Record to Robinson

Margaret River surf prodigy Jack Robinson has had an early Christmas present, scoring the highest-ever total at the Sunsets surf break to qualify for the 2020 World Surf League Champion Tour.

Surf bible Beach Grit likened Robinson’s win to the Second Coming due to the surfer’s December 27 birthday and “tearing the rest of the field to shreds” with his score of 19.07 in competition on Tuesday — the highest ever total for a Vans World Cup event.

The win in Hawaii confirms Robinson’s status as an up-and-coming world tour threat.

WSL media said the key element to Robinson’s success was the selection of “choice barrels” allowing the best final score in more than 40 years.

“I was on point,” Robinson said.

“We’re ready. It was a while coming. A lot of build-up to this. I felt like I wanted to get on (the CT) earlier, but it happens when it happens. Time is the owner of it sometimes.

“Been working really hard this year clearing things up in my mind and I’m in a good place. I’m ready.”

Organisers said Robinson found barrels by design and went to work early, “only to throw away 7-point rides for near-perfect 9s”.

With 15 minutes left in the 35-minute heat, Robinson hunted a gem and stalled to maximise his time in the tube for a 9.40 to combo the field.

Straight offshore easterly winds groomed Sunsets’ barrel section as the north swell delivered waves in the 6-8ft. range and Robinson went on to post a 9.67 for a powerful turn in the pocket followed by another throaty barrel.

He made a statement by absolutely dominating the field with the event’s highest single-wave score, heat total, and the win, WSL said.

“I’ve been surfing out here a long time, I don’t know, maybe Sunset just threw me a lucky charm,” he said.

“That’s how I wanted a final to come together. I feel like I built up this whole time, I wasn’t really surfing my best the whole time and then when the sections came, then I did what I could.

“I did the best I could for that wave so I felt like I peaked at the right time.”

Robinson reportedly picked up $30,000 for the victory as well as 10,000 tour points, elevating him to fifth position on the qualifying series circuit.