Speaking at the Margaret River, Drug Aware Pro press conference today, Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Steph Gilmore were all adamant that they’d love to see someone sponsor an Australian Grand Slam. The Drug Aware Pro already has CT status for the women and is due to be granted the same status for the men in 2014. Having three CT events in Australia [The Gold Coast, Bells and Margarets] opens the door for a sponsor to back a tri-series competition akin to the Triple Crown, which runs annually Hawaii. “I think an Aussie grand-slam is definitely worthy of a prestigious title and a bit of a pay cheque,” suggested a grinning Taj Burrow, whose sentiments were wholeheartedly supported by Joel Parkinson, “If someone wants to sponsor something like a triple crown in Australia, they should go for it,” suggested the current world champion.
The two natural footers were also excited about the prospect of running several heats in this year’s Drug Aware Pro at The Box, the hollow slabbing right just across the channel from the main contest break.
“It’s amazing (The Box) one of the most short, intense waves I’ve surfed,” commented Parko. Local boy Taj was similarly optimistic about the Box option.
“It’s pretty exciting, it’s going to be on your mind the whole event … It could be pretty intense but so sick.”
While Parko and Taj visualised mid-heat, stand-up barrel exits, Mason Ho was telling a different story. Apparently a few days prior to the event he’d been surfing The Box with only a couple of other guys and a water photographer when a Great White did a drive by. The boys and the photographer, who was bleeding from cuts, all went in, but such is the allure of The Box barrel, they were back out there later the same day.
In the women’s event, sharks were the last thing on the mind of local girl, Felicity Palmateer, who defeated world champ Steph Gilmore and Pauline Ado in round one. Fresh from her victory, a smiling Palmateer sat alongside Steph at the press conference and lapped up the immediate media interest. Steph was obviously disappointed by the early round defeat but more than happy to comment on the prospect of a women’s grand-slam for the Australian tour leg. “Obviously we don’t have a triple crown in Hawaii any more – although we’re working on that – but I think a grand slam in Australia would really add meaning to the events and create something else worthwhile to strive for.”
In terms of this year’s event outlook, Mark Lane from surfing WA suggested conditions looked good for the remainder of this weekend, with Monday and Tuesday looking like potential lay-days. However, the charts currently indicate the arrival of a new swell on Wednesday that’s likely to hold all the way through to next weekend – Bring on the Box!
Watch it LIVE: HERE