Let the J-Bay games begin! Starting tomorrow until July 15th, the 2012 Billabong Pro Jay-Bay, which was revised this year from a stop to an ASP 6-Star event, will once again showcase the best of the best surfers at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay. With the changed status, the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour calendar moved from 11 events to 10, with surfers now counting their best 8 out of 10 results towards their ASP World Title ranking.
Also with this change, there are now two qualifying events back to back in the South African region. It also provides the perfect opportunity for South Africa’s aspiring pro surfers, for the first time in 20 years, to compete at the best waves in the country against some of the greatest surfers in the world. Plus, it ensures continuity of the event for the local businesses in Jeffreys Bay.
Regardless of the contest status, 11 surfers out of the top 34 surfers from the World Championship Tour have entered and chosen to travel to South Africa and surf J-Bay, including Adriano de Souza, Pat Gudauskas, CJ and Damien Hobgood, Brett Simpson, Travis Logie and Jordy Smith.
The prize purse is over US$155,000 (R1,2 million). In addition, Nixon will again be running their Winner Takes All prize at the Billabong Pro. The Nixon WTA is an award of a US$10,000 (R85,000) jewel-encrusted one-of-a kind watch for the highest heat score in the event. Any competitor can win this prize, so we look forward to seeing who will capture the best wave and score a sweet watch.
Big and perfect surf has been predicted for the opening day of the Billabong Pro J-Bay 2012, and the surfers in town are having great practice sessions as six-foot lines pour down the famous Supertubes point. The great wave conditions look exciting and are set to continue through the first three days of competition. July is historically one of the best months for large swells and favorable wind conditions at Supertubes, and the competitors are sure to score excellent winter waves for the event.
Who do you think will take it? And who’s your best guess for winning the Nixon watch?
For more event details go to the event site on www.billabongpro.com.
