Bacalso

"There's been all these stepping stones along the way and now, here I am," Bacalso said during the week in Torquay.

unknown title 2009

In his first year on the tour, Bacalso, also known as "Tank", is adapting to the ASP's new format, which seeds the top surfers from last year directly into round two.

unknown title 2009

"There's been all these stepping stones along the way and now, here I am," Bacalso said during the week in Torquay.

unknown title 2009

In the long waiting periods at the Bells Beach carnival, Bacalso has played golf, watched basketball and tried to stay focused on his next heat after downing Australian Ben Dunn in the opening round.

unknown title 2009

In the long waiting periods at the Bells Beach carnival, Bacalso has played golf, watched basketball and tried to stay focused on his next heat after downing Australian Ben Dunn in the opening round.

unknown title 2009

The transition to full-time professional competing against the best in the world sits comfortably with Bacalso, who admits to "partying a bit" after leaving high school and joining the WQS circuit.

unknown title 2009

Bacalso will battle trials winner and last Victorian standing Adam Robertson (AUS), 26, in Quarterfinal 3 when competition resumes.

Transworld Surf 2009

"Super stoked that the contest director moved the event down here," Bacalso said.

Transworld Surf 2009

The transition to full-time professional competing against the best in the world sits comfortably with Bacalso, who admits to "partying a bit" after leaving high school and joining the WQS circuit.

unknown title 2009

In his first year on the tour, Bacalso, also known as "Tank", is adapting to the ASP's new format, which seeds the top surfers from last year directly into round two.

unknown title 2009