The event's No. 1 seed, Teale Vanner has never surfed Lances' or even travelled to the Mentawai Islands so he is extremely excited at the prospect of finally surfing in this mecca, particularly with only three other surfers out.
"I'm really keen to get over there as this will be my first time," Vanner said. "When you grow up watching all the best surfers in the world doing endless trips to the Mentaiwai's you know it's one place you have to tick off the bucket list. Lances is honestly No. 1 on my list of Mentawai's waves to surf, so hopefully I make a few heats and get my desired quota."
Growing up surfing the remote, hollow waves of South Australia, Vanner, who is returning from injury, is known for his composure and style in the tube. This was rewarded with his a 3rd place finish at the Cloud Nine Cup in the Philippines last year. This was his best QS result and at a fairly similar wave to Lances.
"My love for getting barrelled is my advantage. The biggest challenge I find surfing in hollow waves, is not getting too greedy and getting swallowed by the foam ball."
"My love for getting barrelled is my advantage. The biggest challenge I find surfing in hollow waves, is not getting too greedy and getting swallowed by the foam ball."
I injured myself a week before the WQS run through Australia with a high ankle sprain. It's been almost three months and I'm getting my mojo back. It really woke me up to how much I need surfing in my life."
