Enter a world of magic and mystery, in my own head, where surfing and snowboarding are considered real jobs! Amazing feats of daring and skill are performed every day - and that's just getting the footage onto film!
Media anarchist, film guru, surf addict and web video blogger!
Mick Fanning may have won in 2012, but it was "that air" by Kelly Slater in the final we all remember. (Photo:ASP)
52 Years of iconic contest surfing starts up again tomorrow with the start of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. Stop 2 of the World Tour gets underway in small conditions with the forecasters calling epic conditions for the Easter Weekend, just in time for droves of fans to line the point at Bells.
That man Kelly Slater is in the number 1 slot once again, with Joel Parkinson breathing down his neck. Mick Fanning as defending champion will also be a major threat and after watching his turns at Snapper, you best believe that if Bells is big, Jordy Smith will be taking names! Dust Payne has just come off a win at Margaret River and that confidence may well see his best result on tour happening at Bells. Julian Wilson was also in that final and will be feeling good. Dark horses in my opinion will be Kohole Andino and Philipe Toledo.
Anything can happen at Bells though, so look forward to an exiting event!
Mikey February was on fire with the highest heat score of the event in the semi-finals & the U20 Win. (Photo: Stix)
Pro Surfing is all about rivalries and on the local Pro Junior PST Tour we are now looking at a absolute banger in the Under 20 Boys Division. Dylan Lightfoot won by a whisker at the Billabong Pro Junior in Durban, while Michael February fought him off with some world class surfing here in Jbay. Both of these surfers have a well rounded bag of tricks, both remind me of current World Tour Champions in style and outlook and both are hungry for victory both locally and abroad. The Tour heads to East London in 2 weeks time for the 2nd Billabong Pro Junior and I cannot wait to see how this battle unfolds.
Spare a thought though for the silent assassin who missed out in Durban and did not find the waves in this event. Slade Prestwich is a big kid and has all the pedigree to challenge for the Tour Title. Along with David Brand and Max Armstrong, who was looking incredible through the first 2 days before having to leave for a family emergency. (We hope all is well with Armstrong Family.)
Emma Smith, the local girl with all the knowledge of the surf break at the Point, as well as some huge support from the local crowd, was always in my mind going to win the premier girls division.
My big surprise and probably also for the guys in his division was local kid, Rewaldo Abersalie. Coming through the development and grass roots programs in Jefferys Bay, he blazed the Under 14 Final with some quality surfing on his backhand. This kid is worth keeping an eye on!
All in all it was a great event, with some really good waves on the final day. RVCA did an excellent job of their first Pro Junior event and I am confident that this is the start of a long running competition.
RVCA Junior Series – Results
U20 Boys
1. Michael February (Kommetjie) 12.85 (Tied – count back to best ride – 8.25 vs. 7.0)
2. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) 12.85
3. David Brand (Kommetjie) 12.50
4. Slade Prestwich (Durban North) 9.75
U20 Girls
1. Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay) 13.25
2. Nicole Pallet (La Lucia) 11.25
3. Tahra Uren (Jeffreys Bay) 7.50
4. Nikita Kekana (Kalk Bay) 6.85
U16 Boys
1. Steff Burrows (Stellenbosch) 12.0
2. Sebastian Williams (Mexico) 11.25
3. Adin Masencamp (Strand) 10.20
4. Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie) 7.75
U16 Girls
1. Anoush Zakarian (Melkbosstrand) 13.0
2. Ashleigh Vaughan (Port Elizabeth) 8.50
3. Kayla Verreynne (Mossel Bay) 6.25
4. Robin van der Merwe (Port Elizabeth) 5.60
U14 Boys
1. Rewaldo Abersalie (Jeffreys Bay) 13.50
2. Adin Masencamp (Strand) 11.50
3. Sebastian Williams (Mexico) 7.50
4. Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) 6.50
U12 Boys
1. Saxton Randall (Durban) 14.10
2. Max Elkington (Hout Bay) 11.35
3. Karl Steen (Morningside) 10.65
4. York van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) 10.25
U10 Boys
1. James Ribbink (Durban North) 10.50
2. Christian Venter (Melkbosstrand) 9.50
3. Alex Townsend (Cape Town) 5.65
4. Viviers Strydom (George) 2.60
Fly Away Award
Michael February (Kommetjie)
On Fire Awards
Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie)
Adin Masencamp (Strand)
Carve Award
David van Zyl (Glenashley)
Highest Heat Score
Michael February (Kommetjie) – 19.50 out of 20 in U20 boys semi-final
The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.
The waves were tiny, but the Under 20's were still ripping! (Photo: Stix)
It was a tough day for the Groms with small, small waves at the Point in Jbay, but that did not stop the kids from ripping. We saw the first Round of the big lads and Mikey February and Max Armstrong were my pics in the first round. The Under 14's scored for their Quarter Finals as the swell picked up and glassed off towards the end of the day. Check out the Day 2 video...
The RVCA Junior Series got under way yesterday with Day 1 action. The waves were small but the groms were caning it. My stand outs for the day were little girl ripper Kai Woolf, Max Elkington and Simo Mkize from Umzumbe. Check the video out...
Ford van Jaarsveldt working the small waves. (Photo: Stix)
Keep an eye on this gal! Kai Woolf ripping the Point. (Photo: Stix)
Empty Perfection amongst the madness! (Photo: Dunbar)
Its a dredging sandbank in the heart of the chaos that is the Gold Coast. It's bred multiple world champions and countless super stars. The day after the Quiksilver Pro it turned on for the many that had been waiting and what a show it was...
The guy may not love contests or want to win a world title, but he surfs some truly inspirational lines. I just love how Dane surfs! The kook wipeout parade at the start also nearly made me crap my pants I laughed so hard. Enjoy...
Flatland BMX is a little forgotten here in South Africa. In Europe and America it still has a strong following though and one of the mega stars is this man, Terry Adams. Check out some of his signature moves in slow motion, its a wonder to watch!
What these guys are doing absolutely defies description. I would absolutely be crapping my pants, not laughing and smiling as you fly 20m above the ground threw pockets of trees. Believe me this is the best 16 minutes of your week!
The man has moves unlike any other! (Photo: Red Bull)
There has been a lot of banter and speculation on Jordy Smith the last few months and the tight loss to good mate Travis Logie at Snapper Rocks just added fuel to the fire. The bottom line is the man does rip hard, whether he gets a world title or not! So just sit back, drop your jaw and be amazed!
Eventual winner, Ben Hennon from the UK. (Photo: Red Bull)
Take a handfull of International BMX stars, some serious local talent and throw them in a huge canal/ditch in the baking summer sun in the middle of nowhere, some 2.5 hours drive from Cape Town and what do you get? One of the most awesome BMX events in the history of the game!
I missed it this year, but lucky for those of us who did, there is an awesome video to check out!
Mark Mathews on his way to a royal hiding in Oz. (Photo: O'neill)
Every year Surfline puts together a compilation of the worst wipeouts in surfing. This year was no different and there are some real cringers in there! Nice to see Grant Twig baker representing for the Saffa contingent...
Joel Parkinson showing his feelings for the Priority System in the Final. Kelly just smiles! (Photo: ASP)
I, like many out there, thought this was the year it was going to happen. The year that the old guard finally stepped aside as the wealth of new pumped up youngsters took control of their destinies and the World Tour. The old boys pretty much just bitch slapped that idea though. Kelly Slater glides to the final where he showed he sill has the surfing and the mental game to win, taking out crowd favorite and current World Champion, Joel Parkinson. The photo above shows the defining moment with Joel deep in a Kirra pit, but Kelly had priority and he used it. Sly old bastard!
These two were joined by Mick Fanning in the semi finals along with semi youngster Bourez. But where were Jordy Smith, John John, Medina and company? After a banging start Jordy lost to good mate and constantly overlooked Saffa, Travis Logie - will Jordy pick himself up and cane Bells? You tell me. John John cracked his ankle skating on a layday. Medina fumbles and the only guy of the new class to get anywhere was Julian Wilson, with a little support from Matti Wilko.
Bottom line - the old goats are not going anywhere! See ya at bells.
Markus Phitides charging the hole at his Cape home Break. (Photo: Seth Phitides)
The local Bodyboard crew have been having one of the best summers in living memory in Cape Town. Even with the sub zero water and large predators at hand, it is hard not to love our cold water wonderland when huge tubes are on offer weekly. The waves have been so good from Llandudno to the Tand, that the boys have put together a new 2013 video, so check out the teaser...
Well she definitely soars like a Hawk and aint scared of jumping off of very high places. Meet Roberta Mancino, wing suit flyer, base jumper and the lady likes to swim with sharks now to. She also does not mind getting her kit off for the cameras boys, just google...
I have spent time with both these guys and they are constantly smiling, happy and stoked to be riding! Meet two of South Africa's premier wakeboarders and wakeskaters, Dylan James Mitchell and Dale Nieuwstad. Filmed around South Africa with their Spanish friend in tow, this gives a good vision of who they are, where they come from and how they ride!
Tyler Wright has been caning the women's Pro Tour, including winning the season opener at Snapper Rocks this month. But it was the footage from this session at the infamous P Pass that really got my attention. The wave is big, super hollow and runs like a freight train. No problems for this gal, with brother Owen shouting support, she charges some monster pits!
Spex throwing down for Team Saffa and retaining his Pipe DK Title.
The
Dropknee division featured a hotly contested final, taken out by South
African Sacha Specker, defeating Hawaiian wave wizard and multiple DK
World Champion, Dave Hubbard in second, Australia's multi talent Dave
Winchester in third and Peruvian powerhouse and 2010 DK World Champion,
Cesar Bauer in fourth to claim his second IBA Pipeline Pro DK victory.
Specker
had a solid lead early in the final, but Hubbard and Winchester managed
to find some excellent barrel rides to keep them in contention. Although
Bauer never really found his rhythm during the final, he put on a
show-stopping performance, pulling into big barrel over the shallow
backdoor reef, keeping the beach spectators cheering on the edge of
their seats. Hubbard made a last ditch effort in the last five minutes
of the final, but it was speaker who managed to hold onto poll position.
Ben Player (AUS) has taken out the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge in pumping 8-10 foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline today, defeating defending champion, Jeff Hubbard (HAW) in second, Pierre-Louis (FRA) in third and multi talented Dave Hubbard (HAW) in fourth in the dying minutes of the final.
Player posted an excellent score of 8.75 early in the final for a deep set wave barrel on a left and finished it off with a looping roll. Hubbard answered back with a 7.75 and a 7.2 for two deep back to back barrels on draining left handers. The Frenchman and Dave Hubbard both managed to post a good score each 7.38 and 6.25 respectively, but were unable to lock in substantial second scoring rides. With only two minutes remaining, Player was searching for a 6.21 or better to take out the final. Scooping into a heaving Pipe set wave, the Australian negotiated his way through a long barrel and topped the wave off by launching an invert off the closeout to earn himself 7.38 out of a possible 10 points, rocketing him into first place as the buzzer sounded the end of the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipeline Pro.
Victorious, Player was carried up the beach to the podium by good friends and past Pipe Champions, Ryan Hardy and Andrew Lester, accompanied by a cheering crowd of Australian supporters.
Player has been competing in this pipe event for the past 19 years, claimed two world titles, and has several grand slam victories under his belt, but until today has never been able to claim a victory at the infamous Banzai Pipeline.
When does an act become art? This question is raised every time I see Kilian Martin skate. The guy has taken skateboarding into the land of the surrealist with incredible feats of trickery blended with both great film work and audio accompaniment. Just sit back and allow the vision to take hold...
Dylan Lightfoot soars to victory in both the /18 and /20 Finals.
What a great event and weekend in Durban with Wok and the Groms! Warm water, super fun little waves and some incredible surfing from the SA juniors. Big ups to Bos for supporting SA surfing. I got to spend some quality time with the Billabong team and all I can say is that the future for South African surfing is bright!
Billabong
Junior Series (Event #1 of 4)
New
Pier, Durban
Results
U20
Boys
1. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) R10 000
2. Michael February (Kommetjie)
3. Mickey Venter (Durban)
4. Dane Staples (St Francis Bay)
U20
Girls
1. Heidi Palmboom (Bluff)R10 000
2. Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay)
3. Nicole Pallet (Durban)
4. Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach)
U18
Boys
1. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay)R5 000
2. Max Armstrong (Scarborough)R900
3. Ethan Pentz (Kalk Bay)R600
4. Justin Sykes (Salt Rock)R500
U18
Girls
1. Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach)R5 000
2. Nicole Pallet (Durban)R900
3. Tahra Uren (Jeffreys Bay)R600
4. Caryn McNicol (Scottburgh)R500
U16
Boys
1. Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay)R5 000
2. Tim Baard (Jeffreys Bay)R900
3. Jerry van Wyk (Jeffreys Bay)R600
4. Donovan Wichmann (Marina da Gama)R500
U14
Boys
1. Koby Oberholzer (Durban)R2 500
2. Adin Masencamp (Strand)R450
3. Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie)R300
4. Rewaldo Abersalie (Jeffreys Bay)R250
U14
Girls
1. Kai Woolf (Jeffreys Bay)R2 500
2. Olivia Izzard (Durban)R450
3. Sophie Bell (Durban)R300
4. Kirsty McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay)R250
U12
Boys
1. Max Elkington (Hout Bay)R2 500
2. Saxton Randall (Durban)R450
3. Tide Lee Ireland (Durban)R300
4. Angelo Faulkner (Jeffreys Bay)R250
VonZipper Flair Up Award– Best Aerial manoeuvre
Diran
Zakarian (Melkbosstrand)R10 000
DaKine Youthful Movement
Award –
Most progressive surfing
Shane
Sykes (Salt Rock)R10 000
Nixon Winner Takes
All (WTA) – Highest heat total
Kai Woolf (Jeffreys Bay) – 19.40 (10.0 + 9.40)
out of 20 – Custom engraved Nixon Watch
