Byron Bay’s Garrett Parkes has booked himself a Quiksilver Pro Round 1 heat against 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and gun rookie Kolohe Andino (USA). In a low-scoring final, Parkes scored 12.75 to defeat Cristobel De Col (PER), Noah Lane (AUS) and Alain Riou (PYF).

Parkes’ inclusion in the main draw is just reward for his heartbreaking loss to Brazil’s Caio Ibelli for the ASP World Junior Championship on the Gold Coast in January. The two finished on equal points and were forced into a “surf-off” with Ibelli prevailing.

“It was really tough out there today,” Parkes, 20, said. “I don’t think a wave came through for the whole second half of the heat so I was lucky to get two scores at the start and knew if I kept paddling and kept the inside I should be right and that’s what I did.

“I didn’t think about it (surfing against Slater) until then, but it should be good fun. I’ve surfed The Pass a lot at home so I’ve had plenty of practice on righthand sand banks.”

Philippa Anderson from Newcastle won the women’s trial and will meet defending World Champion and Roxy Pro event champion Carissa Moore in the opening round. Anderson dominated the final to score 15.75 to finish well clear of Winni Paul (NZL), Joanne Defay (Fra) and fellow Australian Dimity Stoyle.

“No words can describe this,” Anderson, 20, said. “I have been in the trials for three years now and I’ve always bombed in the first heat.

“To be surfing at Snapper and to get the opportunity from Roxy and now I’m surfing against Carissa Moore. I’m so thankful. I didn’t think when I woke up this morning that I would get first.”

Four-time World Champion Lisa Andersen failed in her competitive return losing to Anderson and Stoyle in the first round.

Andersen, 42, won four consecutive World Titles from 1994-97, and was making a competitive return for the first time in six years.

The main event is scheduled to start tomorrow with a promising swell forecast.
Both the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro events.