30 April 2011, Sanur-Bali: After a lay day yesterday, Day Two of the Rusty Rumble in Da Jungle started up again today at the backup location somewhere in “Da Jungle” where the man-on-man Round 4 was completed in glassy 2-3 foot waves at 11:30am.
When a pre-dawn check of Sanur Reef at Bangsal Beach revealed less than contestable waves this morning, Contest Director Kane Faint made the call to move the event to the backup location and push through Round 4. The backup location has a similar reef setup to Sanur Reef, with glassy 2-3 foot righthanders offering up barrels and even some ramps for the Round 4 competitors.
The first highlight of the day was last year’s Rumble winner Pepen Hendrik posting an 8.25 on the very first wave of the competition for his double barrel effort, then adding another 6.5 barrel ride to nail the highest combined score of 14.50 and a quarterfinal berth. Hendrik had opponent Wayan Wirtama needing a 9.60 score when the horn blew. “I was nervous paddling out, but after that wave with two barrels and a big score I got lots more confident. Last year I won here and really like this event, so I feel good about my chances to do it again” said Hendrik back on the beach.
2008 Rusty Rumble winner Made Awan was once again dueling it out against youngster Agus Frimanto in Heat 2, and again wasted no time gaining the lead and sewing up the win with some solid scores. He will be meeting Pepen Hendrik in Quarterfinal 1 on Monday, and when asked about the matchup replied, “It will be Tiger against Tiger in Da Jungle when we meet!”
Marlon Gerber’s massive aerial in the critically shallow inside section got him an 8.25 score in Heat 3, which combined with the 5.75 from his first wave gave him a total of 14.00 points. Chasing him was opponent Mega Semadhi who needed an 8.35 score to take the lead, but time ran out on the unlucky goofyfooter. Marlon had a look of relief after the heat, saying “At the beginning of the heat I wasn’t choosing the best waves so was getting a big nervous. Then I finally got a good wave and made that air, hoping for good score. So glad the judges liked it! Hope we’ll be going back to Sanur for the quarters though, as I feel much better on that wave.”
As the tide begin to run out starting at the waves became more inconsistent, at times with lulls of up to 10 minutes during the 25 minute heats. But just as it appeared to have gone totally flat, another set would come rolling in and the action would start up again.
2009 Coca-Cola ISC Champion Lee Wilson was a casualty of set wave optimism in his heat 6 matchup against Komang Sujaya. While Sujaya managed to attack the inside section and rack up some averages scores, Wilson waited patiently albeit futilely outside for most of the heat for the best set waves. With his few opportunities, in his usual style he went all out on each try but in the end was left needing a 7.10. “I guess I should have played it safe and just tried to run up some scores,” he said after the heat. “But sometimes it’s hard to sacrifice your integrity and do something that’s not natural.” Sujaya will be up against fellow goofyfooter Raditya Rondi in Quarterfinal 3.
The last heat of the day had 2010 Coca-Cola ISC Champion Putra Hermawan jumping straight out into the lead in the opening minutes, posting a 7.00 score with a combination of turns, floaters, and a clean little barrel on what turned out to be the best wave of the heat. “I was so lucky to get that wave right at the start,” said Hermawan. “It took a bit of the pressure off for sure. My next wave was just average, but good enough to get me through. I’m just glad Kadek (Murtika) didn’t find any good ones, as he is very dangerous on his backhand. Now I’m really looking forward to the quarterfinals,” he added.
And looking at those quarterfinal matchups, it will be a great day of competition, as Monday is looking good for the conclusion of the event with a 2.5 meter swell at 17 seconds being forecast, so the surfers and contest crew will be standing by at Sanur Beach at 6 am Monday morning, ready to finish off the 2011 Rumble in Da Jungle.
Quarterfinal Matchups
Qtr 1: Pepen Hendrik vs Made Awan
Qtr 2: Marlon Gerber vs Dedi Santoso
Qtr 3: Raditya Rondi vs Komang Sujaya
Qtr 4: Wayan Susiana vs Putra Hermawan
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