‘The wheel hit the rock. I bounced on it, falling heavily, splitting open my shin’

Jeffreys Bay local Matthew McGillivray is doing well in the WSL Qualifying Series after making it to Round 5 of the Carve Pro last week at Maroubra, which automatically puts him in Round 3 of the Flight Centre Burleigh Pro, also in Australia. Cape Town’s Jordy Maree, who ended his junior career with a fifth at the World Junior Championship early this year, looked excellent early in both events, winning the first heat he surfed, but falling at Burleigh, which continues today.

A storm off Durban produced a good swell for the northern parts of the city yesterday, serving to test the organisers of the Cell C Goodwave surf event, which can only run on one day of the year, when the surf must be perfect. However, stiff onshore breezes were up early, while the swell wasn’t quite as big as predicted. On top of that, there are no sandbanks at New Pier. Good surf needs a lot of factors to converge.

Trials are taking place this weekend to select the Western Province longboarding team to compete in the SA Championships in Durban this year. The venue will be decided this morning. Check out www. wplsa.co.za. Good surf expected.

After welcome rain yesterday, it clears in a mild southerly and a solid, but easing, 4-5’ west swell. Muizenberg looks 3 or 4 foot with possible East swell from the storm mentioned above, but crumbly in light onshores. Tomorrow, however, Muizenberg looks clean and fun 2-3’ possibly a few bigger ones. A new groundswell arrives on the west coast, with sets to 4 foot in the morning, gradually building to 4-5’ in light SW breezes puffing moderate to fresh NW later.