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

Shark Freediving . . Again

Me & Scuba "Shark Whisperer"

Last week Friday saw me spending more time underwater with my big fishy friends at their home of Aliwal Shoal. This time I'd talked a friend into joining me. Slowly they will see there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

My friends at theBOMBsurf are running a slideshow.

Hipstamatic yes I am 002

Hipstamatic yes I Am 002

I've developed a small addiction to this Hipstamatic iPhone application.

Clockwise in order taken.

1. I am on a quest to find the most sour sweet in existence. To date all attempts have resulted in nothing but a sugary disappointment.

2. My friend in the quest. She's a little camera shy.

3. Today, 20 June 2010, is Fathers Day. After a plate of moms Lasagna, two and a half bowls of Tiramisu and a bowl of Tipsy Tart and Custard I felt the need for a cuppa tea the moment the electricity went out thus resorting to the skottle and a pot of water.

4. Literally the moment I'd filled up the tea pot with hot water the power came back on. My dads family hand me down Italian coffee pot was put to the boil immediately.

5. A little light bulb, a meshed screen and a bottle of wine make for happy times.

6. Between my dad, sister, aunt and two of her friends six bottles of wine were consumed.

And if Michael Jacksons concerts ever happened I would have spent a little life savings for Golden Circle just because he can burn takkie like no other.

Hipstamatic yes I am 001

Hipstamatic yes I am 001

I've seen results from the iPhone app Hipstamatic and while simple and novel it is rather entertaining seeing the final output. I had to upgrade to OS 3.1.3 for it to work but that's the geek in me. Clockwise shown in order taken.

SA Surf Photographer of the Year nominee

SA Surf Photographer of the Year nominee

I have been named as one of the eight SA Surf Photographer of the Year nominees. We were asked to select 10 of our favorite images from the past year (Jan2009-June2010), it is no simple task whittling things to a handful of photographs. Whilst there are photos that jump out and stick in your mind marking themselves as no brainers for such things there are photos which have to fight for your attention amongst a handful of other equally impressive images.

I chose my Top 10 surf related photographs, they do not give a full representation of the surf lifestyle but more so of what I love about surf photography, the photography that butters my bread.

At the moment the galleries are only open for viewing on the ZigZag website with voting live from Friday 18 June 2010. You can view mine and the others of Greg Ewing, Louis Wulff, Alan Van Gysen, Craig Kolesky, Richard Johnson, Richard Hambloch and Luke Patterson.

The final decision will be based on 50% online votes and 50% from a panel of two judges including non other than Mr Chris Van Lennep himself. The winner will be announced at the awards function on 4 July 2010.

Abstractly Arb

Arbitrary? Abstract?

Ever had one of those images that for some reason just tickles your fancy? Today produced some fantastic surfing photos along with this fancy tickler.