Posted on: Friday, January 7, 2005

Backdoor Shootout draws top surfers

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The winter surfing season is far from over.

The Triple Crown of Surfing and the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational were completed in December, but one of the favorite events for professional surfers is expected to begin this weekend.

Da Hui Backdoor Shootout will run on the best four days between today and Jan. 14 at the Banzai Pipeline.

Some of the world's best surfers have stayed on O'ahu's North Shore for an extra few weeks to enter the Backdoor Shootout, including three-time world champion Andy Irons, his younger brother and Eddie Aikau Big Wave champ Bruce Irons, six-time Triple Crown champ Sunny Garcia, six-time former world champ Kelly Slater and recent Pipeline Masters winner Jamie O'Brien.

"This is one of the best events out there," said Wai'anae's Garcia. "There's good prize money, there's a good format, and there's usually good waves."

The Backdoor Shootout is praised by surfers for several reasons:

• No-elimination format.

Each surfer will get to compete in the same number of heats. The winner will be the surfer who gets the best waves from any heat, on any day.

"Because of the criteria, you can really go for broke," said defending champion Pancho Sullivan. "The only way to win this contest is to go for perfect 10s. It's not like a heat situation where you're just trying to beat the guy next to you and advance. In this contest, you're trying to get the best waves possible because every good wave is going to help you win, whether it's the first day or the last day."

• Prize money.

The winner of the Backdoor Shootout will receive $45,000, the runner-up will get $35,000 and third place will get $25,000, making it one of the most lucrative surfing contests in the world.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational awarded $55,000 to its champion, and is the only surfing contest with a larger first-place check.

"If you can win this contest, you can put a down payment on a house," said Billabong coach Rainos Hayes.

• Team format.

The only way surfers can participate in the Backdoor Shootout is if they are selected to be part of a "team."

Various surfing companies pick four surfers to represent their label in the contest. Andy Irons, for example, is the top seed for Billabong.

"You want to win it as an individual," said Garcia, who will represent Da Hui. "But there's also a team pride that you don't see at other events. It makes it kind of neat to cheer for your teammates."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.