G’day world, like putting on that extra thick jumper is the warm and cosy weekly wash, proudly brought to you by AKWA Surf keeping you informed with all the surf happenings locally and on the pro tour.
Finally a week to relax, a week where we didn't get terrified by the next set wave about to explode upon you or come up from a wipe-out with half of your favourite board slowly floating away from you shattering your heart into 1000 pieces. Yes with the calming sedated seas you had time to gather your thoughts, catch up on some odd jobs, feed the dog and of course vote for a muppet. The swell did seem a little absent this week especially as we have had such an incredible run of quality waves this winter. Now don't read me wrong, there was still some fun waves out there for the diehard surfers who seemed to not be at all fazed by the cold mornings and chilly offshore winds but again after recent events this did make it feel a little blah blah. Now as I slay away at the keyboard there seems to be a pretty massive blob of swell week coming which will reignite the surf flame and stir those butterflies in your belly yet again.
As the swell slipped into its brief slumber the reefs were a little lean for waves, but our ever reliable beaches still provided enough sustenance for famished surfers to chomp on. Aaron Price was one of those surfers that can only survive life if he gets into the water at least once every 48 hours otherwise he turns into a morbidly bitter zombie of his former self, staring absently at his feet and randomly cursing whilst picking his nose in public. But luckily he didn't metamorphosis into this creature as the right handers running at Rennies beach saved him. Unfortunately for the waves, though, as he did some destructive work to its watery walls instead which kept the beast inside him at bay.
Ulladulla Boardriders held their monthly event meeting at Rennies beach last Sunday in fun four-foot peak. A small turn up by large moves going down with some exceptional surfing from Grahame Buckley, Charlie Brophy, Aiden Costa all showing some class, for the full write up check out the article here in your paper.
Connor O’Leary has won the Ballito Pro presented Billabong in epic 1metre to 1.5metre waves at Willard Beach in KwaDukuzay, defeating Joan Duru in the final held in front of a packed beach basking in warm mid-winter sunshine and windless conditions. In a high scoring final where the lead constantly changed hands, both surfers posted excellent rides on their backhand in the long right-handers before O’Leary etched his name on the winner’s trophy with an explosive ride punctuated by three vertical re-entries for a 9.20 and a 17.30 vs. 15.80 victory.
“It’s surreal. I’m just over the moon,” O’Leary said. “To make the final I was beyond stoked and to take the win just tops it off. Joan’s surfing has been amazing and he’s one of my favorite surfers on the QS, so to have a final with him was amazing.”
The victory in the first World Surf League QS 10,000 rated event of the year earned O’Leary US $40 000 and his haul of 10 000 points saw the 22 year-old move up 13 places to No. 2 in the rankings.
Stay classy Milton Ulladulla an if anyone would like to add anything to this column call into AKWA surf, buzz us on 44545222 or email me kurt@akwasurf.com.au till next week, stay wet
