WET AND WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:Aussies tear it up in France

By the final day of the Quiksilver Pro France, a storm had rolled in, reeling off 3- to 6-foot surf under cloudy skies, drizzle and offshore winds.

Those conditions didn’t slow down Aussie Joel Parkinson, who was due for a win following his tear-it-up performances lately. “Parko” blazed through his semi heat, with three-time world champ Andy Irons scoring a 9.3 barrel to leave the former champ needing a combination score and a straight shot to the final.

Meanwhile fellow Aussie Mick Fanning took out seven-time world champ Kelly Slater in the other semi with a blistering forehand combination of snaps and gouges on a right, scoring in the nine zone too. But, in the final, it was all Parkinson, as the two close friends surfed it out, with “Parko” clinching it 15.16 to 7.67 over the “White Lightning.”

“Slates” gets another third, putting him in great shape for world title No. 8, as he’s up by more than a thousand points with three events left: Mundaka in Spain; Brazil; and Pipeline in Hawaii. He’s also missed an event, when he was injured and that helps him in the adjusted points, because they don’t count all the contests. If Slater continues to make the quarters or better, the other contenders, Burrow and Irons, need to win the remaining events.

Mundaka has started, running Oct. 3-14. It’s a hollow reeling sandbar left, off a point, by a boat harbor, with a castle in the background — a classic setting. The bay can handle 2- to 15-foot surf. Last year they ruined it by dredging and the event was canceled. But this year the sand is back and it’s happening again. And last week the swell was going off. Previous winners include Australian Luke Egan, who won in 2004. Egan, a former world tour veteran, retired this season but received a wild-card slot this year. Slater won in 2003, Irons in 2002. It was sadly canceled in 2001 due to the possible terrorist activities. Shane Dorian won in 2000 and Occy, Mark Occhilupo won in 1999 the first year it was run. So far in round 1, again, Parko and Fanning were standouts, racking big scores but this time on their backhands. H.B’s Timmy Reyes was killing it, winning his heat and advancing to round 3, along with Martinez, who’s found his form again, East Coast brothers C.J. and Damien Hobgood to name a few.

This Saturday is Surf Prescriptions 25th Anniversary Surf Event Celebration. It’s gonna be held at Goldenwest Street at 7 a.m. with a few different divisions and tons of prizes. “Doc” Jeff Lausch has been shaping killer sticks for years and has lots of hot riders set up. And did I hear a possible after party, too?

See ya. Fig, over and out.