Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Chris Davidson wins the Mr. Price Pro in Durban
Monday, 07 July 2008 09:08

Australian surfer Chris Davidson (AUS) crushed South Africa’s hopes of a second ever South African winner at the Mr. Price Pro, defeating ASP World No. 41 Travis Logie (Durban) before a patriotic crowd on New Pier beach in Durban today.

Competing in crumbling one-to-two foot (0.5 metre) onshore surf, arguably more suited to the Australian’s natural-footed stance, Davidson’s powerful front-side surfing saw him out-position his local rival to win the heat with a 16.10 heat total to Logie’s 12.90, jumping to 7th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

“I’m stoked I made the final and beat the local boy,” Davidson said. “It was tough for Travis surfing little right-handers on his backside (right foot forward stance) so it definitely favoured me. I’ve got tens here in the past, but I was the underdog out there today, so it felt good to come home with the win.”

A former competitor on the prestigious ASP World Tour, Davidson drew first blood opening with a respectable 6.67 (out of a possible 10) ride and followed up with a near perfect 9.43 putting his South African rival in a combination situation.

At the five minute mark, so confident of his win was Davidson that he began surfing with his board upside down and exited the water with three minutes still remaining on the clock.

“That was just a bit of fun and no disrespect to Travis,” Davidson said. “He’s an incredible competitor but I knew I had the heat won.” The Australian took home 2500 ratings points towards his 2009 qualification campaign for the ASP World Tour.

Despite finishing as the highest placed South African in the event, Logie was visibly disappointed that first place had eluded him for the second time in his career, after reaching the final here in 2000.

“I’ve always wanted to win this event because I grew up surfing here and I live five minutes up the road,” Logie said. “The final was very tough and Chris definitely got the two best waves, I just couldn’t get the right ones today.”

One of just three South African surfers to advance into the final day of competition today, Logie disposed of fellow countryman Greg Emslie (East London) in the Round of 16 before dismissing ASP World No. 19 Jordy Smith (Durban) in the Quarterfinals, eventually defeating Patrick Gudauskas (USA) in the Semifinals.

“I was stoked with second, it’s better than third and I will be back again next year, though, trying to win it,” Logie said.

While the runner-up finish will have no impact on Logie’s ASP World Tour ratings points, Greg Emslie’s 9th has seen him jump to No. 19 on the ASP WQS ratings while David Weare (Durban) who was eliminated on Saturday with an equal 25th, has jumped to an incredible No. 2 on the ASP WQS ratings.

Finishing equal third at the Mr. Price Pro today were Patrick Gudauskas (USA) and 2003 Mr. Price Pro Champion Neco Padaratz (Bra) who were defeated by Logie and Davidson respectively.

Gudauskas’ result saw him jump back into the lead on the ASP WQS ratings ahead of Weare, while the ratings leader coming into the event, Hizunome Bettero (BRA), has ped down to third.

“I’ve never done well in Durban so to get a third today is a great result for me,” Gudauskas said. “I’m really excited to be back at No. 1, it’s a very long season so I just want to continue bettering my results.”

Source: Surfing NSW


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Riding a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with Shane Dorian
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Shane Dorian has captured all the glory of a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with his surf camera mount.
We've seen Shane Dorian tasting the power of Nazaré and speaking about the wave of his life. The big wave surfer born on the July 19, 1972, in Hawaii, has published an impressive picture, directly from the Tahitian pit. The mid-May swell that hit "The End of the Road" brought huge, perfect tube rides to the French Polynesian island. Dorian was there to ride the wild beast.


Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


Kitesurfing in India kicks off with the Red Bull Quila Surf
20/05/2013
article thumbnail

The first kitesurfing competition will hit India, between 23rd-25th May, at Mandwa. The Red Bull Quila Surf will showcase 70 Indian kitesurfers in the water.
The costal district of Raigad is ready for action. The Red Bull Quila Surf is the first ever kitesurfing competition in the country and anxiety grows. Ines Correia, the 2011 Kite Surf Pro (KSP) World Tour champion from Portugal, has been invited to judge the riders based on speed, maneuverability and attitude.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Lachlan Cramsie takes the Arica Chilean Challenge Trials 2013
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Lachlan Cramsie has stolen the 2013 GoPro IBA Arica Chilean Challenge Trials, in solid and glassy 4-6 foot barreling waves at El Gringo, Chile.
The Australian rider defeated Ruben "Babby" Quiñones, George Humphreys and Roberto Bruno in the final and decisive heat. Nevertheless, all the best seven trialists secured a spot in the main event, where they will compete against the top 24 Grand Slam Series bodyboarders and event wildcards Alan Espinoza, Jake Stone and Diego Cabrera.


Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


+ Bodyboarding News