Quiksilver Riders Blog

Durban Surfer Brandon Jackson Kicks off 2010 Season With A Bang!

Australia – Against fierce local and international competition, Durban surfer Brandon Jackson managed to scoop second place behind Glen Hall at the Burton Toyota Pro 4 Star WQS Surf Event at Merewether Beach in Newcastle, Australia. ‘Jacko’ as he affectionately known, came close to winning the event, but was just pipped at the post by Glen ‘Micro’ Hall of Australia.

Brandon Jackson

Jacko was surfing on top form throughout the event, and received a rare heat walk-through in his quarter-final heat against Chris ‘Critter’ Salisbury. Salisbury is campaigning on the Pro Junior circuit, and had a reservation on a flight to Tahiti to compete in a Pro Junior event, leaving Jacko with that rare heat walk-through so late in the tournament. “Chris was on really good form and would have been tough to beat,” said a stoked Jacko on his heat bye. “I was really pumped to hear that I got a walk-through when I arrived at the beach on Sunday.” Brandon went on to beat 2010 ASP World Tour competitor Ben Dunn in the semi-finals.

In what proved to be a tough final for the South African, Jacko was beaten by a blitzing Glen. Despite his second place, he was still elated with the result. “I’m just so happy to have made the final,” said Jacko after the event. “This is a great start to my Aussie leg and well done to Glenn. It has been a long break between events, and this just boosts my confidence for the next big events.”

Jacko was on a great competitive streak at the end of 2009, and was looking good to to qualify for the 2010 World Tour, until an unlucky run in Hawaii saw him drop down the ratings and fall just short of the cut-off mark. After coming that close, and proving to himself and others that he is World Tour material, he is now determined to gain a place on the elite World Tour in the near future. The result at Newcastle netted the Durban surfer US$6,000 (R40,600) and 750 ASP points. A great result to warm up for the approaching 6 stars events.

“We’re extremely proud of Jacko and his recent performances,” said Quiksilver South Africa Marketing Manager Dane Patterson. “Jacko is determined to succeed, and has really put in the hard work to get to where he is at the moment. I’m confident that he is going to continue to have a great year this year.”

Jacko will next be competing in the 6-star Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River in Australia. For more information on Brandon Jackon and other Quiksilver South Africa team riders log onto www.quiksilver.co.za

Last weekend we had the Mr price Open held in my home town, KOMMETJIE.
The comp wasn’t the only event for me that weekend.
I don’t know how but on Friday i got invited to go to one of my best friends Matric dance. I got to rock out in a black suite complete with a tie and all. It was a pretty sik evening from rolling in a black Chrysler to the dance ,to one banger after party.
Despite getting back at early hours of the next morning, i managed to get one or two good waves in my heats with some fun 2-3 foot waves rolling into long beach.
The final day was a good day to be in the water as it was one of the hottest days in Cape Town this year so far. I ended up getting a fourth in the U20’s and a 5th in the open division. So… overall it was a good weekend for me…Stoked!
I have had a couple days at school just finishing up the work for the term. The family and I are leaving to Paternoster tomorrow for one chilled weekend.
My dad, brother and I are also hoping to sneak off to
Elands Bay about an hour away for one or two surfs. Looking forward to it…

Keep you posted.
….PeacE….

i Was just in cape town recently for the the Mr price WP open.Iarrived on friday morning to a very flat longbeach, im pretty sure i didnt see a wave break the entire day! Saturday morning there was a 1/2 ft wave at long beach so they ran the event i made my first trial heat but got knocked in my second one!!! all my years doing comps at longbeach i can never seem to do well there!! although i was out the contest i scored some sick waves at the hoek and dunes with my mate Chris Leppan…and had a good night at caprice with all the boys from the comp!! looks like there are some good waves coming this week in durban so will be shooting down the coast hopefully getting shacked!!!
cheers!!

This blog has been a blessing in disguise for me. If I had any ideas of starting up my own personal blog I have now realized it would not be a good idea. I’m terrible at updating blogs.

So i went down to Cape Town for the first Pst event of the year, Not only to get an early start to the years series but also to spend some more time in wetsuits as i will be heading up scotland for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic. As you can imagine, the water is icey cold over there and requires a large amount of rubber, Booties, gloves and a hood in order not to receive pneumonea.

Overall it was a good experience and in the short while i was there, I had super fun waves, good time with the boys at night and an overall great time down there.

In the contest i lost in the quarters in the mens but managed to win the Pro Junior division over Davey Brand, Matt Bromley and THE Mikey february.

Next up is the Quik pro jnuior which is probably the biggest contest of the year on the ASP junior series, the contest is at North beach in Durban on the first weekend of April, 2-4.
A win in that event would be incredibly vital as it is the first event of the ASP series, and the most points.

Till next time.
BEYRICK
x

Queensland/Australia (Friday, March 5, 2010) – Taj Burrow (AUS), 31 has taken out the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover over Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, in rippable two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

Taj Burrow (AUS)

The opening event of then 2010 ASP World Tour season, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast started the year off with a bang, bringing the greatest assemblage of surfing talent in history to one of the most iconic pointbreaks in the world, and the world’s best surfers shattered high-performance barriers once again.

“I’m so so happy right now – it’s the best feeling on Earth!” Burrow said. “It’s unreal. I have a good group of friends with me and my parents are here supporting me. To have everyone cheering me on in the final is really really special.”

While the young South African led throughout the first half of the 40-minute Final, it was Burrow who changed the tide with a mid-heat assault, racking up several solid scores in larger set waves amidst the deteriorating conditions.

“I didn’t feel like I surfed my best in the Final,” Burrow said. “I kind of just did what it took to win. I just waited for the best waves, did a couple nice turns – nothing too wild. I’d rather have taken Jordy’s approach – catch lots of waves and just let loose. That’s kind of my strategy normally, but it worked fine. Being a bit more patient and selective than usual definitely paid off. But I knew Jordy could unleash and get the big score any moment.”

Burrow, who has secured victories in the previous two events entered (Pipeline in December and Burleigh Heads in February), has been in sensational form over the past three months, and will look to continue the momentum in 2010 as he hunts down his first ASP World Title.

“What can I say? I don’t know,” Burrow said. “I surprised myself really. Obviously, Pipe was the biggest event I could ever win. I was just overwhelmed. I felt like retiring after that event. I just couldn’t believe it, and didn’t think it could get any better. I guess I’ve taken the confidence from it and worked on some good boards. Burleigh Heads was a good warm-up. I felt good that there as well – there are fun little rights, and then here, I took a while to get rolling, but I just built up momentum. I felt great out there and here I am on the podium again – it just feels unbelievable.”

Smith, who went on a giant-killing spree at the event, eliminating former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, in yesterday’s Round 4 before posting the best result of his young career.

“It’s my first Final so I’m pretty stoked,” Smith said. “It’s unfortunate that the waves went kind of dead in our heat there, but we tried our best. It’s been a great event though and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Long touted as one of the most dominant forces in the surfing world, Smith had yet to realize his potential in the competitive realm, but if this event’s performance is any indication, the powerful natural-footer is a near-certain threat for an ASP World Title.

“I just feel a lot more comfortable with myself this season,” Smith said. “I’m having a lot more fun with my surfing and everything seems to be coming together for me. I’m amped with a Runner-Up finish here and hope I can keep the momentum up for the rest of the season.”

Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, looked the form surfer of the event yesterday, defeating defending event winner Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, with an impressive 19.20 out of a possible 20. However, the young Californian was unable to find a rhythm in today’s challenging conditions, bowing out of the event with an Equal 3rd at the hands of Smith.

“I felt pretty good yesterday and it felt like my equipment was finally working,” Reynolds said. “Even though the conditions weren’t as good today, I thought I could catch an average wave and surf it well enough to get a good score, but that didn’t happen. When the other guy gets a good roll going, it’s hard to come back – or it is for me anyway.”

With his penchant for churning out Earth-shattering performances and a good start to the year, several pundits are considering Reynolds as a legitimate ASP World Title contender, but the humble natural-footer has yet to commit such a goal.

“I’ve never been in this situation before so it’s hard for me to say (in regards to motivation for the ASP World Title),” Reynolds said. “When you’re a little kid, everyone always tells you that the ASP World Title is the goal, but there’s only one each season and 45 guys going for it. It hasn’t been a goal for me yet.”

Bobby Martinez (USA), 27, matched his best result on the Gold Coast today, collecting an Equal 3rd (his first in 2006), but the sole goofy-footer in today’s event was clearly upset about the deteriorated conditions.

“It’s disappointing to finish when it’s windy like this today,” Martinez said. “We all want to surf when it’s glassy, and I’m disappointed that we have to finish today. I did my best to mix it up out there, but it’s very challenging out there on your backhand today.”

Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover can be found via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

For the first time in the events’ storied nine-year history, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast was televised LIVE on FUEL TV in Australia, beaming the world’s best surfing right into your living room.

In honor of the final day of competition, ASP International is launching the desktop widget, bringing you LIVE scores, results, heat draws, etc. Access to the ASP Widget can be found on the ASP homepage.

The next stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach from May 30 through April 10, 2010.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.57
2 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.56

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.67 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.00
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.30 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 8.96

ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 10000 pts
2 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8000 pts
3 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 6500 pts
3 – Dane Reynolds (USA) 6500 pts
5 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5250 pts
5 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5250 pts
5 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5250 pts
5 – Kai Otton (AUS) 5250 pts

Just arrived in Cape Town for the Mr Price sa open event, im sitting in the airport waiting for my lift to kommetjie. havent had the best waves this week so looking forward to some cape barrels! The comp starts tomorrow and the swell is looking good so hopefully we get some waves….
thats all for now but will keep you up to date with whats happening in the comp and who’s doing what?

shot
peace out!

Quiksilver Pro Junior 2010 presented by Durban and Resolution – North Beach: 2-4 April

Durban – Quiksilver South Africa is proud to announce the upcoming Grade 2 ASP Quiksilver Pro Junior surfing event which will take place in Durban this Easter. The event is set to be held at North Beach and will run from the 2nd to the 4th of April 2010. The event will be bolstered by the addition of the Quiksilver King Of The Groms divisions as well as a “Future Stars” division.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior is for surfers under the age of 20 and will have a total of US$ 10,000 in prize money (R75, 000). The event will showcase a full contingent of junior surfers including the likes of on-form SA Junior Team Captain Beyrick De Vries from Durban, Brendon Gibbens and Matt Bromley, both from Kommetjie, Shaun Joubert from Mossel Bay and Dale Staples and Nick Godfrey from St Francis Bay. Durban stalwarts Chad Du Toit and Shawn Dennis will also be representing at the event which should see a strong field of over 60 of the country’s best junior surfers on Durban’s Golden Mile.

The Quiksilver King Of The Groms event is made up of two division, the premier U16 division and an U14 division. The winner of the U16 premier division will take home R5, 000 and will go with his coach to compete in the international King Of The Groms event in France in September during the Quiksilver Pro World Tour event, all paid for by Quiksilver. The winner of the International King Of The Groms event in France is rewarded with a wildcard into the Quiksilver Pro France and Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast World Tour events in 2011. The Quiksilver King Of The Groms is a SSA Sanctioned PST event and will have R19,500 in prize money on offer.

The Future Stars event will feature 8 surfers who have come through the Surfing South Africa transformation and development surfing program, who will get a chance to surf off for a spot in the Pro Junior main event. Quiksilver and Surfing South Africa decided that this event would be the perfect platform to showcase the progress that SSA has made with the transformation of the sport of surfing in South Africa.

Quiksilver South Africa Marketing Manager Dane Patterson is upbeat about the upcoming event “We are very excited about staging a Pro Junior event of this magnitude in April,” said Patterson of the event. “There is a currently a wealth of junior surfers around South Africa doing big things at the moment and to be able to get them all on Durban’s newly renovated beachfront together and competing for some serious prize money is going to be unreal. With the winner of the main event taking home US$ 2,500 and the U16 King of the Groms winner receiving a trip to France we are certain that there will be a show of some fierce and attractive surfing.”

All event information, results, videos, photo’s and surfer profiles can be found at the event mini-site after the 15th of March: www.quikprojunior.co.za

Entries are open at: www.aspafrica.com (U20) and www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za (U16 and U14).

I just got back from Hong Kong and Australia. Been on tour with my Hot wife.Ate everything from oysters to hot dogs and saw a ton of bands you might have heard of them? AC DC, Eagles of death metal, Faith no more, Jane’s addiction,Placebo,Anthrax and wolfmother i cant even remember them all.I went to the VANS Bondi Bowl a rama contest which was super fun some 14 year old super kid from brazil won it. Oh yeah we sky dived over sydney and rocked the space mountain roller coaster at the Hong Kong disney land.If you haven’t seen a movie called the Castle you need to watch that.Lifes to short to stay in your home town and rot away make a plan and go see the world – Peace

Throw the horns

HEY…

So i went on that Quiksilver trip to Mozambique, Tofu, where the waves were kinda average however we left with the job having been done ( everybody got some decent shots and some clips for the boardriders t.v show) A great time was had by all.

Right now i am meant to be in Cape Town for a contest on the weekend however i had a last minute swell forecast check and discovered that a good sized swell was about to hit Durban, I ended up changing my ticket and am only flying on wednesday night.

Myself, Chris Leppan and Matt Bromley got epic Umhlanga and had some good barrels, that afternoon Luke Patterson shot the high tide bowl wave in Umhlanga…I got stung by a death blue bottle and it wrapped around my leish and leg…not cool.

I will let you know if staying was worth the changes and how the contest goes.

Cheers.