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LOPEZ IS
COCKED AND LOADED 30.4.03
Ex sarge, Gold Coast, Friday
April 30th 2004.
DON’T take that headline the wrong
way…Cory Lopez is loaded up with his quiver of guns, sights
set on the bullseye of success, and ready to fly out of his
native Florida, bound for Tahiti and the Billabong Pro
Teahupoo. The charging goofy from Indian Rocks Beach is
scheduled for takeoff on Sunday, packing 14 boards, the
biggest a 7’0”, quite a few around the 6’7” - 6’8” range, as
well as a favourite 6’10” from last year. Though rated ninth
from last season, Cory has had a slow start to the season with
33rds at both the Gold Coast and Bells events, and so it’s
time for some catch-up work.
“I’m tied for last on the
ratings at the moment, so it’s time to get on with it, get
down to business, and get the job done!” said Cory stating the
facts. “I don’t think I’ve been surfing bad, but I’ve been
making poor decisions on wave choice. I don’t know why, but
I’m out to correct it”.
If there’s anywhere in the
world where Cory has previously made mostly the right choices,
it’s at Teahupoo, proven by both his reputation and his
victory there in 2001. Though a flexible rubberman in the
smaller stuff, the agile goofy is definitely more exulted for
his daring bravado. Most of his solid results last season came
in the big locations - fifth at Teahupoo, second in Fiji, and
then semi-final finishes at both Sunset and Pipeline. As well,
who could forget the incredible monster he caught in that
massive swell before the Teahupoo event started last year? He
seems to either know no boundaries, or at least not
acknowledge any. While most mortals would understandably be
intimidated by the walls of terror that Cory has been recorded
dropping down, and into the bowels of, his 5’10” 155lb frame
seems drawn to such challenges, leaving us to assume there
must be coconuts swinging between his skinny thighs of his.
“I guess it’s a mindset”, confesses the quiet but
confident Cory, “It’s about what you expect out of yourself,
and what you want to achieve. Since I was a grommet I always
wanted to surf good big hollow waves. That’s why I’m really
looking forward to these next two events”.
Since losing
to classy wildcard Adam Robertson in round two at Bells, Cory
has been back home preparing for Tahiti with some gym work, as
well as pursuing his alternate passion of fishing. He and his
mates have hauled 140lb of fish in over the side of Cory’s 32’
Bonzi in their past two outings. Not shy of an ocean conquest,
and with twin 250 Mercury motors behind him pushing at up to
60mph (100kmh), Cory drove his beloved mid-consoled beast over
180 miles of open seas to the Bahamas back in January. There
were waves around his home break last week too, but he has
been out of the water after having a skin cancer cut from his
back. No worries, for no matter what the size, Cory will be
pulling in at Teahupoo next week as though he was born there –
with the right wave choice.
“I guess the Irons brothers
have the reputation there, but there’s so many good guys now,
anybody can do it. It’s not who you’ve got in your heat, but
all about catching the good waves. You’ve just got to be
willing to go! After that, even the guy rated 44th can win if
he gets the right ones. Anyone can get a 10!”, declared the
man who is good at it
all.
ENDS
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