JORDY Lawler was packing his boards into his car and making breakfast plans following a pre-dawn surf at Hawaii's famous Pipeline when the phone rang. "You're in the Pipe Pro. Heat two, see you there," he was told.
The North Narrabeen goofy-footer took a minute to digest the stunning and unexpected news before hasty preparations began for the biggest moment of his professional career.
Lawler, who is on a self-funded trip to Hawaii to gain some experience at the north shore's famous breaks, was called up as an injury replacement when good mate Liam O'Brien injured himself free surfing on the morning of the event.
Ranked one slot out of automatic qualification for World Championship Tour events, Lawler is one of the first cabs off the rank if there's a withdrawal.
"Lucky I packed the car thinking I was a chance of getting in otherwise I would have been under prepared," he told Inside Back from Hawaii.
"If someone gets injured or sick I'm a chance to get a call up, but I didn't have much time to get ready once the call came through. Hawaii is one of those places where you can never have enough experience out in the water so going there is a way to improve my surfing and if I got a call up to an event that would be a bonus."
Lawler finished third in his first-round heat, surfed in what locals have described as the best conditions ever seen for a Pipe Masters, and was eliminated next round.
But he departed with reputation enhanced.
The picture of the 26-year-old on one of the waves of the day - featured on this page - was one of the standout moments of a contest that will be forever remembered for Kelly Slater's epic win in the week of his 50th birthday.
"When I put the (contest) rashie on I wasn't going to hold back. If any decent wave came to me I was going," Lawler said.
"I didn't really care how big the wave (in the photo) was but I knew if it was my turn to go. These opportunities don't come around very often and I knew a lot of people were watching. It was very exhilarating paddling into those waves, a real high."
Lawler will remain in Hawaii to continue his education and hopefully gain a start at this week's Hurley Pro at Sunset.
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