J-Bay Contenders

With the J-Bay waiting period about to commence we find ourselves once again in mystery-land as far as the scoreboard for the world title goes. A quick glance at the top ten on the WSL leader board and you will see a lack familiar names in the top 10. No Kelly Slater, no Joel Parkinson, no Gabriel Medina. This just seems bizarre. How long has it been since Kelly has not featured in the top ten? The answer – 12 Years. Gabriel Medina is the defending world champion, he should be up there, yet at the moment he is sitting in 20th position. Joel Parkinson is also having a difficult year and it does seem bizarre for him not to be in the running either.

Sitting at Number one spot with a slim lead is Adriano da Souza which is not surprising - he has been surfing very well indeed, close behind him is the air bound Filipe Toledo who has been showing that he can do more than just boost. Then come the 3 Australians, Owen Wright fresh off the big win at Fiji that made surfing history. The ever present Mick Fanning who never gives up. Julian Wilson who is also coming off a good result in Fiji. There is really nothing in the points of these top five at the moment and that is why J-Bay is really going to help separate the pack a little bit.

Tom Currens' Idea of perfect J-Bay.

Lets look at another surprise story for some - Italo Ferreira. With an astonishing back hand which has been groomed from growing up on a right hand point, the goofy footer seems to have the full bag of tricks and as it turns out does not seem to be taking no for an answer. Italo is sitting at 8th place at the moment, that's right 8th. It's his rookie year and after watching the kid surf, you can't help but see him as a permanent top ten fixture. Look for him to do well at J-Bay.

I would have said that Jeremy Flores would be a goer as the lad seems like he was on a roll, unfortunately he smashed himself into a reef head first and has had to pull out. Jordy Smith is back from injury and in his home country, will he be able to pull out a good result here? looks to me like he needs it.

Lastly lets talk again about the elephant in the room - Kelly Slater, what happened to him at Fiji and what is going to happen to him at J-Bay? I really have given up trying to guess. Just as you think he has got his rhythm back again, boom! he goes down. Well which ever way everything pans out, it is going to be an exciting one to watch, lets just pray to mother nature and hope that we get waves like last year.

Oh and personally, come on Taj.