More turmoil at Billabong

May 24, 2012

In a move that signifies major change at Billabong, the 20 year Billabong veteran and CEO Derek O’Neill was pushed aside last week to make way for former Target managing director Launa Inman.

Billabong founder Gordon Merchant has also refused to publicly back the retailer’s chairman Ted Kunkel, just a week after the company ousted O’Neill.

When asked where Merchant had confidence in Kunkel remaining as chairman he replied, “We will see”.

Jordy Smith will have to wait until next year to defend with WCT Billabong Pro title. Photo: ASP

Mr Merchant, a non-executive director at Billabong, said he had broken the news to Mr O’Neill of Ms Inman’s appointment.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the upheaval last week, Mr Merchant said Ms Inman’s retail experience would be valuable.

“I think she is exactly what we need,” Mr Merchant said. “She has some structure.”

In February, Billabong announced it would close up to 150 stores worldwide after a 72 per cent collapse in profit during the six months to December.

Mr Merchant was speaking at a media event hosted by a separate manufacturing company that he owns, Plantic.

He praised Mr O’Neill’s contribution to the growth of Billabong but said retail training within the company had not kept pace with its global expansion.

“Billabong has been through a lot of growth and the staff there were never really formally trained,” Mr Merchant said.

Major controversy erupted in Jeffreys Bay when Billabong downgraded the Billabong Pro surf contest from a World Championship event to a third tier “6 star” event. Financial constraints were given as the reason for the downgrade.

The decision split the surf community and caused a huge public outcry as a result. There is subsequently no World Tour event anywhere on the African continent.

The Billabong share price closed yesterday at $ 2.06 after bottoming out at $ 1.75 on 30 December 2011.

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Jon Jon Florence wins Billabong Rio Pro

May 22, 2012

John John Florence 19, has won his maiden ASP World Championship Tour event, taking out the Billabong Rio Pro over Joel Parkinson in barreling 3 – 4 foot waves at Barra da Tijuca.

Jon Jon Florence after his victory in Brazil. Photo: ASP

Florence, currently in his rookie year on the ASP WCT, proved unstoppable on the final day of the competition, topping Australians Julian Wilson and Josh Kerr on his way to triumph over Parkinson.

Florence, who now sits at No. 6 on the ASP WCT, will look to carry the momentum from today’s massive victory to the upcoming ASP WCT events in Fiji and Tahiti.

“This helps my confidence so much,” Florence said. “I have a lot of confidence going into events with barreling waves like Pipe. Obviously I have a lot of confidence in barrels from my experience at Pipe, but coming here, I wasn’t expecting a big result. I was just hoping to make a few heats.”

Parkinson utilized his complete skill set at Barra Da Tijuca, driving through barrels, lofting airs and unloading powerful carves en route to his Finals berth, but was unable to find a rhythm against Florence and finished runner-up overall.

Parkinson’s finish today propels the Australian into the frontrunner position for the ASP World Title, but Parkinson was humble in claiming his spot atop the rankings.

“It’s a good feeling I suppose,” Parkinson said. “It’s a long way to go and I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but I’m stoked. I have been in this position before though so I’m hoping to maintain my performance level throughout the rest of the year.”

Kelly Slater missed the Billabong Pro Rio. Photo:ASP

Kelly Slater the reigning 11-time ASP World Champion, was absent from the Billabong Rio Pro, citing an ankle injury. The Floridian’s absence relinquished his former frontrunner status on the ratings and Slater now sits at ASP World No. 8.

BILLABONG RIO PRO FINAL:

1 – John John Florence (HAW) 16.37
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.44

BILLABONG RIO PRO SEMIFINALS RESULTS:

SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.83 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.00
SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.94 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.86

BILLABONG RIO PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.90 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.60
QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.57 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 5.90
QF 3: John John Florence (HAW) 14.94 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.43
QF 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.84 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.27

Current ASP WCT Top 10 (After Billabong Rio Pro):

1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19700 pts

2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 18250 pts

3. Josh Kerr (AUS) 18200 pts

4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 17200 pts

5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15750 pts

6. John John Florence (HAW) 15750 pts

7. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15700 pts

8. Kelly Slater (USA) 13700 pts

9. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12250 pts

10. Owen Wright (AUS) 12150 pts

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Lizzard win the Bloodscan in Jeffreys Bay

May 1, 2012

Team Lizzard emerged victorious in the BloodScan Industry Cup division of the Jeffreys Bay Surf Challenge. Their team, comprising of Antonio Bortoletto, Casey Grant, Klee Strachan and Gavin Roberts, blasted their way through the earlier rounds, and at the end of the day accumulated enough points to claim the trophy.

Team Lizzard won the Bloodscan Industry Cup at Point yesterday.

First place in the Industry Cup division went to Mikey February, surfing for Team BloodScan, who pocketed R 15,000 for the victory. February also won the U20 Boys division and added a further R 7,000 to his winnings, taking home R 22,000 for a long weekend’s work.

The first couple of heats of the day were dogged by a strong northwest berg wind blowing up the point and making it difficult for the surfers to get good scores. Some surfers however, quickly worked out that the same wind that was ruffling the wave surfaces, was also good for aerial moves. Mikey February and Warren Dean were two such surfers who started pulling air moves into the wind and landing them for some good points from the judges.

Warren Dean laying down the law.

The U14 Girls final saw St Francis Bay ripper Crystal Hulett take the win from Ashleigh Vaughn. Third and fourth slots were Kai Woolf and Lauren Ridge respectively. In the U14 Boys division Adin Masencamp took the honours, with Jake Elkington, Ethan Fletcher and Jose Faulkner filling up the minor slots.

By the time the U20 Girls headed out for their final heat, the northwest wind that had been blowing all day disappeared, and a few fun little lines started reeling down the point. Tanika Hoffman surfed to victory against Heidi Palmboom, with local sisters Emma Smith and Gina Smith coming in third and fourth respectively.

Mikey February, who had been the topic of conversation all day, picked up two good rides in the beginning of the U20 Boys Final, and kept the lead all the way to the final siren. Davey van Zyl was second, with Max Armstrong and Dylan Lightfoot coming in third and fourth. Mikey was getting good scores from the judges by constantly pulling off those big forehand reverse maneuvers in the micro conditions.

Local ripper Dylan Lightfoot made the u20 final of the Bloodscan Surf Challenge

Greg Emslie opened up the Industry Cup final with a solid ride, linking big turns all the way through to the inside on a wave that many thought was the heat winner. Greg went into the lead with an 8.2 score for the wave. Shaun Payne surfed a good final but couldn’t find the right waves and came in fourth place. Gavin Roberts fought hard as well, but could only get one good scoring wave and came in third. Emslie was winning all the way to the end, when Mikey picked up a medium wave and pulled a big reverse air and a few linking turns before launching into another similar air move on the inside, nailing it, and getting the score required for the win.

14 degree water caused hyperthermia for some of the swimmers who did the 4 Km swim from Kitchens to Point during the contest

“It has been a great event,” said a grinning February on receiving his prizes and trophies. “Thanks to BloodScan, my supporters, my sponsors and my family.”

Event sponsor Lewis Khoury from BloodScan was very happy about the event and the participation from the surf industry.

“This event has been awesome,” said Lewis. “It enjoyed a great turnout, and the South African Surf Industry participation has been amazing. So many of the surfers in the industry have expressed their appreciation at the event, which has been very positive.”

Lewis continued to say that there will be more participation from BloodScan in the future. “We will definitely be holding this contest again next year, but it will obviously be bigger and better,” said Lewis. “Everything worked out well at this event except for the surf, which was small throughout, but everyone knows that we could easily score some magic surf in the future. This is Jeffreys Bay after all.”

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Lightfoot advancing in World Surf Champs

April 20, 2012

Dylan Lightfoot was the standout performer for Team SA on Day 3 of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championships yesterday, posting the highest heat tally of Round 2 in the U18 Boys division and then advancing to the last 16 in the Qualifying stream with a victory in his Round 3 heat later in the day.

Dylan Lightfoot is making J'Bay proud in the World Junior Surf Champs in Panama.

Max Armstrong and Emma Smith also produced impressive displays with Armstrong maintaining his unbeaten record in Panama and progressing to the last 16 in the U16 Boys while Smith moved into Round 3 of the U18 Girls with a comfortable heat victory.

Those three are the only South Africans still in the Qualifying streams of their respective divisions as the rest of the Team SA members in action yesterday all finished third or fourth in their heats and dropped into the grueling Repercharge rounds where anything other than a first or second place finish results in elimination from the event.

Competing in head high glassy waves, Lightfoot started his Round 2 heat with a manoeuvre packed ride that earned him 7.67 out of 10 from the judges and followed that up with an even better ride of 8.33 to control proceedings throughout the encounter and leave his opponents from Brazil, the UK and Argentina scrapping for second place.

The confident 17 year-old from Jeffreys Bay, who clinched the runners-up silver medal in the U16 division of the ISA World junior event in Peru last year and is coming off an outstanding victory in an international event in Australia 10 days ago, followed that up with another dominant showing in Round 3 where a pair of six-point rides gave him the heat victory and a berth in the last 16 of the Qualifying stream.

Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay) continued her good form and, although she could not emulate her high-scoring feats on Monday, she won her Round 2 heat convincingly to stay in the Qualifying stream. Teammate Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach) suffered the heartbreak of a last minute loss when she was overtaken for second spot by Nikki Viesins (USA) on the last ride of the heat.

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J Bay surfers shine for South Africa

April 18, 2012

Team SA started Day 2 of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in style with Dylan Lightfoot comfortably winning his opening encounter in the event before Emma Smith produced the highest score by a South African in the first heat of the U18 Girls division.

J Bay local Emma Smith had a flying start for South Africa.

As the wave size increased with the incoming tide, Smith (Jeffreys Bay) started her heat with a solid 5.0 point ride and then went on to post an excellent score of 8.83, the third highest single ride of the entire event to date, leaving her opponents from the UK and Argentina fighting for second spot and a berth in Round 2 of the Girl’s Qualifying stream.

In the earlier tricky low tide conditions, Lightfoot bagged scores of 5.33 and 5.37 (both out of 10) and with his rivals unable to deliver anything over a 3.83, he joined compatriots Josh Smit and Mikey Venter in Qualifying Round 2 of the U18 Boys division.

Dylan Lightfoot is making waves for South Africa.

Yesterday’s action continued with the first eight of the 16 heats in Qualifying Round 2 for both the U18 and U16 Boys. Josh Smit (Durban) kept his teammates on the beach on tenterhooks when he only rode two waves during his 20 minute heat. However, although Smit finished well behind the 13.07 posted by heat winner Tom Cloarec (FRA), his heat tally of 9.10 was enough for second place and a spot in Qualifying Round 3 in the U18’s

Max Armstrong (Scarborough) continued his winning roll, racking up rides of 6.50 and 5.50 to move confidently into Qualifying Round 3 of the U16’s. But Matt McGillivray (Port Elizabeth) was not as fortunate and despite scouring the lineup and riding eight waves he slipped to third place behind rivals from Brazil and Australia to drop into the sudden-death Repercharge rounds.

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Surf Challenge in Jeffreys Bay

April 15, 2012

The inaugural Bloodscan Surf Challenge and Industry Cup is fast approaching, and Jeffreys Bay is gearing up to host what promises to be a dynamic new event on the surfing calendar as well as a great gathering of the South African surf community.
With R 74000 in prize money and the promise of excellent waves at The Point in Jeffreys Bay, the entries have been flying in and the contest organisers are well on the way to a full house of entries.

Warren Dean will be surfing at his old stomping ground, the Point.

This open event comes at a time when the South African surfers are hungry for events, and it incorporates 5 divisions, so everyone can enter. The divisions are Open Men’s(Industry Cup), U20 Boys, U20 Girls, U14 Boys and U14 Girls. Open Division first prize is R 15 000.

The Industry Cup, which hasn’t been surfed since 2003 (Billabong hold the trophy) is going to be an entertaining component of the event, with surf teams from all over the country entered into the event. Majority of the top surfers in the country are representing their sponsors, and there are going to no doubt be a few friendly old rivalries coming to the fore.

Quiksilver has fielded a strong team of Slade Prestwich and Beyrick De Vries, who placed first and second in the Quiksilver Pro Junior in Durban recently. They are joined by powerful goofy-footer and former WQS event-winner Dan Redman, as well as Dane Patterson, who will be representing from the Quiksilver offices, and who knows how to wet a rail as well.

Dale Staples will be surfing for the powerful Billabong team.

Billabong is equally as strong, with Dale Staples, Sean Holmes, Shaun Payne and Raymond Robertson representing. All four of them are dangerous on right-hand point breaks and Dale, Sean and Shaun all have impressive Jeffreys Bay victories under their belts. On paper this looks like a winning team, and they could well be victorious and defend their title, but we all know that paper representation can be way different to what goes down on the beach at contest time.

Another danger team is the impressive Volcom crew. Alan Johns and Shane Thorne are fierce competitors who compete to win, while Luke Patterson and Simon Nicholson can both be unbeatable in good waves. They will want to do well, get the silverware from Jeffreys Bay and take it home with them to Durban.

Similarly dangerous is the Firewire team, comprising Ryan Payne, Warren Dean, Craig Els and Ari Kraak. This is another team with extensive Jeffreys Bay knowledge, and every one of these guys is a fierce competitor. Any one of them could make it to the final and win the whole event, and as a team they have depth and experience, which is so important in team events.

There has been a fairly good start to the season in Jeffreys Bay already, and contest organisers are confident that there will be good waves for the event. The contest venue is The Point in Jeffreys Bay, a perfect wave in its own right, but often overlooked due to its older brother, Supertubes, always showing off just up the road. The Point provides a perfect canvas for high performance surfing, as well as for solid carving.

The event is sponsored by BloodScan, and will be raising much needed funds for the Supertubes Surfing Foundation. The Foundation has been preserving the waves and beaches of Jeffreys Bay since 1999. The Supertubes Surfing Foundation is a joint venture between the local surf clubs and the surf industry in Jeffreys Bay.

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JBay groms shine at SA Surf Champs

April 11, 2012

Western Province beat hosts Eastern Province and won the coveted Mandela Bay Trophy at the 2012 Billabong SA Grommet Games in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

It was close though and Western Province had to fight hard to wrest the trophy from the host province who won it in 2009, 2010 and last year. After counting all the points scored in each of the events that make up the Grommet Games, Western Province posted a total of 27,645 points while Eastern Province came in with 27,111. Kwazulu-Natal Central was third, Southern Cape came fourth, Boland were fifth, Border sixth, Southern KZN seventh and Zululand finished eighth.

Bernardt Pretorius, Zoe Smith and Ryan Lightfoot at the SA Gromemt Champs.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Trophy is awarded to the provincial team with the highest combination of scores from the individual surfing results as well as the results from the Tag Team, Paddle Battle and Beach Flags.

Over 120 girls and boys from eight provincial associations took part in the annual event which is Surfing South Africa’s premier entry level inter provincial tournament.

During the event competitors enjoyed good offshore conditions, endured rainy onshore surf and had to battle strong to gale force winds but there were no complaints.

The three Jeffreys Bay surfers in the Champs all made the finals of their respective age groups with Bernardt Pretorius coming 3rd in the U/16 division, Zoe Smith came 2nd in the U12 division and Ryan Lightfoot came 3rd in the U/12 boys division.

Ryan Lightfoot up and riding.

“I was stoked to make the final and will be aiming at winning my age group and making the SA Team next year”, said an elated Ryan Lightfoot after the event.

Pretorius was also selected for the SA team as a reward for his efforts!

2012 SA Development Academy Squad:

BOYS : Ntando Msibi (KZNC),Peter Coffey (EP), Bernhardt Pretorius (EP), Birk Jorgensen (WP), David Garcia (WP), Jelina Sithole (SKZN), Lutho Ngquba (KZNC), Alex Van Rijswick (EP), Sebastian Bidoli (WP), Ghotso Khesa(KZNC), Riel Viviers (SC), Manqoba Dladla (SKZN), Lwandile Ngcungama (SKZN), Gabriel Fernandes (WP), Julien Zens (Bol), Redd Valentino-Debray (WP), Andreas Lubanjana (SKZN).

GIRLS : Samantha Sutton (WP), Michelle Verreynne (SC), Aishah Abrahams (EP), Samkeliswe Cele (KZNC), Kayla-Anne Verreynne (SC), Zama Japha (KZNC), Ibtehaj Jaylanie (EP), Tamlyn Gill (EP).

MANAGERS : Paul Izzard (KZNC), Babara Johnson (WP)

COACH : Roger Vuuanza (WP)

Full results:

U16 BOYS

1. NTANDO MSIBI – KZNC
2. PETER COFFEY – EP
3. BERNHARDT PRETORIUS – EP
4. BIRK JORGENSEN – WP

U16 GIRLS

1. SAMANTHA SUTTON – WP
2. MICHELLE VERREYNNE – SC
3. JAYDE LAMB – KZNC
4. CAROLINE VAN DER MERWE – SC

U14 BOYS

1. ALEX VAN RIJSWICK – EP
2. SEBASTIAN BIDOLI – WP
3. GHOTSO KHESA – KZNC
4. RIEL VIVIERS – SC

U14 GIRLS

1. KAYLA-ANNE VERREYNNE – SC
2. DANICA STOCKIGT – BOR
3. ZAMA JAPHA – KZNC
4. DANIELLA ARRIGO – KZNC

U12 BOYS

1. JULIEN ZENS – BOL
2. REDD VALENTINO-DEBRAY – WP
3. RYAN LIGHTFOOT – EP
4. KEEGAN SMITH – ZUL

U12 GIRLS

1. OLIVIA IZZARD – KZNC
2. ZOE SMITH – EP
3. FINN MUSSON – BOR
4. BIANCA LAUBSCHER – BOL
5. ANATASSIA PETERSEN – WP

U10

1. RUBEN VOSTER – SC
2. MANOA ROBB – WP
3. YORK VAN JAARSVELDT- WP

U8

1. JAMES RIBBINK – KZNC
2. SAMUEL BENNIE – WP
3. LOYISO NGCUNGAMA – SKZN
4. GABRIEL KRIEL – BOR

MANDELA BAY TROPHY

1. WESTERN PROVINCE – 27 645
2. EASTERN PROVINCE – 27 111
3. KZN CENTRAL – 26 986
4. SOUTHERN CAPE – 22 996
5. BOLAND – 21 316
6. BORDER – 19 273
7. SOUTHERN KZN – 16 004
8. ZULULAND – 3 690

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Dylan Lightfoot wins down under

April 9, 2012

Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia — After an epic day of big storm surf waves at Bells Beach and progressive surfing performances by a crop of the world’s best young surfers, Dylan Lightfoot (17, South Africa) and Tatiana Wetson-Webb (15, Kauai, Hawaii) emerged victorious at the Rip Curl International GromSearch.

J'Bay local Dylan Lightfoot, far right, won the Rip Curl Grom Search

In the Boys Final, Lightfoot scored an 8.5 and an 8.43 on two impressive rides which saw him tear apart the burly Bells waves on offer. Brazil’s Filipe Toledo was nipping at his heels the entire Final.

After demolishing his third wave for a 9.33, Toledo nearly caught a potentially heat-winning wave in the dying seconds, but came up less than a point short with a 6.73 score. Cameron Richards (USA) finished third, with a total heat score of 13.00, and Tommy Boucaut (AUS) took fourth with 8.93.

“This is definitely one of the biggest victories of my life,” Lightfoot said after being sprayed down with Red Bull by his fellow competitors on the winner’s podium. “It was very tough out there today. The waves were very powerful and looked a lot better from the beach.”

With his victory, Lightfoot earned a wildcard into the 2012 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Invitational, one of the surfing world’s most prestigious invitational events. He will face a field of the world’s best tube riders when the event takes place at Bali’s iconic left barrel later this year (July 15-Aug 26).

“I still can’t believe I’m going to surf in the Padang Cup,” said Lightfoot, who was competing in his first-ever International GromSearch event. “I’m really excited for that. It still doesn’t seem real.”

The Rip Curl GromSearch series is an International Series for male and female surfers aged 16 years and under. Over 2 000 groms compete in the series worldwide and it all comes down to the final 8 competitors representing their country at the International final.

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Mick Fanning wins at Bells Beach – Jordy comes 5th

April 6, 2012

Mick Fanning (AUS) has claimed the 2012 Rip Curl Pro over reigning 11 time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater in offshore 3 – 5 foot waves at Bells Beach.

Mick Fanning is the winner of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. Photo: ASP

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion today with pundits calling it the “best Final in event history.” There are only 10 events on the Tour this after Jeffreys Bay was
controversially axed by sponsor Billabong in late February.

The Australian and American went blow for blow throughout the 35 minute bout, exchanging massive scores and the lead several times before the dust settled.

“I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh, here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off. I’m really at a loss for words and I’m just pumped. It doesn’t get any sweeter. The crowd’s been amazing with the whole amphitheater and the history that comes with it. I always picture this event and have had some seconds over the years, so to get this one, I’m so pumped.”

Today’s win marked Fanning’s 14th elite tour win and his first Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach win since 2001. It also brings the Australian’s record with Slater closer to even at 7 to Kelly’s 8 in their heat matchup history.

This year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach was dedicated to the memory of three time event winner Michael Peterson (AUS), who tragically passed away last week, and the Final was preceded by a minute’s applause in memory of the great Australian.

“I was on the verge of tears out the back,” Fanning said. “I just sat out the back before the Final and just took in the whole crowd. It’s not everyday you’ve got the crowd cheering and I could have paddled in after that, but I’m glad I didn’t though.”

Kelly Slater was ripping!! Photo: ASP

Although finishing an uncharacteristic 13th at his homebreak on the Gold Coast, today’s victory rockets Fanning to No. 3 on the ASP World Championship Tour rankings heading into the next event.

Slater fought back from an early combination situation with an incredible full rotation aerial for a Perfect 10. The legendary natural footer backed it up moments later with an 8.07 to take the lead, but would only hold it briefly after an assault from Fanning.

“I was moving around trying to get active and I was just finding my feet,” Slater said. “I knew Mick (Fanning) was going to be real patient. I knew he got that start and then I tried to talk to him and he put his serious head on and pissed me off, so I thought I’d throw a big rotator on him and it wasn’t enough. That was pretty exciting for me. Even when he had the 9 and 8-something, I had a feeling I was in it. I felt like something good was going to come my way and it started to. I had one more chance and that was about it. I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle with the waves out there, with the long intervals and long lulls, but that’s just the way it goes.”

Slater’s Runner-Up finish moves him back to the No. 1 spot on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, was a standout throughout the entire event, dominating the Bells Bowl and Rincon sections with an unmatched affinity. However, the stylish natural-footer would fall to Gold Coast stable mate Fanning in the Semifinals despite an impressive array of scores.

“I told Mick (Fanning) to ring that thing,” Parkinson said. “He beat me and I hope he beats Kelly (Slater). No one is more deserving. He’s come close so many times and put more time in here than anyone. If it wasn’t me, I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d want to see win it. We’ve had lots of battles and today I couldn’t get a good turn in. I was hoping for more waves and I was hoping to surf it out rather than sit it out. It’d be great to see Mick win it today. He’s a Kirra boy and he deserves it in memory of him, Michael (Peterson) was such a Kirra legend and Mick too, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting end to the day.”

Parkinson’s Equal 3rd today bumps him to No. 4 on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings heading into the next event.

South African Jordy Smith ended up in equal 5th postion in the contest.

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.80
2 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.07

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.10 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.83
SF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.83 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.43

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.06 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.66
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.97 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.10
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.00 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 10.27
QF 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.63 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.63

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 5 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.93 def. John John Florence (HAW) 14.00
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.40 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.36
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.27 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.90
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.27 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.04

CURRENT ASP TOP 3 (After Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 13,200 pts
2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12,000 pts
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11,750 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11,750 pts

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Greg Emslie wins the Buccaneers Surf Classic

April 3, 2012

Greg Emslie won the 2012 Buccaneers Surf Classic in perfect conditions at East London’s Eastern Beach, proving that at the ripe old age of 36 he remains one of the top surfers in South Africa.

Emslie, who received a cheque for R 2500 at the opening function of the event as the Pro Surf Tour champion for 2011, added R 12 000 to this as he pocketed the winner’s purse in the home grown 4A Pro Surf Tour contest.

Greg Emslie was a popular home town winner. Photo: SSA

Top Kommetjie surfer Michael February will return to Cape Town R 4 800 richer courtesy of his deserved second place while Beyrick de Vries of Umhlanga pocketed R 3 000 for third place and Durban’s Chad du Toit took fourth place.

A top class field produced some phenomenal surfing on Day two of the event taking full advantage of perfect offshore winds and 4 – 6 foot Eastern Beach barrels.

Although finishing second to Emslie there is no doubt that Michael February was the surfer of the contest. His aerial attack and futuristic moves had the crowd on their feet and despite the fact that he lacked a back up wave in the Final, February scored 12.25 points against Emslie’s 13.50.

SA Masters team member Andre Malherbe won the Open Division and Gareth Sepp won the Plate section of the Open Division. Jethro Johnson won the Over 30 final, Andre Malherbe added the Over 40 title to his haul and Dave Fish won the Over 50 title.

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