Slater’s still the one to beat in September

The U.S. Open of Surfing took place two weeks ago, during one of the best summer swells in years, culminating with the Cinderella story of Huntington Beach local Brett Simpson winning over former world champion Mick Fanning in an all-star studded final.

In the surfing world, all eyes will once again shift to California’s next big event — the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Sept. 13 to 19.

While the Open was a six-star event on the World Qualifying Series, it had many of the World Championship Surfers competing because it offered the largest cash prize in the history of surfing — $100,000 for first place.

Not bad for Simpson’s first major win — and in front of his home crowd to boot.

I expect to see Simpson, who I am assuming will get a wild card into this event because he has not yet qualified for the World Championship tour, a contender in this event.

Don’t be surprised if he makes it as far as the quarter finals, upsetting a few world title contenders along the way.

Others factoring into this event will be current ratings leader Joel Parkinson, nine-time world champion Kelly Slater, CJ Hobgood, Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow.

My pick for this event is none other than Kelly Slater, who has owned this event since 2003, finishing first or second each year. You know what they say — to be the man you have to beat the man.

And for now he’s still the man.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com