Hurley’s video trials draw for 2014

After months of collecting entries and weeks of deliberating, Hurley have just announced the Top 16 contenders to its unique online wildcard contest The Hurley Pro Video Trials. Public voting will commence on August 4 at thehurleypro.com and run for four consecutive days, with the winner — decided solely by fans — being announced August 8 and going on to compete at this year’s Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles starting Sept. 9.

Already capturing the imaginations of athletes, fans and celebrities worldwide last year as a result of a heated rivalry between Dane Reynolds and Cam Richards, competitors will once again have to draw on their social media skills to ensure victory.

This year’s standout contestants include Hawaii’s Dusty Payne, Australia’s Jack Freestone, Yago Dora from Brazil, Costa Rica’s Carlos Munoz and San Clemente heroes Pat and Tanner Gudauskas.

A panel of judges – featuring Surf Icon Rob Machado, Big Wave Rider and Professional Coach Mike Parsons, top female surfer Lakey Peterson, HB Icon Brett Simpson and VP Surf Marketing Pat O’Connell – narrowed the selection down to the top 16 entries.

“There’s some crazy surfing in these clips — I’m really impressed by the level of entries,” said O’Connell. “We had to make some tough calls for the last few spots, but it’s now up to the fans to do their part. Whoever wins, we’ll have a wildcard who’s sure to put on a great performance at Lowers.”