Jordy Smith thrives in tricky conditions at The Pro

While the cold, windy weather on Friday did not scream beach day for spectators, surfers had perfect conditions to show off their aerial repertoires at The Ballito Pro pres by O’Neill at Willard Beach.

South Africa’s Jordy Smith looked casual as he posted the highest single wave score of the event. Smith started on the lefts looking for a section to complete an air, but then found a beautiful right-hander with less than five minutes to go, hacking it to pieces for a near perfect 9.57 points out of a possible 10.

“You have got to roll the dice in conditions like this,” said Smith.

“There were not a lot of opportunities, but I surf this wave a lot and I have surfed it enough to know exactly what I need. I tried two or three lefts and it did not work out, so I switched the game plan to wait for a longer right and then I got the nine-something.”

Smith and local hero Beyrick de Vries  are the only South Africans left in contention after David van Zyl (ZAF) exited the competition following a third place finish in his heat today.

Last year’s runner-up in Ballito, Jack Freestone (AUS) finished ahead of former World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) in the first heat of the day, sending Marcos Correa (BRA) and Miguel Tudela (PER) home.

“It was tough, there were talented surfers in that heat,” said Freestone.

“Every heat here looks like a final. It was probably the hardest conditions to compete in. Hopefully there will be more swell with the southerly wind, but that was so difficult.”

It was an unlucky draw for brothers Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and Weslley Danta (BRA) who had to face each other in a heat with fellow Brazilian Ian Gouveiaand Keanu Asing (HAW). Wiggolly jumped into first with a 7.33 and 7.07 ride for a total of 14.40, less than half a point ahead of Gouveia, with Weslley Dantas and Asing eliminated.

Watch Ballito Pro competitors talking about the tough competition on the QS Tour and the road to JBay:

https://www.facebook.com/theballitopro/videos/373301580211579/

“I really wanted to make my heat with my brother, the conditions aren’t super good but it’s still fun. I know it’s good for airs and I went for the backside airs, but my brother didn’t have the waves to get those airs,” said Wiggolly.
“It’s hard surfing against Weslley, it’s the second time this year, and a second win but I’m stoked to get through. My board is feeling mental, I’m feeling confident and I’m really happy to be here. I was out of the water for three months last year with a leg injury, so everything is super happy for me right now and I’m stoked to be in Africa.”

While the wind did make things extremely tough for some, others embraced the gusty southerly. Barron Mamiya (HAW) went flying for a massive rotation to land cleanly in the flat section of a left-hander and the judges didn’t hesitate to drop an excellent 9.17 and the Hawaiian advanced to the Round of 24.

With a building swell and light winds forecast for Saturday it’s going to be an action-packed weekend with the winner to be crowned on Sunday, July 7.