Class, courage from Dean Bowen

GERROA’S Dean Bowen qualified for the final 16 of the Von Zipper Trials for the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupoo on Monday.

Bowen, 16, has slipped through four consecutive heats despite monstrous waves at one of the world’s most feared and respected breaks.

Showing class beyond his years and courage beyond belief, Bowen jumped on a heaving set wave in the dying stages of his Monday heat today to edge Tahitian duo Niuhi Marere and Tehina Temorere and seal second place behind Hawaii’s Danny Fuller.

“I just got my score on my last wave but I was getting really hassled in that heat,” Bowen said.

“Danny is one of the best surfers out at Chopes so it was good being out there with him.

“I don’t really care how I go, my mates at home thought I would do good, but I’m just doing my thing so we’ll see what happens in the end.”

The Teahupoo event is a qualifying event for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, which is scheduled to start on May 8.

Bowen is no stranger to the Teahupoo break – he spent three weeks in Tahiti during the 2007 trials.

Bowen lost his first heat to 2004 Pipeline Masters Champion Jamie O’Brien.

However, in rounds two and three, Bowen outclassed his opponents by recording 8.0 and 9.0 rides to advance to round four.

Two wildcards from the event are awarded into the Billabong Pro, with 40 international surfers competing against 40 Tahitian locals for spots in the ASP World Tour event.