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.

Mr Price Pro Ballito Jordy WINS

Taylor Knox won the event the year Jordy entered his first Mr Price Pro in 2000

Jordy helped make the call on the first day

A common sight when Jordy is surfing

Well the 2010 edition of the Mr Price Pro Ballito came to an end on Saturday with Jordy Smith being crowned the winner. Only the second South African to win the event in 32 years, the third in its history. Shaun Tompson and Ricky Basnett were the previous winners.

Jordy defeated South Coast Bruce Ironsish ripper Casey Grant. Casey supposedly could afford neither a cup of coffee or sandwich throughout the event, perhaps the literal hunger that drove him to the final. From Quarter Final to Semi Final to Final I was saying Casey is the only one who has what it takes to stop the reigning ASP #2 Jordy Smith. Were the ASP running its one tier system Jordy would be #1 in the World, a fact misquoted by the mass media now claiming he has overtaken Kelly Slater.

These are just a handful of images of Jordy through the event.

From the Magic Morning

He beat us but we will still carry him

Only the third South African in its history to win the event

Mr Price Pro Ballito Day 7

Greg "BIGfoot" Emslie

The 2010 Mr Price Pro Ballito had been trudging along till this morning. I say trudging as the waves were not the greatest, the photos I was producing were not the greatest and moods were certainly not the greatest. Yesterday hit trough bottom when I attempted a shortcut across the storm water drain slipped ended feet first knee second and gear bag third in water I would corner off with hazard tape. Only thing damaged being my pride and I quickly figured laugh it off and so I carried on walking back to my office laughing. Moral of the story, shortcuts don't always save time.

This morning we expected good waves, I didn't expect anything as beautiful as the conditions on offer. Barrelfest, sheet glass, aquatic gold, amazing. Just a few of the adjectives used. Happy is an understatement when describing the photos.

Greg Emslie needed an 8.50 to advance, he was awarded an 8.2something and he was eliminated. My opinion and that of many - Greg was robbed and deserved at least second place.

Mr Price Pro Ballito Day 2

Davey Brand

Today, 3 July 2010, was Day 2 of the Mr Price Pro Ballito, of which I am the event photog, and the conditions last years edition was blessed with have failed to make a repeat show BUT that has not stopped the top South African junior surfers from showing they don't need perfect conditions to show a perfect repertoire. Morning conditions were more favorable than yesterday and a feast of airs, wafts, drops and flops were delivered.