DURBAN, South Africa — Excellent waves were peeling off the New Pier sandbank at first light this morning, and the contest organizers had no hesitation in sending the first heat of Round 1 into the water. With scores consistently coming
DURBAN, South Africa — Excellent waves were peeling off the New Pier sandbank at first light this morning, and the contest organizers had no hesitation in sending the first heat of Round 1 into the water. With scores consistently coming through in the 7- and 8-point ranges, it was a vindicated decision.
South African ex-pat based in Newquay, Cornwall, Reuben Pearce was first up with a decisive victory in the fun conditions, beating Mason Ho from Hawai‘i into second.
“I managed to get two waves really early in my heat, so in a way the pressure was off,” said Pearce of his contest strategy. “I sat around watching for another good one, but I had the heat already and didn’t do much else after those two early ones.”
Pearce, who has been in Newquay for a couple of years now, was stoked with the event so far.
“It’s always good to come home, to surf some warm water and to see old friends, even if you are competing against them,” said Reuben. “This is such an unreal event as well. The set-up is one of the best in the world.”
Heat 6 was one of the most exciting heats of the day, with a tight, nail-biting finish in the last few seconds. New Pier local Antonio Bortoletto was the runaway leader throughout the heat, scoring two good 7-plus point rides — a 7.4 and a 7.5 — for a solid heat total of 14.9. It was a close call for second place and in the dying seconds it was Sterling Spencer who was lying in second as third placed Clint Kimmins picked up a bomb.
Gavin Gillette won his heat yesterday, advancing with a score of 13.36. Other Hawai‘i surfers Sunny Garcia, Hank Gaskell, Nathan Carroll, Ola Eleogram and Dustin Barca have yet to take the water.
