How will the rookies fare if J-Bay delivers what it’s capable of? Photo: Jared Aufrichtig
Well, it’s less than a week until J-Bay kicks off. No doubt the rookies have been camped out for the last week getting some serious practice in. One thing they have to know full well is that they won’t be pulling a Tom Curren… anyone remember his first wave on a virgin board at Jeffreys Bay? It’s well worth a look.
It is an event famous for traditional down the line power-surfing, and a lot of the newbies on tour have yet to be put to the test in conditions that J-Bay can dish out.
These surfers have had to get through their rookie teething issues in a series of shitty, average venues since the demise of The Dream Tour and a return to the early World Tour’s “anything to get bums on beach” mentality. They all know the tour’s elder statesman like Slater, Parko, Taj, and Mick can walk straight off the plane, jump in a wetsuit, and potentially win the event with a mix of solid surfing and water time logged in. They know full well that the judges will always reward good power surfing.
One surfer who has previously struggled to find his place on tour is Gabe Medina. This year, however, he’s found his form. He’s leading the ratings and has hungrily transitioned from tour grommet to world title contender. Gabe, along with a handful of others, will be looking for nothing less than a podium finish at this event. Nat Young’s been in solid form, Julian and Jordy are desperate to prove they are in the top 3, Owen’s back and warming up for something, Filipe’s going from strength to strength, and JJF is always in the mix and ready for a result. But natural talent doesn’t alway translate into results, and JJF could easily finish 25th… the others seem to way more heat savvy.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the natural process of youth recklessly raising the middle finger to the establishment. Snatching that win from under the nose of the tour’s elite will give them a sense of validation and success, although this feeling generally is short lived and only replenished by another win. A vicious cycle of sorts that had might’ve had something to do with Dane Reynolds’ step away the tour.
The sheer amount of guys on tour that have the required competitive drive and the ability to back it up with the biggest power hacks in one heat and giant airs the next is staggering. This will make the return of Jeffreys Bay a turning point in the history of pro surfing.
Fantasy Surfer picks
On the money, but yawn: Slater, Mick, Joel and Jordy
Hopefully: Julz, Nat, Gabe, Michel and Filipe
Outsiders for maximum points: Melling, Wilko, Owen, Mitch and Bede
Hell has frozen over: Travis, Jadson and Kolohe
See more from Matthew McCrory at thetopturn.com
