Notes From The Editor

Notes From The Editor

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Notes From The Editor, St Francis

All images courtesy South African Surf Lifesaving Association/DHL

 

It was another big week and weekend for many St Francis residents. 

SA Lifesaving Championships

Last week the DHL Lifesaving SA Nippers and Masters National Championships took place at Kings Beach in Gqeberha. The St Francis crew were there, representing.

However, before the event began, the competitors were bolstered by the news that local lifesaving and swimming legend Amica De Jager had rewritten the record books in Durban at the senior Lifesaving Championships.

Amica won so many medals in an unprecedented streak and booked her spot in the ILS Africa Championship in Egypt in December.

In an article on IOL.com last week: “The 22-year-old De Jager, who won five individual golds, a team gold and an individual silver in the surf competition earlier this week, added more silverware in the Pool Championship taking place at Newton Park, and also got confirmation of selection for Team South Africa’s participation at the 2021 ILS Africa Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, from December 1-5.”

Full article here!

But back to King’s Beach and the St Francis competitors. 

In the Nippers event, St Francis was represented by Jess, Nicola and Danni Harcus, Ethan and Emma Darke, Brin Jarvis, Liam and Jamie Schweitzer, Zoe Harding, Sloane Warner, Jamie White, Hayley Holmes, James Reed and Milla Aylesbury. In the Masters, we had Lorrin Jarvis and Claudia and Brandon Harcus. 

They were all representing Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club, which ended up winning the entire event. All the results and photos can be viewed on the Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club Facebook page here!  

All images courtesy South African Surf Lifesaving Association/DHL

 

Former World Champion Longboarder JBay’s Steve Sawyer Competing In World Title Showdown.

The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour World Title race will conclude with the Jeep® Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas at one of the sport’s proving grounds, Malibu, California’s First Point. On October 11 and 12, former WSL Longboard Champions and the next generation of competitors will vie for their respective World Titles.

Sawyer, world champion in 2018, will be surfing in heat 5 of the first round. 

Steven Sawyer of South Africa surfing in the Heat 3 of Round 1 of the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic on September 29, 2021 in Lemoore, CA, United States. (Photo by Thomas Lodin/World Surf League).

Border Historical Society Looking To Make Contact with Lynn Phillips From St Francis Bay

Message from Donald Davies, Committee Member Border Historical Society In East London.

Hi St Francis Today

I’m hoping you will know how I might contact Lynn Patricia Phillips from St Francis Bay. Formerly from Koonap River Farmers District, Grahamstown to Bedford, to Fort Beaufort area!

 Lynn relocated to St Francis Bay a few years ago. She hardly uses Facebook, and although I have had many conversations with her in the past about the history of that area of the Eastern Cape, I have been unable to establish a contact number.

 If anyone could assist me in making contact with Lynn, it would be most appreciated.  

 From Donald Davies, Committee Member, Border Historical Society In East London

 Phone 0824591254

 

Large Surf Forecast

by | Jun 7, 2017 | Sport

Large Surf Forecast For JBU Supertrial Powered by Monster Energy

There is a powerful swell heading for JBay, and the contest organisers of the JBU Supertrial Powered By Monster Energy are ready to go with their event. The huge storm heading for Cape Town mid-week will transform into big storm surf in JBay later in the week, and will result in challenging conditions for the competition.

There are two possible days that the tournament could run, and invited surfers from out of town are already heading down to JBay to start preparing for what is going to be an interesting day of surfing.

“The Cape is in for one of the fiercest storms in a decade as a 985mb low pressure cell slams into Cape Town on Wednesday, spreading east rapidly in the form of a gale force northwesterly followed by westerly,” said JBU Supertrial official wave forecaster Spike from www.wavescape.co.za. “JBay will be blasted by devil winds on Wednesday, followed by strong west winds on Thursday when a huge storm swell arrives. Some big sets should be bending into Supertubes, but winds are fierce.”

According to Spike, it looks like Friday has a small window for the contest to run as well.

“By Friday, the swell has gone southerly and is a solid six to eight-foot at Supertubes perhaps bigger at first, easing gradually,” continued Spike. “Epic conditions are probable for the early hours of daylight, with a light onshore starting to ruffle the surf by late morning.”

Contest organiser Koffie Jacobs has been closely monitoring the swell charts, and concurs with Spike. “There is a lot of weather coming our way, and plenty of surf along with it,” said Jacobs. ” We are looking for the best window of opportunity on either Thursday or Friday, as both days have potential.”

Out of the 12 selected surfers for this invite-only event, there are three local guys who are very excited about the upcoming event. Matt McGillivray is a natural-footed surfer who calls Supertubes his home break.

“I’m super grateful to have been included in the JBU Supertrial again this year,” said McGillivray. “I’m really excited for it and am crossing my fingers for a good sized swell to come through. It’s an incredible opportunity to be able to surf a heat with just four guys out, at one of the best waves in the country.”

JBU Supertrial Jbay

Matt McGillivray ©Van Gysen

Former event champion Dylan Lightfoot is another local surfer who is ready to meet this swell head-on.

“The JBU Supertrial is my favourite competition of the year, and every surf I have at Supers is geared towards preparing myself for it,” said Dylan. “My boards are feeling good and I am feeling confident for the event! There is a great swell this week that is looking promising.”

JBU Supertrial Jbay

Dylan Lightfoot © Van Gysen

The defending champion, local goofy-footer (right-foot forward) Steve Sawyer is also very happy about the upcoming swell and subsequent running of the competition.

”I’m excited for the 2017 JBU Supertrial,” said Sawyer. “I’ve waited a whole year for it. To be honest, last year was an unexpected and super pleasant surprise. I have no expectations for this year except for the awesome waves that are coming.”

JBU Supertrial Jbay

Steve Sawyer © Van Gysen

So all eyes will be on the famous right-hand point-break of Supertubes for the next few days, as JBay prepares for another classic day of surfing in this prestigious tournament. First prize in the JBU Supertrial consists of a wild card into the Corona Open JBay and valuable competitive experience surfing against the likes of 11 times world champion Kelly Slater (USA), three times world champion and defending champion Mick Fanning (AUS), current world champion John John Florence (HAW), former world champions Gabriel Medina and Adriano De Souza (BRA) as well as South African surfing legend and two times event champion Jordy Smith. There is also a minimum prize purse of US$10k (R127k)

The JBU Supertrial presented by Monster Energy has a waiting period from 1st – 11th June, and historically has always enjoyed excellent surf conditions at Supertubes. The Corona Open JBay has a waiting period from 12th – 23rd July, and is part of the JBay Winterfest

Hashtags #JBUsupertrial  #JBayWinterfest
The JBU Supertrial is co-sponsored by RVCA.
www.wavescape.co.za is the media partner.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jbaywinterfest

The JBU Supertrial is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the recognised governing body for the sport in South Africa.

About Surfing South Africa

SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
The JBU Supertrial also is sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSL)
About the World Surf League
The World Surf League (WSL), formerly the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a truly global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

For more information contact the event organiser Koffie Jacobs – Koffie@silverbullet.co.za

Compiled and distributed by Craig Jarvis – craig@thetruthcollective.co.za

 

JBU Supertrial

by | May 17, 2017 | Sport

Another Four Surfers Announced For JBU Supertrial

With the waiting period for the JBU Supertrial powered by Monster Energy just around the corner, the contest organisers have released the names of four more invited surfers. These surfers will join the other eight surfers that have already been announced.

Jordy Maree is a young goofy-footer who has impressed many with his powerful and fast backhand approach to Supers. His inclusion last year was late but well – deserved, and this year he was a definite entry. Jordy has a strong backhand hook, and is a mature competitor, so this year could be his break-out year.

Shane Sykes is another young surfer who has impressed the contest organisers over the last few years, and is a worthy inclusion in the 2017 edition of this event. His lightning-fast rail surfing on his forehand and solid tube-riding skills sees him enter as a contender for this year’s title and the coveted wild card.

Dale Staples from St Francis Bay needs no introduction, and is a solid competitor and perennial Supertubes stand-out. His powerful forehand hacks and clean, drawn-out carves makes Ducky one of the most pleasing surfers to watch on any given day out at Supers. He has an excellent competitive track record at Supertubes and his second place last year to Steve Sawyer can only improve one place.

Adin Masencamp from The Strand has the Big Match Temperament needed to succeed at Supers when the pressure is on. He is a seasoned competitor already, and thrives on competition. This natural-footer has a fast and aggressive forehand attack, perfectly suited to the speed walls of Supertubes. If Adin gets his waves and finds his rhythm he could easily rise to the top and find himself on the podium this year.

These four surfers join the other eight invited surfers. They are Cape Town’s Matt Bromley, defending champion Steven Sawyer, local surfer Joshe Faulkner, Durban charger Davey Van Zyl, WQS competitor Mikey February, local surfer Matt McGillivray, Beyrick de Vries from Durban’s North Coast and former event champion Dylan Lightfoot from JBay.

Matt McGillivray in action

Local invitee Matt McGillivray in action at last year’s event. ©Van Gysen

The contest format is going to be something fresh and different. “We have something quite special about this event already, being a small, invite-only contest at one of the best waves in the world,” said contest organiser Koffie Jacobs. “Following through with this, the format will also be something unique.”

The JBU Supertrial presented by Monster Energy is an exclusive invite-only tournament, with first prize being the coveted Wild Card entry into the World Surf League Championship Tour Corona Open JBay. The Supertrial has a waiting period from 1st – 11th June, and historically always enjoyed excellent surf conditions at Supertubes. The Corona Open JBay has a waiting period from 12th – 23rd July, and is part of the JBay Winterfest

Hashtags #JBUsupertrial  #JBayWinterfest

The JBU Supertrial is co-sponsored by RVCA.

www.wavescape.co.za is the media partner. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jbaywinterfest

The JBU Supertrial is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the recognised governing body for the sport in South Africa.