Irons and Monteiro Win Foster's Expression Session, Billabong Pro Mundaka Set to Restart Tomorrow

Anticipation is beginning to
build at the Billabong Pro Mundaka as the first signs of the predicted new swell
began to show around lunchtime today.

After two days of the ocean laying dormant, spectators and competitors in the
event – the ninth of 11 of the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour – are now getting
excited by the notion that the rest of competition could very well restart
tomorrow at the famed long-walling left hander in prime conditions.

Today, however, organisers opted to move proceedings 15 minutes drive south to
the back-up venue of Bakio – an open beach break, which is more susceptible to
swell – where half to one metre peak waves were on offer.

But with consistency still being an issue, the remaining heats of round one were
put on hold while the Foster’s Expression Session took centre stage.

The sessions take place at all ASP top tour events and in the nominated time
frame, which today was 40 minutes, surfers are encouraged to execute futuristic
turns with cash prizes being awarded for the biggest aerial and the best overall
wave.

With the hope of grabbing the dollars a squadron of the sport’s biggest names
including Bruce and Andy Irons, Cory Lopez, Mark Occhilupo, Luke Egan, Troy
Brooks, Raoni Monteiro, Marcelo Nunes, and Adriano de Souza, just to name a few,
pushed the limits and put on a show that had the local crowd cheering loudly.

At the completion of the Foster’s Expression Session three-time former world
champion Andy Irons (HAW) claimed the prize for the biggest aerial and Raoni
Monteiro (BRA) took the cash for the best wave.

Organisers will reconvene tomorrow at 7.30am and conditions permitting will send
out the remaining heats of round one.

There is approximately three and a half full days of competition needed to
complete the event with the waiting period extending until October 14.

With that in mind, competition will only resume when waves are at a premium.