Quiksilver Pro: New training regime has Tweed product Josh Kerr ready to push up World Surf League rankings

JOSH Kerr has completed the first major pre-season preparation of his career in a bid to transcend his position as the World Surf League’s almost man.

Josh Kerr (AUS) in action at the Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks on Sunday. Picture: Jerad Williams

JOSH Kerr has completed the first major pre-season preparation of his career in a bid to transcend his position as the World Surf League’s almost man.

Tweed Coast product Kerr has long been regarded as one of the most talented surfers on tour, with his aerial game, in particular, breaking ground in competitive surfing.

But sick of being a top 10 tour finisher, Kerr has made a concerted effort this year to improve his condition to be in contention for the world tour marathon.

“This is probably my first real training I’ve done ever,’’ Kerr said.

“You hear that old saying hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

“I’ve been trying to run on talent for a few years now and now it’s time to start working hard and hopefully put it all together.

“I’m kind of sick of being right there around the No. 10 mark.

“I don’t want to look back in five years and have no excuses and have pushed it as hard as I can.

“No regrets.’’

Kerr certainly didn’t feel like a world beater on Friday though, when flattened by a stomach virus that almost prevented him from hitting the water.

“It smashed me just before lunchtime a couple of days ago just a few hours before I had to surf my first heat,’’ he said.

“It’s lucky it’s a quick one. Once I threw up I felt a lot better, just groggy for another 12-18 hours after that but by (Saturday) afternoon I was 100 per cent.

“If you had’ve asked me before I threw up if I was going to surf I would’ve said no way but then I threw up and got rid of the stomach cramps, so it was okay.’’

At 31, Kerr still believes his best is to come.

“I still feel like I haven’t done my best surfing yet and I’m very much a grom at heart, so I think I’ve just realised I’m in my 30s now and it’s time to pick up the pace,’’ he said.

Kerr picked up the pace yesterday, winning his heat to ensure he was not among those to be beaten in a day of upsets.

Newcastle rookie Ryan Callinan caused one of those when he knocked out former world title runner-up Jordy Smith.

Callinan took inspiration from world champion Adriano de Souza’s rousing speech at the World Surf League banquet on the Gold Coast last week.

“He basically said, ‘If I can win a world title, anyone can, so just go out there and do your best and anyone can win’,’’ Callinan said.

“That kind of put a little fire in me. I (thought), yeah, why can’t I win heats?

“It hit home pretty well.

“And I guess it’s similar for all the other rookies.’’

Lennox Head rookie Stuart Kennedy was one of the most notable, beating 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, while Hawaiian wildcard Sebastian Sietz beat Sunshine Coast world title hope Julian Wilson and American newcomer Connor Coffin beat Kai Otton.

Sponsor wildcard and occasional Gold Coaster Mikey Wright won his Round 1 heat to advance directly to Round 3 to be one of several rookies still in the mix for the Quiksilver Pro title.

Wright faces world champion de Souza in Round 3, while Callinan will take on defending Quiky Pro champion Felipe Toledo and Kennedy faces former world champ Gabriel Medina.

The event was put on hold for poor light last night with the final two heats of Round 2 still to run.