Hurley Australian Open Redux

With major points on offer towards the qualification campaigns for the 2015 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), an international array of battlers descended on Manly this week. Indonesia's Oney Anwar impressed.

Up-and-coming American Evan Geiselman finished Runner-Up at this event in 2012. The Floridian goofy-footer went down in a high-scoring affair against elite ASP Top 34 member Julian Wilson in Round 5.

Hawaiian Leila Hurst styled her way to an Equal 5th this week at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.

Inspirational Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton was in attendance this week in Manly, but struggled in the small surf. Hamilton finished Equal 37th place in her opening QS event of 2014.

Celebrated American Dane Reynolds was on hand to kickstart his 2014 qualification campaign. After wowing through the opening rounds of competition, Reynolds's run was cut short in Round 3 by Patrick Gudauskas and Bede Durbidge.

Mitch Coleborn barely missed out on qualifying for this season's elite ASP World Championship Tour. The near miss hasn't deterred the well-built goofy-footer, however, with Coleborn going down swinging with an Equal 9th.

Up-and-coming Hawaiian Joshua Moniz posted an Equal 9th in his first showing at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.

With the increase in swell came the rains, but that didn't stop the crowds from turning out to see some of the world's best surfers ply their trade in the heart of Sydney.

ASP WCT sophomore Filipe Toledo is coming off of an impressive rookie year amongst the world's elite. The young Brazilian looked on point this week in Manly before the start of the 2014 WCT season on March 1.

France's Maud le Car opened up her 2014 Qualification Series (QS) campaign with an Equal 3rd at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.

ASP Top 17 surfer Malia Manuel looked sharp this week in Manly. The young Kauaian surfed her way to an Equal 3rd.

Surfers go behind the scenes at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.

Brazilian Tomas Hermes has been traveling the QS for several years now and his experience and explosiveness showed this week as the natural-footer surfed his way to an Equal 3rd place finish.

French phenom Jeremy Flores is back this season with some new boards and a new approach. Known for his fearlessness in waves of consequence, the former Pipemaster was impressive in this week's small surf.

Californian Patrick Gudauskas sizzled all week in Manly and surfed his way to an Equal 3rd place finish.

Fellow San Clemente surfer and elite ASP Top 34 contender Kolohe Andino watched compatriot Gudauskas from home as the young Californian readied his quiver for the start of the 2014 ASP WCT season

Oahu's Alessa Quizon is on the eve of her maiden run at the elite ASP Women's World Championship Tour, and if her performance in Manly this week was any indication, the ASP Top 17 better be on alert. Quizon finished Runner-Up.

Reigning two-time ASP Women's World Champion Carissa Moore was unstoppable this week in Manly, surfing faster, sharper and more progressive than the rest of the field.

Carissa Moore picking up where she left off in 2013. Was her performance at Manly a shot across the bow for what's to come on the 2014 ASP WCT season.

Julian Wilson finished 6th on the elite ASP WCT in 2013. The Sunshine Coaster was on point all week in Manly, consistently racking up high scores with precision, power and progression.

Brazilian phenom Adriano de Souza was unstoppable this week at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing. The powerful natural-footer surfed with more focus, speed and power than his peers and looks dangerous heading into the start of the 2014 season.