Cory Lopez scores big win at surfing competition

SEBASTIAN INLET – Professional surfer Cory Lopez of Indian Rocks Beach emerged victorious from the 45-minute decider of the Jan. 6 Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro.

Lopez’s victory over world champion Kelly Slater in fun 2- to 4-foot Florida surf marks the second time in as many months that Lopez has beaten the six-time champion in professional competition.

Cory and his brother, Shea, who is also a professional surfer, learned to surf in Indian Rocks Beach and honed their skills during weekend trips to the East Coast with their father Pete, an avid surfer himself. Pete was on the beach to witness first hand Cory’s victory charge over Slater and the other finalists at Sebastian Inlet.

Cory and Shea Lopez are the only surfing siblings to ever win the U.S. Open of Surfing.

The victory over Slater will most assuredly give Lopez a huge confidence boost as he embarks on his 2005 World Tour campaign. Of course the $7,000 and the Personal Watercraft from SeaDoo doesn’t hurt either.

For more information on Cory and Shea Lopez, visit www.lopezbrothers.com.