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SOUTH AFRICA GOES XXL
Twiggy Baker wins Red Bull BWA in huge, pumping surf; Greg Long scores massive tube
SURF NEWS SOUTH AFRICA GOES XXL
July 26, 2008
23845 views | 25 comments
CONDITIONS: After years of near-epic contests and almost-perfect huge surf, this year's Red Bull BWA went off in firing 15- to 20-foot walls at Dungeons, in Cape Town, South Africa. "It was the best day of big wave surfing in South Africa to date!" frother webcaster Gigs Cilliers as the event drew to a close.
 
OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS: Well, former Maverick's Contest winner and Dungeons regular Twiggy was on fire all event, garnering a 17.3 in the seminal and a 17.2 in the final, proving that familiarity breeds confidence. But in heat four, Californian big-wave charger Greg Long caught what webcast commentator Richie Sills called "Undoubtedly one of the best waves to be ridden at Dungeons." The set wave saw Greg make a massive drop, set up for a thick inside bowl and get fully barreled through two massive sections for a perfect and absolutely deserved 10-point ride.
HIGHLIGHTS Apart from Twiggy, Long, Carlos Burle and others making huge drops and carving across the massive walls, there were a couple nasty wipeouts as well. In heat 1, Durban surfer Jason Ribbink paddled and caught an excellent-looking wave and was looking good on it until something went wrong and he ended up going over the falls backwards. The resultant concussion saw him out of the event under medical advice, even though he made it through the heat. Hawaiian big-wave charger - and wipeout king - Mark Healy was another casualty. After pulling into a giant closeout on his backhand for his first wave, a super-late take off on a set wave and subsequent wipeout resulted in a burst eardrum for Healey, and found him back on the boat to watch the rest of the final.

QUOTE: "I don't know if you guys watching know how big the waves were out there, but when they came they were SO good....Like John said a few years ago, I was just the fortunate guy who got the waves." -- Grant Twiggy Baker

RESULTS1. Grant Baker (ZA)
2. Carlos Burle (BRZ)
3. Greg Long (USA)
4. James Taylor (ZA)
5. Anthony Tashnick (USA)
6. Mark Healey (HI)
Sensi Threads Biggest Wave Award - James Taylor
Billabong Biggest Tube Award - Greg Long
Von Zipper Deep Throat Award - Carlos Burle
DaKine Ikaika Award - Mark Healey
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Comments: (25)    Add Your Comment
Simon 07/29/2008 10:19 AM
check out.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NQPa-ps-uU
Fuzzybear 07/29/2008 05:41 AM
This was an incredible contest, seriously totally insane to watch. Big shouts to all who took part. I think we need to relook at our surf culture and why we surf these guys are hero's in my mind. Seriously, they surfed some incredibly huge waves !
Denis 07/28/2008 02:41 PM
It is true, where is the picture of the 2°place!
Rod 07/28/2008 08:47 AM
Shame on u guys. How u guys didn`t put any photo of Carlos Burle?
Rod 07/27/2008 09:11 PM
I can`t understand how u guys didn`t show up any picture from Carlos Burle- runner-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stevo 07/27/2008 05:21 PM
auwsome i am so glad no one tried towing on a day like that, I think towing is so much lamer if you can still paddle in paddle in surfing is so much more ballsy, Greg, you rock keep rid'in
rafael 07/27/2008 05:10 PM
where are carlos burle from brazil in this notice? he was 2 in this champ! cheers from brazil!
Charlie 07/27/2008 03:50 PM
Pfffffhiaght!!!
ajw 07/27/2008 11:02 AM
what a fantastic contest!!! i would have much rather seen this than the damn USopen. uguys puttin it all on the line! GregLong well deserving!
jbrett 07/27/2008 10:04 AM
WOW
sean 07/27/2008 09:43 AM
sickness!
hud 07/27/2008 07:11 AM
Long in the belly of the WHALE! Hats off the you and all the guys!
ze henrique 07/27/2008 03:19 AM
congratulations Carlos Burle..... eh rocha !!! abracos
Pedro 07/27/2008 12:39 AM
Way to represent the one and only TRUE SC Greg! Keep charging, you make us proud!!!!!
michael hayes 07/26/2008 11:46 PM
You guys are spelling-out, 15 20 foot walls. Get real, by your photos it is at least 25-30 foot walls. But are you guys calling out the backs?
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