In 1999, Cory Lopez was in Tahiti for the Gotcha Tahiti Pro. Surfing in Round One against Shane Powell, Lopez took off on a death or glory closeout barrel that ate him alive but also launched him into immortality. Lopez proved that a surfer could survive the worst that Teahupoo could dish out and that wave launched a thousand trips. One year later, Laird Hamilton towed into a wave even heavier than that, made it, and left the surfing world asking: "What could be heavier than that?"
Much of the XXL madness that has happened since goes back to Lopez. He wasn't the first to become famous for a wave he didn't make. Greg Noll became a legend for a wipeout at Makaha in 1969 and Jay Moriarity did the same thing at Mavericks in 1992. Two years later, Lopez won the Billabong Pro Tahiti and sealed forever the idea that surfers from the Gulf Coast had what it takes. In 2003, Cory repeated the 1999 “photo-op” and upped the ante a little by towing into a Monster wave (without straps) while warming up for the Billabong Pro. This heavily documented wave also earned him similar accolades and heaps of new respect, helping to lay aside any lingering doubts that his past exploits at Teahupoo were nothing more than a fluke.
Cory and his brother, Shea, grew up in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, a remarkably wave-less stretch of coast that tends to only get good surf when homeowners are putting up hurricane shutters and traffic is flooding out of town (or the odd winter cold front). Shea and Cory surfed when they could, skated and wakesurfed when they couldn't surf, and began competing in the ESA on the Atlantic side of Florida. Credit is also due their father, Pete, for his tireless effort to make sure his boys were surfing every weekend the East Coast had waves by repeatedly making the 3-1/2 hour trek each way. It soon became evident that the Lopez brothers had talent and moved to San Clemente as teenagers (under the mentorship of then sponsor Bob Hurley of Billabong USA), surfing good waves every day inspired by the brothers Beschen, Matt Archbold, Chris Ward and Pat O'Connell.
Cory made the World Championship Tour in 1997 and cemented his legend in 1999 with that Teahupoo death barrel. On the WCT, Lopez finished as high as third in the world in 2001 and that Teahupoo trophy from 2001 has a special place on his mantelpiece. Over the last few years, Cory has been the traveling companion/sparring partner of Andy Irons and was there by Andy's side, so to speak, when they both made the final of the 2006 Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters. In 2006, Cory also helped fulfill a long-time dream held by both he and his father by opening up Nekton Surf Shop in his hometown of Indian Rocks Beach.
Cory is presently traveling the globe in search of the next perfect barrel while residing in California between surf trips. Cory hopes to one day “retire” in a home he plans to build for himself on land he owns near Sebastian Inlet which is located on the side of Florida that has a bit more surf. A true country boy, Cory looks forward to the day when he can pull his fishing boat up to the back door. The next time Monster Hole gets 10 feet and gnarly, grab your binoculars and look for Cory. That could be him pulling in.
Cory’s reputation supersedes him and it’s a known fact he has a complete game, from new school to raw power. Cory Lopez is an athlete in every sense of the word and when it comes to surfing he can tackle anything the ocean can throw at him. He loves doing big air reverses in one foot slop and equally enjoys rushing death defying monsters at T`eahupoo. He is one of those surfers that likes gnarly conditions and thrives on the adrenaline that big spitting barrels provide... whether it’s Pipeline, Cloudbreak, or T’eahupoo. But on the other hand, rampy beach breaks equally entertain him. They provide a canvas where he can perform his ultra radical maneuvers which has captured the imaginations of so many.
Cory was raised on the lackluster waves of the Gulf Coast of Florida where he learned to generate speed on virtually anything. His approach to surfing is anything but reserved and his prevailing philosophy is to go big whenever the opportunity arises. His older brother Shea (also a top professional surfer) has always stoked the competitive heat, thus turning his natural ability into a blazing fire.
Life as a professional athlete is a life on the road, but Cory is always at home because he is adaptable in many different environments. The ocean has helped create that adaptability whether he is fishing, diving, or surfing. In many ways he is part fish. He loves to catch fish off his coastal home aboard his 21 foot boat. He is also an avid free diver that would just as well like to jump in the water and spear a big Mahi Mahi or any thing that is large and makes great table fare.
Competition-wise he is always one to watch, whether it’s puntable Lowers or grinding Pipeline. His surfing is so versatile and his results over the years have backed this up. He won T`eahupoo in 2001 and has also been photographed on the heaviest waves ever witnessed at T’eahupoo. He made semi’s at giant Cloudbreak and perfect Restaurants in 2005. He recently made the semi finals at the Bells Beach Easter Classic in 2005 and currently is in the top 10 of the WCT. His fan support shows by being voted in the top ten of the prestigious Surfer Poll Awards in the last five years. When he surfs, fans gather around because he is always exciting and entertaining. His showmanship is never in question and that is why he inspires so many people to reach for loftier heights.
Although Cory has a large fan base of admiring groms and adults alike, he is probably one of the biggest sports fans there is. He loves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When he is just kicking back after a surf there is nothing better for him than putting up his feet and watching Sports Center or whatever big game is on. He also admits that the moment he retirees from surfing (which is a long way off ) he is lacing up his shoes and getting on the court for some serious hoops. Cory is as solid as they come and is respected by his peers and the larger global surfing community and his surfing path is only gaining momentum.