Stop Start for Saffas

AERIAL OF AERIAL: Mitch Crews smacks the lip and launches. Photo WSL / Norwood

Van Jaarsveldt, who has taken a liking to the punchy east coast beach breaks, started solidly, winning his Round 1 heat of the event at Boomerang Beach, New South Wales, Australia. This was followed by a solid impression in the second round when he blasted a 14.25 two-wave heat total to take the heat. However, he struggled in Round 3, and dropped out after finishing 3rd.

After his Round 2 win, he said: “I've just been loving my time in Australia and how nice the water is. I live in Cape Town and the water is usually freezing, so it feels good to compete in the warmth and the fun waves.”

Jake Elkington made it to Round 3 as well, but fell away. The other Saffas - Adin Masencamp, Ethan Fletcher, and Joshe Faulkner - all dropped out early in Round 2. Davey Brand was knocked out in Round 1. There are no second chances in the QS format.

TOPSY TURVY: Ford van Jaarsveld won his first two heats emphatically. Photo WSL / Smith

On account of his higher seeding in the QS, Sykes came in to the event directly into Round 3, where he came second. He is the only South African left and will surf in Round 4 when competition resumes.

Fresh off a runner-up finish at the recent Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro, Luke Hynd (Gold Coast, Qld) carried the same confidence into the second round at Boomerang. Hynd synced his backhand attack with the playful right-handers on offer to post a series of solid scores, which allowed him to take out the heat with a 14.40 heat total. He went on to take 2nd in his Round 3 heat and moves into Round 4.

The Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres by D'Blanc will run until the 11th and will be broadcast live on the 10th and 11th at www.worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.

The Australian leg of the QS, titled the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series, was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series, much like the City Surf Series in South Africa. The Series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.

FULLON FULTON: Sophie Fulton pulls off some air time at Boomerang Beach. Photo WSL / Smith

Event One: Carve Pro
Location: Maroubra Beach
Date: January 18th – 21st, 2018

Event Two: Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro
Location: Cabarita Beach
Date: January 31st – February 4th, 2018

Event Three: Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres by D'Blanc
Location: Boomerang Beach
Date: February 7th – 11th, 2018

Event Four: Vissla Central Coast Pro pres by Slimes
Location: Avoca Beach
Date: March 7th – 11th, 2018

More information on accommodation and the event series will be housed at www.nswprosurfseries.com