Billabong Pro Tahiti, Round 1, with Craig Jarvis

Jordy Smith proving he is ready to take on Teahupoo? (Photo: ASP)

What a great start to the Billabong Pro in Tahiti. After finding out that Bobby Martinez had gone awol once again, our very own, Travis Logie got the call to head over from France. He had slept 3 hours, been travelling for 26 hours and still managed to paddle out and win his Round 1 heat with one of the highest heat scores of the day. Jordy also won his Round 1 heat, so good results for SA. Now the forecast is showing a massive swell on the way for Round 2 and many of the world's Pro's Sphincters must be tightening at the thought! Go Saffers! Our good mate, Craig Jarvis is on the ground in Tahiti, lets check what he had to say about Round 1:

The World expects a lot from Julian Wilson and he showed why in Round 1 (Photo: ASP)

Inspiring surfing, magnificent waves and the promise of massive waves coming. These were what everyone was talking about on the first day of surfing at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. In perfect six-foot sets the best surfers in the world commenced to show the assembled judges and the spectators glued to their webcasts all over the world why they are just that – the best surfers in the world. Excellent rides were ridden throughout the day, and high scores filled up the scoreboards.

Jordy Smith paddled out and once again made it very clear that he is resolutely on a world title campaign. Jordy was all over the set waves in his heat against the two Brazilians Ricardo dos Santos and Raoni Monteiro. Surfing with confidence in amongst the perfect barrels Jordy racked up a 7.43 as well as a 7.93, to put him into first place ahead of dos Santos and Monteiro, and putting him straight into round three and thus missing the elimination round 2 entirely. Pulling into perfect barrels with confidence and ease, Jordy was showing his excitement in the water, and is amping for the swell that is approaching.

“I’ve been here most of the day and I’ve just been psyching to get out there,” Smith said. “It’s so much fun – just perfect, blue barrels. I'm so happy to be here in Tahiti and the forecast looks pretty amazing. We'll see how it pans out."

Mick Fanning was another surfer who blitzed his first round heat, beating Gabe Kling and Tiago Pires in the process. Currently sitting at number four spot in the world, Fanning is no doubt hoping for a big result here to ignite his campaign for another world title. The Australian already has two world titles behind him but is definitely keen on another. Along with Fanning, Kelly Slater also won his first round heat and is another surfer who has his eyes on the world title crown. He does have 10 already, but another one would most likely look good on his mantelpiece as well. Slater is currently sitting at number six, and missed the last event in Jeffrey’s Bay, so if he doesn’t get a good result here will be out of the running for a world title.

Julian Wilson is another surfer who impressed, especially with one incredible no hands barrel at the closing moments of the heat. A late drop into the barrel followed by a few quick weaves before totally disappearing in the whitewater before re appearing for a wave score of 9.83 saw him win his heat as well.

The surfing world, however, is watching Jordy Smith. At number 2 in the world and fresh from his victory at the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay, he has the look of a world champion about him.

Round 2 will hit the water when surfing commences, and it looks like there is plenty of surf around until the big day arrives.

For more go to http://www.redbull.co.za/cs/Satellite/en_ZA/REDBULL/001242760617920

Thanks Craig Jarvis!

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 1 RESULTS: 
Heat 1: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.83, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.47, Chris Davidson (AUS) 4.67
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 15.83, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.73, Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.27 Heat 3: Travis Logie (ZAF) 16.07, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.40, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.73  
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.23, Gabe Kling (USA) 13.97, Tiago Pires (PRT) 7.97  
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.36, Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 14.47, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.47 Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.96, Daniel Ross (AUS) 13.07, Heiarii Williams (PYF) 10.47  
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 11.47, Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.53, Owen Wright (AUS) 10.33  
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 19.38, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.60, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.33  
Heat 9: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.90, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.53, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.10  
Heat 10: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.73, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.10, Brett Simpson (USA) 8.83 Heat 11: Dusty Payne (HAW) 16.76, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.63, Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.17  
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.84, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.27  

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS: 
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)  
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)  
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)  
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)  
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)  
Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)  
Heat 7: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)  
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)  
Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)  
Heat 10: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)  
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)