Sport

Goodwave back by popular demand

9 February 2012

It wasn't held in 2011, but thanks to popular demand the Quiksilver Goodwave is back on the Surfing South Africa calendar for 2012. The event places a premium on surfing competition in ideal conditions.

Previously, the Goodwave was one of the most anticipated events of the year, but was postponed in 2011, which left a gap for a solid, core surfing event in good waves. Quiksilver decided to bring the event back due to the popularity of the Goodwave.

"We are pumped to have the Goodwave back on this year," said Quiksilver's Marketing Manager Dane Patterson.

'An insane event to watch'

"It's an insane event to watch. It makes such a difference watching quality surfing in good waves as opposed to small, sub-standard conditions.

"There are minimal events on the calendar this year for non-traveling surfers, so it gives South African surfers something to look forward to. Let's hope that the ocean produces the goods and we get to run it," he added.

Thirty-two of South Africa's best surfers will be selected to compete for R25 000 in prize money on the single best day of surf between 1 March and 31 August. The aim is simple: to see South Africa's finest surfers going all out in good, clean surf.

Possible venues

Durban's New Pier, North Beach and the Bay of Plenty have been selected as the three possible venues, with the venue to be determined by the swell size and quality of the sand banks on the day.

The event has historically run close to cyclone season, meaning it could go down in the first month of the waiting period this year.

Four-man, 30-minute heats will give surfers ample time to impress the panel of judges, who will be looking for skilful tube riding and big, powerful manoeuvres. Jet-ski assistance will be on hand to get surfers swiftly back to the take-off zone to enable them to ride as many waves as possible.

Selection

The 32 surfers and 10 alternates will be selected by a panel of judges including Zigzag editor Will Bendix, surf journalist Craig Jarvis, World Tour surfer Travis Logie, ex-pro and ripper Simon Nicholson, Patrick Duff from DC Shoes, and Dane Patterson from Quiksilver.

The event is presented by Zigzag magazine who will also be involved in selecting the best day of surf using their Swell.co.za "futurecam" forecasting system.

Former winners of the event include: Llewellyn Whittaker, Simon Nicholson, Antonio Bortoletto, Warwick Wright and Shane Thorne.

"I am super stoked that Quiksilver have decided to put this world class event back on," commented Nicholson.

'Awesome for the sport'

"I looked forward to every year when it was running and I think it is awesome for the sport. People drop everything to come down to watch and the competitors are equally fired up to surf pumping New Pier with only three other guys in the water."

The 32 selected surfers and 10 alternates will be announced on 1 March when the event waiting period begins. The Quiksilver Goodwave website will go live the same day. Surfing enthusiasts will be able to sign up for alerts as to when the event runs.

SAinfo reporter



	Two-time Quiksilver Goodwave runner-up Daniel Redman will be hoping for a place in the 2012 event. The contestants will be announced on 1 March (Photo: Greg Ewing Photo)