Bruce and Andy Irons in Mexico

Three times ASP world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) in the final of the Rip Curl Pro Search in Mexico clinching his first victory of the 2006 season. These pictures published on 'The Beach' courtesy of ASP.

Andy beat brother Bruce in the quarter-finals but as you can see from the following picture, taken during the Fosters Expression Session, Bruce Irons enjoyed a few good airs on the La Jolla wave himself.

Foster ASP Men's World Tour Rankings after Five Events

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 4233 points


2. Andy Irons (HAW) 4140 points


3. Bobby Martinez (USA) 40008 points


4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3650 points


5. Taylor Knox (USA) 3650 points


6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3542 points


7. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3052 points


8. CJ Hobgood (USA) 2896 points


9. Bruce Irons (HAW) 2884 points

Andy Irons wins in Mexico

Andy Irons has just won the Rip Curl Pro Search WCT in Mexico having beaten Taylor Knox in a final that saw Andy Irons produce one of the biggest airs ever seen in surfing competition.

The Californians gave the Hawaii boys a real run for their money but it is Hawaii that is partying tonight. Andy beat brother Bruce in his quarter final and the win, which is his first this year, puts him right back in contention for the world title.

Californians score big at La Jolla

It seems that 'La Jolla' is really suiting the Californians, round one saw Bobby Martinez posting the top score of the round and in round two, Tim Reyes (USA) from Huntington Beach, California, not known for ever offering pointbreak waves, posted a perfect ten point ride in his clash with Marcelo Nunes, handing him the heat win and the highest score of the day (18.67).

Reyes was ecstatic about grabbing the perfect 10; "I didn't know if it was going to be a 10," said Reyes. "but it’s good to surf a perfect wave. I see Andy and Kelly and a lot of guys get 10.0s throughout the year, and to get one is a true honor for sure."

Other Californians joining them in round three are Taylor Knox and Chris Ward.

Round three heat draw:

• Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) versus Peterson Rosa (BRA)


• Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA) versus Troy Brooks (AUS)


• Heat 3: Danny Wills (AUS) versus Bede Durbidge (AUS)


• Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) versus Davey Weare (ZAF)


• Heat 5: Taylor Knox (USA) versus Travis Logie (ZAF)


• Heat 6: CJ Hobgood (USA) versus Pancho Sullivan (HAW)


• Heat 7: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) versus Phil Macdonald (AUS)


• Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) versus Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)


• Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) versus Jihad Khodr (BRA)


• Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) versus Greg Emslie (ZAF)


• Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) versus Adriano de Souza (BRA)


• Heat 12: Bruce Irons (HAW) versus Michael Lowe (AUS)


• Heat 13: Damien Hobgood (USA) versus Ben Dunn (AUS)


• Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS) versus Tim Reyes (USA)


• Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) versus Chris Ward (USA)


• Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) versus Jake Paterson (AUS)

La Jolla

The phenomenal wave at 'La Jolla' continues to dominate the Rip Curl Pro Search WCT in Mexico but in his first year on the tour, Californian, Bobby Martinez has taken full advantage of its potential to post the top score of round 1 and clearly has his sights set on the number one spot of the ASP rankings.

However, current champion, Kelly Slater is back after resting a rib injury during event four of the tour, and he is equally determined to retain the top spot.

As I write this post, the wave continues unabated and the surfing in round 2 is as exciting as ever. It looks as if round 2 will complete today and I will post the last 16 of event 5 in The Beach, tomorrow.

ASP Tour Round 5

Some incredible live webcast action from the ASP Men’s World Tour event, round 5, located "somewhere in Mexico" and which kicked of today.

Huge two metre (six to eight feet) plus right hand breaking waves with flawless freight-training barrels. Absolutely amazing surfing.