Who made the cut?

Jeffreys Bay - The contest organisers have begun the challenging task of selecting invitees for the Jeffreys Bay Open of Surfing presented by Billabong. With close to 200 surfers putting their hands up for possible inclusion into the event, there have been some easy decisions and some more difficult ones. The main criteria for selection is that the surfer knows how to surf Supertubes and understands the complexities and the nuances of such a wave. A track record at Supers was therefore imperative. 

The contest organisers have whittled it down to 40 surfers, and the list can be found on the event Facebook Fanpage Jeffreys Bay Open Of Surfing. The 8 girls and alternates have been selected as well, and the lists can also be found on the Facebook page. Input and dialogue is encouraged. The rest of the men's invitees will be announced in the next few days, as well as a list of alternates.


There is a first prize of R30,000 for the surfing event. Nixon South Africa have also announced that they will be giving away a magnificent Nixon Magnacon watch in their Winner Takes All event to be run during the Jeffreys Bay Open. The WTA is an award that will be going to the best tube ride of the entire event, and the Magnacon is valued at R9000.

The Jeffreys Bay Open Of Surfing has a waiting period from 9 - 13 July and forms the anchor for the JBay Winter Fest JBay Winter Fest, a festival of sports set to take place in and around Jeffreys Bay from 6 - 14 July. As well as the surfing tournament there will be a skateboarding event, a mountain biking race, a trail run and a cold water swim. Taxi Violence and Jack Parow will also be performing in Jeffreys Bay. 

The tournament is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is recognised by the South African Sports Confederation (SASCOC) as the governing body of the sport in South Africa. 

The 40 names, in no particular order.

1. Adin Jeenes
2. Craig Els
3. Brandon Jackson
4. Casey Grant
5. Chad Du Toit
6. Chris Leppan
7. Dale Staples
8. Dan Redman
9. Davey Brand
10. Devyn Mattheys
11. Dylan Lightfoot
12. Frankie Oberholzer
13. Greg Emslie
14. Jason Ribbink
15. Josh Redman
16. Simon Nicholson
17. Klee Strachan
18. Kelvin Zehmke
19. Allan Johns
20. Llewellyn Whittaker
21. Matt Bromley
22. Michael February
23. Dave Rastovich
24. Mark Occhilupo
25. Paul Canning
26. Remi Peterson
27. Ricky Basnett
28. Ryan Payne
29. Sean Holmes
30. Shane Thorne
31. Gavin Roberts
32. Shaun Joubert
33. Shaun Payne
34. Simon Fish
35. Slade Prestwich
36. Steven Sawyer
37. Warren Dean
38. Warren Tuck
39. Warwick Wright
40. Wayne Monk
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The girls, in no particular order.

Girls
Emma Smith
Faye Zoetmulder
Gina Smith
Heidi Palmboom
Nikita Robb
Sarah Baum
Taryn Chudleigh
Tanika Hoffman

alternates

Crystal Hulett
Eva Barnhard
Holly Armstrong
Jessica Wilson
Krystal Tavenor
Lesmeri Postma
Nicole Pallet
Tara Hossack
Teal Hogg

The organisers still need to make the call on who the lucky ou's will be that get picked from the rest of the Facebook entries. So hang in there - keep 'em fingers crossed - you might still be surfing Supers in stomping surf with just 3 other peeps