Damian King 

This is my favourite month of the year! As summer curves into autumn we feel the elements twist into what we love about winter and summer.

Well as some of you might be aware, my wife is pregnant. As her stomach develops so does the reality that I am going to have a baby. However setting up a nursery was another real "wow factor" to this milestone really eventuating.

Whenever any  of us go away there is always plenty to do when we get home. It happens every time, just when you think "how good it is to be home", you're swamped by a million little jobs which have been accumulating since you left.

You just can't pick it! I have spent the last five weeks in Hawaii, every time I surfed there I thought in the back of my head, "I could get hurt today".

Nothing beats getting home and going fishing with a couple of friends. In truth I have been home for a couple of days where I spent a bit of QT with my wife.

I have spent the last five weeks away and it was a great experience. I think it was quite a successful trip. I am sitting fourth on the World ladder, which is a big step up from 31 at the end of last year.

Out of every place I have been in the World I have never been blown away like I have been in Vegas. I had high hopes before I came to this renowned location, but I honestly didn't expect these hopes to be met, let alone exceeded.

Oh my head hurts! You're not going to get a lot out of me today as even breathing requires more energy than my body can produce.

Well they say there is NO place like Vegas, and they are absolutely right!

The contest will run tomorrow, 100% percent. The 9am hooter will be the start of my first heat. I have trained hard, feel good in my surfing and want to win more than I have in a long time.