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With round one of then mens complete, the beach settled in for the score settling “Clash of the titans” Occy v Curren. |
It’s looking a little like Groundhog Day here at Bells. Onshore, small conditions met the surfers again today but there was the odd ripple to accommodate the remaining men’s round one heats. The real show however was the much-anticipated “Clash of the titans” rematch. Mark Occhilupo would face off against former sparring partner Tom Curren at the bowl in a heat made famous in 1986 and set the standard for professional surfing.
After two heats surfed at Jbay last year, Occy and Tom had a win each to their name; the Bells bowl possibly becoming the decider in what could ultimately be the last heat they ever surf together. Unfortunately Mother Nature couldn’t quite acknowledge this momentous occasion and come to the party with any real waves. The beach was however lined with humans all keen to be at the waters edge for the surfer’s possible last hurrah.
Despite a few mind blowing hacks from Tom Curren, the only real “clash of the titans” came after the hooter when Occy neglected to use his peripheral vision whilst taking off more or less on top of Tom, not only did the boys clash, they became entangled and showed what could be a sign that this synergy of bar setting natural and goofy foot surfing might possibly go on forever.
The final clash of the titans score read Tom with two wins out of their last three encounters. Will we see another clash of the titans?
Curren Cutback. Photo – Smithy
