Tag: world title

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The People’s Champ – John John Florence

It took a few days to sink in really, that the World Title was done and dusted. It had been such a see saw year, with Matt Wilko holding on for months, then Gabriel fighting back, then John John into the lead and at the death we had, Jordy Smith, suddenly in the hunt right till the semi finals in Portugal. As a South African I would have loved to see Jordy taking the fight to Pipeline, but sitting in 3rd place he is in a great position for next year and we will take that. At the end of the day I don’t think there is a surfer on the planet unhappy right now, the most popular surfer in the world won the world title.

Lets make it plain, John John Florence is the people’s champ! More fans, more video views and more picks on Fantasy Surfer than any other guy. On top of this, the win does not just reflect on John, but on a whole family and clan of people that he travels with, lives with and adventures with. They all put so much energy and effort into what John has become that they all deserve some of the credit and the fantastic thing about it is, he gives it to them. Our new world champ is not only the best surfer in the world, but also the one with the most humility.

Congrats John! You are the man.

First wave ridden: age 3
First contest win: age 7
First wave at Pipe: age 8
First win at Pipe: age 18
First World Tour win: age 19
First Eddie Aikau win: age 23

First WSL World Title: age 24

Just the beginning for John John Florence.

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Viva Jared Houston Viva – 2015 Bodyboarding World Champion

If you were up late last night you may have noticed Jared Houston’s name popping up all over your Facebook timeline. This is not because he is such a nice guy, dashingly handsome or has loads of mates (All of which are true), but because our favorite Bodyboarder has won the 2015 APB Tour. That is right, we have a new World Champion South Africa! Jared had to sit on the beach after an early knock out in Puerto Rico. Reunion bodyboarder, Amaury Lavernhe, just had to make the Quarters to take the title, but luckily for Jared’s fingernails and our nerves, he got knocked out by an on fire Jacob Romero.

So stoked for Jared! I hope you all celebrate today and go leave our Safa champion a message – https://www.facebook.com/jaredhoustonSA/?fref=ts

2015 APB World Tour | Champions

Men: Jared Houston (RSA)
Women: Alexandra Rinder (GER)
Pro Junior: Socrates Santana (BRA)
Drop-Knee: Dave Hubbard (HAW)

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Jordy Smith ready for 2015 World Title Assault

He has been the Golden Boy of South African surfers for years and many ask the question, why has he not won a World Title yet? There are plenty of questions and answers on this subject, but I am only going to go into why this could be the year of Jordy Smith.

In 2014 he had a reasonable start and then somewhat of a bad run, including nearly drowning at Teahupoo when being nailed by the biggest set of the day. That all turned around though at Trestles, where we once again were treated to the site of an indomitable Mr Smith. In that performance the World was reminded again of how good this guy surfs and why he is known as the Power Broker.

Going into 2015, Jordy is settled in California, married life seems to be agreeing with him and the right hand points of Southern California certainly lend themselves to his style of surfing. Every time we see an interview or a social media post, it is of a happy and very content looking man and this will be ringing the alarm bells for the other surfers on tour. Why? Because a happy and relaxed Jordy Smith, is a very, very dangerous competitor!

With Snapper Rocks starting tomorrow and the Gold Coast having enjoyed a stellar warm up for the event, you can be sure that not one of the surfers at the Quiksilver Pro are going to want to see Jordy warming up before their heats. The wave is made for his fast and hard approach and he has perfected his tube riding over the last few seasons in Mozambique. If Jordy wins Snapper, you can be sure he will carry that momentum into Margaret River and Bells Beach (Both venues he has done well at before and could easily win.) My call, if he makes semis or higher, World Surf League watch out!

But don’t just take my word on it, watch the video below to see how he has been spending his time in California warming up for the start of the year. Pretty dam mental surfing!

Last year the Brazilians finally got their first World Champion, now it’s time for South Africa. Good Luck Jordy! You have a nation behind you!

Working Class from Jordy Smith on Vimeo.

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It’s your time! Why Jordy Smith must win Trestles…

Ok, so the air festival we were all expecting has turned into the small wave carve festival and thats great, because no man alive can grind out a monster carve on a tiny wave like Jordy Smith (For that matter he has the mind boggling airs ready to go too!). Kelly And Joel have fallen, while Mick Fanning is still in with a chance in Round 5. The curve ball, Mick now faces Jordy’s mate and fellow South African, Travis Logie, who on the small rights at tiny Trestles is probably looking the most dangerous he has ever looked! So, in an ideal world we have Travis beating Mick and both South Africans go onto the finals where Jordy will win as he cannot be beaten at this point in small mushy, Dairy Bowl like Trestles. Suddenly Jordy is almost tie with Kelly and Mick and we have one banger of a World Title fight as the tour jets off to France. “Ok kai you feeling a little overconfident of your Saffas,” you naysayers will say! I answer with this statement by Jordy, “I am Psyched!” – the man is relaxed, hungry and surfing like a fleet footed ancient Greek God of surfing.
The man is on a roll and the wave is his bitch! Just check this free surf footage from before the Hurley Pro and tell me I am wrong… (Oh and Travis, its your time to bru!)