Jeffreys Bay. This is what the Dream Tour looks like. Photo: ASP/Cestari
After each contest, Jed Smith, our sportswritin’ ASP junkie, likes to have a quick look at things to distill them down to their sweet essence. It’s a little snack to get you prepped for a more in-depth examination of the event’s significance in the broader context of the year. Without further ado: 5 Monumental Observations from the 2014 Jeffreys Bay Open.
1. J-Bay: The showpiece, The masterpiece
A lot’s changed since the dawn of this modern era of surfing – boards, money, sponsorships, tricks – but J-Bay strips us right back. Back to a time when going fast and looking stylish were the only things that mattered. When it comes to points, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, both products of the Gold Coast’s famed points, do it with more grace than anyone. Their fast, pure lines and wave reads in what were some of the best conditions ever for a contest at J Bay were out of this world. They rose to occasion in a big way and their clinic will live long in the memory of surf fans. “This is what we live for,” said Mick afterwards. “Epic J-Bay. I’m just trying to channel a bit of Tom Curren.”
2. Victory at Sea
J-Bay delivered, plus some, for its return to tour. It was PUMPING, which ordinarily would have been cause for celebration. Because of a government decree forbidding jet skis from the lineup, however, surfers were left to battle the relentlessly stacked ocean alone. It meant less waves were ridden in the finals, which could be argued detracted from the spectacle. But for the watermen among us, it was no doubt just as fascinating to watch the world’s best draw on their years of oceanic knowledge and come up with strategies on the run. Mick Fanning opted for the triathlon-style run back up the point, as did Parko, instead of paddling against the current; both risked serious injury as they pinballed around the rocks in a hurry to get to shore and sprint back up the point; while all surfers were forced to be very selective over which waves they took and how long they rode them lest they be swept down the point on a mediocre scoring wave.
3. Backsiders
It was Occy who initially paved the way for the goofies at J-Bay, but this year’s class put on a show equal to any in the event’s history. There were five left on the final day: Owen, Medina, Freddy P, Wilko and CJ Hobgood – among the most ever. Surfers here are rewarded for putting together a wave without having to pump between turns; a difficult task on your backhand when you’re continually left facing the wrong way after a turn with your weight heavily leaning at the foam. Wave selection is even more crucial for the goofies, which, in Matt Wilkinson’s case – the form goofy of the event – saw him avoiding the barrel altogether in favor of waves that allowed long drawn out approaches and a coping just steep enough to let him blast the heavens while still keeping enough momentum and direction to smoothly transition back to the pocket and another drawn out approach. He’s hot and cold, Wilko, and his frontside is suspect at times but when his backside is on it’s among the best in the world.
4. Wide Open
It’s the only way to describe this year’s title race. Upset losses to Jordy Smith, John John and Kelly Slater in Round Three underscore just how competitive the tour is this year. Jordy in particular looked on a warpath coming into the event, posting what remains the highest heat total of the event in his opening heat (a 19.8 featuring a perfect ten).He was stopped dead by CJ Hobgood in a close-fought grind in Round Three. Slater was undone by a radical backside display from standout Matt Wilkinson. And John John was characteristically patchy in an error-riddled affair with Owen Wright. Fanning meanwhile jumped five places to third with the win, though a 13th and 25th in his results means he’ll require near flawlessness from here on in to win. Medina did enough to retain the number one ranking, Kelly dropped three places down to sixth, while Parko’s second runner-up this year combined with a worst finish of ninth see him in the box seat heading to Chopes.
5. The Master Class
The judges should be commended for their reluctance to give out perfect tens this year. We’ve explained why previously. They couldn’t help themselves at J-Bay, and if ever anyone was deserving of a perfect score – even for symbolic purposes, it is Tom Curren. His first ever wave at J Bay, captured in the seminal Searching for Tom Curren, is as good as any wave ever surfed. He made the history books again this event, posting a ten in his heritage round heat with Occy just prior to the final. It was fitting that the world got to see Curren, Parko and Mick all take to the water at all-time J Bay within the space of an hour. All grew up on point breaks and all have mastered the rhythm and flow required to surf this magnificent yet challenging wave. It was a true masterclass in point break surfing, the kind you might never see again on the same day. – Jed Smith
Stay Tuned for The Final Say: Jeffreys Bay Pro.
