Mr. Price Pro

ASP 6-Star WQS Mens event
ASP 6-Star WQS Womens event
Ballito, KZN South Africa
29 June - 5 July 2009

Excitement builds as surfers set their sights on Ballito for Mr Price Pro

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 May, 2009 : - - Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal -- Ballito has become the buzz word on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series tour as South Africa’s longest running professional surfing event, the Mr Price Pro Ballito, relocates to the picturesque town on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast (Kwadukuza Region) for the first time in the event’s history.

The 6-Star WQS event takes place from June 27 – July 5, 2009 and its new venue has sparked major excitement amongst South Africa’s foremost WQS campaigners. Travis Logie (Durban), 30, one of the most successful South African surfers on the international circuit as well as arguably the most consistent finisher at the Mr Price Pro, reaching two finals over the course of his career, is optimistic about the event’s move to the Kwadukuza Region.

“I think it’s a really exciting decision to move the event to Ballito,” Logie said. “It’s a good time of year for waves on the North Coast and the surf should be fun.” An elite ASP World Tour competitor for four years from 2005 to 2008, Logie is back on the WQS this year where he is currently rated 9th and campaigning for a 2010 World Tour berth.

The opportunity to earn precious WQS ratings points at home makes the Mr Price Pro Ballito pivotal to his 2010 bid.  “The Mr Price Pro Ballito is a huge event for me and like any 6 Star being at home there is added incentive to do well. After finishing with a second place last year I think it’s time for a win.”

Brandon Jackson (Durban), 22, currently rated 21st on the ASP WQS is a former two-time winner of the Mr Price Pro Junior and is looking forward to making his mark in Ballito as he sets his sites on the main event. “I’m really excited, Ballito has the world’s best wave set-ups and if the land breezes are consistent there will be some amazing waves being ridden,” Jackson said. “With a mobile venue it’s definitely worth its 6-Star status.”

Campaigning for a second year on the WQS tour Jackson has made impressive ground this season and is currently the third highest rated South African on tour behind Logie and Warwick Wright (Durban) who is currently rated 20th.

 “I’ve bounced back after a bad year in 2008 and have worked hard in the off season training with my mom and surfing with Travis Logie. Although Ballito is not my home break, I’ve been surfing there my whole life, I know it well and it’s a good opportunity for me to get a result before they reseed the WQS.”

Poised to take on the worlds fiercest female talents’ in the 5-Star Women’s WQS event is local surfer Tammy Lee Smith (Ballito). Smith, 23, a former South African champion and Mr Price team rider, is ecstatic that her sponsor’s event will be staged at her home break.

“I think it’s wonderful that the Mr Price Pro will be in Ballito this year,” Smith said. “I am a competitor and I love to win so to have the opportunity to do that in my home town is just amazing. I’m hoping to turn it into one of those fairytale stories and make everyone in my town proud.”

Boasting a mobile venue that includes two main breaks namely Surfers and Salmon Bay, with Tiffanies as an option if there is no surf at the primary breaks, the Mr Price Pro Ballito is set to see world class performances in idyllic waves as organisers have the pick of the best surfing conditions on the day.

ASP Africa Operations Manager Collin Fitch recently toured each of the possible event venues and was more than impressed with what Ballito has to offer.

“We’re very happy with the event venues and there’s no doubt this year’s event will bring with it new and exciting challenges,” Fitch said. “Both local and international surfers are looking forward to surfing the waves in and around Ballito and we’re excited to see if our local surfers can take advantage of home knowledge on the various surf breaks.”

The excitement has spread beyond the sports professional body with local North Coast residents and business owners looking forward to hosting an international event of this calibre. Local North Coast surfer and surfboard shaper for over 20 years, Johno Hutchinson (Ballito), of Hutchinson Handcraft Surfboards, believes his hometown is a superb choice for a major international surfing event.

“Our waves are world class,” Hutchinson said. “We have various beaches all offering good surf under the right conditions. All are within walking distance and spectators will have excellent vantage points.”

Sponsoring numerous local talents including former South African Junior Champion Klee Strachan (Warner Beach), and Michael February (Kommetjie), Hutchinson has also shaped for pro surfers such as ASP World No 29 Greg Emslie (East London) and American Chris Ward and is adamant that the staging of a 6-Star WQS event in Ballito will be a boost to local business.

“Businesses will certainly do well during this period as it will draw out of town visitors to Ballito,” Hutchinson said. “ From watching on the internet, and the exposure that it offers worldwide, we will no doubt get more foreign tourists making Ballito a destination in the future, especially to surf. “

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Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Mr Price Group
Pierre Tostee
PATostee@mrpricegroup.com

Issued By
Kirstin Scholtz
kirstin@coveredimages.com

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