Friday, 26 February 2010 00:00
ASP Banquet highlights (Don't miss Dane's speech)
Words Binnsie - Photos Ted Grambeau
Mick & Steph, together again.
And so begins ASP Banquet 2010. No whacky host this year (think The Price Is Right’s Larry Emdur in years gone by), just Martin Fucken Potter taking names, kicking arse and dishing out silverware. Awesome!
World Junior Champ Laura Enever, her beehive, her brother.
Who’s there? Everyone, they have to be, which makes me think that somewhere, someone’s lurking with a clipboard checking off names. “Wilkinson? Wilkinson. Has anyone seen Wilkinson?” The surfers get fined if they don’t show but of course they do, and this year the 45 even get goodie bags from Karissa Fanning and Yolanda Whitaker and their new business venture. Why wouldn’t the surfers rock up, the chicken and avo starter goes down a treat, the beef’s divine and as for the fish, wow.
Mick and his wife Karissa. "You forgot your tie again honey? Honestly!"
The night jaunts along as per usual, Pottz intros the winner, they come up as music pumps and video rolls. All’s great though there’s a few raised eyebrows as 19 year-old Coco Ho bowls up to the stage to collect Rookie Of The Year as Lily Allen sings cheerily about giving head. Dane Reynolds wins an award, which means we all win. After last years riot “I wanna thank the guy who made my suit, and everyone who’s looking at me now”, we're all expecting big things. “Aw man, I didn’t know about this, I was happy drinking beers and now I have to do this?” As for the Most Improved Award? “So you’re saying I sucked last year, and I don’t suck so much this year?” Genius.
Rookie of the year Coco Ho and pal, looking radiant.
Rookie of the Year Kekoa Bacalso is far from sympathetic for Dane’s plight. “This afternoon you were giving me a hard time for having to make a speech and then you had to do one yourself. It’s called karma buddy! But anyway, I wanna thank my parents for raising such a wonderful child.” Hilarity.
Joel Parkinson. Admirable in defeat and maker of a fine speech.
On the serious side of things Joel Parkinson gets the first standing ovation in the history of the Runner Up award, and is genuinely moved. “I wasn’t expecting that, thank you,” says Parko graciously, before talking about his mate Mick and predicting big things for surfing. “In a few years it could be two best friends from France fighting from the title. Pro surfing’s growing, and it’s great to be a part of it.” 
Kelly Slater and his lovely lady Kalani.
One thing that’s clear from the evening is the drive the surfers at the top have to improve their sport. Mick Fanning, in his title acceptance speech, talks of lifting the level of competition and welcomes this year’s rookies and the push they’ll bring. Stephanie Gilmore, on stage looking stunning and claiming the girl’s title for the third year in a row, speaks of the motivation that the big Australian Open cheque Serena Williams won a month ago gave her. ASP CEO Brodie Carr isn’t backward in coming forward about the hard times faced by the sport’s governing body, and one of the main agitators for change, Kelly Slater, is in attendance and graciously hands over the champ’s trophy to Fanning. “It means a lot, mate,” says Mick humbly. “You’re the pinnacle of our sport, the Everest, and have been since we were young. So, thank you.” 
Dan Ross claims the Qualifying Series.
And like that the formalities are pushed aside. Freshly crowned world junior champ Laura Enever, looking ten foot tall and bulletproof in her stilettos, makes a bee-line for the dancefloor, followed by Brazilians. The rest of the throng hit default mode, crowd the bar, and don’t leave till the taps are turned off. When the well runs dry the pack stagger south to Conrad Jupiters casino, hours after the Top 45 have gone to bed.
This morning the surfers are already napping after waves and brunch, while the industry sits dustily at their desks.
"Oh boy..." Dane Reynolds unexpectedly finds himself in the limelight.
The man that Mick Fanning predicts will be like Occy in a few years time, Kekoa Bacalso, claims Rookie Of The Year.
A Brazilian bottom at half-time.
Happy Gilmore and her triple title smile.
"Champions show themselves when times are tough, so thanks for the standing ovation." Joel Parkinson, all class.
"Nine-two mate, I'm coming back!"
Your new two-time world champion, Mick Fanning.
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I can see why Coco brought her though. She's not a tall chick, so standing with a mate who looks like she's about 2'8" was a good move.