Joan Duru Storms up to 4th on the WQS ratings!

After a string of fantastic results, Joan Duru, the young 20-year-old Frenchman is now placed 4th on the World Qualifying Series Ratings.  His recent 3rd place result at the O‘Neill CWC will count as part of his end of year tally, taking Joan a step closer to a slot on the Dream Tour. The 6 Star Prime Event gave Joan a precious 2625 points as well as $5000 prize money. The points may be more important than anything else as they take Joan a step closer to a slot on the ASP World Tour, the elite level of global surfing.  

The recent WQS event, the 12th so far this year, was held in the far North of Scotland and ran in notoriously testing conditions. The cold, heavy reef waves of Thurso, are a long way both literally and metaphorically from Joan’s home in SW France. 

Despite the wind and cold Joan performed well, scoring a 9-point ride in the quarters. He was winning his semi final for 29 of the 30 minutes, but made an error in the dying seconds, which cost him a finals place in his first 6 Star event. Trying to better his second score Joan let one wave go in the last second, which cost him severely. Joan describes it as “a hard learnt lesson” but undoubtedly will turn this tactical mishap into a positive.   Alongside his power surfing and growing confidence extra experience of life on the tour is only going to better an already polished surfing ability.

This result comes on the back of a string of great results. Joan hasn’t placed lower than 9th in a European event this year and is leading the ASP European Tour Ratings.
”That 3rd is a keeper and I am still happy with that run," says Duru. "I surfed well in the event, felt relaxed and confident and after winning the event in France and getting a 9th last week, I’ve done what I wanted to. I am glad to go home now and rest and spend time with my friends. That strong lead on the European ratings is good news as well and I’ll keep this somewhere at the back of my head because I would love to get that title."

Photo : Aquashot / ASP