Tradition is a powerful thing, and thanks to the Boardwalks sponsorship the EP Juniors can revive the wonderful tradition of being kitted out in an EP blazer. And flip, don't they just look great! They will be the first EP since the early 70's to be kitted out in them. Long may the tradition endure from here onwards.

Here's the official press release from Wednesday's awards ceremony:


There was much fanfare and celebration at the Boardwalk last night as the Eastern Province Junior Surfers received their colours ahead of the South African Surfing Champs which start next Wednesday in Jbay.

Blazers, sponsored by the Boardwalk, were handed our by MD Brett Hoppe, who still claims, “to surf when no one is watching!”  In addition, Billabong sponsored T shirts, hats and goodie bags to the 21 strong member team and officials.  Team and individual photographs were taken and delicious dinner was on offer by the Boardwalk.  The team then stayed over at the hotel group, which also sponsors accommodation, food and the Gazebo (thanks to Porta Shade).

In attendance too, was legend coach (Graham) Hynsie and the victorious EP Senior Team – fresh from their win in Mosselbay.  Board shaper, Dennis Ellis joined in, as did proud parents and friends of the team members.

Johnny Bakker – Vice President of Surfing SA says  “Its fantastic to see local business support surfing and this sort of generosity elevates surfing as a sport in SA– the EP Team can be proud.  We wish them luck next week”.

Grant Beck from Billabong is “proud to be associated with the EP team - The excitement is palpable and they are such a stoked bunch of surfers.  They are so united and bonded this year - its awesome – they really live the Billabong lifestyle”.

As an extra team building experience, some of the members, together with Louisa Lightfoot and Manager, Annie Van Der Merwe, went off to the Missionvale Care Centre.  Louisa explains further .

“This morning after a divine buffet breakfast at the boardwalk we were taken to Missionvale Care Centre by the Boardwalk minibus. The EP Junior team and the Boardwalk Hotel donated 200 cooldrinks, chips and fruit to the children of Missionvale school. 

We were introduced to Sister Ethel who started the centre 27 years ago and has grown it into a huge positive influence for a very impoverished community.  The school headmistress addressed very well behaved school of kids who were so thrilled to be treated. Many of the school children receive no form of nourishment at home and rely on the school for one meal a day. The EP Junior team manager Annie VD Merwe and Dylan Lightfoot gave a small inspirational speech and the children played some soccer and took photos with the EP Team. 

The work that Sister Ethel and her team are doing for the community is very inspirational.  Anyone wanting to donate food, clothing, funds or anthing to Missionvale care centre can please contact Anni on 082 4499963 or go to www.missionvale.co.za.

Yeweeeee! EP wins the SA Champs!! Too much excited! Shot to our uber-talented EP Open team, made up of Emma and Gina Smith, Crystal Hulett, Faye Zoetmulder, Dylan Lightfoot, Steven Sawyer, Jerry van Wyk, Dane van Greunen, Dominique Abersalie, Grant Beck, Jean du Plessis and Tabu Burger.

Well done for bringing back the trophy, as well as both u20 SA titles. Thanks as well to our 3 judges who travelled to Mossel Bay – Merrick Fairall, Ishmaeel Abrahams and Raaiq Pandie. 

Here's the official press release:

An ecstatic Eastern Province team won the coveted President’s Cup at the 49th South African Surfing Championships for only the second time in the history of the event today (Saturday) thanks to a well structured performance in good 6 foot surf at Outer Pool in Mossel Bay. Ironically their only other victory at the South African Championships was in 2008 at Victoria Bay which is located some 50 kms away from Mossel Bay.

Eastern Province’s neighbours, Border, were the runners up and Western Province came third. 2013 Champions Southern KZN had to settle for fourth place but will be happy to have finished ahead of the powerful KZN Central Team. Hosts Southern Cape came sixth, Boland were seventh and Zululand were eighth.

In addition to the team win, Eastern Province can proudly return home not only with the Presidents Cup but also with two Jeffrey’s Bay based individual South African champions. The 2013 U20 Girls Champion Emma Smith successfully defended her Under 20 title on a tie break against Nina Woerman of Western Province while her close friend Dylan Lightfoot posted 15,9 to edge out teammate Steven Sawyer to win the U20 Boys gold medal. Sawyer was presented with the Zigzag Blowing Up Award for his consistent high quality surfing throughout the event.

Joining Lightfoot and Smith as 2014 South African Champions are current World and South African Masters Champion Greg Emslie and defending South African Women’s Champion and Border teammate, Nikita Robb. Both Emslie and Robb are East London born and bred and it showed in their power surfing in the difficult 6 foot Mossel Bay Surf.

Emslie, who was runner up in 2013, posted 11,5 points to add a fourth South African Men’s Title to his name while Robb’s 12 points in the Final secured her an incredible fourth South African Women’s title in a row.

Balmy conditions and no waves on Day One ensured that not a single heat of the twenty three scheduled for Day one could be held. This forced contest officials to scrap the repercharge or “second chance” rounds so that the event could be completed in two days.

The predicted surf arrived overnight along with poor weather but the 4 to 6 foot waves made for some good surfing and produced high scores from the country’s best surfers. There were some upsets but in the end the best surfers in the event made their way to the finals and onto the podium.

Emslie’s fourth SA Championship Title ahead of last year’s U20 Boys Champion and National Team member Mikey February of Western Province sees him go into the history books as one of South Africa’s best surfers in 49 years.

Third in the Men’s Final was Mossel Bay local Llewellyn Whittaker, who was representing Southern Cape, while fourth place was claimed by Scott Venter who was surfing for Zululand.

Robb’s fourth title win in a row gives her a special place in South African surfing history. Her good friend and former SA Masters Champion Tasha Mentasti had a great contest and her teammates at Southern Cape will celebrate her silver medal in this premier division. 2014 South African team member Tanika Hoffman came third ahead of her Western Province teammate Tarryn Chudleigh.

In the Under 20 Boys Final Jordy Maree of Western Province came third behind Lightfoot and Sawyer with Steff Burrows of Boland taking fourth spot. Nina Woerman of Western Province tied for first place with Emma Smith in the U20 Girls Final and was eventually placed second on a count back. She was named Surfer of the Contest for her overall performance and won the prize that was sponsored by Bluegum Country Estate in Stanford. Nicole Pallet was third and her KZN Central teammate Teal Hogg came fourth.

All the finalists won Skullcandy Headphones and Neff watches while the winners won Primi Piatti vouchers, a bottle of Campbells Peak red wine and a portable speaker set.

49th South African Surfing Championships

Final Results

Team Title

1. Eastern Province                                         24 050 pts      President’s Cup
2. Border                                                        23 244 pts     
3. Western Province                                        22 940 pts     
4. Southern KZN                                             19 370 pts      
5. KZN Central                                                18 720 pts
6. Southern Cape                                            17 644 pts
7. Boland                                                        15 660 pts     
8. Zululand                                                        9 500 pts

Men

1. Greg Emslie (Border)                                   11.50              Gold Medal
2. Mikey February (WP)                                   11.00              Silver Medal
3. Llewellyn Whittaker (SCape)                         9.00              Bronze Medal
4. Scott Venter (Zul)                                          8.35              Copper Medal

Women

1. Nikita Robb (Border)                                    12.00              Gold Medal
2. Tasha Mentasti (SCape)                                9.15              Silver Medal
3. Tanika Hoffman (WP)                                    8.00              Bronze Medal
4. Tarryn Chudleigh (WP)                                  4.95              Copper Medal

U20 Boys

1. Dylan Lightfoot (EP)                                    15.90              Gold Medal
2. Steven Sawyer (EP)                                    15.75              Silver Medal
3. Jordy Maree (WP)                                       14.65              Bronze Medal
4. Steff Burrows (Bol)                                        5.40              Copper Medal

U20 Girls

1. Emma Smith (EP)                                          9.50              Gold Medal
2. Nina Woermann (WP)                                     9.50              Silver Medal
3. Nicole Pallet (KZNC)                                       9.00              Bronze Medal
4. Teal Hogg (KZNC)                                          9.00              Copper Medal


Surfer of the Contest
Nina Woermann (WP)

Zigzag Blowing Up Award
Steven Sawyer (EP)

Event organiser Gregg Clarke gives us the wrap on a great weekend's surfing:

"With about a week to go, I double click, “windguru Port Elizabeth”……oh kak! Pumping SE winds for the final day! So I phone a couple of the boys and I tune we must pray, so we did…and the winds never came, but the swell did! We scored cooking Cobbles in the 2-3ft region, with no real wind and sunny skies- the perfect conditions for a logging extravaganza!

With over 30 contestants out of town, we were really hoping that Cobbles would show off a little! She did. O’s were tuning that these were some of the best longboard waves that they had ever surfed, quite a compliment for little old PE!

It is also the only contest were someone will get knocked out of the event only to be sitting 5 minutes later on the beach with a big smile on their face watching the classic surfing that goes down. This is the driving force within me, which keeps me amping to organise this event! As long as surfing is celebrated here, I will continue to do it. This is definitely not a place for the ego in surfing- just look at some of the o’s short shorts! So ugly, but funny, therefore so cool! Guys were really so stoked to all hang out together and look at the different boards, appreciate the subtle differences in styles and learn more about the art of styling a classic longboard. 

Another highlight of the event, was to have, in my opinion the 3 best classic longboard shapers in South Africa watching and judging the event. Greg Smith, Des Sawyer and Mikey Meyer. Listening to them chat to one another sharing ideas and surfing values was truly an amazing experience. These guys have like almost 100 years of combined shaping experience!! They have tried it all, new school old school and they all confess that every day they are still learning! That stuck with me- a life lesson for all- no matter how much you know or how well you surf- you are still just learning!

Anyway lets get down to the surfing! The standard this year was incredible. Much higher than last year with pretty much every heat loaded from about the 5th round.

So lets pick it up from there. If you made this round you jumped straight into the quarters or if you lost, you found yourself in the last of the repo rounds. Names to mention at this stage who never made it past the quarters: Ryan Anderson, Milo Gilham, Matt Macleod and Dennis Can Der Zee. Anyone of these surfers could have made the final, with all of them scoring rides well into the excellent range of 8.5. The biggest shock at this stage was having the reigning champ Ludi, bow out. He was on fire throughout the event, but found himself a wave short in the quarters. 

The semi’s saw the Smith family call it a day (Galad and Greg), the last non local Alphonso Peters (from Cape Town) and myself. The waves were so fun in the semi’s with some easily 200m rides being had! Heat totals again were well into the excellent range with not much between the surfers. I had a cracker 300m ride that saw me do the run around, but not even that wave was enough to beat the top loggers.

The final saw two familiar faces from last years final, Craig Cuff and Jamie Morris. These o’s  just cruise their way into the finals. New faces were Steven Sawyer and Dean Simpson. Dean started off a bit slow with a couple of dud waves, giving Craig a comfortable lead halfway through the heat. Steve Sawyer had to swim in to collect his board a couple of times, courtesy of the no leashes rule. This put him on the back foot throughout the heat. Dean eventually started to find the right waves and ended the heat with a throw away 9! 

Craig was hot on his heels with Steven and Jamie battling for third. Jamie couldn’t find the same critical waves the others could and although his surfing oozed style and class, he had to settle for fourth. The jam packed beach was treated to a truly world class final by our local boys! There were high fives all round and four stoked surfers were greeted by the equally stoked crowd, who gathered on the famous Cobbles rock to take the traditional annual group photo- to remind us that surfing is to be shared and enjoyed by all. 

The ladies final saw completely new faces from last years final, with only one local Magreet Wibblelink (from Jbay). The rest were from Cape Town and flipping Australia! And yes, the bladdy Aussie won! Well done to Lucy Small from Oz, she has surfed heaps of logging contests back home and entered the Cobbles Classic for a laugh. It’s the second year in a row that a foreigner has won the Cobbles Queen title, last year Shannon Bolotin from the States was crowned the champ. Margreet grabbed second place with an impressive display of traditional surfing, from the more high performance focussed surfer. Susanne Leigh pipped Theressa Russel for third.

In the Classics division we saw a repeat of last years first and second place, with Greg Smith claiming the honours and Paul O Connel (from CT) coming in second. Greg Smith was untouchable in the final! I’m sure the open division was glad to see the back of him when he was knocked in the semi final, a clear contender for both divisions. In third, we saw Dave Macgregor (who flipping put me in the repo rounds of the open division!) and fourth the legend Johnny “one note” Macleod.

I need to again mention a few of the stand outs of the event. Ludi (Cobbles King 2013), Alphonso Peters (Style Master 2014), Dean “Porp” Simpson (the King), Lucy Small (the Queen), Greg Smith (Classics King), Dennis Can Der Zee (surfers surfer), Kye Macgregor (surfers surfer), Bernie Shelley (67 years old and current Divas SA champ) and Miles Gilham (the most amped logger in the West!). It’s the people like this who make a contest like this so sick! Truly my favourite contest in SA.

A quick thanks to the following sponsors:

O Neil- main sponsor of the event
Von Zipper- associate sponsor
Sector 9 skateboards
Signature Surf & Skate
Surf Centre
The Boardwalk Hotel
Greg Smith Surfboards
Maisch Fins

The prizes this year were amazing with a combined value of about R 40 000! Again an event like this is simply not possible without the involvement from the sponsors, so ja, on behalf of the 90 odd surfers a big thank you all!!!

Till next year,

Gregg.

If you'd like to purchase shots from the event (huge selection incl lifestyle), check out Kody McGregor's full gallery here:
http://www.cuffstuff.com/

The final event in the Billabong Junior Series 2014 is set to be held at the classic right-hand point-break of Seal Point. The contest will run 3-5 October, and is usualy gifted with classic surf at this premier East Coast wave.

The competition will be fierce at this the final event of the premier junior series in the country, with a number of surfers all eligible for series titles.

In the U12 Boys division York Van Jaarsveld leads the pack, with Tide Lee Ireland and Dylan Hendriks following close behind. Max Elkington has a substantial lead in the U14 Boys division, while Koby Oberholzer and Karl Steen are chasing him hard. Sophie Bell is leading the pack in the U14 Girls division, with Kirsty McGillivray and Olivia Izzard in second and third respectively. Jordan Maree is out in front in the U16 Boys division, with Jake Elkington and Joshe Faulkner close behind, while the talented natural-footer Ruth Armstrong leads the U16 Girls from Michelle Verreynne and Danica Stockigt.

In the Premier U20 Pro Junior ratings we have Emma Smith leading the ranks in the Pro Junior Women, with Chanelle Botha and Gina Smith in second and third place. The Pro Junior Men is being led by Max Armstrong, but Diran Zakarian, Dylan Lightfoot and Matt McGillivray are all not far behind.  

Apart from the series titles, there are a number of other prizes for the taking. The BOS Surfer Of The Contest, the Nixon WTA Award, the DaKine Youthful Movement Award, and the KR Finsfree Daily Awards.

Dennis Ellis will be giving away two surfboards for the Underground Ripper Awards, and there is the VonZipper Brainblast Off Airshow for the surfers to take to the skies.

The BOS Surfer Of The Series for the most consistent surfer of the series across all age divisions will win R10k cash, a custom-made BOS surfboard, BOS merchandise and a year's supply of BOS Iced Tea.

There is also an award of a Nixon Limited Edition 48-20 for the series winners in the U20 Boys and U20 Girls divisions.

The Billabong Junior Series 2014 has a number of supporting sponsors, including Playstation, Samsung, Techniblock, Nixon, VonZipper, KR Fins, Denis Ellis Surfboards and Future Life.

The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is a member of the South African Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and is recognised by the Dept. Of Sport and Recreation as the national governing body for surfing. 

The Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognised world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning undisputed World Champions since 1976.

South Africa’sJordy Smith today claimed a last-minute victory at the Hurley Pro at Trestles over Hawaii’s John John Florence to put a season of close calls behind him and move him up to No. 11 on the WCT rankings. Smith, 27, recently relocated to San Clemente and his local knowledge provided crucial wave selection in the final moments of the heat to steal the lead from Florence. The final scores were 16.50 (9.33 and 7.17) for Smith to Florence’s 15.87 (8.6 and 7.27). The Hurley Pro is Stop No. 8 of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, and the first Final of the year for both surfers.

The Swatch Women’s Pro Final was an all-Australian rematch of this year’s Fiji Women’s Pro, this time decisively clinched by five-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, 26. Gilmore notched the event’s only Perfect 10 and added a 9.50 to take the win over Sally Fitzgibbons. Final scores were 19.50 for Gilmore and 14.03 for Fitzgibbons (7.03 and 7.0). Second place for Fitzgibbons was sufficient to move the 23-year-old to the No. 1 spot on the rankings. Gilmore sits behind her in second place, and Carissa Moore (HAW), who was eliminated in Round 4, has dropped from first to third. The Swatch Women's Pro, the first ever women's WCT at Lower Trestles, was Stop No. 7 on this year’s Samsung Galaxy ASP Women’s World Championship Tour. 

Smith’s brilliant form saw him eliminate Adrian Buchan (AUS) in the Semifinals and reigning three-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) in the Quarterfinals before battling Florence. Smith found the winning wave in the final minutes and the victory is his first WCT win of the season and the fourth of his career.

“I feel unbelievable,” said Jordy Smith. “To be able to surf against the best surfer in the world at the moment is incredible. I started the heat really well but right toward to the end I started to think about everyone that’s been supporting me and it helped me nail that last wave. I knew I had to do something good. I’m over the moon, it’s a dream of mine to win Trestles, especially after moving here.”

21-year-old Florence posted the highest two-wave heat total and single-wave score of the competition en-route to the Final. He now sits at No. 8 on the ASP WCT Rankings after defeating Adriano De Souza (BRA) in the Quarterfinals and 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the Semifinal, for the second time this event - Florence also topped Slater in Round 4.

“I was hoping that Jordy’s wave wasn’t going to be enough but he got it,” saidJohn John Florence. “It was really hard to surf out there and good job to Jordy, he’s been surfing good all week. I’m so bummed, I hate coming that close to winning, but it’s given me some confidence going in to the next event.”

For the women, Gilmore was brilliant from the outset of the event. Surfing through three heats today, she eliminated Laura Enever (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and Coco Ho (HAW) in the Semifinals before facing Fitzgibbons. 

“I had a feeling that Sally and I would meet in the Final and I just wanted to get her back from Fiji because I had a really bad performance there,” saidStephanie Gilmore. “This win is a really definitive moment for me this year I think. This event is really special and to be able to compete here is fantastic, I can’t believe I won. The World Title race just got even harder and more exciting so I’m looking forward to Europe.”
 
Fitzgibbons was blistering through the final day of the Swatch Women's Pro, disposing of Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) and Johanne Defay (FRA) successively on route to the Final.

“It was a successful event and I felt really strong,” said Sally Fitzgibbons. “It’s just such a tough feeling to come in and not get the win. I was hearing those really high scores for Steph and I just wanted one of those for myself. I guess I just have to be happy with the way I progressed through the event and with second place. You always want to go one step further and I’ll be working hard to be in the Final at the next event.”

In a shock upset, Adrian Buchan (AUS) eliminated ASP World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Quarterfinals, opening the door for Slater to gain ground at No. 2 on the ASP WCT rankings; Joel Parkinson (AUS) to consolidate at 3rd; and Mick Fanning in 4th. Parkinson lost to Slater in the Quarterfinals.

Filipe Toledo (BRA) was awarded the Hurley Innovation Award for his huge backside air-rotation in his Round 2 heat against Adam Melling (AUS). Toledo finished in equal 13th place after being eliminated in Round 3 by fellow Brazilian Adriano De Souza. Lakey Peterson (USA) took the Swatch Innovation Award for her air reverse against Carissa Moore (HAW) in Round 4, and finished in equal 5th.

Hurley Pro at Trestles Final Results:
1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.50
2: John John Florence (HAW) 15.87

Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles Final Results:
1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 19.50 
2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.03

Hurley Pro at Trestles Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.10 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.30
SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 15.10 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.10

Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.84 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.03
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 17.04 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.66

Hurley Pro at Trestles Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.87 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.53
QF 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 17.43 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.77
QF 3: John John Florence (HAW) 17.37 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 9.26
QF 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.87 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.33

Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.17 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.23
QF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.67 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.00
QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.44 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.33
QF 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 16.20 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.13

SAN CLEMENTE, CA/USA (Wednesday, September 17, 2014): 21-year-old John John Florence (HAW) surfed one of the most flawless heats in ASP history today, sealing a berth in tomorrow’s Quarterfinals and marking himself as the man to beat in the Hurley Pro at Trestles. His near-perfect two wave total of 19.73 eclipsed 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) andAdriano De Souza (BRA), and stands as the highest two-wave heat total of the competition. 

In total Florence posted a record-setting five rides of more than nine points in the 30-minute heat, which he credited to the incredible overhead surf on offer at San Clemente’s Lower Trestles. He sent the crowd into a frenzy, layering flair, torque and impossible rotation to every carve and aerial to put the level of his surfing beyond any question. Both Slater and De Souza were left needing a combination of scores and were forced to surf again in elimination Round 5 later in the day. Both survived and advanced to the Quarterfinals. De Souza and Florence will face off in Quarterfinal 3.

"I'm really grateful for the chance to skip a round because it's hard work out there," John John Florence said. "The waves are solid here this year and it's exhausting. I was pretty focused in that heat. I was fortunate enough to be on some really well-shaped waves that allowed me to open up and perform. Stoked on the heat and looking forward to a big finish tomorrow."

Today's three-man Round 4 match was the first time Florence and Slater have squared off since last month's Semifinal in Tahiti where the pair dueled in 15-foot surf - Slater emerging victorious.

Slater fought back from his earlier Round 4 defeat when he eliminated defending event winner Taj Burrow (AUS) in a nail-biting battle in Round 5. The pair went head-to-head and Slater took an epic last-second win, stealing a wave under Burrow’s priority to deal a crushing blow to the Australian. Slater will face Joel Parkinson (AUS) in the Quarterfinals.

“I’m pretty tired after surfing three heats, but I did everything I could and took my chance at the end,” said Kelly Slater. “We’ll wait to see how this event goes, but that was a World Title heat for me. If I’d loss that I think I would have been out of the race. I need to stay even with Gabriel (Medina), I need to win. That was a close one and some luck went my way at the end.”

In a highly anticipated rematch Gabriel Medina (BRA) found himself in the lineup alongside wildcard Carlos Munoz (CRI), who had topped him in the opening round. Despite critical surfing from the Costa Rican wildcard the ASP World No. 1 delivered an air reverse and a chain of maneuvers to put his mark on the heat and cement his dominance. Medina continued his run of excellent form when he faced Miguel Pupo (BRA) and Jordy Smith (ZAF) in Round 4 where he secured his place in the with a near perfect 9.83 Quarterfinals.

“The waves are great, the waves are really fun out there,” said Gabriel Medina. “I knew it was going to be a tough heat against Jordy (Smith) and Miguel (Pupo) because they’ve both been surfing really well out here. After my Round 3 win I felt better and more confident and I wasn’t feeling the same pressure.”

Reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) was the first of the day to secure a Quarterfinal berth after facing formidable competitors Michel Bourez (PYF) and Adrian Buchan (AUS). Fanning went for an air-reverse to put himself in the lead, backing it up using his power-carves and perfect, wrapping turns. Fanning's effort earned him a 9.07 and the win. Bourez was eliminated by Jordy Smith (ZAF) in Round 5 while Buchan bested Miguel Pupo (BRA) and joins Fanning in the Quarterfinals.

“You have to throw everything to wind and give it to your all out here,” saidMick Fanning. “I just need to win events and that’s what I’m going to aim for on the back half of the year. You have to build confidence here and focus on completing waves. I’m starting to feel good and learning this tricky lineup.”

“I felt like this success was coming, I just had to be patient,” said Adrian Buchan. “I’ve put a lot of hard work in this year to get this point and I finally feel that everything’s starting to work. This wave, no matter what style of surfing, you can do some really creative and innovating moves. It’s so great to watch everyone out here.”

Current ASP World No. 7 Adriano De Souza (BRA) claimed the second highest two-wave heat total of the day (18.00) and a place in the Quarterfinals following his Round 5 heat against Owen Wright (AUS). The Brazilian opened big, dropping into a set wave for one of his 9.03 and backed it up with an 8.93, leaving the Australian in a combo situation with a broken board. De Souza previously matched up against Filipe Toledo (BRA) in Round 3. The pair ended the heat with identical single-wave scores and two-wave heat totals, 16.67, and it came down to the third highest wave score, a 7.00, which belonged to De Souza. 

“To be honest it was a tough day because I’ve competed three times,” saidAdriano De Souza. “I feel so good right now to make the Quarterfinals but I’m exhausted. I’m really proud of myself to make all of those heats. That one against Filipe (Toledo) was one of the hardest heats I’ve ever had in my whole life but thanks to him for making it best. I’d love to make the podium buttomorrow will be tough. For sure John John (Florence) is the one to beat.”

Jordy Smith (ZAF) claims his second Quarterfinal berth of the year after topping current Bourez in elimination Round 5. The heat come down to the final minutes and Smith, currently No. 14 on the WCT rankings, showed off his power with some tail drifts and smooth turns. He scored a 7.57 and ousted Bourez from the contest.

“I didn’t really know what’s happening and didn’t realize that I’d got the scores,” said Jordy Smith. “They must really like the big waves. It’s so nice to be able to wake up in my own bed and to be staying so close to the contest site: it’s quality.”

To wrap up an amazing day of competition at the Hurley Pro ended with 1989 ASP World Champion Martin Potter taking to the water against Brad Gerlach, one of his biggest rivals of their time, in the second ASP Heritage Series heat. Gerlach blitzed the heat with 14 points to Potter’s 10.76.

Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.67 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.44
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.30 def. Nat Young (USA) 15.60
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.60 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.83
Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.93
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.17 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.93
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.30 def. Carlos Munoz (BRA) 8.77
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.84
Heat 8: John John Florence (HAW) 16.57 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.83
Heat 9: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 16.67 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.67
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.70 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.10 (AUS)
Heat 11: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.37 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.43
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.03 def. Artiz Aranburu (ESP) 13.70
 
Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.90, Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.70, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.14
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.46, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.00, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.03
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 19.73, Adriano De Souza (BRA) 17.84, Kelly Salter (USA) 11.83,
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.57, Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.44, Owen Wright (AUS) 13.90

Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.74 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.07
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.27
Heat 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 18.00 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 12.34
Heat 4: Kelly Salter (USA) 15.87 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.83

Hurley Pro at Trestles Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
QF 3: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Adriano De Souza (BRA)
QF 4: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)

The Boardwalk has come on board as one of the sponsors of the EP Junior Surf team. Awesome to have local business stepping in to help our lighties.

EP's Annie van der Merwe tells us more:

"Yes, the Boardwalk has gone all out for us. Isn’t it amazing, at least we can keep the costs down.  They are sponsoring us EP blazers, shirts, food and accommodation. They are also having a big gazebo, with board and wetsuit racks made for the beach.

The whole team was put up by the Boardwalk on Friday night with breakfast included.  The Spur at the Boardwalk sponsored us a meal on Friday night.  One of the little boys on the team, from Pellsrus in Jbay said after really enjoying his breakfast “n Engeltjie het nou net op my tong gepiepie”.  He meant all the food was like tasting a bit like heaven!

The team is really good, our spirit is great and the kids were all so well behaved.  There will be a handing over ceremony/cocktail evening on the 1st of October at the Boardwalk to which all our sponsors will be invited.

This is an amazing sponsorship and we are really grateful.  If we did not have the sponsorship all the parents would have had to help pay for the kids that cannot afford it."

Images by Sandy Coffey

Brazilian Filipe Toledo (BRA) roared to life today, taking to the air and stealing the show during Round 2 of the Hurley Pro at Trestles with the highest scoring ride of the event so far: 9.83 points. After four consecutive lay days, competition resumed at fever pitch and the first eliminations were dealt. Excellent overhead surf offered lengthy rides and saw strong performances by top seeds Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Kelly Slater (USA) to set the tone for what promises to be an event for the history books.

Australian Adam Melling took early control of his heat against Toledo, opening with an impressive succession of power turns for a 9.17. Toledo answered with a flawless and highly technical rotating aerial on his backhand, followed by a giant, vertical snap that got thousands on the beach cheering, including the entire competitors area. The progressive aerial maneuver puts him in line for the Innovation Award. Despite a solid showing by Melling, a long lull and last minute effort couldn’t push him past the energized Brazilian, and he leaves Lower Trestles with an equal 25th place. Toledo will face Adriano De Souza (BRA) in Round 3.
 
"I saw Melling doing some big turns and getting a huge score, so I knew I had to do something crazy," Filipe Toledo said. "I know the wind is really good for airs so when the first left came I just went for it. When I landed I was surprised but I’m stoked to get through. I’m looking forward to more heats and more airs.”

The opening heat of the day had ASP World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA) looking to redeem himself following an upset defeat at the hands of Costa Rican wildcard Carlos Munoz in Round 1. Medina took on compatriot Raoni Monteiro. The pair posted a series of low scores through the most of the heat but Medina finally went for it with a perfectly executed air, edging him into the lead and backing it up with a frontside air grab. Monteiro answered back with solid, backhand carves, foam climbs and hacks but it wasn't enough to better the yellow jersey, whose confidence seemed to improve with every wave. Medina took the win, while Monteiro's run at Lower Trestles is over. Medina and Munoz will faced each other again and go head-to-head in Round 3 when competition resumes.

"Its pretty tricky out there," Gabriel Medina said. "In the beginning of the heat we couldn't catch many waves. It was so slow and I was getting nervous. I'm just stoked to make it through. It's always hard to compete against a Brazilian guy but it's a competition and we just think about our job."

Despite a good-natured social media challenge from Jeremy Flores (FRA) to World No. 2 Kelly Slater (USA) during the lay day break, he proved to be no match today. The 11-time ASP World Champion was looking for a win and opened with an acrobatic air and mind-boggling white-water recovery, taking the lead with an excellent 8.50. Backed up with a score of 7.43, the Frenchman was left in a combination situation. Despite some exciting maneuvers, his mid-range scores were not enough to get him through. A last-ditch effort to pull off an innovative layback failed when he lost his footing and Flores leaves the competition in equal 25th place while Slater moves on to Round 3 where he hopes to even the score in a rematch with Tanner Gudauskas (USA).

“I knew I needed to do something big, it was a little sloppy but I made it,” saidKelly Slater. “Jeremy (Flores) and I are good friends, we travelled together for years. That was a big heat for both of us being in Round 2.”

“I really wanted to make that heat,” said Jeremy Flores. “I feel like I’ve been surfing really well in my free surfs but every time I put on a jersey I just put too much pressure on myself and don’t get the results.”

Current ASP World No. 4 Michel Bourez (PYF) opened his Round 3 match-up against Jadson Andre (BRA) with a solid 6.50, putting the Brazilian on the defense. Andre answered with two mid-range scores while Bourez took the top spot courtesy of an 8.17. Despite posting the first nine-point ride and the highest two-wave heat total of the day in Round 2, Andre wasn’t able to better Bourez, and leaves the competition in equal 13th place.

"You have to free surf a lot to get to know the spot," Michel Bourez said. "It was hard to pick the right one but I'm glad that left came through and I was able to score on it."

Heat 2 of Round 3 saw a battle of the goofy-footers with 2013 Rookie of the Year Nat Young (USA) matching up against Australian Adrian Buchan. Both took off on their backhands to start, with a slight edge going to the Tour veteran. Young, currently in ninth place on the rankings, pulled off a variety of innovative maneuvers but Buchan's fins-free cutbacks earned him an excellent 9.43 and the lead. With two minutes left, Young found a bomb and followed a long cutback with a vertical snap for an 8.10, but was just shy of the score he needed and is eliminated from the contest.

“It’s incredible to surf Lowers like this,” said Adrian Buchan. “I’ve been looking forward to having a heat with Nat (Young) for quite a while now. That was a big heat for me, the third Round is really important. It looks like the next few days will be really good so I’m really excited.”

Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.83 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.94
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.93 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.16
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.66 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 7.87
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.73 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.74
Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.43 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 10.07
Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 17.50 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.94 
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.23 def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.17
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.43 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.50
Heat 9: Tiago Pires (PRT) 16.93 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.74
Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.94 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 12.33
Heat 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.93 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 15.40
Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) 10.67 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.83
 
Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.67 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.44
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.30 def. Nat Young (USA) 15.60
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.60 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.83
Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.93

Hurley Pro at Trestles Round 3 Upcoming Match-Ups:
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Carlos Munoz (BRA)
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 8: John John Florence (HAW) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 9: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 11: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Artiz Aranburu (ESP)

Here's the Cobbles Classic Program: 

Friday 19th 

3pm -6pm: Demo day/ free surf- there will be a host of boards from various shapers available to test and get a feel for. Just the group enjoying the essence of surfing
7pm: Opening function & registration at Ziggys (Restaurant at Pine Lodge)
8pm The Cottonfields will be jamming till whenever

Saturday 20th

8am- 5pm: Meet at Cobbles, remember we are surfing 2 arenas! 
6-7pm at Ziggys, happy hour for surfers! 8pm till late: Last years footage of the Cobbles Classic plus the Lucas revolution will be jamming

Sunday 21st

8am- 4pm Money rounds of the Classic!! 

Weather forecasts are showing incredible waves for Saturday! Offshore and some cooking surf!!! Sunday it seems like a light onshore with some good surf again!!

Big up to O Neil as the main sponsor for this event! In association with RVCA and VZ. Sector 9 skateboards, Signature surf and skate, Greg Smith Surfboards, Surf Centre, Above and Beyond Productions, Maisch Fins, Boardwalk/ Sun International, Pine Lodge and Ziggys you all rock!!

Here's the heat draw. Sticking to times so make sure you there!

Last weekend Saturday played host to stop # 3 of the CYOH SURF OFF SERIES. Our day was blessed with a decent sized swell & ideal winds for numerous spot options. We decided on a venue that we hadn't utilized before & despite tricky conditions & initially messy surf, SARDINIA BAY was the call with some highly contestable waves non the less. 

The day played host to some amazing surfing as always, but more so, another epic gathering of family & friends doing what we all love. Stay tuned for more photos from the day & our super slick video edit from the crew at PINEAPPLE PRODUCTIONS.   

A very special thanks to our amazing sponsors & to everyone who supported & that made the event so special. We look forward to seeing all of you again soon & keep on creating your own happening.

By Robert Jacobs