February ready for WSL call-up
Some clever foresight has late replacement Michael February well prepared to take the World Surf League chance offered to him in the wake of Kelly Slater's withdrawal.
The South African learnt of his injection into Gold Coast's Quiksilver Pro second round after Slater officially pulled the pin on Monday morning.
The 11-time world champion had skipped his first round heat on Sunday and, despite having the option of surfing in round two, resisted the temptation of competition as he continues his recovery from foot surgery.
His absence allows February an early chance on the tour, with the Cape Town talent set to replace Mick Fanning on tour once he retires at Bells Beach later this month.
But the 24-year-old hasn't been caught out by his premature promotion, revealing an impromptu trip to Coolangatta earlier this year had him well prepared for a sudden death second round clash with Australian Matt Wilkinson.
"I came for the last really good swell (in late January), spent a bit of time and in the back of my mind I knew there was a slight chance I could get into this event so mentally I was semi-preparing for it," he said.
"It's not a nice thing (replacing an injured surfer), you don't hope for it but it's going to happen and you try and just look at the opportunity instead of the injury."
With surfing likely to go ahead on Tuesday, two-time defending world champion John John Florence will open proceedings against Mikey Wright in the first heat.
Australian veteran Joel Parkinson and Brazilian duo Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Souza will also be in sudden death heats after losing their round one contests on Sunday.
