Byron Bay’s Soli Bailey and Kyuss King are in Hawaii competing in the Qualifying Series Pipe Pro, a 3,000 level event.
Bailey is a former winner, taking out the prestigious event in 2017. But winning the Volcom Pipe Pro isn’t so much about points or prize money; it’s about respect and establishing a reputation at one of surfing’s most hallowed breaks.
The event includes 144 competitors on hand to vie for the prestigious title, and while Bailey will be one of the favourites King is at long odds to make the final.
For him it’s all about taking advantage of his top 100 ranking and getting the opportunity to snag a few bombs at one of the world’s most crowded and competitive surf breaks.
Soli and Kyuss are both seeded into the fourth round.
Lennox surfers
Lennox Head’s Stu Kennedy competed at the 2019 Carve Pro World Surf League Qualifying Series 1,000 rated event at Maroubra in his first competition after a serious injury that happened in Hawaii last season.
Kennedy showed some early form but was eliminated in the round of 32 after not completing several attempts at big airs.
He only had a couple of sessions back in the surf before the event and kept his expectations for success low but aims to be more prepared fro the higher-ranked QS events in the following weeks.
Lennox Head’s Mikey McDonagh and Jack Murray also competed but were eliminated in the round of 64.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
