Carissa Moore, Roxy Pro 2011 Champion - Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast - Australia

What a week for the Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks!

The girls were in fine form, surfing their heats with a power and professionalism like never seen before. They had everyone excited with the level of competition being lifted to a whole new height this year as the girls reached higher and deeper to impress the judges.

The buzz in the crowd was electric as the girls carved up the waves showing the spectators what they can expect from the best women surfers in the world.

*photos by Grace Gutwein

The competition heating right up in the quarter finals with Sally Fitzgibbons picking up two 9+ scoring waves (9.93 & 9.27) against an unlucky Coco Ho who'd surfed legendary throughout the event, and Carrisa Moore impressing the judges, scoring a 9.27 and 9.10, knocking out Chelsea Hedges to advance through to the semis.

No doubt the biggest shake up of the day was the young rookie on tour Laura Enever knocking 4 times world champion and local lady Steph Gilmore out of the competition in the quarter finals. Laura choosing all the right waves, scoring an 8.17 and 7.50, while Steph didn't find the waves she needed for a win; scoring a 6 and 6.50.

The semi finals saw Hawaiian Carissa Moore, 18, up against Roxy's Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Sally putting on her best effort but the waves just weren't there for the high scores we'd seen from her in the previous heat. The girls had to really pick the good waves and pick them Carissa did! Moore won a tight heat to Sally to then take on Tyler Wright in the final.
Tyler Wright, sister of ASP Pro surfer Owen Wright, impressed the judges scoring high scores throughout the day making her a serious contender for the title. With loads of fans supporting her from the beach Tyler advanced through the comp securing a narrow win over Silvana Lima in the quarters and taking out Laura Enever in the semi finals.

Carissa and Tyler put on an amazing dual for the final. Being up against the rookie Tyler, who knows the break at Snapper well was no easy defeat for Carissa however she came through strong enough to take out the Roxy Pro title for 2011.

Carissa tasted a win at the Rip Curl Pro in Portugal last year and I dare say she was hungry for another. Carissa ranked 3rd in 2010.
All the girls have pushed themselves, and each other, to a whole new level this year leaving us all excited about the year ahead.

Next stop will be the Rip curl Pro in Bells Beach - Australia.

Written by Grace Gutwein