The next installment of the World Tour is due to start at Lower Trestles in Southern California tomorrow, and sees O’Neill’s very own Jordy Smith going in to the event as top seed and current world number one. But even sitting in poll position, Jordy still has a long road ahead of him. All five of the world tour events this year have been won by a different surfer – Jordy and Kelly Slater among them – and Jordy is currently a slender 250 points ahead of Slater, who is hungry for his 10th world title.

To say that anything could happen at Trestles is an understatement… Trestles will suit Jordy’s surfing, with the A-frame beachbreak peaks and long right hand walls offering a similar canvas to his local beach, New Pier in Durban. The bowly sections and open walls of Trestles will allow Jordy to boost at will, and put his devastating forehand attack to good use.

Jordy Smith

Boosts like this will give Jordy the edge at Trestles. Photo © Barry Tuck

Slater, on the other hand, is returning to Trestles on the 20th anniversary of his explosion into pro surfing, when he won the Body Glove Surf Bout III at Lowers back in September 1990. The occasion, and his desire to win his 10th world title, will see him posing a major threat to Jordy’s aspirations. And then there are a myriad of other surfers to consider. Defending world champion Mick Fanning is yet to win an event this year, and last year saw him start his end of year charge to become world champ with a win at Trestles. Andy Irons announced his return to world surfing by winning at Teahupoo, and then there’s the new crew – Reynolds, Payne, Wright and Andre…

Naturally we’re rooting for Jordy, and think he’s definitely still the favourite to walk away with the title and extend his lead, but we decided it might be cool to catch up with Jordy in California and ask him who he sees as the big threats. So here’s Jordy’s list and what he says about them:

Dane Reynolds (USA)
“You never know what’s coming with Dane, so anything could happen when he hits the water at Trestles.”

Kelly Slater (USA)
“I think everyone knows why…”

Mick Fanning (Australia)
“Mick is just a contest machine! He’ll be hungry to defend his title, and after the comeback he launched last year you can never count him out.”

Jadson Andre (Brazil)
“Jadson can just boost huge air reverses all day long, and Trestles will provide him punt sections all over the show.”

Owen Wright (Australia)
“Owen has the most amazing repertoire of moves, and the long open walls of Trestles will allow him to dig deep into his bag of tricks.”

Here’s what www.GrindTV.com’s Chris Mauro has to say about the upcoming clash…

The forecast is looking promising for a Sunday morning start, so keep your eye on the ASP website and make sure you catch all of Jordy’s heats and support him on his bid for his first world title… Jordy will first hit the water in the fifth heat where he’ll take on wildcard Rob Machado and Kai Otton. Go Jord!!