Day 2 of competition has concluded at Sunset Beach, as action at the 2006 Xcel Pro Presented by No Fear continues. The final day of competition will begin with Heat 13 of Round 3, and will wrap up the contest with Round 4, the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals.
Conditions have improved since Day 1, as the day began 6' to 8' on the face and an occasional 10' set. The current swell began NNE in somewhat longer intervals than Day 1, producing waves that tested riders in the early heats.
Surfline.com forecasts the swell to peak tonight from the NNE. Contest organizers will determine whether to go tomorrow, or to postpone the final day until later in the waiting period for possible new swells.
Action has been streaming live online thanks to SurfingLive.com's live Webcast, and will continue to be available at http://xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com .
Shane Beschen scored the best wave (9.57 of 10) of the day, getting barreled and winning his heat in Round 3. "Definitely my most fun wave," Beschen says of his high-scoring ride. "I got lucky out there." Watch for Beschen to paddle back out in Round 4.
Later heats were challenged by tricky sets, as Round 3 heat winner Rainos Hayes summed up the day. "You really had to the best you could with what you could get your hands on," says Hayes, hailing from Hawaii, who will also ride in Round 4.
The final day promises even more excitement as past Xcel Pro champions - and Hawaiian locals - Derek Ho (1994) and Kaipo Jaquias (1993, 1995) are scheduled to paddle out in the later heats of Round 3. Also be on the lookout for 2005 defending champion Ian Walsh, who made it through his heat today.
Be sure to check http://www.xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com for up-to-the-minute results and the live Webcast from the beach.
About Xcel
Founded in 1982, Xcel Wetsuits (Xcel) is a global independent wetsuit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Headquartered on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawai'i, Xcel's core wetsuit business focuses on the cutting edge of material and design development. Xcel's primary markets include surf, dive, wakeboard, paddle, and sun (UV protection).
In addition to its North Shore office, Xcel operates two retail stores on Oahu and a warehouse/repair facility in California. To learn more about Xcel, please visit www.xcelwetsuits.com.
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