Mr Price Pro Ballito 2010
Winter in the gorgeous KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa means… well… sun, surf and the world’s top surfers battling it out at the Mr Price Pro Ballito from 1 – 11 July 2010.
The province of almost eternal summer is home to one of this week-long, 5-star rated surfing event, which forms part of the Association of Surfing Professionals’ (ASP) World Tour and the ASP Africa circuits is also widely regarded to be one of the longest running professional surfing events in the world.
But the top surfers are lured by more than just the historical significance of the event or the ASP ratings points that can be racked up. The R1 million prize money definitely holds an allure as well.
Among the local surfers who will be vying for that significant loot includes Durbanite and former ASP World Tour competitor Ricky Basnett, Greg Emslie from East London, Capetonian Royden Bryson, Durbanites Antonio Bortoletto, Brandon Jackson, Rudy Palmboom and Shane Thorne. Other Natallers competing in the event will include Frankie Obherholzer, Gary Van Wieringen and Gavin Roberts. One of the undisputed star attractions at this year’s event will be Jordy Smith, who is currently ranked number 3 in the world.
This year the Mr Price Pro Women’s event will be added, with the likes of Stacy Guy from Melkbosstrand, Sarah Baum from Athlone Park, Bianca Buitendag from George, and Tanika Hoffman from Kommetjie taking part. In the Pro Junior division, Beyrick De Vries from Umhlanga will battle it out against Davey Brand from Kommetjie, Matthew Bromley from Cape Town and Jaco Steyn from Melkbosstrand.
Apart from the sun and surf, some of South Africa’s greatest musical acts, like Prime Circle and Farryl Purkiss, will also be performing on the nights of the 9th and 10th of July. For more information, visit www.mrpricepro.com
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And the 2009 ASP Africa Men’s Title Goes To..?
Royden Bryson!
Following the conclusion of the mid-year international surfing contest season in South Africa, 26-year old Bryson – formerly of East London and now residing and surfing in Cape Town – clinched the title after being in dominant form in the four ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events staged in South Africa this year.
By winning the 1-Star-rated Lizzard Nandos Pro in Durban, finishing as runner-up in the 5-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Cape Town and placing equal 17th in both the 6-Star Prime-rated Quiksilver Pro Durban and the 6-Star Mr Price Pro Ballito, Bryson managed to accumulate 4263 points. That’s nearly 700 more than ASP Africa runner-up Travis Logie, from Durban. Bryson also set a prize-money record by pocketing R102 350, more than double that earned by any of the other 96 ASP Africa members.
After losing their places among the top 45 ranked surfers on the ASP world Tour at the end of last year, Bryson and Logie are hoping to requalify for the 2010 Dream Tour.
Since there was only one event – the Mr. Price Pro Ballito – no ASP Africa women’s champion will be crowned this year. The 2009 ASP Africa Pro Junior men’s and women’s U20 titles will be up at the Billabong Pro Junior events at Victoria Bay at the end of September.
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Aussie Wins CWC in Stormy Cape
The O’Neill Cold Water Classic which wrapped up near Cape Town yesterday was even colder and wilder thanks to a massive, raging storm.
But amid the massive solid six foot swells and big waves pounding the shore, the skilled surfers bravely continued to battle it out. In the end, it was 24-year old Aussie Blake Thornton who earned the South African CWC trophy – a replica of a shark’s jaw – which he proudly held aloft.
With his victory, Blake beat local fave Royden Bryson. Blake told Global Surf News how Royden had fallen on his final wave. “I think maybe the cold was getting to us. I am sorry for him, but so glad I won.”
About surfing in the wild, shark-infested waters of South Africa, Royden said: “Thankfully this is a fake jaw. Hopefully I won’t see any real ones. There was actually a seal swimming around out there with us in the final. Everyone knows that sharks love seals, but actually in a heat you’re only worried about what’s going on in the heat.”
His focus paid off. His victory earned him 1500 points and $12 000.
Final results are:
O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa
Final
1. Blake Thornton (AUS) 1 500 points $12 000
2. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 1 313 Points $6 000
Semifinals (Winner to final, 2nd = 3rd place, 1 125 pts + $3 500)
SF1: Royden Bryson (ZAF) def. Glenn Hall (AUS)
SF2: Blake Thornton (AUS) def. Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Quarterfinals (Winner to semis, 2nd = 5th place, 975 pts, $2 000)
QF1: Royden Bryson (ZAF) def. Kyle Lane (ZAF)
QF2: Glen Hall (AUS) def. Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
QF3: Jarrad Howse def. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
QF4: Blake Thornton (AUS) def. Jean de Silva (BRA)
The next CWC will take place in Canada’s Vancouver Island in October.
(Source)
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Upcoming: Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro
Some of South Africa’s top surfers are gearing up to take a bite out of the upcoming Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro set to take place this coming weekend (15 – 17 May 2009) at Durban’s North Beach. The event, now in its seventh year, has a cool R100 000 in prize money and 250 WQS points (for the winner) up for grabs.
Among the strong South African contenders is Durban’s Warwick Wright. He has already won this event in 2006, which means that he might just pull off a repeat victory. Another Durbanite, Brandon Jackson, will also compete. Ranked 15th, Brandon is currently the highest placed South African on the WQS, making him another strong contender for the title.
Two other entrants to watch are Ricky Basnett (another Durbanite) and Royden Bryson from East London. Both of them were on the elite WCT in 2008 and since they are competing on the WQS this year to regain their spots on next year’s WCT, they are bound to give it their all.
With so many serious and seriously skilled surfers taking part, it is bound to be a spellbinding event!
For more info, visit lizzardsurf.net
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Three Saffas Advance at Quiksilver Pro Durban
Only three local surfers have advanced to participate in the next round at the 2009 Quiksilver Pro at Durban’s New Pier.
Travis Logie, one of the favourites in the competition, advanced to the next round by winning his heat yesterday morning.
The only other South African surfer to win his heat was Cape Town’s Royden Bryson.
“There were actually some fun waves out there, and I really enjoyed surfing in my heat,” said Logie after leaving the water. “It was quite inconsistent out there and I was in two minds if I should sit and wait for the good ones or just get some scores under my belt. In the end, I decided to just take off on anything half decent and went for the big turn option, and it seemed to pay off.”
The last South African to qualify to the next round yesterday was Durban’s Chad du Toit. He placed second behind Logie to move in to the next round.
By far the biggest unpleasant surprise of the day was the elimination of reigning champion David Weare of Durban, who lost out to Tahiti’s Alain Riou and Hawaiians Jesse Merle-Jones and Mason Ho.
“I’m really bummed to be out of the event,” a clearly disappointed Weare said. “I really wanted to defend my title and I blew two waves that could have put me one step closer to it. I think I just too the wrong option going for that aerial on the second wave and it cost me. I blew a wave and lost a heat.”
Weare’s bitter disappointment is understandable. This event, which pits 136 of the world’s best surfers against each other, carries the highest possible ASP WQS rating as well as a very generous US$145 000 in prize money, with the winner pocketing US$20 000 as well as wracking up 3 500 ASP WQS ratings points.
Day 3 of the event is underway with the following South Africans surfing their heats today: Greg Emslie, Rudy Palmboom, Brandon Jackson, Manfred Adrio, Haydn Mac Nicol, David Richards, Paul Canning, Ricky Basnett, Daniel Redman, Kyle Lane, Keegan Nel, Shane Thorne, Antonio Bortoletto, Kyle Beach, Beyrick de Vries and Casey Grant.
Good luck, guys!
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