ASP Exclusive Interview: Cory Lopez in for Dane Reynolds at Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Cory Lopez (USA), 38, current ASP World No. 38, is back in Jeffreys Bay!
JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 12, 2011) – Cory Lopez (USA), 34, current ASP World No. 38, has gained entry into the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 4 of 11 on the ASP World Title season, with the withdrawal of Dane Reynolds (USA), 25. While Reynolds has yet to provide a reason for his withdrawal from the event, Lopez who traveled from nearby Durban where he was in town for the Mr Price Pro, stands to benefit largely from this opportunity to increase his ASP World Rating as we approach the September rotation. ASP tracked down the progressive goofy-footer as he arrived on Pepper Street to see what his state of mind is approaching the commencement of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. This…is his story…
You found out this morning that you’ve been seeded into the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay – your first impressions?
I haven’t been to J-Bay in probably three or four years so it’s nice to be back and I’m really hoping the swell will come in. I love this wave. It’s a lot of fun, but we obviously need some swell. So hopefully it shows up and we can have a good event.
What are the challenges to being a goofy-footer out at Jeffreys Bay?
When the waves are small at J-Bay, it’s really difficult to surf backside. It becomes a challenge to fit your turns in the pocket as it breaks so fast down the line. It really then benefits guys on their forehand when it’s smaller. You really need a proper swell to set up a good backside bottom turn. So I’m hoping it gets big as it’s a lot more fun for us goofies and a lot more fun for me.
With a good result here, you could feasibly be within the Top 32 on the ASP World Rankings for the September cutoff – your thoughts?
I’m definitely looking for a big result. If I can make two heats here, it will help my position on the World Ranking. I’ll probably be borderline after that, and three heats, I’d probably be pretty sweet. So I’d love to get a result here, and it just comes down to catching a few good waves in my heat, so I’m focusing on that first.
What kind of boards are you packing for the event?
I’ve got the same quiver I’ve had for the last couple of months. I’ve got around six boards with me – same boards I brought to Portugal and in Ballito. I’ve got a few Whiplash models with a bit more rocker so if it’s small, I can fit turns into the transition a lot better.
Watch Cory do battle with the rest of the ASP Top 34 LIVE at the BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY
Category: All ASP News, ASP Editorial News, ASP World Tour News
Many people take what they have as standard; for Dane it may be WT events us normal people save all year for. Many places in the world people save/hope for a solid roof and basic food and that is considered a given to us.
His knee? Pfft. He looked damn fine to me in his new movie on marinelayerproductions.com
guy’s we dont really know what happened to him, maybe his knee is still not 100%, but it is really suckes to see the live compatition without him there, i always wake myself for his heats.
dane we want to see you!! come back!!
ISRAEL surfer
yeaaaaaahhh cooorrryyyyyyy!!!!
“Reynolds has yet to provide a reason for his withdrawal from the event…” I’m a huge Dane supporter, but I can’t help but wonder if this is just pure laziness. I guess Quiksilver and Vans are paying for him to do whatever he wants, but I guess I want to see more of him than the odd web clip here and then and a film segment every other year. I want him to surf against the other guys on tour. I really don’t see what the problem with surfing J-Bay is. Everyone on this planet would give their left nut to surf that place with only one other guy out and, I dunno, I’m just disappointed that he’s being so whingy about it.
Sick! Go Cory! Definitely deserves to be back on tour!!!
Fuckin’ lame Dane. Grow up you pussy.