Boost Mobile Pro underway

The Boost Mobile Pro surfing event is expected to resume today and will run through Saturday at Lower Trestles near San Clemente.

Round 1 was held Sunday at the legendary point break, with winners of three-man heats advancing to Round 3. Among them was eight-time world champion Kelly Slater, whose two-best-waves score of 17.17, out of a possible 20, was the highest of Round 1.

Among those relegated to the Round 2 two-man elimination heats were Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson. All are ranked in the top five of the Foster’s ASP World Tour. Australia’s Mick Fanning is No. 1, and Slater is No. 4.

Also facing elimination was defending-event champion Bede Durbidge, who is ranked No. 7 and will compete against fellow Aussie Luke Munro.

Irons draws the recently retired and imprisoned Sunny Garcia, who was allowed in as a wild card after Damien Hobgood withdrew because of an injury. Garcia received permission to compete despite being under house arrest as part of his punishment for tax evasion.

Surf is expected to be small today, but the swell is expected to slowly build through Saturday, when shoulder- to head-high waves are expected for the final.

--Pete Thomas