Boost Mobile next surf competition for O’Connell

Mike Sciacca

An incredible, month-long stretch of summertime professional surfing

on the local scene will reach it climax Thursday (Sept. 4) when the

Boost Mobile Pro of Surf Presented by Quiksilver touches down at

Lower Trestles in San Clemente.

The only World Championship Tour event in North America runs

through Sept. 13.

It is the seventh leg of the 12-round World Championship Tour.

Laguna Beach’s Pat O’Connell is one of the 2003 World Championship

Tour’s top 45 athletes competing at the event that also will feature

three wild card competitors.

O’Connell previously competed at the U.S. Open and X Games, The

Game, surf events held at the Huntington Beach Pier.

“These are three big-time events,” O’Connell said after competing

at the Aug. 9 X Games surf event. “These events have really brought

great attention to the sport of surfing. The Boost Mobile will once

again showcase the WCT’s best.”

Among the other key competitors vying for the Boost Mobile title

are six-time world champion Kelly Slater and reigning world champion

Andy Irons.

Slater currently sits in second-place behind Irons, who has won

three World Championship Tour events this year, in the tour

standings.

Other competitors include defending Boost Mobile champion Luke

Egan, former world champion Mark Occhilupo and young guns Mick

Fanning and Joel Parkinson.