Swell Times: WA surfer unlucky in World Surf League event

JEFFREYS Bay in South Africa is hosting the sixth event on the World Surf League Champions Tour.

Located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, J Bay can throw up some seriously good waves and this year’s event was no exception.

In the early rounds of the men’s competition, it was evident that picking the right surfboard was key to progressing through the rounds. Come finals day, it was Filipe Toledo who had the most tricks in his bag.

In the final, he displayed his full bag of tricks with an impeccable air game that Australian Wade Carmichael just couldn’t match.

The win was enough to secure this great Brazilian surfer the leader’s yellow jersey over Julian Wilson (Australia) and Gabriel Medina (Brazil).

The women’s event was an epic contest.

After six lay days, the surfers were treated to some of the biggest waves of the entire event, with Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore winning the final.

WA’s Bronte Macaulay produced some great surfing and tied with Gilmore in their quarter-final clash.

However, luck was against Macaulay when she was eliminated on a countback due to Gilmore scoring the highest wave for the heat.

With this win, Gilmore further established herself at the top of the women’s points table.

Neil Atkinson,

The Surf Boardroom, Scarborough