South African surf fans’ hopes for another Saffa podium finish have taking a massive blow after the The Ballito Pro 2017 defending champion, Jordy Smith bowed out in his first heat of the competition early on Tuesday morning.
Smith was up against young guns Samuel Pupo (Brazil), Seth Moniz (Hawaii) and Noe Mar McGonagle (Costa Rica).
With a tricky low tide at Willard Beach, the big South African tried to go for huge aerial maneuvers from the get go.
He stayed busy, catching ten waves in his heat, but unfortunately could not land any of his attempts.
Hawaiian Seth Moniz was patient and waited for the bigger waves, which he methodically tore apart to take the heat win.
Smith’s low score of 5.63 out of 20 saw him leave The Ballito Pro.
Currently two South Africans are left in the event – Matthew McGillivray and Adin Masencamp.
McGillivray will be put to the test when he takes to the water for the first time in the next hour, followed by Masencamp in his second heat shortly after him.
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