2005 Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro- The Story

Total Destruction. Globe Pro Winner: Cory Lopez
photo: aurasurf.com.

Sebastian Inlet, Florida- Pro surfing returned to Florida this week as over 180 surfers from around the globe gathered to compete in the first ASP professional surfing contest at a Florida beach in over 10 years. The surfing was phenomenal. In the end the man who stood above the rest was Indian Rocks Beach surfer Cory Lopez. Cory won the contest with solid, sometimes spectacular surfing and very good wave judgement. In the final, Cory consistently found the best waves and attacked the most open faces with tight hard carves. Not even 6 time world champ Kelly Slater could overcome the IRB local's precision. It seems that Cory has recently found something in his surfing that is pushing him over the top. After surfing great last month in Hawaii, the Gulf Coaster jumped from 24th to 14th in the final WCT ratings to finish out the 2004 World Championship Tour. Returning home to Florida, he has now won the first major pro contest in Florida in a long time. It would seem like the year ahead for Cory has been jump started by his 1st place finish in the WQS 3 star Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro. Cory took home a check for $7000 and a new jet ski valued at over $12,000. Kelly Slater's surfing was dynamic and consistently brought applause and excitment from the crowd of thousands gathered on the sand. In the final Kelly just did not get the quality waves that Cory did to take the heat. Aaron Cormican's surfing was amazing. He was radical in his attack. Aaron show tremendous wave knowledge, solid pocket surfing and an incredible bag of tricks that he has down pat. He could have easily taken the contest but like Kelly he did not get the waves in the final either. Ben Beouguois, the other surfer in the final surfed so fast, connecting long floaters over sections. But this day belonged to the Gulf Coast. Favorite son Cory Lopez took the day by superior wave selection and radical rail surfing on the open faces he found. Cory showed humility when accepting the award 'All these guys are great surfers, anyone of them could have won the final, I just got lucky and had some waves come my way'. He continued: 'I'm just stoked to see proffesional surfing return to Florida'. By the enthusiasm that the crowds showed the rest of Florida is stoked also. Great Article from Florida Today...read it

Cory exits the water to a happy crowd of onlookers after the final. To the right is Cory's dad Pete (undoubtedly talking on the cell phone to another member of the fam about the good news). Pete was 'Johnny on the spot' during the quarter-finals by providing Cory with his back up board quickly when Cory broke his other board in half on a heavy section floater. To the right of Pete is Aura Surf Photographer
Micah Weaver sporting a big smile and IRB local Aaron Corn congratulating Cory on his win. As he exited the water all the GC locals were hooting and yelling "Gulf Coast"!
Incredible Day!
photo: Courtesy of the Lopez Management Team.

Kelly Slater flying through a turn.
photo: aurasurf.com.

Aaron Cormican is known for his tricks but this New Smyrna local is solid in every facet of his surfing.
Gorkin, tucked away. photo:aurasurf.com

Reminiscent of Palmetto Drive, KS cranks it backside.
. photo: aurasurf.com.

Tom Curren is awesome. I have an entire gallery devoted to his appearence at the Globe SI Pro. Stay tuned for that.
photo: aurasurf.com.

Sweeping cutback by the 6 time world champ.
photo: aurasurf.com.

Dylan Graves rips!

Jason Shimato from Hawaii.
photo: aurasurf.com..

Finalist from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Ben Bourgeois.
aurasurf.com

Finalists after the final: From Left to Right: Ben Bourgeois, Aaron Cormican, Cory Lopez and Kelly Slater.
Up top, behind the table with the white shirt and black shades is Tom Curren.
aurasurf.com