1) Jason Penning
Boring but effective. Well at least that is the expectation. He has 2 1/2 moves and in theory they are functional. A Snap, a Floater and 1/2 of a cutback. His style differentiates him (he has a little) and expectations of consistent top 3 finishes has Yari and his smoking buddies talking. However, the biggest disappointment on tour so far this year invites more question than answers. Unless Mike can get on the podium, there'll be no challenge to that quarterfinal finish that he posted in the NSSA College Series back in '92. Yeah, he's faced the Doonan's in competition, but that was a different millennium and he gets little credit for those faded memories. He's still leading the power rankings, even if the judges fall to sleep before he finishes his ride, chances are that he'll finish it.2) Mike Olson
The anti-Jason. Consistency is his weakness, style his Achilles' heel. Yeah, he has added a weak open face frontside hack to his repertoire recently, but in clean rippable waves, he is yet to prove himself. Reports have him pulling off a big move or two during free surfs, but we are yet to see him link anything together on the contest circuit. When you see him drop into a long clean wall, do your best to not visibly wince as he dissects it with a machete. But, don't underestimate him, he may post a score or two if he manages to chew on a wallet long enough to ride one to the beach even if the epileptic seizure is most deserving of the credit.3) Tom Lavia (No Photo Available at Time of Press) - the darkhorse, the wild card... This could all change with one heat. Tom's talent is known, but questions remain. Will his free surfing skill translate into success on the big stage? He likes to go for it, but pulling the big move and wrapping it with some functional surfing for solid points is unlikely according to "people in the know". Yeah, going into the ponto contest, he should have home court advantage, which argues for a higher ranking, but there is too much unknown. For instance, he lives 15 feet from the beach but all sightings have him hanging with the Jars of O-town. Why is this? Can he not generate speed on his own? Is the "3-to-the-beach" in is vocabulary? Can he stick the big move? More questions than answers at this point. His lame excuse for missing the deadline to sign up has him relegated to chancing a beach-entry. We'll wait to see if he shows before reassessing.
Recent News:
In a surprising move, Jason has opted to head to Mexico with his friends from his old work. He'll probably get waves, but at a high cost. This is how it breaks down... Mike Olson 833 vs. Jason Penning 1370 points. The minimum point total for showing up (assuming 18 surfers) is going to be 620. Jason's absence certainly heats up the two man race. 833 + 620 = 1453 after this event assuming Mike earns a last place finish. Reports lately are that Mike has been surfing shitty, so that might be a good assumption! This is setting up a for a classic showdown in Pismo 2 weeks from now as Mike goes head-to-head with his nemesis (they'll carpool but conversation will be kept at minimum). The wild card is Tom Lavia, who will likely make his first appearance on tour with home court advantage (ponto is his home break). He will not likely be a factor down the stretch but would certainly pounce at the opportunity to serve as a spoiler. Taking Mike or Jay out of a competition is certainly top of mind for him. At an infantile 34, he has the a lot of energy and staying fit by chasing around 2 kids all the time may prove to be a key to his prospects on tour this year even if he is unable to make all the events.
My side is splitting!
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