Dan Redman : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

WQS 6 Star Mens Event
Cave Rock/New Pier Durban South Africa
16 - 22 April 2007

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CLEAN OFFSHORE SURF FOR DAY TWO OF THE QUIKSILVER PRO AFRICA 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 April, 2007 : - - It was all about Paul Canning on the morning of day two of the Quiksilver Pro Africa at Durban’s New Pier. Surfing in the last heat of the round of 192, “PC” went ballistic in his heat to win convincingly against Australian Paul Parkes in a high-scoring heat. In conditions that had spectators and competitors hooting from the beach, the Durban goofy-footer found form and won convincingly.

“It’s only about three-foot out there, with the occasional four-foot sets, but it’s just cooking!” said an excited Canning. “The waves are so perfect over the bank that you can just set it up and hit it so many times. I got a good one early in the heat and waited for another set wave. When it came the judges gave it an 8.83 (out of 10) so I was stoked.”

Another South African goofy-footer, Granville West from Port Elizabeth, was also a standout in his heat. “I was amping, and picked up a set wave right off the bat. I scored a 7.5, so it was great to start off with,” said Granville. “While I was paddling back out I lucked into a wide one which was a five –odd score, so the pressure was off. I paddled out to the back and decided to wait for a set wave. I hooked into one more bomb from the outside and got an 8.67, so my strategy paid of.”

Shea Lopez : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

Stocky Hawaiian surfer Jason Shibata also went to town in his heat in the round of 144, with a ridiculous opening wave. As the siren went, Jason picked up a big set wave and surfed it with confidence and flair. He pulled off two big carving in-the-pocket moves before setting up and executing a giant aerial manoeuvre on the inside section to score the highest score of the heat, an excellent nine-point ride.

“I was watching the waves all morning and knew exactly where the tide was for my heat,” said Shibata after his heat. “It got really low, but when I went out there the tide had started moving and there was a bit more water, so I knew where to sit. I got that first ride and it just opened up for me. It’s always good to bank a good ride in the beginning of the heat, and that one came on the siren for me.”

Former South African resident now Australian resident Sean Gossman also killed his heat, defeating lone German surfer Marlon Lipke into second.
“It’s absolutely pumping out there!” said Gozzy, showering down after his heat. “I sat about 30 metres north of the pier and got some bombs. It’s even better than this morning. I think the high tide has given it a bit of push. I’ve surfed so many junior contests out there so I pretty much know where to sit to get the good ones.” Third-placed South African Klee Strachan and fourth-placed Australian Paul Fisher were eliminated from the event.

With the contestants stoked with the good waves, expectations are high for tomorrow where a slight lift in the swell has been predicted. The conditions are set to remain glassy and offshore for the next few days as well. The contest starts again tomorrow at 8 o’clock sharp with the final heats in the round of 144 and goes straight into the round of 96 around lunch time. The event runs through until Sunday 22 April and the winner of the event will pocket US$15000 (ZAR 106,000) as well as 3000 WQS points. 
 
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Previous reports:
# 1 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin Mobile coming to Durban
# 2 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin announce event wildcards
# 3 : Quiksilver Pro Africa to host revolutionary live technology
# 4 : SA locals Wok, Fahrenfort get Quik Pro Africa wildcards 

# 5 : South Africa surf city Durban backs Quiksilver Pro Africa
# 6 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin Mobile readies for action
# 7 : Quik Pro Africa expecting good waves: website goes live
# 8 : Shea Lopez starts off strong at the Quiksilver Pro Africa 

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