WILL SKUDIN FINALIST- BIG WAVE WORLD TOUR- OREGON
Lincoln City, Oregon March 12th 2014 – Long Beach, New York’s Will Skudin makes the finals at the DIVE N’ SURF Oregon Pro, Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour Event. Nelscott Reef offered up great waves in the 30ft range and allowed the World’s best big wave surfers to challenge the reef for an international audience via a Live HD Webcast and Live National Television coverage of the final thanks to Universal Sports Network. Coming into the event as an Alternate, Will Skudin got the call last minute and was bumped into the main event. Will took full advantage of this oppurtuinty and blazed his way into the finals winning his round one and semi final heat. Ending up with a 5th place and less then half a point from 2nd, Will had a strong showing in the final. With less then two minutes left Will caught aguably the biggest wave of the final, he made a huge drop on whats now being called the “Hail Mary” but the wave ended up catching up to him down the line and wiping him out. With all odds stacked against him, Will Skudin put it all on the line and fought till the end showing the World that he is one of the best big wave surfers on the planet.
Photos by Jason Murray and Richard Hallman
” I am honored to be a part of the Big Wave World Tour and blessed to repersent the East Coast at these events. The waves, the current and wind were the biggest factor today. I have been working with my surf board shaper Jesse Fernandez (WRV) and making sure the boards I ride work in the conditions at hand. The board I rode today was exacly what I needed in those tough conditions. My brother Cliff was with me and helped me out on a mental level going into my heats. I felt in tune with the ocean today and as any big wave surfer knows, sometimes your in rhythm and sometimes your not. I was just stoked to put in a good run. I want to thank everyone back home and up and down the East Coast for tuning in and cheering me on. I felt all the positive energy and appreciate all of the kind words. I also want to thank God for looking over me and keeping me safe.” Will Skudin
Dive N’ Surf Oregon Pro 2014
1 Alex Gray, 27.17
2. Shawn Dollar, 24.17
3. Grant Baker, 23.67
4. Kohl Christensen, 23.67
5. Will Skudin, 23.49
6. Anthony Tashnick, 22.66
Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour’s next event is on YELLOW ALERT for the DIVE N’ SURF @ TODOS SANTOS. If it gets the green light it will run on MONDAY, March 17th, 2014. Todos is the 1st event that will has an official invite and does not have to cross his fingers on the Alternate list. So lets hope Will has a relaxing weekend and is ready to battle again on Monday. Watch the video below to hear will reaction to getting invited and watch him and his brother Cliff recap on past Todos swells.
Media Coverage of the DIVE N’ SURF Oregon Pro, Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour Event.
