SURFING SOAPBOX: Where legends are made

One of the most exciting events on the ASP world tour is taking place on the beautiful island of Tahiti. The Billabong pro is halfway into Round 2, and the legendary wave Teahupoo, known as Chopes, has yet to come to life in the early stages of this event.

Teahupoo is widely known as one of the most dangerous and hollow waves on the planet.

Past champions include the Hobgood twins, Andy Irons and nine-time world champion Kelly Slater.

So far the waves had been moderately small with windy conditions, with forecasters calling for a moderate west-southwesterly swell to continue through the next couple of days with more favorable winds projected.

Former three-time world champion Irons is surfing in this event as a wild card after deciding to sit out this year on the world tour.

Slater is looking for a big result to jump-start his year, after finishing equal 17th in the first two events.

Australian Joel Parkinson, who started the year with back-to-back wins, is looking to continue his hot streak in looking for his first world title.

The current top-five rankings on the world tour are as follows: Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Fred Pattacchia, Jordy Smith and former world champion CJ Hobgood.

My event picks for this event include CJ Hobgood, or for the legend of Slater to continue to grow, but I believe one of these two surfers will win this event.

Till next time, stay healthy — keep surfing.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com