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| Dale Staples was one of the Stand outs on Day 1. |
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!
Showing posts with label south africa surf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south africa surf. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Juniors cane Vic Bay on the first day of the Billabong Pro Jnr
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Dungeons shows it's Teeth - The first proper session in 2011
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| Roosta charging Dungeons on the Paddle day. (Photo: KoleskyNikon) |
The Cape big wave community are abuzz with excitement after the first real swell of the year pulled into Cape Town last week. It was not pretty, but there were definitely some decent and pretty large waves ridden by the Tow Crews. I am really looking forward to seeing some of the paddle sessions when they get posted. The Rebel Tv Big Wave challenge is on here and it's pushing the crews here to go for broke. Check out Dungeons looking angry below:
The second of the Rebel Sessions days was called at the Dungeons, Hout Bay on Sunday in the biggest swell to hit Cape Town this winter.
On a cold, wet and blustery Sunday the big wave surfers of Cape Town congregated at the Hout Bay harbor to launch their wave runners and head out for what turned out to be an epic day of big wave surfing with a couple of rides eligible for a share of the R110 000 rebel Sessions prize money.
Having been disappointed by a swell that never reached its predicted size last weekend the eight tow in crews who took to the water this weekend weren't going to let the wind, rain or freezing water keep them from the huge swells that were unloading at the Dungeons, and as the crews started buzzing around the backline it became clear that this was going to be a special day of surfing.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mr Price Pro - Final Day and Results
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| Pat Gudauskas flew under some people's radar to earn a well deserved victory at the Mr Price Pro (Photo: ASP) |
BALLITO, KwaZulu Natal/South Africa (Saturday, July 9, 2011) – Patrick Gudauskas, 25, (San Clemente, California, USA) kept the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro Ballito crown in the family, earning the first ASP PRIME victory of his career by defeating John John Florence, 18, (HAW) in the final at Surfers Beach today.
Just two years after his brother Tanner won the event in 2009, Gudauskas stamped the family name on the 2011 edition of the Mr Price Pro Ballito, defeating Florence by 11.84 to 8.03 (out of 20.00) rocketing from World No. 27 to World No. 15 on the ASP World Rankings.
“This is crazy! I’m so psyched right now,” Gudauskas said. “This is definitely the best event I’ve ever competed in and maybe the best one I’ve ever watched. It has been flawless for a whole week and we’re all psyched to be in Ballito.”
Stringing together a powerful combination of lip bashes and critical floaters on the tapering Ballito walls, Gudauskas took the lead with a 7.17 (out of ten) before landing a massive air-drop floater to seal his victory off just a 4.67.
“I just got lucky in the final,” Gudauskas said, “John John was the man to beat at this event and it was a tough heat. I went for turns while he was looking for barrels and I think he would have ‘smoked’ me, had he found one!”
Gudauskas’s achievement marks one for the record books, the Gudauskas brothers becoming the second pair of siblings to win Mr Price Pro after the Irons Brothers, late 3X ASP World Champion Andy and Bruce (HAW), did so in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
“It’s crazy, people were asking me about that all week and I knew it would be a difficult task to defend Tanner’s title,” Gudauskas said. “Somehow I pulled it off and the fact that Andy and Bruce did it, makes it even more special.”
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| John John Florence was my surfer of the event. (Photo: ASP) |
“It was really hard, the wind came up and I was tired but I’m really stoked for Pat,” Florence said. “This morning was so fun, the waves were perfect and clean and there were a lot of barrels. I just kept getting lucky and getting into the good ones, it was a lot of fun.”
Florence’s performance comes just weeks after capturing a third place finish at the ASP PRIME in Portugal and sees the youngster move up to World No. 39 on the rankings.
“I’ve had a great run lately and I’ll be looking to do a few more contest and hopefully get a few more results.”
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| Jordy Smith was surfing rock solid and just lost out on a repeat Final. (Photo: ASP) |
“It was a bunch of fun but it’s just a pity there weren’t any waves in that heat,” Smith said. “You win some and you lose some and it’s still a great result that I will be looking to take into the next event in Jeffreys Bay.”
Suffering one of the slower heats of the day, Smith waited for the set waves and was quickly out-scored by Gudauskas. The American got to work further down the line slotting into barrel after barrel to take the lead with 5.23 and 6.33 rides.
With less than three minutes remaining, Smith had no choice but to take off on a smaller right-hander, working it for all it was worth to post a 6.33. Falling just short of the required score, the timer blew over for South Africa’s 2011 Mr Price Pro title hopes.
Julian Wilson, 22, (AUS) showed great consistency adding an equal third today, to his recent ASP Prime victory in Portugal and climbs to World No. 16 on the rankings.
Wilson was narrowly defeated by Florence in their semifinal decider that saw Florence slot into a fantastic 8.33 barrel to take an early lead. Wilson clawed his way back with fast, on-the-lip maneuvers coming ever so close to taking the lead until Florence shut him down with just a 2.87 off the final wave, to advance into the final.
“I’m definitely happy with my result,” Wilson said. “That little bit of wind came up and it was hard to come out of the barrel. John John was by far the standout of this whole contest and that was pretty much like surfing a Final. He’s the one to beat at this event for sure and I hope he goes all the way.”
Brazilian Jesse Mendes, 18, (BRA) posted the only perfect-10 ride of the day during his Quarterfinal clash against Smith. The Brazilian talent slotting into a dredging Ballito cavern disappearing for several seconds but without a second high scoring ride was relegated to an equal fifth place finish.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito enjoyed flawless waves throughout the week and will go down in South African surfing history as some of the best waves ever surfed in competition.
For more information, photos and highlights log on to www.mrpricepro.com
Final Results:
1 – Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.84
2 – John John Florence (HAW) 8.03
Semifinal
SF 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.70 def. Jordy Smith(ZAF) 11.56
SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 11.20 def. Julian Wilson(AUS) 10.83
Quarterfinals:
QF 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 17.10 def. Junior Faria (BRA) 13.76
QF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.07 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 12.73
QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.03 def. Heath Joske (AUS) 8.87pts
QF 4: John John Florence (HAW) 19.40 def. Blake Thornton (AUS) 9.34pts
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Mr Price Pro - Day 1 - Tubes galore at Ballito
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| The young Kohole Andino racked up the contest's first 10 point ride. (Photo: ASP) |
The light northwest winds (offshore) and a two to two-and-a-half meter (6-8ft) swell held for most of the day that saw twelve heats of the Round of 96 completed, in what surfers were calling some of the best waves ever surfed on the ASP PRIME Tour.
Seventeen-year old Kolohe Andino (USA) proved master of the tube, riding deep inside a spectacular barrel to score the first PERFECT 10 of the event.
“I’m on such high right now,” Andino said, “These are some of the best waves I’ve surfed in my life!”
Sitting deeper and taking off later than any of his opponents, Andino opened up with an excellent 8.27 (out of ten) before dropping into an enormous ocean cavern, navigating through two wide sections, to come screaming out earning a perfect 10- point ride that had the crowd cheering in disbelief.
“That wave was amazing,” Andino said. “I wasn’t sure if I would make it out but I made that first section, pumped hard and made the second one. That wave was so good I was freaking out. I cannot believe I made it!”
Arriving from California on Friday evening, Andino was the first in and last out at Surfers Beach all weekend. Surfing everything from clean two-meter barrels to stormy four-meter wave faces, Andino’s commitment was duly rewarded with his victory win over fellow advancing surfer Patrick Gudauskas (USA).
Corey Lopez (USA) showed off his backhand barrel riding skills on a throaty wind affected wave, dropping straight into a four second barrel to earn the second perfect 10-point ride of the day.
“I was lucky to get that wave,” Lopez said. “It was big and gnarly, the first part was nice and open but then it got all foamy and I couldn’t see in front of me. I just closed my eyes, held my rail and came out! “
Returning to Ballito for the first time in 15 years, Lopez sailed into the next round with 14.97 (out of 20.00) ahead of second place and fellow advancing surfer Sebastian Zietz (Haw).
“It’s such a beautiful place with a great little beach community and today was some of the best waves I’ve seen on tour all year,” Lopez said. “It’s great to have waves like this at a contest.”
ASP World Title No. 12 Josh Kerr (AUS) jumped straight off an international flight into the surf, with less than four hours sleep Kerr produced an almost faultless performance to advance with an 18.43 (out of 20.00) ahead of South African surfer Brandon Jackson (ZAF).
“I was pretty excited for that heat,” Kerr said. “I had a fun free surf up the beach and then was just watching going ‘are you kidding me it’s pumping!’ I was just excited to get out there and rack up some really good scores.”
Proven big wave surfer and a well-respected member of the world’s elite 34, Kieren Perrow (AUS) showed class in the solid conditions, posting an excellent 8.70 for his double barrel ride to advance in first place over Nic Muscroft (AUS).
“As always there’s a lot of luck involved but everyone had a chance to get a good wave out there today,” Perrow said. “I got in late last night and it was amazing to wake up to perfect barrels this morning, these are some of the best waves I’ve surfed at a PRIME event in a long time.”
The South African surfers faired exceptionally well against their out-of-town opponents, with seven out of the nine surfers competing advancing into the next round.
Defending champion and current ASP World No. 5 Jordy Smith (Durban) made his intentions known in the deteriorating afternoon conditions holding off Brasilian Thiago Camaroa and Hawaiian Tonino Benson, to advance in first along with trialist Sean Holmes (Cape Town), who advanced in second.
“I knew conditions would change from the minute I arrived. Ballito seems to do that in the afternoon so I was just glad to make my heat,” Smith said. “I watched some incredible heats this morning, there was some inspiring surfing and it was good to see so many South African’s go through.”
2010 ASP Africa Champion Shaun Joubert emerged to of a seesaw battle against Hawaii’s Kiron Jabour. Joubert using the afternoon’s wind-affected waves to his advantage, by completing one of the only front side aerials of the day, to win the heat with 12.03 (out of 20.00).
As the tide turned it was American Austin Ware who picked off one of the biggest set waves of the day. Throwing himself into a wave that could have been compared to Backdoor Pipeline, Ware stalled for a perfect set-up and emerged cleanly to earn an 8.17 finishing in second behind heat winner Jay Quinn (NZL).
“I dropped in and the wave was so steep,” Ware said. “I just saw it opening up enough to get through and I came out, so I was pretty stoked.”
Hawaii’s Granger Larsen threw some Hawaiian might behind his open face hacks and risky closeout re-entry, securing a narrow heat win over local star Rudy Palmboom with 12.63 to 12.17 (out of 20.00).
The only Irish surfer in the event Glen Hall produced a pleasing combination of barrel rides and backhand snaps to win his heat over Royden Bryson (ZAF).
The competition was called off after heat 12 due to deteriorating conditions. The next call will be made at 06h30 for a possible 07h00 start as organisers look to make the most of the early conditions. For all the updates visit www.mrpricepro.com
MR PRICE PRO BALLITO RESULTS
Mr Price Pro Ballito Trials Results:
Heat 1: Frankie Obherholzer (ZAF) 13.50; Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 8.50; Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 7.84; Allan Johns (ZAF) 5.00
Heat 2: Sean Holmes (ZAF) 14.00; Casey Grant (ZAF) 10.30; Kyle Lane (ZAF) 8.83; Chad Du Toit (ZAF) 7.17
Final: Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 13.17; Sean Holmes (ZAF) 12.33; Frankie Oberholzer (ZAF) 7.60; Casey Grant (ZAF) 4.73
Mr Price Pro Ballito Round of 96 Results:
Heat 1: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.16; Hodei Collazo (EUK) 9.24; Greg Emslie (ZAF) 8.26; Brett Simpson (USA) 4.24
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 18.43; Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 10.70; Andre Silva (BRA) 8.17; Dion Atkinson (AUS) 6.77
Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 18.27; Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.67; Billy Stairmand (NZL) 4.57; Felipe Luel (BRA) 00.00
Heat 4: Junior Faria (BRA) 10.34; Dale Staples (ZAF) 9.73; CJ Hobgood (USA) 8.93; Bernando Miranda (BRA) 6.36
Heat 5: Glenn Hall (IRL) 14.60; Royden Bryson (ZAF) 9.00; David Weare (ZAF) 8.33; Marco Fernandez (BRA) 7.57
Heat 6: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 11.17; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 6.10; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 6.03; Eric Geiselman (USA) 2.07
Heat 7: Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.63; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 12.17; Gabe Kling (USA) 9.07; Jihad Khodr (BRA) 8.24
Heat 8: Kierren Perrow (AUS) 14.70; Nic Muscroft (AUS ) 13.74; Lincoln Taylor (USA)10.14; Davey Brand (ZAF) 7.57
Heat 9: Jay Quinn (NZL) 14.93; Austin Ware (USA) 13.00; Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.10; Romain Cloitre (FRA) 9.57
Heat 10: Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 12.03; Kiron Jabour (HAW) 11.93; Adam Melling (AUS) 8.06; Mason Ho (HAW) 3.17
Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.97; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 13.06; Jeronimo Vargas (BRA) 11.30; Frederick Patacchia (HAW) 6.86
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.36; Sean Holmes (ZAF) 10.06; Thiago Camarao (BRA) 8.63; Tonino Benson (HAW) 6.26
Upcoming Round of 96 Mr Price Pro Match ups:
Heat 13: Adrian Buchan (AUS); Kai Barger (HAW); Adam Robertson (AUS); Wildcard
Heat 14: Tom Whittaker (AUS); Tanner Gudauskas (HAW); Alain Riou (PYF); Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
Heat 15: Julian Wilson (AUS); Tim Boal (FRA); Stu Kennedy (AUS); Mitchel Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 16: Jadson Andre (BRA); Marc Lacomare (FRA); Blake Thornton (AUS); Brendon Gibbens (RSA)
Heat 17: Gabriel Medina (BRA); Masatoshi Ohno (JPN); Heath Josek (AUS); Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 18: Dusty Payne (HAW); Richard Christie (NZL); Joan Duru (FRA); Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 19: William Cardosa (BRA); Travis Logie (ZAF); Richard Santos (BRA); Jano Belo (BRA)
Heat 20: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Nathaniel Curran (USA); Jonothan Gonzalez (CNY); Steven Sawyer (ZAF)
Heat 21: Tiago Pires (PRT); Aritz Aranburu (EUK); Dylan Graves (PRI); Klee Strachan (ZAF);
Heat 22: Alejo Muniz (BRA); John John Florence (HAW); Pedro Henrique (BRA); Felix Messias (BRA)
Heat 23: Yadin Nicol (AUS); Kai Otton (AUS); Davey Cathels (AUS); Jean De Silva (BRA);
Heat 24: Damien Hobgood (USA); Nat Young (USA); Shaun Cansdell (AUS); Adrian Toyon (REU)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Mr Price Pro - the Wildcards are ready for the World
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| Greg "Foot" Emslie will give the foreigners a tough time in his heats. (Photo: ASP) |
Greg Emslie (East London), Davey Brand (Cape Town) and Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) will make their way into the event courtesy of Mr Price wildcards while Klee Strachan (Winklespruit), Brendon Gibbens (Cape Town) and David Weare (Durban) will take on the worlds’ best courtesy of ASP Africa wildcards.
Slotted directly into the round of 96, these six surfers will take on the event’s top seeds right from their first heat where they will be guaranteed a minimum of R5000 (US$ 750) should they bow out early and an enormous R270 000 (US$40,000) should they win the entire event!
The Mr Price Pro Ballito’s exclusive 96-man field means only the top ranked surfers on the ASP World Rankings qualify for a place in the main event, making a wildcard entry invaluable for non ASP World ranked surfers.
ASP World Tour retiree Greg Emslie, who flew the South African flag for a record nine years at the elite level, knows just how exceptional an opportunity like this one is. The powerful natural-footer (left-foot forward stance) will have the hopes of South Africa on his shoulders as the most experienced of this year’s wildcard deck.
“I can’t wait,” Emslie said. “To have the chance to compete against the top surfers in the world is always special. I feel I am surfing better and more progressive than ever now that I am retired and I look forward to taking on the internationals in a few weeks time.”
Another skilled international campaigner is David Weare. Weare competed at elite level for two years in 2006 and 2009 and although now retired from international competition, Weare remains a fierce competitor capable of causing any number of upsets at this year’s event.
“I'm super excited to have made it into this event,” Weare said. “It'll be good to see all the crew again and get to surf against them again. I'm still a competitor at heart so I'll definitely be giving it my all at this event!”
Young, up-and-coming talent Davey Brand, 18, will attract plenty of attention when he hits the water for his first heat. Captaining the South African team to the ISA Quiksilver World Games to Peru recently where he placed third in the U18 division, Brand welcomes the opportunity to put his skills to the test against some of the ASP World Title Tour surfers.
“I am so gratefully for this opportunity,” Brand said.” I’m taking it on with a nothing to loose everything to gain attitude and will give it everything I’ve got to make it as far as I can in the competition.”
A total of seven South African surfers have also qualified for the main event via their ASP World ranking. They include World No. 2 Jordy Smith (RSA), former ASP World Tour campaigner Travis Logie (Dbn), Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay), former ASP World Tour campaigner Royden Bryson (Cape Town), Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) and Dale Staples (St Francis Bay).
Eight South African surfers will compete in the trials for the remaining two spots into the main event. The trialists are Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga), Chad Du Toit (Dbn), Kyle Lane (Umhlanga), Frankie Obherhozer (Scottburgh), Mathew Bromley (Cape Town), Alan Johns (Ballito), Sean Holmes (CT) and Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay).
The eight trialists will compete in two, four man heats with the top two from each heat advancing into a four-man final. First and second place finalists will advance into the main event.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito includes an action packed beach festival including beach entertainment; extreme sports, dedicated children’s programmes and a lifestyle and retail area provide plenty of daytime fun. The ever-popular Mr Price Pro Music concerts will take place on the evening of 8 and 9 July at Salt Rock at no cost to festivalgoers.
For more information log on to www.mrpricepro.com or like us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/mrpricepro.
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| Casey Grant is one noticeable surfer missing from the line up. (Photo: ZigZag) |
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