Its been quite a while since former World Champion Sunny Garcia has entered the water to surf, let a lone compete at a Surfing World Championship Tour event. But yesterday marked Garcia’s return, taking to the water at Lower Trestles, California for the Boost Mobile Pro. Damien Hobgood forfeited his place in the elite 44 after suffering an injury, while surfing last week. The ASP, Boost Mobile and Hurley offered Sunny a wild card spot to compete in the 6th stop of the World Tour.

Perfect little 3 foot waves, rolled into the famous Californian point break, and while the sun shone and the crowds gathered, Sunny Garcia dominated his heat against the current ratings leader, Mick Fanning and Hawaiian power house Pancho Sullivan. Sunny’s extra power full style is not the most suited to the tiny waves on offer, but he was quick to pick up a set wave and destroy it as he worked down the line. A second set wave came in, not long after and once again, Garcia worked his way down the line, sending buckets of spray, much to the crowds enjoyment. With two impressive waves Sunny was out to a solid lead and for three quarters of the 30-minute heat, looked set to take a win in round one, which would have automatically advanced him into the third round. Unfortunately for Sunny, Mick Fanning picked up little right-hander that jacked up down the line. Fanning destroyed the wave, coming out the other end with the events highest single wave score, a 9.80 out of a possible 10. That one wave gave Fanning the edge and then the ocean went flat, not offering Sunny the waves needed to claw his way back to the front.

Sunny’s second place finish, in his first round heat means he has been seeded against fellow Hawaiian Andy Irons in the first heat of round two. The event is currently on hold for the day, a call will be made at 7.30am tomorrow to decide if competition will resume on Tuesday.