MAN, THIS IS SURFING

SURFING’S brave new world has arrived – and the Aussies are loving it.

Gold Coast greats Mick Fanning (main picture) and Stephanie Gilmore (inset) helped their national team climb to second following the opening day of competition at the Founders Cup in the US.

Featuring man-made waves, the event has attracted headlines and a long list of star personnel.

AUSTRALIA’S star-studded five-person team are second after the opening day of action at the inaugural Founders’ Cup of Surfing on what’s been dubbed by officials as the “best man-made wave in history”.

The maiden two-day event at the artificial Surf Ranch in California produced numerous high-scoring rides on day one with Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning among those to crack the nine-point mark.

With 25 of the world’s top surfer in competition, Australia faces a stiff test from the USA, World, Brazil and Europe with only three of the five teams – consisting of three men and two women – progressing to the final.

Australia’s total of 75.82 points has them well placed to progress with Wright, Joel Parkinson and captain Stephanie Gilmore all having room top improve on their best scores, which will contribute to the team’s overall score.

“We still have a lot of room for improvement,” Fanning said.

“Parko’s (Joel Parkinson) getting rid of a three, so that’s a few more points there, he just couldn’t connect on the right.

“And we haven’t even seen Steph (Gilmore) dominate on the right yet, so I think she can get into those high 9s when she puts that right together.”

US lead the way on 80.83 with Kelly Slater, who helped finetune the technology, and Carissa Moore starring.