BILLABONG PRO JBay 2009 SURF CONTEST HEADLINES

Clash of the Icons – Occy vs. Curren at Jeffreys Bay

COORDINATES: 34° 2’ S, 24° 55’ E

Surf Trip .com Surfing Travel: JBay Surf Trip, South Africa Surftrip

ATTITUDE: There’s an essence that envelops Jeffereys that’s undeniable. Great waves, great hospitality and a great vibe. The flawless waves of "J-Bay" provide a classic canvas on which the surfers can draw their lines and the level of competition jumps accordingly.

THE WAVE: Supertubes, Magnatubes, Impossibles and Boneyards are the breaks the boys contest when they come to town. Supertubes hosts the main event and is considered one of Earth’s most epic right-hand point breaks. Racing along a lava-rock reef, the wave churns out section after section of satisfaction should a swell pulse through.

PERKS: Flawless waves. Flawless waves. Flawless waves.

PERILS: Flick on Animal Planet, watch one episode featuring massive great white sharks prone to propelling themselves in the air and swallowing sea lions whole and then paddle out. Dare you.

APRES SURF:Several eating and drinking establishments in Jeffereys do a good night out justice.

ASP WORLD TOUR HISTORY: Although Billabong has sponsored an event here since 1983, the ASP World Tour endorsed Jeffreys in 1984, 1996, and again from 1998 to present. Prior to being the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay it was called the Country Feeling Surf Classic.

NOTABLE: In 2003 Taj Burrow swore he saw a shark during his semifinal heat against Damien Hobgood. While paddling for an outside set, Burrow spotted a massive dorsal fin heading in his direction. Burrow (accompanied by a water photographer) quickly scrambled to the beach where announcers were stating that it wasn’t a dorsal fin, but a whale on its side. A clearly rattled Burrow reluctantly returned to the lineup but failed to attain his needed score. His claim that it was a massive Great White was given credit when, the following week, a South African teen was mauled by a large shark while warming up for an ASP Pro Junior contest.

PAST BILLABONG PRO JBAY CHAMPS:

2008: Kelly Slater
2007: Taj Burrow (AUS)
2006: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2005: Kelly Slater (USA)
2004: Andy Irons (HAW)
2003: Kelly Slater (USA)
2002: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2001: Jake Paterson (AUS)
2000: Jake Paterson (AUS)
1999: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
1998: Munga Barry (AUS)
1996: Kelly Slater (USA)
1984: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

NEWS & PHOTOS FOR ARCHIVED EVENTS

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay 2008