The Long and Short of it

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DAY ONE

On a day that saw 6-10ft surf pound the Point at J-Bay, only the sunshine belied the fierce roughness of this winter swell, and the contest was put on hold for several hours. However, by 11:30am, the waves eased to a steady 6ft and the Open Mens division was sent out.

2021 South African Longboard Champion Sam Christianson (KZN) put on a confident performance that earned him the second highest heat score total of the day (13.26) and a spot in Round 3. Christianson exhibited graceful flow, seamlessly stringing together combinations of Hang Fives, Hang Tens and swooping cutbacks for a convincing heat win.

Western Province youngsters Tristan Lev and Manoa Robb showed flashes of brilliance, a small taste of what can be expected in competition from them this week. Lev got the highest score of the day (7.75) with his signature arching turns and clean nose rides, while Robb produced a seemingly endless nose ride that earned him a solid score and a heat win. Both won their heats for a spot in Round 3.

The Masters division (ages 35 to 45) ended the day. St. Francis local Michael Hill (Eden) delivered a standout performance to receive the highest heat score of the day. The winner of multiple longboarding events over his surfing career, Hill proved unfazed by the testing conditions, using steady technical footwork and deep, searing carves.

The longboard champs are traditionally a family event that bring welcome sports tourism to Jeffreys Bay. Excellent weather and good waves are expected.

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DAY TWO

Reeling 2-3ft waves and windy berg wind NW cross-shore on a blisteringly hot morning set the stage for Day 2, which saw the first Open Women’s Rounds hit the water. As we have come to expect, their finesse and style was a joy to behold. Defending champion Tarryn King (WP) opened with a big 7.38. Her powerful turns and composed, lengthy nose rides held steady in wind, propelling her to a heat win and a spot in the Open Women’s Quarterfinals.

Jeffreys Bay surfer Marishka Myers (EP), who competed at seven months pregnant and placed 4th in the 2021 SA Championships, produced the highest heat score total of the Open Women’s division (12.75) with well-paced traditional surfing and stylish Hang Fives.

In the Open Men’s elimination Round, Jeffreys Bay local Jan Du Toit (Eden) used his local knowledge to get the best waves, going straight to the nose followed by a varied repertoire of maneuvers. His smooth surfing was awarded the highest heat score total, as well as the highest single score of the event so far (6.38 + 7.88).

Jonathan Rosslind (WP) surfed back-to-back heats in the Open Mens Round 2 and Masters Round 2. His high-risk surfing, marked by deep, elongated bottom turns and critical nose rides earned him heat wins in both divisions, as well as one of the highest single scores of the day (7.75).

In the Grand Masters division (45-54 years) Marc Jackson (Eden) delivered a formidable show, placing both his competitors in a combination situation (whereby they would need two scores to stand a chance to catch up with the heat winner). In tricky cross-shore conditions Jackson carefully selected waves that hugged the point and garnished them with drawn-out nose rides.

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DAY THREE

Ideal longboarding conditions greeted the surfers as 2ft offshore waves lined up along the Point - ideal conditions for the first Junior divisions to hit the water. In the U18 Boys division, Justin Van Niekerk (EP) locked in the first excellent score of the event, linking multiple lengthy nose rides and turns with exquisite flow to earn a colossal 9.33. Van Niekerk backed up his score with a 7.0, thereby comfortably securing himself a spot in the U18 Boys Final.

The U16 Girls Quarterfinals provided further entertainment, with Angelica Rosslind (WP) and Zara Loftus (EP) delivering memorable performances in their respective heats. Both surfers are on their backhand at Jeffreys Bay Point and exhibited drawn out nose rides with their toes all the way over the nose. The girls won their Semifinals heats and will be meeting in the U16 Girls Final on Sunday.

In the Senior Ladies Division Gqeberha’s Michelle Van Kempen (EP) dominated her heat, flowing between Hang Five and Hang Tens with ease to receive a 8.75, which she backed up with a 5.93.

In the highest scoring heat of the day, defending champion Sam Christianson (KZN) and Jan Du Toit (Eden) went blow for blow in the Open Mens Round 3, each wave scoring higher than the one before. Du Toit displayed exceptional flair with no down time between maneuvers, while Christianson surfed rock solid in the windy conditions, landing long Hang Tens. Christianson took the win with a mammoth heat score total of 16.46, and both surfers secured themselves spots in the Open Men’s Quarterfinals.