The solid South African contingent started off strong yesterday with four out of 5 surfers that competed in the testing conditions advancing to round 3. Tour veteran Travis Logie, Shaun Joubert, Chad Du Toit and Beyrick de Fries all did brilliantly to advance and it was unfortunate that Aerial specialist Brandon Gibbons lost out in his heat. South Africans still to compete in round 1 when competition resumes at 9am this morning includes Royden Bryson, Dave Weare, Jordy Smith, Greg Emslie, Dale Staples, Mike February, Steve Sawyer, Rudy Palmboom and Brandon Jackson.
 
Conditions are once again looking very average with a 1-2 foot short period easterly swell, (wind swell) and we can only hope that the light offshore winds and approaching low tide will sort things out.
 
Surfers and organizers alike are awaiting a cold front to arrive tonight, hopefully bringing with it some good size swell on Thursday Morning. One thing is guaranteed, we wont be seeing the conditions we had last year with flawless 8-10 foot surf, however, these surfers are professionals and will entertain the crowd whatever the condition!
 
Greg Emslie

A strong field of surfers are confirmed for the Mr. Price Pro Ballito next week headed by Brazils Adriano de Souza and South African Jordy Smith.
The spectacular surf for the 2011 Mr Price Pro where we saw flawless 8-12 foot Tube rides, has brought many surfers back in the droves to hopefully score the epic conditions again. Last year was seen as one of the best Prime events ever held as the likes of Pat Gudauskas, John John Florence and Jordy Smith had spectators and competitors alike in awe.
 
This year boasts a strong South African field in the ASP International Prime event including Jordy, Travis, Royden, Shaun Joubert, Dale Staples, Brandon Jackson, Rudy Palmboom, Steve Sawyer, Beyrick de Fries, Chad du Toit, Greg Emslie and two more spots from the trials.
 
Surfers are already starting to arrive into Ballito to acclimatize to the conditions at Surfers Point along with a host of events happening prior to the event starting with the South African Surfing Awards and the much-anticipated RedBull Night Shift Starring Jordy Smith.
 
See you there.
 
Greg

It Groundhog day again as Kelly Slater has won big yet again. Kelly taking out the Volcom Pro in Fiji in epic conditions, is however not just another win, he beat 19 year Brazilian surfing sensation Gabriel Medina in the final, a man that has beaten Kelly more often than not during his short time on tour. Does this mean more mind games and another 10 years on tour for Slater? As he says: “It’s about time I got him,” Slater said. “He had my number in the back half of last year and he’ll probably go on to beat everyone for the next 20 years. He can do it all and I think he proved that to a lot of people this week at Restaurants and out here at Cloudbreak.”
Where have I heard this sort of talk before, um, was it with Machado, Andy, Mick, Parko, De Souza, Jordy or Dane? The fact is that Kelly has probably studied Medina more than any of us know, and now, he has Medina’s number!
The surf for Fiji was nothing short of Epic. There was also much debate about the ASP calling the event off on one of the best free surfing days in History at 15 – 20 foot Cloudbreak. Standouts on that massive perfect day include Ramon Navarro, Kala Alexander, Reef McIntosh and not to be outdone, our very own Grant Twiggy Baker who had one Crazy Crazy 15 – 20 foot tube ride and stands a huge chance of winning the Oakley 1Wavewonder! Good job Twig!
 
Greg Emslie