MARGARET RIVER BOARDRIDERS

“Surfing the South-West”

Surf 

Big dreams for local pro

20 March 2007

Tom Innes has a battle ahead of him in the 2007 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, but the Margaret River surfer reckons he has the fire to get him through to the finals of the blue ribbon event, the men's open. Innes, 24, will start the competition in round 192.

``It means I have to surf about 10 heats to make the finals,'' Innes said. ``It will be pretty tiring. I'll have to be focused for the whole week, have the right equipment, a few back-up boards in case something breaks.'' 

Innes is aiming high for the Pro this year. He wants to better his 2006 fourth place finish which was hard-fought against big name surfers Mark Occhilupo, Rick Basnett and Jake Patterson.  

Innes will come into the Pro after a series of disappointing near-misses on the world surfing program that included a fifth place at the Sri Lankan Airline Pro in the Maldives last year.  

``It's frustrating to make it to the finals only to lose,'' Innes said, ``but I'm all fired up to win one this year.'' 

Born and raised in Margaret River, a surfboard has been part of Innes's life since he was a baby. His biggest win to-date was in front of a home crowd at the 2002 Margaret River Classic, when he was the event's youngest ever winner.  

``Surfing in front of a home crowd makes me try harder. It's good to have the support of friends and family,'' he said.  

Innes has also won State titles and has been busy working his way around the world tour, competing in as many WQS events as possible.  

``I'd like to compete in all the ones I need to qualify,'' the young surfer said.

This article was provided courtesy of the Capes Herald.