South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Oakley ASP Women’s World Junior Championships Bali when she was convincingly defeated by Australia’s Nikki van Dyk in the final held in flawless 1.5 to 2.0 metre waves at Keramas in Bali earlier today (Friday)

The lanky 19 year-old from George in the Southern Cape had been a standout throughout the event which featured 18 of the world’s best 20-and-under female competitive surfers, posting the highest single ride score and the highest heat total on her way to the final.

In the final she was unable to find the best waves to execute the moves that saw her post the big scores in the early rounds and could not match van Dyk’s performance.

“I’m really happy with second,” Buitendag said. “I came here with no expectations and to finish like this has been great. I just want to thanks my Oakley for putting this event on, and God for giving us great surf. Nikki (Van Dijk) surfed really well, I’m very happy for her. This event has been a great warm-up for me to get ready to surf on next year’s ASP Women’s World Championship Tour.”

Van Dijk held the lead throughout the final, picking the waves that gave her the best scoring potential and using her smooth style to glide down the line and unleash some crisp and powerful carves to become the first surfer from Victoria, Australia to win an ASP World Junior Title.

“I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt!” Van Dijk said. “I was nervous the whole heat! I was shaky when I was trying to stand up, I think I was just so excited to be out there in such perfect waves. I’m so honoured to win! This is what I dream of, it’s amazing! ”

On the men’s side of the draw, Mikey February (Kommetjie) was the last Saffa to exit the event when he was ousted by Japan’s Arashi Kato in Round 3 action today. His four teammates – Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga), Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh), Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) and Davey Brand (Kommetjie) – were all bundled out of the event in Round 2 earlier in the week.

All the action from the Oakley ASP World Junior Championships can be watched live at http://oakleyprojunior.com/

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

OAKLEY ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S FINAL:
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.24 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.93

OAKLEY ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN’S ROUND 3 RESULTS:
HEAT 1: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 14.50 def. Deivid Silva (BRA) 7.77
HEAT 2: Carlos Munoz (CRI) 13.50 def. Vicente Romero (ESP) 11.70
HEAT 3: Evan Thompson (USA) 10.60 def. Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 7.10
HEAT 4: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 17.00 def. Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 13.10
HEAT 5: Caue Wood (BRA) 11.53 def. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 10.10
HEAT 6: Cooper Chapman (AUS) 14.63 def. Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 13.76
HEAT 7: Andrew Doheny (USA) 16.26 def. Koa Smith (HAW) 8.47
HEAT 8: Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.17 def. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.04
HEAT 9: Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.43 def. Geovane Ferreira (BRA) 10.00
HEAT 10: Arashi Kato (JPN) 9.27 def. Michael February (ZAF) 8.77
HEAT 11: Kalani David (HAW) 14.66 def. Luke Davis (USA) 14.50
HEAT 12: Connor Coffin (USA) 15.53 def. Hairil Anwar (IND) 13.94
HEAT 13: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.40 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 13.43
HEAT 14: Frederico Morais (PRT) 16.90 def. Kaito Ohashi (JPN) 7.43
HEAT 15: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 14.50 def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 10.90
HEAT 16: Thomas Woods (AUS) 14.77 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.76

Ends

Pictured: Bianca Buitendag (George) powers off the bottom of a flawless wave in Bali on her way to the runner-up spot in the Oakley ASP Women’s World Junior Championships

Photo: ASP / Robertson
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za
About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

 

Davey Brand and Bianca Buitendag won the men’s and women’s titles at the ASP One-Star rated Billabong Pro Junior at Cape St Francis on the weekend to qualify for the seven strong South African squad who will compete in the prestigious ASP World Junior Surfing Championships in Bali at the beginning of October.

Competing on his backhand in the excellent waves that peeled down point throughout the three days of the event, Brand, the 10th seed, eliminated higher rated opponents such as second seed and fellow Kommetjie resident Mikey February, seventh seed Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) and younger brother Benji on his path to the final.

There Brand came up against in-form J-Bay local Dylan Lightfoot, 17, who had defeated top seed Slade Prestwich in their semi-final match-up. Brand posted two scores in the excellent range in the final and despite Lightfoot fighting back and needing just a small score for victory the title went to the Capetonian.

“This has been my best event of the year,” an elated Brand said. “I’m just so stoked that my parents were here to see it.”

Brand earned US $2 000 (approx. R17 000) and 250 invaluable points which moved him up into second place behind Prestwich (Scottburgh) in the yearend ASP Africa rankings. February ended the year ranked third and Lightfoot tied for fourth with Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) who was competing in a 6-Star rated event in Spain where he finished in an outstanding ninth place.

The top three men in the ASP Africa rankings plus the top two South African juniors on the ASP World rankings receive invitations to compete in the US $100 000 Oakley ASP World Junior Championships. De Vries, No. 112, and February, No. 179 had clinched the ASP World ranking slots and will be joined by Prestwich, Brand and Lightfoot in taking on the world’s best surfers aged 20-and-younger in Bali.

As the only ASP rated women’s Pro Junior in South Africa this year, the Billabong Women’s Pro Junior became a one-off qualifier for the two available slots into the Oakley ASP World Junior Championships.

Proceedings were dominated by the country’s top two female surfers, Bianca Buitendag (George), who has based herself in France since matriculating at the end of last year, and good friend and fellow 18 year-old, Sarah Baum (Athlone Park), who are currently Nos. 5 and 10 respectively in the ASP Women’s Star Rankings.

The pair swept into the final at Cape St Francis to secure their invitations to Bali with Buitendag posting the highest heat tally of the entire event, 17.9 out of a possible 20, along the way before going on to clinch the title.

All the action from the Billabong Pro Junior can be found at http://billabongprojunior.co.za/ and www.facebook.com/Billabong.South.Africa

Billabong Pro Junior Men Final
Davey Brand def. Dylan Lightfoot

Billabong Pro Junior Men Semi-Finals
SF1: Dylan Lightfoot def. Slade Prestwich
SF2: Davey Brand def. Benji Brand

Billabong Pro Junior Women Final
Bianca Buitendag def. Sarah Baum

Billabong Pro Junior Women Semi-Finals
SF1: Bianca Buitendag def. Tanika Hoffman
SF2: Sarah Baum def. Emma Smith

ASP Africa Men’s Pro Junior Yearend Rankings
1. Slade Prestwich 399 pts
2. Davey Brand 355 pts
3. Mikey February 220 pts
4. Beyrick de Vries 188 pts
4. Dylan Lightfoot 188 pts
6. Dane Staples 184 pts
7. Jarred Veldhuis 174 pts
7. Rigard Smit 174 pts
7. Steven Sawyer 174 pts
10. Josh Smit 164pts

ASP Africa Men’s Pro Junior Yearend Rankings
1. Bianca Buitendag 250 pts
2. Sarah Baum 188 pts
3. Tanika Hoffman 141 pts
3. Emma Smith 141 pts

ENDS

Pictured: Davey Brand (Kommetjie) throws a rooster-tail of spray on his way to victory in the Billabong Pro Junior at Cape St Francis on Sunday

Photo: Roy Harley
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:  The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

 

The Billabong Pro Junior, which got underway in one metre waves at Cape St Francis earlier today, will decide which of the country’s top 20-and-under surfers qualify for the ASP World Junior Surfing Championships to be held in Bali at the beginning of October.

Comprising ASP One-Star rated contests for men and women, the Billabong Pro Junior runs from Friday until Sunday (31 August – 2 September) and offers US $5 000 (approx. R42 000) in prize-money with $2 000 plus 250 ranking points going to the winner of the men’s event and the women’s winner receiving $1 000 of the total $2 000 prize-purse.

Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh) leads the men’s rankings after winning the first event in the ASP Africa Pro Junior Series in April. Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) is second with David van Zyl (Glenashley) and Michael February (Kommetjie) equal third and Remi Peterson, Jarred Veldhuis, Regard Smit and Davey Brand are equal fifth in the standings.

The coveted invitations to the ASP World Junior Championships go to the top two ASP Africa members on the ASP World Rankings plus the top three in the ASP Africa yearend standings.

De Vries and February have already secured the two ASP World Rankings slots. While de Vries is in Europe competing in ASP Star Series events, along with van Zyl and Peterson, February will be competing at the Billabong Pro Junior. If he goes on to secure a place in the top three in the ASP Africa rankings then the next highest ranked ASP Africa surfer will qualify for Bali.

The Billabong Pro Junior women’s event is a one-off qualifier with the top two finishers awarded invitations to the ASP World Junior Champs. Bianca Buitendag (George) and Sarah Baum (Durban), currently ranked No’s 5 and 10 on the ASP Women’s World rankings, are the favorites to clinch their places at Cape St Francis this weekend.

The ASP World Junior Championships provides the opportunity to kick-start the professional surfing career of aspiring surfers as, along with the prestige and a prize-purse of $100 000 for men and $30 000 for women, the top finishers receive preferential seeding into the major ASP Prime and Star rated events in the following year.

The top four placed men are guaranteed entry into the Round of 96 in all Prime and 6-Star rated events while those finishing fifth to eighth are seeded into the first round of all 6-Star rated contests.

The Billabong Pro Junior runs until can be followed via http://billabongprojunior.co.za, on Facebook www.facebook.com/Billabong.South.Africa and Twitter @BillabongSA

ENDS

Pictured: The Billabong Pro Junior event featuring the country’s top 20-and-under surfers got underway at Cape St Francis this morning

Photo: Roy Harley / Billabong
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

 

 

Buitendag & Baum maintain challenge for ASP Women’s World Tour spots

Jordy Smith, Travis Logie and Matthew Bromley get ready for Teahupo’o in Tahiti

Beyrick de Vries takes fifth place in Airwalk Pro Junior in France

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Buitendag & Baum maintain challenge for ASP Women’s World Tour spots

South Africans Bianca Buitendag and Sarah Baum maintained their challenge for coveted spots on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) when they finished fifth and ninth respectively in the ASP 6-Star rated Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro at Oceanside in California on Saturday.

Competing in peaky 0.5 to one metre waves, Buitendag, 18, (Victoria Bay) built on her confidence-boosting victory in Peru a fortnight back by advancing through a strong field of WCT and Star Tour competitors to reach the quarterfinals at Oceanside.

There she was ousted by 2012 ASP World No. 5 Courtney Conlogue (USA), placing fifth overall and earning US $1 100 (approx. R9 000) and an invaluable 1 560 rankings points, her second highest haul of the year to date.

The result sees Buitendag maintain her No. 5 ranking on the ASP Women’s Star Rankings but with an increased lead of 773 points over sixth ranked Rebecca Woods (AUS). Six women qualify for the WCT from the Star rankings annually and with three of the four women above her in the rankings – Conlogue, Malia Manuel (HAW) and Paige Hareb (NZL) – having already qualified for the 2013 ASP WCT through their elite tour results, Buitendag is now effectively in second spot.

Baum, 18, (Durban) also had a great run in the Supergirl Pro, winning her opening heat ahead of Buitendag and placing second behind Conlogue to reach the last 12 where she was eliminated by ASP World No. 6 Manuel and Buitendag.

Baum earned US $900 and 920 points for her ninth place result, moving her up from No. 12 to No. 10 in the rankings. With four of those ahead of her already qualified, she currently sits in an effective sixth place and on the cusp of giving South Africa two girls amongst the world’s top 17 ranked female surfers on the 2013 ASP Women’s WCT.

Compatriot Rosanne Hodge (East London), the only other South African competing at Oceanside and a former four-year WCT member, produced her best result of 2012 with a 13th place finish. Hodge placed third behind Baum and Conlogue in their Round 24 encounter, finishing 13th overall pocketing $800 and 650 points to climb to No. 28 in the rankings.

There are three 6-Star rated women’s events still be run – one each in Spain, Portugal and the finale in the Azores Islands. The next event is the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro at Pantin in Spain starting12 September.

PAUL MITCHELL SUPERGIRL PRO FINAL
1 – Sage Erickson (USA) 14.00
2 – Paige Hareb (NZL) 13.00

PAUL MITCHELL SUPERGIRL PRO SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 13.53 def .Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.23
SF 2: Paige Hareb (NZL) 14.03 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.26

PAUL MITCHELL SUPERGIRL PRO QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.50 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.00
QF 2: Sage Erickson (USA) 14.10 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.27
QF 3: Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.53 def. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.87
QF 4: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.83 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.43

PAUL MITCHELL SUPERGIRL PRO ROUND OF 12 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.36, Sage Erickson (USA) 12.17, Rebecca
Woods (AUS) 11.77
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.87, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.13, Sarah Baum (ZAF) 8.70
Heat 3: Phillipa Anderson (AUS) 10.83, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.70, Laura Enever (AUS) 7.93
Heat 4: Pauline Ado (FRA) 10.70, Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.97, Nage Melamed (HAW) 7.26

CURRENT ASP WOMEN´S STAR 2012 – TOP 10 (After Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro )
1 Conlogue, Courtney USA 11810
2 Erickson, Sage USA 9870
3 Manuel, Malia HAW 9840
4 Hareb, Paige NZL 8170
5 Buitendag, Bianca ZAF 7813
6 Woods, Rebecca AUS 7040
7 Fitzgibbons, Sally AUS 7000
8 Ado, Pauline FRA 6890
9 Mulanovich, Sofia PER 6050
10 Baum, Sarah ZAF 5490

South Africans (More than one event)
28: Rosanne Hodge ZAF 2481
56: Faye Zoetmulder ZAF 1140

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jordy Smith, Travis Logie and Matthew Bromley get ready for Teahupo’o in Tahiti

Jordy Smith and Travis Logie, the two South Africans who qualified amongst the world’s top 32 ranked surfers for the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), have been joined by Matthew Bromley, 20 (Kommetjie) in Tahiti as they ready themselves for the Billabong Pro Tahiti which gets underway on Thursday 16 August.

Bromley is one of 16 international surfers who have received sought after invitations to compete in the prestigious Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials. They will be joined by16 local Tahitians in the trials at the notorious surfbreak of Teahupo’o with the winner plus the highest finishing Tahitian earning the two wildcards into the main event.

Smith, currently ranked No. 8 on the ASP WCT, will be determined to halt a slide that has seen him finish third, fifth, ninth and 13th in the four events completed this year. He was injured in a controversially re-run Round 3 heat against Logie held in giant surf at Teahupo’o last year and went on to miss the next two events, finishing the year ranked No. 7.

Logie, currently on the cusp of requalification in the No. 24 position, will be looking forward to Tahiti as he went on to post a third place finish in last year’s event, his best result on the ASP WCT, which contributed substantially to him qualifying for another year amongst competitive surfing’s highest echelon.

The 12 day waiting period for the Billabong Pro Tahiti runs from 16—27 August and all the action can be followed live at www.billabongpro.com/tahiti12

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for waist to shoulder high waves until Tuesday and a better, longer-period swell from a current Tasman Sea storm scheduled to move in on Thursday, 16th, and peak Friday with chest to head high surf and inconsistent overhead sets.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Beyrick de Vries takes fifth place in Airwalk Pro Junior in France

Beyrick de Vries, 19, (Umhlanga) finished in fifth place in the Airwalk Pro Junior at Lacanau in France earlier today (Monday 13 August).

De Vries, in his final year in the Pro Junior division before turning 20 in December, turned heads with his outstanding displays in the tiny surf in France, winning all three of his heats on Day 1 of the event last Friday. He continued this form yesterday with a comfortable Round 32 heat victory and then posted a strong quarter-final win this morning.

However, de Vries only managed a third place in his semi-final encounter and was eliminated in fifth place overall.

De Vries will be joined by compatriots Davey Brand (Kommetjie) and David van Zyl (Glenashley, Durban) in the ASP 5-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro which runs from 14-19 August at the same venue.

ENDS

Pictured: Beyrick de Vries, 19, (Umhlanga) demonstrates the small-wave talent that saw him winn five consecutive heats before bowing out in the semi-finals of the Airwalk Pro Junior at Lacanau in France today

Photo: Aquashot / ASP Europe
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za
About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, Sth Africa (Friday, July 13, 2012) – Brazilian surfer, Adriano de Souza (25, Guaruja, Sao Paulo, BRA) has won the 6-star Billabong Pro, J’Bay, which culminated today in one-to-two metre waves at Supertubes, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

Twenty-five year-old de Souza defeated Frenchman Joan Duru (FRA) in the final of the World Qualifying Series tournament to claim his tenth ASP World Tour victory and his performance today caps off an incredible week of surfing that saw 144 starters compete in some of the most flawless and consistent surf seen in the event’s 34 year history.

A total of five perfect 10 point rides were awarded in the early Rounds of the week-long event but it was de Souza, the current world rated number four, who prevailed to take top honours and the $25,000 first-place winner’s cheque.

In deteriorating conditions, De Souza was able to hold off the hard-charging Frenchman in the 30-minute decider, out-scoring Duru on a two-wave combined heat total of 16.00 points (out of a possible 20) to 13.60 points.

De Souza’s determination saw him commit to desperate measures, he rode one wave to the death, across J’Bay’s sharp rocks, cutting his feet and snapping a fin clean from his surfboard.

De Souza, who fulfilled one career aspiration in May of last year when he became the first ever Brazilian to lead the ASP Men’s World Title rankings after winning his home event in Rio de Janeiro, said winning at Jeffreys Bay has been a dream since he first visited the revered location in 2000.

“I’ve come to South Africa and to Jeffreys Bay for so many years, and have always seen the guys win the Billabong Pro, and now it’s my turn,” said De Souza. “I’m just so happy, and I’m going to remember this win for my whole life. J-Bay is a special place for me and hopefully see you again next year.”

As a full time touring ASP Men’s World Championship Tour (WCT) contender, the 3,500 star ratings points will not factor into the ASP Men’s World Title race for De Souza, he will retain his fourth place ranking heading into the next WCT event in Tahiti, the Billabong Pro, Teahupo’o, scheduled for August 16-27^th.

Frenchman Duru was in outstanding form all week at Jeffrey’s Bay, with the 24 year-old accounting for the event’s biggest name in two-time and defending event champion, Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the pair’s morning Round 5 clash.

Smith, 24, had a shot at an historical three-peat today after winning at J’Bay in 2010 and 2011, but Duru surfed hard to outpoint Smith on 15.20 points to 11.73.

Finishing equal third today was Hawaiian Ezekial Lau (Haw) and Spain’s Aritz Aranburu (EUK).

The highest placed South African was local Dale Staples (ZAF) who saw his excellent run end in this morning’s Quarter Finals. Finishing equal fifth, Staples was responsible for one of the Billabong Pro’s biggest upsets when he defeated Hawaiian prodigy and current world rated number five, John John Florence (Haw) in Round 5, but the 21 year-old failed against Spaniard Aranburu in the Quarter-finals.

A special prize, the NIXON WTA (Winner Take All) award, was given to Australian goofy-foot Nathan Hedge (AUS), the former world number seven and 2005 Billabong Pro, J’Bay finalist earning the highest heat total of the event in Roun 1, a near-perfect 19.27 out of a possible 20.00.

Hedge’s prize, a Nixon 51-30 tide watch valued at over $10,000 USD. The winning timepiece features a diamond-encrusted bezel, a high polish all black subdial/hands and the South African flag at the six o’clock position.

“What a sick prize, a few years ago I was in the final with AI (Andy Irons, former three-time ASP Men’s World Champion and 2004 Billabong Pro, J’Bay champion) and he needed a perfect ten to beat me and he got it, so maybe it was AI who sent me the ten this year” said Hedge.

All the highlights and newsfeed vision from an incredible week can be found at:
https://www.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8a706a8a5a606eaeab

For more event details go to the event site on www.billabongpro.com
Follow Billabong’s Facebook Fan Page.
Billabong’s Twitter feed. (#BILLABONGPROJBAY)

The Billabong Pro J-Bay has been made possible with the support of the following:
Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sony Xperia, Carling Black Label, Monster Energy, Nissan, Vida e Caffe, VonZipper and Nixon.

Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay – Former ASP Men’s World Tour surfer, Nathan “Hog” Hedge (Narrabeen, NSW, AUS) has matched power with perfection, scoring a perfect 10 point ride in the opening round of the 6-star Men’s World Qualifying Series event taking place at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

Competitors in the US$155,000 tournament awoke to epic two-metre plus conditions on Day 1 and it was the “Hog” who stole the show, belting the long J’Bay walls and winning the crowd with his enthusiastic claims.

The semi-retired 34 year-old achieved his best world tour result at the famous J’Bay point break back in 2004, posting a finals result that boosted him to a career high 7^th in the world. And today, the Hog was back to his J’Bay best, easily registering the highest two-wave combined heat total of 19.27 out of a possible perfect 20 points.

Other surfers to progress to Round 2 with wins today included reigning ASP World Junior Champion Ciao Ibelli (BRA), local favourite and Supertubes specialist Sean Holmes (ZAF), Hawaii’s Sebastien Zietz (Haw) and 2010 World Junior Champion, Jack Freestone (Gold Coast, AUS).

The excellent surf is forecasted to continue on Day 2 when 10 of the world’s highest rated campaigners are due to hit the water. Among the big-name draw cards are two-time and defending Billabong Pro champion, Jordy Smith (ZAF), Hawaiian prodigy and current world rated number five, John John Florence (Oahu, Haw), Brazilian Adriano De Souza (BRA) and former Men’s World Champion, C.J. Hobgood (FL, USA).

Organisers expect to start from 07:00am local time.

The official press launch was held last night and attended by local dignitaries Mr Makhulbulu and Councillor Virginia Cameleo Benjamin, representative of the Department of Sports, Recreation Arts and Culture.

By becoming a World Qualifying Series tournament, the Billabong Pro has this year increased its field from 38 to 144 competitors, affording dozens of local and international hopefuls a chance at competing at one of the world’s premier wave locations.

Ballito, KwaDukuza, South Africa Sunday July 8, 2012  - Australian born, Irish surfer Glenn Hall, 30, secured the biggest win of his career taking out the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro Ballito defeating Nathaniel Curran, 27, (USA) in the Final at Willards Beach, in South Africa on Sunday, July 8, 2012.

The final day of competition culminated with the best swell of the waiting period as solid 1.5 metre, offshore conditions provided the idyllic arena for an action-packed day of world-class surfing.

Hall held his composure throughout the 35- minute Final, opening with an excellent 8.33 (out of ten) waiting until the final minute to regain his priority, earning more than the required score to snatch the win from Curran with his 6.67 back-up ride, winning the heat by 15.00 to 13.67 (both out of 20.00).

“It’s the biggest win of my career by far, I kinda felt like if you got the wave out there you could get the score and I was just praying for a wave at the end,” Hall said. “Nathaniel is an amazing surfer and I was pumped to have a Final against him. It was always going to be a tough heat but I’ve learnt never to be content with second and to always push for more until you’ve won.”

Hall’s victory comes off the back of a stellar competition season winning a 4 Star in China followed by a runner-up finish at the ASP Prime Lowers Pro at Trestles, California, his consistency rocketing him from 27^th to 16^th on the World Rankings.

“It’s still a long road ahead and I’m just going to keep trying and see where I end up,” Hall explained. “I’m not doing JBay (6 Star) and I’m proud of my choice. I came here and put all eggs into one basket because if you are here to qualify its about the Primes. That’s my focus so I’m taking it to the next event in America.”

Curran proved a standout throughout the week revealing the depth of his surfing repertoire with a combination of airs, barrels and carves but suffered a disappointing defeat in the Final losing priority and ultimately gifting the Australian the win.

“It still feels great to get a result,” Curran said. “I’ve been struggling for a year and a half so I’m stoked to make the Final. It was an awesome contest, I’ve been coming here since I was 18 and the waves are always insane. I love coming here and I can’t wait for next year.”

Taking down some big names including South African hopeful Travis Logie (ZAF) in the Quarterfinals, followed by ASP Word No. 4 Adriano De Souza (BRA) in the Semifinals, Curran’s runner-up finish sees him jump from 96^th to 42^nd on the World Rankings.

Adriano De Souza showed exactly why he is the World No. 4, posting convincing heat wins all week as well as the highest individual wave score of the event a 9.50 against Brian Toth (PIR) in the Quarterfinals. De Souza finished equal third falling just short of the mark against Curran in the Semis.

“I’m disappointed not to be in the Final but it’s still a good result,” De Souza said. “I came here without any pressure and Nathaniel was surfing better than me so he deserves to be in the Final. I’ll be here watching the best two guys in the event battle it out in the Final and may the best man win.”

Nat Young (USA) posted his best result of the year placing equal third, reaching the Semifinals where he was narrowly defeated by Hall with 14.50 to 14.67.  Young proved on-point throughout the week, taking down top names including former Mr Price Pro Champion World No. 8 Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the Quarterfinals.

South African’s Jordy Smith and Travis Logie placed equal fifth, the pair reaching the Quarterfinals where they were eliminated, Logie by Curran and Smith by Young.

Brian Toth (PRI) and Jack Freestone (AUS) joined the South African duo with equal fifth place results, Toth defeated by De Souza while Freestone fell to fellow Australian Hall.

The 13^th edition of the Mr Price Pro Ballito proved a resounding success with record crowds and world –class surfing from 96 of the world’s finest surfers.

For more information log on to www.mrpricepro.com.

- ends

RESULTS:

Final: 

Glenn Hall (IR) 15.00 def Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.67

Semifinal

Heat 1: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 12.10 def Adriano De Souza (BRA) 11.00

Heat: Glenn Hall (IR) 14.67 def Nat Young (USA) 14.50

Quarterfinals

Heat 1: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 11.60 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.83

Heat 2: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 17.33 def Brian Toth (PRT) 5.73

Heat 3: Nat Young (USA) 15.00 def Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00

Heat 4: Glenn Hall (IR) 10.44 def Jack Freestone (AUS) 9.90

Ballito, KwaDukuza, South Africa Tuesday July 3, 2012  - South African surfers asserted themselves against many of the world’s best with four out of five advancing through the Round of 96 at the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro Ballito on Tuesday July 2, 2012.

With clean, although at times inconsistent one-metre waves peeling through the Willards Beach lineup, positioning proved critical for surfers looking to advance on the opening day of competition.

ASP World No. 24 Travis Logie (Durban, ZAF) lead the local charge, the seasoned international campaigner prudent with his wave selection jumping from fourth into first place in the final minutes, advancing along with fellow countryman Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga).

“It was a really tough heat, I think everyone had a pretty good score before I even took off on a wave,” Logie said. “I was getting a bit stressed out towards the end but I managed to get a set wave followed by another good one on the inside and pretty much held the lead to the end.”

Renowned for his lightening fast backhand snaps, the explosive goofy-footer (right-foot forward stance) was one of a handful of goofy-footers to win their heats on a wave that more often than not favours natural-footers.

Wildcard surfer Beyrick De Vries joined Logie in using local knowledge to out-position his opponents and completed the first of the event’s aerial reverses, to advance into the next round.

“Ballito is pretty close to home, so I feel really comfortable out there,” de Vries said. “I’ve struggled to get into Star events this year so earning a wildcard from the ASP was a massive help and I’m really stoked to get through.”

Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay, ZAF) found himself pitted against a trio of hungry Australians keeping himself in contention with a combination of power and new school maneuvers, advancing in second place behind heat winner Nathan Hedge (AUS).

“It was tough out there, there weren’t many waves but when they came, they were fun,” Joubert said. “I’ve been slugging away on the Star Tour all year so it’s great to have an event at home. My aim is just to get on that World Tour as soon as possible.”

Placing equal 9^th at the Mr Price Pro Ballito last year, Joubert’s impressive early morning performance saw him eliminate World Championship Tour (WCT) campaigner Adam Melling (AUS) and Perth Standlick (AUS) to advance into the next round.

Former WCT campaigner Bernado Miranda (BRA) emerged as the day’s standout making the most of the deteriorating conditions to post the highest heat score of the day a 17.10 (out of 20.00).

“The conditions were ok, it was windy but there were still a few fun rides and if you got a good one you could do three of four turns,” Miranda said. “I had some very experienced surfers in my heat, so I just tried to pick the best waves.”

Miranda dominated the scoreboard  with a pair of 8.17 and an 8.93 (both out of ten) rides eliminating Charles Martin (GLP), Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) and ASP World No. 18 Brett Simpson (USA).

Tomas Hermes (BRA) joined his fellow countryman with an excellent 8.17 that saw him advance over Stu Kennedy (AUS), wildcard Conner Coffin (USA) and Jean De Silva (BRA).

“I’m so happy to start this event with a good performance,” Hermes said. “This is my third year in Ballito, I love this place, it has beautiful waves with a lot of power and I’m happy with my result.”

Japan’s Masatoshi Ohno enjoyed success on his backhand, securing an excellent 8.10 for his critical performance through the end section, topping a heated exchange against Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), 2009 Mr Price Pro Champion Tanner Gudauskas (USA) and Timmy Reyes (USA). .

Pipeline specialist and big wave surfer Torrey Meister (HAW) proved just as skilled in smaller waves, keeping his surfing above the lip to complete one of the biggest air- reverses of the day, advancing with an excellent 8.00 along with Jadson Andre (BRA).

Former Elite tour campaigner Nathan Hedge (AUS) enjoyed a welcome return to competition after an 18- month hiatus, earning a well-deserved victory during Round 1.

“I’m so grateful to be back in a Prime event,” Hedge said. “It’s just incredible to be back surfing this tour again.”

Heats 1 – 9 of the Round of 96 were completed before onshore winds and a high tide deemed conditions uncontestable forcing organisers to call the event off until tomorrow.

While the action in the water was put on hold,  the Mr Price Pro Ballito Festival continued to pump throughout the day with everything from skateboarding to BMX demos, live music and more keeping holiday makers entertained in the Festival area.

The next call will be at 0700h (local time) tomorrow morning for a possible 0715h start.

For more information log on to www.mrpricepro.com

- ends

RESULTS 

Round of 96

Heat 1: Tiago Pires (POR) 11.60; Chad du Toit (ZAF) 10.40; Yuri Sodre (BRA) 10.16; Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 9.20

Heat 2: Ohno Masatoshi (JPN) 13.93; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.56; Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.77; Tim Reyes (USA) 8.30

Heat 3: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 13.67; Stu Kennedy (AUS) 12.60; Conner Coffin (USA) 11.33; Jean da Silva (BRA) 5.37

Heat 4: Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.70; Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 12.17;  Mason Ho (HAW) 11.33; Flavio Nakagima (BRA) 10.74

Heat 5: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.70; Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 11.47; Adam Melling (AUS) 9.47 ; Perth Standlick (AUS) 7.53

Heat 6: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.44;  Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 11.50; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 9.27 ; Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 4.63

Heat 7: Brian Toth (PRI) 14.57; Garrett Parkes (AUS) 13.34; Marlon Lipke (DEU) 11.74;   Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 8.00

Heat 8: Bernado Miranda (BRA) 17.10; Charles Martin (GLP) 14.40; Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) 7.40;  Brett Simpson (USA) 7.40

Heat 9: Torrey Meister (HAW) 14.50; Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.66; Mitch Crews (AUS) 12.00; Aritz Aranburu (BRA)

The country’s top competitive surfers are ready to take on more than 100 of their international foes over the next two weeks as South Africa hosts the annual mid-year two-event leg of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour.

Even though the downgrading of the Billabong Pro J-Bay to a 6-Star rated ASP World Tour event means that the all of the world’s top 34 surfers will not be competing here for the first time since 1997, 17 of those on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) will join local elite tour members Jordy Smith and Travis Logie for the Prime rated Mr Price Pro Ballito starting on Monday.

Smith will be the crowd favourite in local waters after winning at Ballito in 2010 before going on win at Jeffreys Bay, a title that he successfully defended last year. The Durban born and raised current WCT No. 8, who now resides in Cape Town when not on tour, is going all out to bolster his confidence and his ASP World Tour ranking of No. 13 in his home waters.

“I haven’t had the greatest year and I think it will be good to go home and regroup and rebuild my confidence for the second half of the year,” Smith explained. “I’ve be in Reunion doing some board testing prior to the Pro as the waves are similar to Ballito (hollow right handers), so I got a lot of practice and am coming in fresh for the contest and hopefully win it.”

Durban based Logie, who was crowned the South African Surfer of the Year in Durban on Friday evening, will be equally determined to post a victory in his home event. A fierce competitor who has spent nearly seven years at the highest level of competitive surfing, Logie’s proven ability in big waves, lightening fast reflexes and the capability to pack more manoeuvres into a ride than virtually anyone make the 32 year-old a strong contender in all conditions.

“I’ve come everywhere in this event except first,” Logie said of the Mr Price Pro. “I’ve got second down to 33^rd and almost everything in-between and it’s my home event so I have an enormous desire to win.”

While Smith and Logie are amongst the top seeds in both the local events, Greg Emslie, a nine-year year WCT veteran who has won nearly every contest he has entered in SA since retiring from international competition at the end of 2009, is a wildcard at Ballito and a serious threat to everyone at J-Bay.

“I am feeling great right now,” Emslie said on his preparation for the events. “I’ve been trying to get in the water twice a day and the waves have been excellent this winter season. I wake up at 4.30am and do training with my brothers, so it has been a fun build up and I’m amped!”

SA’s current crop of ASP World Tour campaigners are all entered in both events and the likes of Royden Bryson (Cape Town), Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay), Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Dale Staples (St Francis Bay) and Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) will be determined to seize the opportunity to pocket invaluable rankings points and earn a share of the substantial prize-money on offer in familiar conditions.

While the Billabong Pro J-Bay event organisers have yet to announce the six wildcards in their 144-man field, the five who will join Emslie in the 96-man Mr Price Pro Ballito are Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie), SA Junior Surfer of the Year, Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and Chad du Toit (Durban), who all received ASP Africa wildcards, with the sponsor’s wildcards going to Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) and Conner Coffin (USA).

The Ballito event will also run an eight-man trials event featuring current SA Open champion Casey Grant (Scottburgh), David Van Zyl (Glenashley), Klee Strachan (Amanzimtoti), David Weare (Durban), Dan Redman (Umdloti) and Matt Bromley, Mikey February and Davey Brand, all from Kommetjie. The top two finishers in the trials earn a berth in the main event.

Adriano de Souza (BRA), ranked No. 4 on the WCT, will be the top seed in both South African events. Smith is the second seed and other highly ranked international contenders include the Hobgood brothers – 2001 ASP World champion CJ and his equally talented twin Damien – fellow Americans Brett Simpson and defending Mr Price Pro winner Patrick Gudauskas, Brazilians Alejo Muniz, Jadson Andre and Wiggolly Dantas, Tiago Pires (POR) and Australians Matt Wilkinson, Yadin Nicol and Adam Melling.

South Africans will also get to see legendary 1999 ASP World champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in action as the winner of the inaugural ASP event at Jeffreys Bay back in 1984 makes a determined effort to re-qualify for elite WCT status at the ripe old age of 46.

The Mr Price Pro Ballito runs from 2 to 8 July at Willards Beach, Ballito. This Prime rated event offers US $250 000 (approx. R2.1 million) with 6 500 rankings points going to the winner and all the action can be followed via www.mrpricepro.com

The Billabong Pro J-Bay runs 10 to 15 July at Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay and is a 6-Star rated event that carries a US $155 000 prize-purse and the winner earns 3 500 points on the rankings list. See www.billabong.com for more information.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of: 

ASP Africa

Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager

Tel:                   021 534 5738

Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications

PO Box48272, Kommetjie 7976,South Africa

Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965

Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964

Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

With only a slight drop in swell from Saturday, the Billabong Pro Junior Finals went down in dramatic fashion in large surf at Vic Bay as the 4-day event culminated late on Sunday afternoon. After yesterday’s cancellation of competition due to massive waves, it was more than fitting that the final day went off in solid 6-8 foot surf with some very committed and valiant surfers taking on the biggest and best that Vic Bay had to throw at them.

First up this morning were the Pro Junior Girls who had been waiting patiently for the past 3 day’s for their chance to surf. And after 3 days of waiting, the girls paddled straight into some of the biggest sets of the day with some getting washed in, while the fortunate few scratched out the back.

The four who managed to fight their way through the draw and into the final were Emma Smith (J-Bay), Nicole Pallet (Durban), Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) and Bianca Buitendag (Vic Bay).  After an initial slow start, Bianca set the tone for the final with a succession of fluid backhand snaps and despite gallant attempts to match the score by Nicole, Heidi and Emma, Bianca was in a class of her own at a wave she knows so well and powered convincingly through to take the win, and in so doing earning herself R2 500 prize-money and 1 000 valuable PST ratings.

Anyone who witnessed the U12 heats en route to the final will testify to some of the bravest and courageous surfing ever seen in a junior event. In front of many anxious parents and onlookers, the plucky U12’s took to the heavy seas in search of some of the biggest waves they had ridden in their fledging competitive careers.

In between some of the ‘groms’ taking 8ft closeout waves on the head and enduring countless hold down’s, some sensational waves were ridden at least 3 times overhead for the young chargers. In the end, it was the spirited Adin Masencamp from Strand in Cape Town who took the impressive win over Ethan Fletcher (Cape Town), Jose Faulkner (J-Bay) and Jake Elkington (Cape Town) who placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

Next up were the U14 Boy’s who must also be commended for braving the gnarly conditions. In a hotly contested final with positions constantly changing, in the end it was Matt McGillivray from P.E who stole the show with a late minute score to pip Steffen Burrows (Strand) into second. Event standout Jordy Maree (Cape Town) took 3rd while a physically drained Adin Masencamp, having surfed in consecutive finals, taking 4th. With some very mature and calculated surfing displayed by all the finalists, it’s safe to say that South African junior surfing has some exciting future talents to look out for. 

The U16 Boys division then raised the bar even higher. With a packed Vic Bay boardwalk, the U16 finalists put on a show that many will never forget, and what some, including legendary surf coach Graham Hynes, are calling the finest final they’ve watched in years. Ultimately it was two of South Africa’s brightest surfing talents going blow for blow in the still ‘sizey’ and consistent conditions.

J-Bay’s Dylan Lightfoot picked off the bombs and racked up a 9 and a high 8 point score. KZN South Coaster Slade Prestwich answered right back with a succession of stylish hack’s including one massive roundhouse rail grab carve that looked remarkably similar to those consistently pulled off by Dane Reynolds. Lightfoot, having then taken the lead back again watched in angst as Slade smashed his way to his highest wave score of the day with a 9 point ride courtesy of an under-the-lip 360 rail spin. However, it was just less than the 9.4 score he needed and Dylan secured a memorable victory, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.

With the ocean beginning to settle and rippable conditions prevailing, it came time for the much anticipated finale of the Premier Pro Junior Boy’s division. Umhlanga’s Beyrick De Vries, still fresh off the plane from France was up against rival Nick Godfrey, who had managed to take down St Francis Bay compatriot Dale Staples in their semifinal match-up.

With both surfers being event-standout’s it was always expected to be a nail bitter, and after the first exchange of rides, it looked to be heading that way. However, Beyrick sat slightly wider and lucked into 2 set waves that he milked all the way to the beach and despite the KZN surfer having to endure 2 consecutive ‘run-arounds’ back into the line-up, Godfrey simply wasn’t able to find the mid 7 point score he so badly needed.

And with that, the final buzzer sounded, the crowd erupted and elated top seed Beyrick De Vries was crowned the Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay Champion for 2011. Having consistently posted huge scores all weekend, charging the heavy surf and wowing the judges with his progressive no holds barred approach, it was a truly deserved win for the quirky 19 year old.  Along with the prestigious internationally rated ASP Grade-One win, Beyrick walked away with a $2000 US Dollars in prize-money and 250 ASP ratings points along with a SONY Trick Docking Station which was presented to every finalist across all five divisions.

Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay
Results
 
Pro Junior Boys
1.  Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)                $2000 + Nixon watch + Sony Trick
2.  Nick Godfrey (Cape St Francis)           $1000 + Sony Trick
=3.  Dale Staples (St Francis Bay)            $550
=3.  Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay)            $550
=5.  Dane Staples (St Francis Bay)           $250
=5.  Jarred Veldhuis (Kommetjie)              $250
=5.  Matt Pallet (Durban)                            $250
=5.  Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh)             $250

Pro Junior Girls
1. Bianca Buitendag (Vic Bay)                 R2500 + Sony Trick + Nixon Watch
2. Nicole Pallet (Durban)                          R1500 + Sony Trick                 
3. Heidi Palmboom (Bluff)                        R750
4. Emma Smith (J-Bay)                            R500

U16 boys
1. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay)             R1 200 + Sony Trick + Nixon Watch
2. Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh)              R2 000 + Sony Trick
3.  Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay)                    R800 + Sony Trick
4.  Diran Zakarian (Melkbos)                   R500 + Sony Trick

U14 boys
1.  Matt McGillivray (Port Elizabeth)        R1500 + Sony Trick
2.  Steffen Burrows (Strand)                    R1000 + Sony Trick
3.  Jordan Maree  (Kalk Bay)                R600 + Sony Trick
4.  Adin Masencamp (Strand)                  R400 + Sony Trick

U12 boys
1.  Adin Massencamp (Strand)                R1 500 + Sony Trick
2.  Ethan Fletcher (Cape Town)              R750 + Sony Trick
3.  Jose Faulkner (J-Bay)                        R500 + Sony Trick
4.  Jake Elkington (Cape Town)              R250 + Sony Trick

Von Zipper Air Show
1.  Matt Pallet (Durban)                            R2 000 + VZ Sunnies

The internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International, while the Pro Surf Tour (PST) women’s and boy’s events are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport.

Images and video, results, heat sheets and news from the Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay will be available daily at the official contest portal powered by Zigzag www.zigzag.co.za/wpmu/bongjuniorseries as well as www.billabong.com/za

The Billabong Pro Vic Bay is proudly supported by Sony, Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and Zigzag Surfing Magazine

\ends

Compiled & Issued on behalf of:

Brendon Kegel – Media and Communications
Billabong South Africa
Tel:                   042 200 2747
Fax:                  042 293 2478
Cell:                  083 799 0110
Email:               brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie, 7976 South Africa
Tel / Fax:     +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile:        +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:          lifesabeach@mweb.co.za