|
Isabela, PR, pro Dylan
Graves has never suffered from the classic “freesurfer vs. competitor” argument
— his list of standout contest results stretches back to 2004, when the
23-year-old claimed the NSSA National Explorer Juniors title (Puerto Rico’s
first National champ). In 2006, he won the ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior and
smoked the competition at the 7th Annual Nixon Surf Challenge. And just a few
months ago, he was crowned winner of Nixon’s High Tide Hold ‘Em in Fiji.
But Dylan has yet to translate his natural-born talent into numerical success
on the WQS slog, where he’s had trouble overcoming a low seed and the grueling
demands of constant travel away from his tropical Isla del Encanto homeland.
Until now, that is. This
past weekend, Graves posted the best ‘QS result of his competitive career by
making the quarterfinals of the 6-star Mr. Price Pro Ballito, held in Ballito, South
Africa, from June 29th-July 5th in everything from 10-foot barrels to
three-foot windchop. With that equal-5th-place, Dylan cracked the Top 100 of
the ASP-WQS rankings, surfing solid all the way from his Round of 144 heat,
which he won with a 14.67 total, nearly doubling his fellow competitors’
respective totals. In the Round of 96, Dylan defeated a trio of Brazilians with
a 15.67, before finishing 2nd in his Round of 48 heat. In three-man Round of 24
action, Graves advanced behind Southern California’s Austin Ware, before
defeating local South African Rudy Palmboom in the two-man Round of 16.
Unfortunately, Australian upstart Matt Wilkinson, who lodged a 9.17 on his way
to a hard-to-beat 16.84 heat total, stopped Graves’ roll in the quarterfinals.
Even with the loss, Dylan still earned $2950 and 1625 valuable points, which
will come in handy as he continues to chip away at the ‘QS circuit. EasternSurf.com couldn’t track Dylan down as he flew back from South Africa,
but with a rise in the rankings and a renewed sense of confidence, rest assured
you’ll be hearing more about his 2009 WQS campaign soon.
Dylan remained on hand to
chair fellow American and Vans teammate Tanner Gudauskas up the beach after
Tanner defeated Australian James “Taipan” Wood to win the 6-star Mr. Price Pro
Ballito and propel himself into the coveted Top 15 of the WQS rankings
alongside brother Pat. The only other East Coaster to place at the event was
another Puerto Rican, Brian Toth, who lost to the eventual winner in the Round
of 48. Brian’s ‘QS stock slipped two spots from 32nd to 34th, but he’s still
within striking distance of a solid year-end finish and possible qualification
for the World Tour.
WQS events this month
include two 6-stars in Brazil, along with the 6-star three-ring circus Hurley
U.S. Open of Surfing, so expect lots of movement from the Right Coast
contingent. Stay tuned to EasternSurf.com for full coverage.
For photos, videos, and full results, visit www.MrPricePro.com
For updated ASP-WQS rankings, visit www.ASPWorldTour.com
|
