Michael Dunphy (Virginia Beach, VA), won two heats today to advance to the Quarterfinals of the Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco.
PLAYA REVOLCADERO, Acapulco/Mex. (Saturday, July 21, 2012) ? The Quarterfinalists have been decided at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco in trying four-to-six (1-2 metre) surf at the Playa Revolcadero.
Today?s competition saw a dramatic increase in swell from yesterday and the field has been narrowed from the 112 surfers to the event?s top eight performers.
Michael Dunphy (Virginia Beach, VA), 22, a top seed in the Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco, maintained his composure today, taking a Round of 16 victory in a stacked heat over Peruvian standout Miguel Tudela (PER), 17, who advanced in second, California legend Shane Beschen (San Clemente, CA), 40, and former ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 23, with committed turns on two lefthanders.
?I was really relieved to get through it,? Dunphy said. ?Today is probably the most closed out the conditions have been and I was just able to get in to a good rhythm in the beginning. I was able to find a couple that let me do a couple of turns and that really set me up for the rest of the heat. I was happy to get through because it was my hardest heat so far. I figured I?d just do my thing and try and get those lefts and do what I?ve been doing.?
Dunphy feels his performances have been consistent throughout the event, but hopes to put together a breakthrough heat on the final day.
?I?m happy to make it to the Quarters and I really want to do well tomorrow,? Dunphy said. ?I haven?t really had a big heat yet and hopefully it?s coming tomorrow.?
Tanner Hendrickson (Haiku, HI), 20, a threat on the ASP Pro Junior Series, has been building momentum in major men?s ASP events and put on a strong performance today while advancing to the Quarterfinals.
?I?m stoked to get that heat win,? Hendrickson said. ?You?ve really got to find your peak and surf really down the line the whole time because the wave is breaking so fast.?
Hendrickson admitted the racy conditions at Playa Revolcadero provided a serious challenge and the Maui native is looking forward to the upcoming man-on-man heats, where he hopes to utilize a more selective wave strategy.
?I?m so stoked to make it to the man-on-man Quarters,? Hendrickson said. ?With the man-on-man heats, I?m definitely going to try and be more patient and try and sit away from the other competitor and find my own peaks.?
Michael Powell (Wrightsville Beach, NC), 24, was one East Coast upstart to earn a breakthrough result today, taking out his Round of 16 win in the punchy beachbreak and the East Coast upstart was elated with his success.
?I?m very excited to make it to the Quarters,? Powell said. ?The best I had ever done was to make it to the Round of 64 before this event, so I guess I?m having a lot of good luck because the conditions are extremely challenging. I?m happy to be in the next round.?
