Surfing Soapbox: Nine-time champ Slater still in play at Trestles

For the second day in a row the Hurley Pro Trestles has been called off due to small and inconsistent 2- to 3-foot waves.

The Hurley Pro, which has a five-day waiting period, only has one day of competition remaining after three days in which the waves have been good for the most part.

With one full day remaining, the story thus far has been that of former No. 2-ranked surfer in the world upsetting current No. 1 ranked Joel Parkinson in Round 3, opening the door for a nine-time world champion to make a charge up the rankings and toward an unprecedented 10th world title.

Kelly Slater, who defeated wild card Brett Simpson in Round 3, has been in fine form along with Rob Machado, Mick Fanning, Dane Reynolds and CJ Hobgood.

Other upsets include that of hometown hero Chris Ward and second-year sensation Jordy Smith.

With a slight increase in swell expected Saturday, this might be enough for organizers to resume competition, and if not, they still have one day in the waiting period remaining.

So cross your fingers.

With the door opening for Slater’s world title aspirations for a 10th title, my pick for this event remains the same: Slater, with my dark horse being Machado or Reynolds.

However, with Machado, who is close friends with Slater, taking down Parkinson, rest assured that Slater will not let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

The world title race just got a little more exciting.

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