Final surfers for JBU Super Trial

After much deliberation, the final 16 surfers in the JBU Supertrial presented by RVCA have been selected. They are once again a mix of young talent alongside hard-earned experience, of new school aerial antics against smooth carves and power arcs. One of the selected 24 surfers will win a slot into the World Surf League Championship Tour's 6th event of the year, the JBay Open. Along with getting to surf against the best surfers in the world, this surfer will also win a minimum of US$9,000 (R109,000). The JBay Open is the anchor event of the JBay Winterfest - www.jbaywinterfest.com 

The 16 surfers to join the 8 seeded surfers already selected are in no particular order:

Dan Thornton, Remi Peterson , Frankie Oberholzer, David van Zyl, Shaun Payne, Shane Sykes, Simon Nicholson, Matt Bromley, Casey Grant, Ricky Basnett, Chad du Toit, Dan Redman, Brandon Jackson, Benji Brand, Joshe Faulkner and Ryan Payne. 

They join the 8 seeded surfers - Dylan Lightfoot, Matthew Mcgillivray, Dale Staples, Shaun Holmes, Beyrick De Vries, Greg Emslie, Michael February and Slade Prestwich.


Voting and social media definitely played a part in popular Durban surfer Simon Nicholson being selected into the tournament. He was ecstatic to be included in the selection.

"I honestly never thought I would get a shot at a Championship Tour event ever again, so to be honest, a spot in the trials is a huge opportunity for me," said Simon. "The JBU Supertrial is as prestigious as the Pipe Trials or Chopes, where you go up against guys like Sean Holmes and Greg Emslie, who have consistently finished in the finals of the WCT event there. It’s going to be so tough. I probably won’t sleep in the nights leading up to it if there is a good swell. Beyond stoked right now!"

Joshe Faulkner from JBay was another surfer who was surprised but elated at his inclusion in the event. "I'm so stoked to be in the JBU Supertrial, and I can't believe that I will possibly get a chance to surf in a Championship Tour event," said Joshe. "I hope to make all my friends and family in JBay proud when I compete in the event."

Alternates for the contest are, in no particular order:

Sebastian Williams, Max Armstrong, Shane Thorne, Josh Salie, Koby Oberholzer, Grant Baker, Llewellyn Whittaker, Kelvin Zehmke and Simon Fish. 

Alternate seedings will be announced when the heat draw is finalised.

Nixon South Africa will be awarding a Nixon Tangent Sports Watch valued at R6,000 for the surfer who rides the Best Tube in the contest, as well as a Nixon Blaster for the Event Winner.  

The JBU Supertrial presented by RVCA  is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), and recognised by the Dept. of Sport and Recreation as the national controlling body for surfing.  

The JBU Supertrial presented by RVCA precedes the JBay Open WSL Championship Tour event, which takes place during the JBay Winterfest.

The JBU Supertrial presented by RVCA is supported by Arbor, Firewire, Stance, Nixon, Monster Energy South Africa, Zigzag Magazine and El Jimador Tequila.