The Quiksilver King of the Peak ran it’s course on November 8th & 9th at the East Coast’s famed Sebastian Inlet, FL. which marks the 15th Anniversary of the KOP. The contest, utilizes the “Skins Format” and with a total prize purse of $10,000 so it was game on in the Dirty South! $260 per skin for the best wave of the heat which is identified by what is known as a “claim” where the surfer raises his hands over head when he feels he has nailed a winner. Simply put, the surfer with the most skins at the end of the day is crowned the champion.
With a low-pressure swell & a high pressure pinching off the East Coast there were head high waves on offer for two days, and the Inlet skatepark was open! With a field of 76 surfers from up and down the Eastern Seaboard, the Gulf and Puerto Rico, everyone had their sights on the Crown, Cloak & Surfboard Scepter along wih the coveted title “King of The Peak.”
With Sebastian Inlet doing it mixed wedge thing, it was common to see a mean tail whip followed up by a draining barrel. Standouts were Aaron Cormican for obvious reasons, Oliver Kurtz, Brian “Hewy” Hewitson and a host of others.
The Eastern Surf Magazine Airshow was up in the mix, as it has been year after year, with a $625 prize purse.
Kelly Slater, the founder & co-conceptualized the format of the King of the Peak, came down to the contest and threw a bonus into the mix: The Kelly Slater Experi-MENTAL Maneuver – The surfer who throws down the most Experi-MENTAL Maneuver wins a hand shaped board from Kelly Slater.
Former Quiksilver King of the Peak & fellow WCT tour vet, CJ Hobgood also cruised down and joined Kelly with Benji Weatherly to hang with the kids and surf on the side of the event contest site.
In the, end after all the spray had fell, 22 year old Eddie Guilbeu had stuck the following maneuvers who used a wide variation of above the lip trickery and serious risk taking in which the KOP has been based on for the past 15yrs and Eddie lofted his was to victory and the prestige to be called “King Of The Peak!”
Of Course the local groms were in disbelief this was actually happening in their backyard. World-class surfing is becoming synonymous with Sebastian Inlet. It’s no surprise and perhaps it’s a new offspring in the making…
LONG LIVE THE QUIKSILVER KING OF THE PEAK!
Congrats Eddie Guilbeau!
Quiksilver King of the Peak
1. Eddie Guilbeau 4 Skins $1040
2. Blake Jones 3 Skins $780
2. Sebastian Moreno 3 Skins $780
2. Cory Sapp 3 Skins $780
2. CT Taylor 3 Skins $780
2. Jody Davis 3 Skins $780
2. CT Taylor 3 Skins $780
8. Travis Beckmann 2 Skins $520
8. Aaron Cormican 2 Skins $520
8. Brady McKenzie 2 Skins $520
8. Bryan Hewitson 2 Skins $520
8. Jonathan Gosman 2 Skins $520
8. Alek Parker 2 Skins $520
8. Jeff Myers 2 Skins $520
15. Jeremy Johnston 1 Skin $260
15. Chris Tucker 1 Skin $260
15. Jeff Crego 1 Skin $260
15. Kyle Garson 1 Skin $260
15. Eric Taylor 1 Skin $260
ESM Airshow
1. Lucas Rogers $325
2.Brady Mckenzie $200
3.Tommy Bursian $100
Winner of the Kelly Experi-MENTAL Kelly Hand Shape – Eddie Guilbeau
