Puerto Rico come and Gone

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Puerto Rico has come and gone. I sit in the San Juan airport reflecting on what was Puerto Rico for me. The ASP World Tour has been handing out World Titles for 30 years and over half of them were involved at this event. 4 X Stephanie Gilmore. 10 X Kelly Slater. 3 X Andy Irons. Total - 17.

In 1992 Kelly Slater claimed his first World Title in a year I was migrating from Primary to High School. Bordering on my teenage years and raw to teasing I filled in my application form and stated I wanted to be called by my middle name, Nicholas. By 1993 Slater had made my name more acceptable and I liked it. He was my hero, he made my name cool and well he surfed like a World Champ. Seventeen years ago I would never have fathomed the thought that one of my photographs would be the first the world see of Slater being chaired up the beach as a 10 X World Champ.

Stephanie Gilmore joined the ASP World Tour four years ago and taken the title each year since. How many more she will claim is up to her.

Andy Irons claimed three World Titles in '02 - '03 - '04. He passed away on 2 November 2010. He is the only surfer to have ever presented a real challenge to Kelly Slater.

Am I happy to leave Puerto Rico? I am sad to say yes. Its beauty is tainted for me.
I have shed many tears for many reasons. I smile as I turn my back and head to Hawaii.

Our event photos can be seen on the ASP website.

Silverware

Rest in Peace Andy Irons

RIP - AI

He walked up to the window leant down, looked in and said "Hi, I'm Andy Irons". That was 2007 and I was driving to Mundaka. Since then I've had the pleasure of witnessing his brilliance on the ASP World Tour. I never got to see him in his peak, but the Andy flair was there. He stepped off in 2009 for a break and 2010 saw him making a comeback with his first win in three years at Tahiti. The wave where he stands shoulders above the rest.

Yesterday given the chilling news that Andy Irons had passed away stirred up emotions making my moms passing away so very fresh once again. That was 14 August, the day my world came crashing down. Yesterday, 2 November and it feels the same all over again. I cannot call Andy a friend, I don't have that pleasure but I am certain had I made the effort or attempt to befriend more than photographing him on the World Tour we would have perhaps enjoyed a cup of tea and exchanged more than the few words we did. The times at Jeffreys Bay paddling past asking what if his wave was any good or what the score was, each time frozen in awe. He was only two years older than myself yet being in his presence you felt the aura of a hundred year old legend.

A memorial paddle out was held to show the respect and honor of one of the greatest competitors to grace professional surfing. Rest in Peace Andy Irons.

The ASP World Tour photo tribute can be viewed here.

Caribbean - update 1

Jesiah's Bay

Beauty in Devastation

My Euro Trip came to an end and decided to come over to Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.

Yesterday we explored the island while driving to Jesiah's Bay. The mountain face here is hectic, there is no simply driving around the mountain as that would take a full day so what they have done is cut roads up the almost vertical cliff faces. The road zigzags right then left then right and you get to the top and all you see is open air until gravity pulls the car down and you go "oh shit I hope the brakes work". The bends have our car screeching as it is a little automatic jeep that drops gears very late and suddenly a burst of power comes through the wheels. A few weeks back the island, was hit by Hurrican Hugo so the roads are either breaking up, littered with debris or fallen away. Cars with wheels missing and broken windows, some still buried in mud are not an uncommon sight. The cleanup process seems to be getting underway but with so much damage the important things are taken care of first so you have to wonder when the little things like roads with branches and mud, fallen fences and long grass will be taken care of.

Jesiahs Bay used to be very popular. Well it still is if you want to drive to where the road used to be park on the side next to the trees and bushes, walk to the now newly formed swamp then to the old bar and jump over its fence. All that and you are onto a beautiful little bay. According to the lifeguards it gets really good waves. Looking out to sea to the left of the bay is a backdrop of rocks and trees and bush, it would be an amazing backdrop for a surfing photo if only the left that breaks there were actually surf able. There were small, about 1 foot waves, that broke next to the shore that looked like they have potential for an unbelievable wave but the guy said its too fast and breaks in really shallow waters. Every now and then a really good looking wave came through having me staring at it mind surfing wishing it was 4 feet bigger. But then I wouldn’t have had my board and I would have done my nut. So mind surfing I did and thinking of what an amazing photo it would be. To the right is a point which you can walk out onto and if adventurous like the two lifeguards were, get on a knee board and paddle to the other two beach enclaves. I’m struggling to decide if the intensity of color and clarity either matches that of Hawaii or betters it. Flying in it surpassed Hawaii, it really was something from the holiday brochures but on land you don’t see that and only have entering the water to compare. I haven't been snorkeling yet but there appears to be a tiny reef just offshore from our hotel. Once I have found a diving mask to purchase I will venture out there on one of my morning swims or a lazy day activity.

All days are lazy though.

Results of Hugos efforts

If only it were 4ft bigger

Portugal - update 5

Portugal - update 5

Today went to visit the Pena Palace in the town of Sintra. In todays day and age it is almost impossible to make a photo inside an historic tourist attraction without capturing multiple people in the photograph too. It is all quite irritating. Pena Palace itself was quite interesting. I could have spent hours walking through the various rooms dedicated to Kings and Queens of past but the snaking crowd puts pressure on you to move along. That and lack of being allowed to take photos inside shortened my stay. By the size of the ancient beds on display the old Kings and Queens of Portugal must have been dwarfs. I at 5'11 would not be able to fit in any of them.

Then it was to the town of Sintra. A very commercialized tourist destination where I satisfied my need to taste the local Sardines. That need is now over. Portugal is supposedly famous for its Peri Peri Chicken, I am yet to see a single food establishment offering the dish. I am highly disappointed.

Portugal - update 4

Portugal - update 4

Took a stroll around the side streets of Peniche. I enjoy quaint little towns. The cobble stone streets deliver wishes of time travel and yearning for peaceful times. Peniche was never built for modern days and thus you will see a lot of washing hanging from windows and walls. You could create a gallery solely of interesting door photos. Some so old they would fall off their hinges if creaked open. Some so new the contrast against old is painful. And some made interesting by their owners selection of door knob.

It's not butterfly season and a big one came flying straight past me. Love you mom.

Portugal - update 3

Portugal - update 3

Kelly Slater won the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Portugal/Peniche. In doing so adds his first win in Portugal to the book of accomplishments. Jordy Smith took second in the final. The contest is over now and I have till Oct 19 to do nothing in Peniche.

For my personal run down of the event you can read the blog on theBOMBsurf website.

Portugal - update 2

Portugal - update 2

I've been in Peniche/Portugal for over a week now and while I do have internet connectivity in land of the Sardine I have been slack. It happens when working. Since arriving in Peniche the womens part of the event has come and gone. Carissa Moore defeated Steph Gilmore at Lagide and now we are into Round 4 of the mens. We have run at Supertubos and Belgas. In all likely hood we will finish tomorrow back at Supertubos.

Sardines are not my first choice of fish and thus haven't sampled the staple local diet. I have however eaten octopus and whole squid but I did go for the "cleaned" option versus the "natural" option. The difference? Going natural would involve cooking the squid with its entrails still intact.

A 50 year storm was meant to strike last week. While the exaggerated 20ft waves failed to appear the gale force winds and horizontal rain made their presence very much known. Working in rain is never fun and now we have sunshine and I got burnt yesterday. Remember to pack suncream.

Portugal - update 1

Portugal - update 1

Yesterday we arrived in Portugal for the Rip Curl Pro in Peniche. It is my second visit to the Sardine town of Portugal. It smelt bad upon arrival but you soon become accustomed. First objective is to fine a laundromat and wash my jean pant which should by now be able to walk themselves to the washer.

The drive down was pleasant. Hundreds of kilometers that are a pleasure to drive especially when in a car where cruising at 170kph, sometimes 180kph, feels like the new 120kph. There are still some crazies who come sit on your bumper virtually pushing you out the way. Along the way we stopped for coffee and two men, apologies for the generalisation, from Azbhekistan tried to sell us fake iPhones. My interest was peaked when he showed off the box mentioned 200 euros, he communicated the price by spitting on his finger and writing on my dashboard, until I grabbed it out his hand and saw it was nothing but an mp3 Japanese rip off.

First night in Peniche and I ate octopus. The prices here are very welcome after nearly two weeks in France. 10 Euros for my dinner and 5 Euros for a litre of red wine.

Mundaka

Mundakako

Tall tales of swells calling Mundaka to be all time circulated as the 20 year storm bore down on Hossegor. On Sunday the decision to make the drive down to the Basque region and spend a night in one of my favorite little towns was made. That decision was very nearly put to rest by Mother Nature. I woke up with winds strong enough to topple pine trees and send economy sized garbage bins wheeling across the road. We were warned not to venture forth from the safe confines of our hotel rooms. We were told "get down here immediately". Mother Nature took a lunch break and hit the road. It was the fastest I had ever repacked my suitcases.

We arrived and it was the biggest Mundaka I had ever seen and this was my fourth year visiting the town. It was big but it too was lumpy. That didn't stop the numerous surfers, average joes the pros, locals and foreigners from having fun. One brave soul drifted with the rip out to the proper take off spot, took one wave and had all those lining the shore cheering. Instant celebrity.

Tuesday morning was a hoax. The swell had dropped over night sufficiently to turn the wave into an inconsistent fickle 3ft on low-tide. The norm for Mundaka.

I strolled the streets hipstamatic in hand just as I had done the previous night. Mundaka holds a special place in my heart and sours my feelings to see modern day developments taking hold of the small cobble stone streets. A beer, insalada mixta and cafe con leita con baileys at the casino. A beer at Bar Txopos. Hugs from Giuseppie. Photos of the town without contest paraphernalia and it was time for the drive down to Portugal.

It was a short visit. A visit that made me smile. Like old places and familiar faces I will return.

France - update 4

France - update 4

The final of the French updates. Mick beat Slater in the final in some "pro-only" conditions. Mortal behavior would prevent average surfer joe from paddling that. That and the lack of a jetski. As after parties go people get drunk and injuries occur, I was the wildcard injury for the night. After a fantastic hot-rock, aka Le Boef, we took the few short steps across to Cafe Paris. My bladder felt it was time to evict the few beers I had consumed and so off I went for a pee. All was fine until the last step of the stairwell on my way back to have another beer. Shiny wooden floors with a mix of beer, sweat and urine do not make for a surface with the most traction. Slip goes the foot, ass and elbow on the floor. A dent in the pride is only saved by a thumbs up to the acknowledging crowd along with a split elbow. It was a big cut but it was split to the bone, enough to drip blood on my favorite shoes.

After heading back to the hotel to rinse and wash the wound a soldering on approach was adapted. Rock Food was full and charging at the door and Dicks Tavern was a sweat pit enough to convince me my night was over. 20 minute walk back to the hotel for an uncomfortable night of sleep trying not to bump the egg my elbow had turned into.

Contest is over and a sleep in will be had.

France - update 3

All good things French

Bonjeur from France again. From Monday to Thursday afternoon I have been lazing about drinking Cafe Au Lait, eating Sucre and Lemoen Crepes and the odd Croissant. I love France but some of these natives are rude. Say "no no no no" with a nasal twang while wagging your right index finger. Or just look into the mirror with the rudest death stare and that will be your 'Blue French'.

Hossegor is only a surf town. You can do shopping but mostly surf stores with the odd trinket shop.

You can read my contest blog on theBombsurf.

France - update 2

All good things French

A week into France and I've seen Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro France completed and the first three heats of Round 2 finish. I've watched Freestyle MotoX in Hossegor Square, I've saved a child from a stampede. I've gone two days without tea and drank coffee while eating Sucre Au Lemoen Crepes. I spent Euros and not cared while drinking beer from Bali.

I am making proper blog entries about the contest on theBOMBsurf website. Be sure to give it a visit.

France - update 1

All the good things it takes to get here

My passport received its last international stamp when I departed Australia in March. Many things have happened since that ink hit the paper. I've experienced many personal trials and tribulations in the six months since then so it was both happiness and sadness when I departed home shores on Wednesday afternoon for France. It took one and a half days to get that fresh stamp in the passport. A one hour flight from Durban to JHB, a 6 hour layover in JHB, a 10 hour flight from JHB to London, another 6 hour layover which included a 1 hour bus journey from Heathrow to Gatwick, a 2 hour flight from Gatwick to Bordeaux, a 2 hour wait for my colleague to arrive thanks to the strikes by Air France staff and a 1.5 hour drive from Bordeaux to Hossegor.

Never has a shower felt so good. Being clean felt so fine that I nearly took another shower.

Hipstamatic Clayton

Hipstamatic Clayton

The hipstamatic session is viewable in slideshow on theBOMBsurf website.

With permission I took a stroll around the Clayton Surfboards factory after promises of zero secrets revealed.

Today I am off to France.

Brothers Wedding

Flowers - Check

My brother Calvin got married on 18 Sept 2010 to Heidi. I can only describe the day as magical, who gets married in the bush with Rhinos, Giraffes and Oxen as extra guests. The morning started off overcast with the wind picking up as the clock ticked on. After getting ready and driving to the ceremony the skies were peppered by spots of rain. Soft enough to cause concern yet light enough to hold hope. As guests gathered in the open veld sitting on hay-bails it really started to rain and the wind intensified. I could only close my eyes talk to mom and the powers that be and ask for some intervention. The rain stopped and the wind subsided but came back and my beliefs began to fail. I will forever hold onto my faith for what happened after that. Heidi and her Bridesmaids arrived in an Ox-wagon pulled by six very well behaved bulls. The rain stopped, the wind departed and the Rhinos arrived. At times the large male and female were within 20 meters of the guests. The Pastor noted that if they get any closer he is first up the tree under which we were standing. As the vows were recited the clouds parted and a brilliant golden light emanated with a perfect beam shining right down the middle of the isle encasing Calvin and Heidi in a beautiful halo. I smiled, closed my eyes and thanked mom. She was with us, there was never any doubt about that.

At a wedding a lot of concentration is placed on the bride and this is fair as it is usually the girls childhood dream day. But why forget the groom? As my wedding gift I photographed my brother getting ready for his big day.

The smile that says "I do"

All suited up -lets get married

Schotia Safaris

White Rhino

King of the Jungle

The past weekend was my brothers wedding. It was a magical day which took place on a game farm owned by his wifes parents, Schotia. We were treated to numerous sightings while driving around doing this and that. Being a photographer my camera went almost everywhere and now I feel like joining the wildlife photographers club.

Wildebeest

Giraffe

Hipstamatic Hutchinson

Hipstamatic Jono Hutchinson

A few weeks back I took a stroll through the garden of Jono Hutchinson while with theBOMBsurf guys who were shooting an ad photo.

The slideshow can be seen on their website.

Cover : theBOMBsurf Issue 8

theBOMBsurf Spring 2010 cover

As the release of the Spring 2010 issue of theBOMBsurf, the last issue for 2010, came within sight I started to become a little ansey as I hadn't claimed a cover of the magazine the whole year. I was getting worried I would not have my name printed on at least one of their landscape format issues and thanks to Sean Holmes and the South Coast a few months back I get the final cover of the year.

Thanks Sean, thanks John, thanks Iain. Now to plot the next . . .

A hit of Hipstamatic

Hipstamatic yes I am

It has been a while since I set out armed with the trusty Hipstamatic iPhone app and a purpose. It was fun.

No light? Go Black & White!

The Mound showing what it is capable of

Many alarm clocks were set to crow before the rooster on the morning of Tuesday, 7 September 2010. The days preceding had been wind swept with not a vast amount of surfing taking place. Afternoon sessions the day before took place in 2 foot mush thus with favorable gifts from the ocean looking set for the morning many a surfer kissed their loved ones on the cheek, cashed in their morning pass and tucked themselves into bed as if it were a school night. The Quiksilver Goodwave, an event with a one year waiting period, had been placed on alert only to have that power disconnected by the municipal powers that be because the shark nets had still not been placed back in the water after a history setting sardine run.

And so the early birds arrived in their numbers but it was only the motorised early birds that ate. A combination of high tide and big surf had washed sand up onto the World Cup promenade but not with enough veracity as to put the Wimpy staff in any danger. The swell had arrived but it was not clean. It was not friendly. It was not for those who only had their arms. A jump off the New Pier if poorly timed saw you washed into the Far Bowl in five minutes. I witnessed a crazied water photographer attempt this, what he was hoping to photograph I'm not quite sure. The shark pod attached to ankle was overkill.

Three tow teams were in the water, one being Twiggy and Ryan Butcher. Everyone had their fill. One team hit the throttle out to The Mound. They looked like lint particles. The Mound didn't produce enough of a thrill to keep them there but the mind surfing was monumental.

A slideshow is viewable on theBOMBsurf website.

The ocean is their stadium

Flowers for Mom

Flowers to smile about

My mom loved flowers and most likely still does, since her passing we have amassed a vast amount of beautiful flowers.

Love you mom.

Love you mom

For Mom


My mom passed away last week Saturday, 14 August 2010. No words can describe the emotions, it is not a feeling I wish upon my worst enemy. We all die some day, but we are meant to grow old and die. We are not meant to be taken before our time, but when is our time? Who decides that? I have my beliefs and part of those is that mom is now everywhere keeping a beady eye on us, her friends her family.

Yesterday I paid my personal tributes to mom. With a single rose I paddled out into the ocean, my sanctuary, said a few words thought a few thoughts and threw the rose to waters free to roam as mom now is. Later in the day I went for another tattoo, never in my life did I think I would be getting a tattoo in honor of my mom. I am proud to wear the memory of my mom in my skin.

The Photo from that letter

First ever published surf photo

Two posts ago I related the story behind the letter. Today I show you the photo. Above is the first surf photo I ever had published. It is actually the first photo of any kind I ever had published. My friend Darryn Mountford in the barrel, a tiny barrel, at East London's Bonza Bay Beach. The wind was a stiff NW Burg which kept us warm in the icy water.

The magazine was ZigZag Vol 22/3 May/June 1998 on page 14. When a certain day of the year becomes fateful for some catastrophic reason be it human action induced or Mother Nature response the statisticians play around with numbers and coerce them into meaning something. This particular issue the cover featured a photo sequence shot from the water at Pipeline Hawaii, my favorite place in the world since I live there for three months of the year. The photographer credited with the photo is my part-time boss and friend Pierre Tostee. I am of the belief the photo credits were mixed up as I have never been recounted stories from the boss about water shooting in Hawaii, and I too have been miscredited on numerous occasions. Sometimes to my credit sometimes not.

Flipping through the pages you see faces of current and gone, surfers I love photographing, places I love visiting and some now good friends.

Time is a strange thing, without it you wouldn't need a watch.

The frame I thought was better

Mandatory friend photo

(L-R) Me, Darryn and the Beach Buggy

R500 and finely ground pepper

Brad + R500 + Pepper

It started with "Brad I dare you to sniff this pepper". I think that stemmed from the round of Tequila they all just threw back and some story about sniffing Tequila. Then Bruce threw in R100 (One Hundred South African Rands). I would have said no to a paultry R100 too but the ante was upped with a "Who else is putting in?". Before he knew it R500 was sitting in front of him. To put the money in his pocket he had to put the pepper in his nose. To say we pick on Brad is a bit harsh, we choose him because he is a sucker for peer pressure and very rarely backs down which is a result of said peer pressure.

Brad, it's love.

Where it all started

The letter that started it all

You'd be amazed what treasures the bottom draw holds. Today while sifting through a pile of paperwork for some all important tax return documents I found this, the letter that started it all.

In 1997 a good friend, Darryn Mountford, and I purchased a waterproof disposable camera. During the school holidays we set about surfing and shooting and now that I think about it I never used swim fins. Crazy but true. It was a "disposable" camera but being the MacGuyver kid/person I was/am I proceeded to ignore instructions dictating the camera should be returned to the store in its whole. I pried it open, wound the film back into the canister and off we went for developing. I remember the day, we finished the roll and went off to Vincent Park mall in East London. While waiting for the one hour developing and printing we had a lunch at Wimpy. I also clearly remember the disappointment when looking through the photos. What at the time seemed like a perfect barrel shot was in fact off centre and soft. With the developing and printing came a free roll of film which found its way back into the "disposable" camera thanks to my early understanding and makeshift darkroom inside my bedroom cupboard at night with all the lights turned off and strict instructions to all in the house that access to my room was forbidden.

There were one or two acceptable photos, when you are 17 finishing school and never seen a photo of yourself surfing, the most average of photos makes you smile and cringe. Smile because you finally have a photo, cringe because you realise how kooky you look.

The few acceptable ones, which I now understand go straight to the editors bin, were shipped off to ZigZag Surfing Magazine. There was no scanning of negatives, there was no scanning of photographs and there was definitely no email with the subject "check these shots". For months as soon as the newest edition hit the shelves I was flipping through the pages. At times I was phoning the surf stores to see if they had sneak peek editions. When told no the next phone call was to CNA because CNA had everything. I'd given up hope. I'd finished school and moved back to Durban. I thought I was never going to see those photos again. I hadn't even touched the "disposable" as I didn't have a friend to surf and shoot with anymore then one day an envelope arrives in the mail. It was from then editor, Jeremy Saville. The next issue I had my first ever surf photograph published.

I can't find the photo at the moment but I know I have the negative somewhere in my box of negatives. That was 1997 and now 2010 I am an ASP World Tour photographer. I've swum my home waters of Durban shooting New Pier, North Beach, Cave Rock the South Coast. I've balanced in a rubber duck shooting a semi-secret reef 5kms out to sea, I've bobbed in a boat shooting South Africas best big wave surfers at South Africas premier big wave break - Dungeons. I've swum Hawaii's Sunset, Off The Wall, Backdoor. I've swum out at Pipeline to "enjoy the scenery" on days I've just not wanted to shoot. Here I am 13 years after that first roll of film all high-tech using 10 frame per second digital cameras and recording high definition video with a camera the size of a matchbox. Here I am 13 years down the line having heard Confucius.

Find a job you enjoy, and you'll never work a day in your life

Hipstamatic Jeffreys Bay

Hipstamatic JBay

Whilst my visit to Jeffreys Bay for the Billabong Pro was cut short I did put my unhealthy Hipstamatic iPhone application addiction to good use.

A slideshow is currently featured on theBOMBsurf Magazine website.

Surfers Against Nuclear

Surfers Against Nuclear T

The absurd idea of a Nuclear Plant at Thuyspunt, too close to Supertubes for anyones liking - that's not saying anyone even endorses the idea of nuclear plant apart from E(ish)KOM, has brought about great opposition.

A t-shirt has been created in support of this opposition and one of my photos of Casey Grant has been silhouetted for the graphic.

Support the Supertubes Foundation in their quest to expel this mindless thought.

Feeling nostalgic

Sean Holmes post Billabong Pro R2 heat win

Today far away from any surf competition I feel a little nostalgic. Up till the beginning of July I'd been "unemployed" if you wish. The Mr Price Pro was my first event I'd worked in 3.5 months. From there I headed down to Jeffreys Bay for the Billabong Pro where I was forced to bail the event mid Round 2 for a family emergency. Family comes first! Down in Cape Town today Greg Emslie won the O'Neill CWC keeping all three South African surf event trophies in South Africa.

2010 - Mr Price Pro Ballito - Jordy Smith
2010 - Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay - Jordy Smith
2010 - O'Neill Cold Water Classic Cape Town - Greg Emslie

My next event now lies two months away in France.

Shooting the Moon

One day late of a full moon

Yesterday whilst sipping a beer on the uShaka Pier the moon stopped me mid sip. It was one of those "have I got enough time to race home 20kms grab my gear and race back 20kms in time" moments.

Today I went back to the pier and the moon wasn't there, strange but true. Departed after buying a bag of sweets for my sour sweet quest. Leaving my friends house I see this glowing orb above the trees. Guess what, the moons up.

First International Cover - Swell#23

Cover of Swell#23

Swell Magazine is a Belgian surf culture mag, the cover of Swell#23 features a photo of mine from the Hawaii 09/10 Winter season. It is also my first international cover.

Being the season it was of big swell after big swell I took to shooting Waimea from the channel for a change of scenery when I felt comfortable. The surfers are (left) Bart Willems and (right) James Taylor, both from South Africa were there chasing waves in the Norther Hempisphere.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay 2010

Jordy Smith and Sean Holmes

Morning pull back and Morning close-up

VIP aerial view and Boardwalk view

Jordy Smith - 2010 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion

As we all know along with the entire surfing world and mainstream media, Jordy Smith won the 2010 Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay. Not only did he win his first ASP World Tour event but the first South African to win a modern day World Tour event since Shaun Tomson in the 1980s and his victory coincided with Nelson Mandelas 92nd Birthday.

I had more pressing family issues to attend so I bailed JBay on the second day of competition but from Day 1 to Day 4 conditions were what you would hope and expect for a surfing event of professional level whose swell window spans 12 days.

Sean Holmes was the other South African standout where others faltered. In one day he demoted 12 ASP World Titles to the sidelines. First he upped his tally, Sean Holmes 3 Andy Irons 1 before finally having his chance against Kelly Slater. All in a days work with a sore back sending Slater back to the dry deck and giving Jordy a helping hand to number one in the world. This time saying Jordy is #1 is legit.

Next stop Tahiti.

Sean Holmes Wildcard of all Wildcards

Standard Jeffreys Bay Golden Morning

Two water views not many spectators see

Opening Ceremony Dancing