Roy Powers is feeling the joy of victory and the pain of defeat every step of the way on his rookie year on the WCT. Beating his fellow islanders and childhood friends and heroes Bruce and Andy Irons at some key locations has put more than a fl icker of hope in his ability. Can he rise to the occasions that will determine his future in the ultracompetitive world of pro surfi ng? One would have to surmise that if he can beat Brucey and three-time world champ Andy Irons, the answer is without any pretense, hell yeah!

If you believe there’s any truth to Bon Scotts rock’n’roll wisdom that, “It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock’n’roll,” then you will get a little appreciation of how hard it is to make it to the WCT and stay there. The WQS is a grueling process that has shattered many nerves and resolve for some surfers, while creating the pathway to competitive nirvana for others. Roy Powers has experience in both worlds and he undeniably wants to stay on the Dream Tour. And why wouldn’t he? He’s young, his surfi ng is razor sharp, and his mental toughness gets stronger with every heat. One thing is for sure: Roy hasn’t worked this hard, for this long, not to come up with the goods.

In all reality, his first year on tour is a very common scenario—suffering more losses than wins. In the long view it’s an evolving process that you can only learn by going though it. Roy’s learning the ropes of the WCT man-on-man competition, and he confesses it’s a different
animal all together. It is in his estimation the toughest, most fun and the most rewarding aspect of professional surfing.

So here’s the scenario: After four years of grinding it out on the WQS trail, he’s narrowed down the fi eld to 44. He’s taking notes and making a hit list. He is living his life for the next heat and is committed to two tours ’til the end of ’06. That’s okay because it’s just the way it has to be for now. Roy Powers knows that getting to the top isn’t easy—but it’s worth every fighting moment.

[Roy placed fi fth at the Quiksilver Pro in France beating Shaun Cansdell, Damien Hobgood and Danny Wills. He also placed second in the expression session in front of Kelly Slater and behind Pancho Sullivan.]

DG: What have you learned about the top 44 and the surfers on the ’CT?

Roy: There is a lot more to it than really good surfing. These guys’ preparation is no joke and they are the smartest guys in the water. They know every trick in the book. They know which waves to go on and when to put the pressure on. It’s really a mind game because everyone on the ’CT can win and surf so good or they wouldn’t be there. The bottom line is these guys are really good at making it happen at the right time.

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