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

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Small Fun Surf For Day Three Of The Quiksilver Pro Africa Presented By Virgin Mobile

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 April, 2007 : - -  A slight drop in swell and clean conditions greeted competitors on day three of the main event of the Quiksilver Pro Africa. It was straight into the action at 7h30, with a few heats remaining from yesterday that needed to be surfed off first.

As the first heats got underway the waves improved slightly, with the occasional bomb wave peeling over the perfectly aligned sandbank at the New Pier. Surfers gathered at the contestants tower were all in assent that it was looking like another great day’s surfing ahead.

The Quiksilver Pro Africa is a Six Star Prime event, and is the biggest WQS event in the country. It has attracted WQS surfers from all over the world and offers a first prize of US$15000 (ZAR 106,000) as well as 3000 WQS points. As well as all the top WQS competitors, there are also a bunch of WCT surfers in attendance at the event, including the four South African WCT surfers Travis Logie, Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson and Greg Emslie.

In perfect running three-foot right-handers Brandon Roberts from Cape Town went from third to first place in the dying minutes of his heat, picking up a bomb wave and going to town on it. Brandon did a few power turns on the outside section of the wave before hitting a massive air reverse on the inside section to score a 6.83 and the heat win.

Dane Gudauskus : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

“It was kind of difficult out there at first,” said Roberts after his heat. “The tide was still quite low and it was hard to find the right one. I just had to push it as hard as I could. My final wave with the air reverse clinched it for me. Now I’m in the money rounds, so I’m stoked.”

American surfer Shaun Ward surfed a solid heat as well for his victory, despite a massive attempt from fellow American Tanner Gudauskas in the dying minutes. Tanner went upside down on his last wave but it wasn’t even enough to get him into second place and he was eliminated from the event in a very close third place.

Josh Dowthwaite ended up in second place and advanced through his heat at the expense of the afore mentioned Gudauskas and Austin Ware from America. “I sat not very wide and not very deep, “ said Shaun when asked where he found the best sets. “The other guys in the heat did try and paddle me up the beach but luckily I got a good one right in the beginning of the heat.”

Josh Redman from Durban was unlucky against a rampant Nathan Hedge from Australia and the stylish Spaniard Gony Zubizareta. Redman was chasing a 3.7 score at the end of the heat, and picked up a  decent wave that unfortunately only scored a 3.4 from the judges.

Desperate for one more wave, the South African locked into a fierce paddle battle with Zubizareta, with Hedge joining in. It went down to the last seconds, with Redman unable to break free from the paddle battle, and he was eliminated. Nathan ‘Hedgy’ Hedge was all smiles when he left the water. “It’s a different year for me you know. Seven years on the ‘CT and now back on the ‘QS,” said Hedgey.

Brett Shearer : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

“But it’s all good. Different people and different places. The waves were really good out there, and the tide had started coming in so I just got a few waves that looked like they were going to have a wall, and ended up with a few good scores. I love it here in South Africa,” continued Hedgey. “It always treats me well.”

The final heat in the round of 144 was an all South African affair, with Paul Canning and Mikhail Thompson placing first and second and eliminating Tim Boal from France and Justin Mujica from Portugal from the tournament. The perennial Canning has been surfing brilliantly in the event at his local break and is looking dangerous. The event was put on hold after this heat as there is a significant increase in swell predicted for tomorrow along with favourable winds.

The live webcast, presented by John Shimooka and Martin Potter, is up and running, so those people who can’t get down to the New Pier can enjoy live streaming of the event from their computers.  The contest starts again tomorrow at 8 o’clock sharp with the round of 96. The event runs through until Sunday 22 April, when the finals will be held.

About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) is the world's leading outdoor sports company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, winter sports and golf equipment, footwear, accessories and related products. The Company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage, while its winter sports and golf brands symbolise a long standing commitment to technical expertise and competitive success on the mountains and on the links.

Check the Live Coverage 

- Action from today - 

 - More photos from today -

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 
# 9 : Clean offshore conditons for Quiksilver Pro Africa Day 2

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