Even though Bill still appears to be firmly on top, he isn't getting any younger, and younger and hungrier riders are constantly challenging him for the top spot.  Paulo Prietto is one such rider who has been patiently waiting his turn.  One can't help but wonder if this win was just an anomaly, another annual luck shot?  Or is it a crack in Bill's armor which will only grow wider as time wears away at it?

I suppose we will have to wait and see.  But one thing remains certain, the competition is getting closer and closer.  It may not be time yet, but the time is coming when a contest will be win-able by more than just one or two of the participants.  And as the competition gets closer it will only get more fun to watch.

Which is saying something cause this years contest was a great show.  The level of riding got better and better throughout the contest all the way up to the final minutes of the pro finals, just like it should.

Things started off a little slow on day one.  The waves were decent but not epic.  As the tide came in during the pro preliminaries, waves with any size were hard to come by.  The weather however was awesome.  The sun was out and the wind was not.

Day two saw a slight bump in the swell resulting in better wave conditions.  The sun was a little slower to show up, but made its appearance in time to get some great photos.

The pro heats started off in good low tide conditions.  Competition was tight in the four man heats and most were impossible to call.  The semi finals took place in great mid- high tide conditions.  The three man heats were a little more manageable and the competitors were able to step up the level of skimming a notch.  Miles Grobman and Bill Bryan were able to edge out Koty Lopez who has a great pro debut making the top six.  Shortly afterwards, Paulo Prietto and Jus Martel were able to knock out Jamie Lovett in semi final number two.

After an hour break or so the finals were about to get underway.  Straight out of the gate it was clear that Bill and Paulo were skimming for number one.  Jus and Miles were both killing it, but not quite at the level of the top two.  Bill was opening up some larger waves with big wraps, liners and floaters, sticking just about everything he tried.  Paulo was going huge looking for big maneuvers that would get him the points he needed.  Most of the time he pulled whatever it was he tried, but faltered on a few waves.  Going into the final two minutes the competition was tight but it appeared that Bill was going to take it home with a giant 180 frontside wrap that defied explanation.  The crowd went nuts as the favorite slid up the beach fakie.  But Paulo wasn't done yet.  As the final minute approached Paulo eyed a peak rolling in on the very far south end of the beach.  It looked unreachable to just about everyone on the beach, but unreachable waves are Paulo's specialty, and he has nothing to lose.  So he goes for it.  As he slides out to the wave the announcer has plenty of time to build the anticipation of the crowd.  People are hollering before he even begins his turn.  The hollering turns into cheers as Paulo wraps the wave and drives it all the way back to where he began.  The wave was perfectly framed for the judges and everyone new that this put him back in the running.

Except for Paulo.

Paulo still thought he was going to get second.  Bill skimmed good.  And when Bill is on fire, he does not get beaten.  Or so everyone thought.

As the final announcement was being made George made an uncharacteristically long pause before announcing the second place finisher.  People who were standing near Paulo could be heard saying that "they couldn't wait to find out who won".  At that time Paulo had the first real inkling that he may have actually won the event.  A split second later he knew for sure.  The surprise was evident on his face and there was no hiding how happy he was to have won his first pro contest.

The day before I had promised Paulo in passing that if he won the contest I would buy him a lobster dinner.  Hey, what are the chances right?  However Paulo was content with just some plain old salmon pasta.  There is just no hating this guy...

  PRO RESULTS

1. Paulo Prietto
2. Bill Bryan
3. Jus Martel
4. Miles Grobman
5. Jaime Lovett
6. Koty Lopez (Tyler)
7. Jason Wilson
8. Brandon Sears
9. Erik Christensen
10. Ben K
11. Keith Peery
12. Morgan Just
13. Mike Stanaland
14. Brandon Rothe
15. Aaron Peluso
16. Eric Roush
17. John Collins
18. David Hand

  9 - 11

1. Sam Stinnett
2. Teddy Vlasis

  12 - 14

1. EJ Gomez
2. Zac Johnston
3. Tim Fulton
4. Scotty Smith

  15 - 17

1. Nate Zoller
2. Isaac Zoller
3. Sam Ferguson
4. Jake Stinnett

  18 - 21

1. Josh Shedden
2. Corey Ryan
3. Drew Peace
4. Aaron Kriess

  22 - 24

1. Kyle Senico
2. Skye Carlson
3. Casey Andrews
4. DJ Krazy Kut

  25 - 29

1. Brian Stiso
2. Esteban Pujol
3. Gordan Johanson
4. Joe Harris

  30 - 39

1. Craig Potter
2. Steve Lawrence
3. Sean Walzer
4. Dave Montgomery

  Women

1. Laura Preston
2. Sabrina Dacosta
3. Alisa Wingate
4. Marisa Mendoza

Best Barrel - Bill Bryan (frontside 180 wrap)

Best Wipeout  -  Matt Krouse (dislocated finger)

Sponsors:  Dewey Beach Surf & Sport, 10^th St Bros, Exile Skimboards, Lagunitian, Victoria Skimboards, Zap Skimboards, Skim City, Kind Industries, Poorboy Traction, Cobain Sandals, Skim Mag, Laguna Surf & Sport, South Laguna Skate & Surf, Leaf, X-Trak, SkimOnline.com, Seven Films, Amerikan, and Media Skateboards, Green Sector Skate, Snowboards and Skimboards.