a bit bigger for the second round. The unfortunate part of the story is that those breakers were few and far between until the last couple heats of the afternoon, when the swell picked up in both size and consistency.

Australia’s Taj Burrow says the waves at Lowers are “like a skate park.” For the better part of two days, it’s been the Kansas of skate parks. Flat.

But Wednesday evening’s show of a pulse may signal that there’s better stuff on the horizon.

C.J. Hobgood, the No. 3-ranked surfer on the World Championship Tour who’s from Florida and accustomed to small waves, overcame the conditions to advance to today’s third round against Australian Paul Canning. Also moving on with victories Wednesday were No. 5 Mick Campbell of Australia, who meets Hawaiian Andy Irons today; Oxnard’s Tim Curran, who will face Hawaii’s Kalani Robb; and Taylor Knox of San Diego, who will battle 10th-ranked Cory Lopez of San Clemente.

Other fourth-round matchups include No. 4 Rob Machado of Cardiff against Laguna Beach’s Pat O’Connell and San Clemente’s Shane Beschen facing No. 7 Jake Paterson of Australia.