Inside the Tour with SA's Surf Ambassador - Travis Logie

The world of top level Pro surfing gets underway today with the Start of the Quiksilver Pro. With Jordy being our only surfer in the event and being hectically busy, I thought I would chat to long time WCT surfer, one of the only guys on tour to beat Slater and hopefully full WCT campaigner again soon, Travis Logie. He gives us the lowdown on the new tour format, Jordy and where local surfing is at.

The backhand Shralp that has defeated Champions. (Photo: ASP)

Kai - 

How many years have you been on tour now?

Travis - Been surfing professionally for for 13 yrs but been 100 percent touring for 9 years. 

Kai - 
What have been the major changes to the World Tour since you started?

Travis - 

Well back when I started events had 300 odd surfers in them , the heats were 20 mins long , 4 waves counted and the prize money for first place in CT was only USD15K! Now there's only 32 guys , 2 waves count in 30min heats and you win 75K usd.

Kai - 

What are your feelings on the new tour format?

Travis - 

I'm undecided , it's still a bit fresh to make a call, those round 4, 3 man heats kind of randomise the seedings which I don't know is such a great call. 

Kai - Its great that we have Jordy doing so well, but who are the guys 
that are going to step up for SA Surfing in the next few years?

Travis - 

I think Dale Staples , Shaun Joubert and Jacko could really end up having successful careers! They all have good technique and seem pretty focussed! Casey Grant has huge talent too, if he can channel it he will be a real force. 

Kai - We don't really have a Pro Tour locally anymore, and club surfing 
died a long time ago, how do we reinvent the system here? 

Travis - 

Money, someone needs to step up and sponsor some local events! And club events have died cause people don't really spend all day on the beach anymore. They drive down surf and drive home! I remember when everyone posted up for hours , I think its a crime thing. 

Kai - What are your feelings on bringing back Club Surfing in SA?

Travis - 

Its a must , its what got me and Jordy into competitive surfing and encourages beach culture! 

No one on tour wants to surf against Travis in Small rights! (Photo: ASP)

Kai - Your goals for 2011?

Travis - 

The first half of 2011 is all about making the cut! Second half I wanna do some damage on the CT 

Kai - 

Is this year for Jordy to become World Champ?

Travis - 

Jordys been surfing good enough to be world champ for 3 years! The only thing that has changed is experience, if he keeps managing his heats professionally he will be world champ! 

Thanks Travis. You can check out the start of the WCT at - Quik Pro 

Travis has defeated the biggest names in surfing, just check these two heats from last year's Rip Curl pro Portugal, where he smoked Dane and Mick!