TOP local surfer, Matthew McGillivray from Jeffreys Bay, and Strand-surfer Adin Masencamp, displayed some of their best surfing in the solid surf against the big names on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) at the QS10,000 EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira.
With pumping 1.8 metre to 2.0 metre (6-8 foot) waves, surfers relied on jetski assist to save their energy and surf to the best of their potential.
McGillivray and Samuel Pupo (BRA) paddled out for quarter-final No. 2 as waves continued to improve on Day 5 and put on fireworks as the pair threaded long rights and posted excellent scores.
The two surfers had similar approaches, but were dealt very different cards and while McGillivray’s best wave was slow out the back and he made the most of the inside, Pupo scored his big moves on the first big sections and managed to navigate his way to a big finish as well, taking the win into the Semis.
This result catapults McGillivray to No. 14 on the QS rankings and is that much closer to qualifying for the Championship Tour (CT) 2020. The Triple Crown in Hawaii will be the last chance for surfers to gain valuable points.
The last quarter-final featured 20-year-old South African up-and-comer, Adin Masencamp, against World No. 22 and the last Championship Tour surfer, Yago Dora (BRA). Masencamp put on the performance of his career and had Dora against the ropes for 29 minutes, but the Brazilian somehow manufactured a comeback in the last 30 seconds of the heat to take the win over Masencamp and advance into the second Semifinal.
The 5,200 points sees Masencamp jump 34 places to No. 31 on the QS rankings.
Masencamp and McGillivray had the support and encouragement of fellow South Africans Michael February (Kommetjie), Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) and Beyrick de Vries (uMhlanga), who also competed in Ericeira.
February was sent packing in Round 1, while Lightfoot and De Vries were defeated in Round 3.
