The tubes of Teahupoo weren’t the only things contorting on day one of the Billabong pro Tahiti. There were tongues twisting into some remarkable shapes in the commentary booth too, as the team attempted to put into words one of the greatest days of competitive surfing ever witnessed. It’s hard to blame them though, commentating is a tough gig and the waves and surfing were enough to make anyone delirious. Here are the highlights.
“A bit of spring break here in the flotilla. All the fans coming out to watch the best sporting event in the world – I call it the mega-bowl!” – Pat Parnell
“And he’s out!” – Pat Parnell at the end of every single wave
“Nathan Hedge building on his 9.27. This is going to be a decent score to stack onto that.” – It was a 2-point ride Pat!
“Very calm and collective.” – Pat Parnell
“Jadson Andre is having a Brazilian Barrel Bar Mitzvah!” – Pat Parnell
“The red singlet’s are prevailing and there’s no stranger to that.” – Pottz
“When you have this much swell it makes things a little easier or a little harder.” – Pat Parnell
”Ohhhhh, completely spitted!” – I think you meant ‘pitted’ Pat Parnell
“That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Joel Parkinson, he needed Mother Nature to co-operate … and it did!” – Ross Williams, not one for cliché.
“Where do you want to be in the lineup out here Pottz?” – Joe Turpel
“I want to be in the boat watching Joe!” – Pottz (Cue sitcom canned laughter)
“That was a good one from Taj.” – Pottz absolutely losing it after Taj Burrow dropped into one of the craziest waves of the day that wielded more spit than a Llama with a head cold. Calm down Pottz!
“All smiles, Josh Kerr finding his inner Labrador” – Pat Parnell
“You know the waves out there it’s hard to cooperate you need those bigger ones with the throat on ‘em, these guys are having a battle out there you can tell they’re just getting hammered, these guys went through carnage already through this heat nobody’s got really a big score on the board and it is just going off out there you’re gonna see some more action for sure!” – Strider “streamofconciousness” Wasilewski
“It’s getting really serious this afternoon seriously. Like ah these guys are getting nailed. This last heat of the day, not the last heat of the day sorry, the last heat of round 12 is a doozy.” – Occy predicting big things in round 12
Teahupoo Tongue Twisters
The tubes of Teahupoo weren’t the only things contorting on day one of the Billabong pro Tahiti. There were tongues twisting into some remarkable shapes in the commentary booth too, as the team attempted to put into words one of the greatest days of competitive surfing ever witnessed. It’s hard to blame them though, commentating is a tough gig and the waves and surfing were enough to make anyone delirious. Here are the highlights.
“A bit of spring break here in the flotilla. All the fans coming out to watch the best sporting event in the world – I call it the mega-bowl!” – Pat Parnell
“And he’s out!” – Pat Parnell at the end of every single wave
“Nathan Hedge building on his 9.27. This is going to be a decent score to stack onto that.” – It was a 2-point ride Pat!
“Very calm and collective.” – Pat Parnell
“Jadson Andre is having a Brazilian Barrel Bar Mitzvah!” – Pat Parnell
“The red singlet’s are prevailing and there’s no stranger to that.” – Pottz
“When you have this much swell it makes things a little easier or a little harder.” – Pat Parnell
”Ohhhhh, completely spitted!” – I think you meant ‘pitted’ Pat Parnell
“That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Joel Parkinson, he needed Mother Nature to co-operate … and it did!” – Ross Williams, not one for cliché.
“Where do you want to be in the lineup out here Pottz?” – Joe Turpel
“I want to be in the boat watching Joe!” – Pottz (Cue sitcom canned laughter)
“That was a good one from Taj.” – Pottz absolutely losing it after Taj Burrow dropped into one of the craziest waves of the day that wielded more spit than a Llama with a head cold. Calm down Pottz!
“All smiles, Josh Kerr finding his inner Labrador” – Pat Parnell
“You know the waves out there it’s hard to cooperate you need those bigger ones with the throat on ‘em, these guys are having a battle out there you can tell they’re just getting hammered, these guys went through carnage already through this heat nobody’s got really a big score on the board and it is just going off out there you’re gonna see some more action for sure!” – Strider “streamofconciousness” Wasilewski
“It’s getting really serious this afternoon seriously. Like ah these guys are getting nailed. This last heat of the day, not the last heat of the day sorry, the last heat of round 12 is a doozy.” – Occy predicting big things in round 12
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TRACKS PREMIUM
Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …
TRACKS PREMIUM
Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …
CLASSIC ISSUES
August, 1981
A threat to Angourie, the death of vibes, and a tongue in cheek guide on how to become a surf star.
July, 1975
The ’On the Road Issue’, featuring a Larry Bertleman profile, plus Hawaii, California, South America, Orstralia & more.
June, 1975
The ‘Fantasy Issue’ featuring a classic Tony Edwards illustration and a searing bottom turn by Terry Fitzgerald.
February, 1972
The issue that originally featured ‘that turn’ by Michael Peterson. A true collectors edition from the time of ‘Morning of the Earth’.
PREMIUM FILM
Fitty Fitty
This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.
GALACTIK TRACKS
Seven free surfers embark on a voyage to boldly go where no man had gone before.
Gathering
The film features the enigmatic and free-thinking Dave Rastovich at home on the Far North Coast of NSW.
Wanderlust
In this quintessentially Australian film, the two friends ride waves with the nation’s best surfers.
PRINT STORE
Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.
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