Beyrick de Vries entered the Ballito Pro ranked No. 98 on the Men's QS rankings. He'll be making a huge leap up the ladder now that he's in the Quarterfinals at the QS10,000 Ballito Pro. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
"Jordy has always been a goliath to me," Beyrick de Vries said tearfully after his Round of 16 victory on Saturday at the Ballito Pro. The young South African had just advanced to the Quarterfinals by beating one of his longtime heroes. "He is incredible, especially on these big, open faces. The way he draws lines, and he has always been a big inspiration to me. I'm just really grateful to be able to take him out... I just took down my hero. By far the best heat of my life."
Jordy Smith's effort to catch De Vries in their Round of 16 heat fell just a half-point short. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Beyrick's win over Smith is meaningful on a deeper level to many South African surfers.
When Jordy rose to prominence, it was an incredible upwards trajectory that led all the way to a runner-up to the World Title in 2010. He was light years away from that New Pier grom who enjoyed hanging with his mates more than anything.
In that meteoric rise, the rest of the South African groms, his peers, fell into a massive shadow, and no one has really shone through ever since. There have been a few bursts on the Qualifying Series here and there, and with all respect to the hopeful South African surfers, no one has been able to replicate his incredible results.
Remember the name Ethan Ewing. You'll be hearing a lot about him in the months ahead. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
By beating Jordy today, Beyrick did not replicate the elder's prowess, but it must have been incredibly encouraging for the young Umhlanga Rocks surfer to beat one of his heroes -- and the one surfer who has possibly inspired him the most throughout his career.
Brazil's Krystian Kymerson is another fresh face to keep your eyes on. The goofyfooter has been lighting up Ballito all week. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
How did he do it? By fast, powerful and committed on-rail surfing in the thick and chunky waves that were on tap. In a swell that grew solidly overnight, Beyrick started off the show with a large set wave, and three massive hooks in the critical sections for a deserved 9.73. The crowd went wild.
Hawaii's Ezekiel Lau eliminated Stuart Kennedy with his power game. The Hawaiian is looking sharp. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Jordy, still looking very relaxed, went to town on a set wave and got a clean tube, a few big cracks and a good score 9.64 just behind Beyrick. But in the end, Jordy was never able to catch up.
It's been a life-altering week for De Vries. Now that he's broken through in Ballito he'll be heading to the US Open. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
"That first wave felt smooth," said a jubilant De Vries. "I haven't had a 9.73 in a while and what a time and place to get one. That was the way you want to start any heat."
Jack Freestone put in another solid performance on Saturday. The CT Rookie is showing no signs of his early-season injury. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Other Day 6 Standouts...
Cooper Chapman was ranked No. 12 heading into Ballito. His Round of 16 finish should push him into the Top 5. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Joan Duru edged Chapman to move to the into the Quarterfinals, where he'll face hometown hero Beyrick de Vries. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
- Ezekiel Lau - The Hawaiian's on a ferocious tear.
The forecast for Sunday looks great. It's going to be pumping at Ballito!
Beyrick de Vries Upsets Jordy Smith in Ballito: 8 Surfers Remain
Craig Jarvis
"Jordy has always been a goliath to me," Beyrick de Vries said tearfully after his Round of 16 victory on Saturday at the Ballito Pro. The young South African had just advanced to the Quarterfinals by beating one of his longtime heroes. "He is incredible, especially on these big, open faces. The way he draws lines, and he has always been a big inspiration to me. I'm just really grateful to be able to take him out... I just took down my hero. By far the best heat of my life."
Beyrick's win over Smith is meaningful on a deeper level to many South African surfers.
When Jordy rose to prominence, it was an incredible upwards trajectory that led all the way to a runner-up to the World Title in 2010. He was light years away from that New Pier grom who enjoyed hanging with his mates more than anything.
In that meteoric rise, the rest of the South African groms, his peers, fell into a massive shadow, and no one has really shone through ever since. There have been a few bursts on the Qualifying Series here and there, and with all respect to the hopeful South African surfers, no one has been able to replicate his incredible results.
By beating Jordy today, Beyrick did not replicate the elder's prowess, but it must have been incredibly encouraging for the young Umhlanga Rocks surfer to beat one of his heroes -- and the one surfer who has possibly inspired him the most throughout his career.
How did he do it? By fast, powerful and committed on-rail surfing in the thick and chunky waves that were on tap. In a swell that grew solidly overnight, Beyrick started off the show with a large set wave, and three massive hooks in the critical sections for a deserved 9.73. The crowd went wild.
Jordy, still looking very relaxed, went to town on a set wave and got a clean tube, a few big cracks and a good score 9.64 just behind Beyrick. But in the end, Jordy was never able to catch up.
"That first wave felt smooth," said a jubilant De Vries. "I haven't had a 9.73 in a while and what a time and place to get one. That was the way you want to start any heat."
Other Day 6 Standouts...
Ethan Ewing! The Australian grom is the real deal, and proved it with a victory over QS leader Leonardo Fioravanti to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Incredible performance by goofyfooter Joan Duru. He put 18 points on the board, and will now be pitted against Beyrick tomorrow.
The forecast for Sunday looks great. It's going to be pumping at Ballito!
Beyrick De Vries
The Caparica Surf Fest completes another big day of competition with the Men's Round of 64 and Women's Round of 32 in the books as we
Good surfing, great vibes at Anza for a fourth day of competition.
Day 4 of the Rip Curl Pro Anglet unfolds in a renewed swell and epic action unfolds to determine the events' semifinalists.
The men's RD32 unfolds in subpar waves but surfers put on a show above the lip on Day 3 of the Rip Curl Pro Anglet.
The QS3,000 Rip Curl Pro Anglet gets underway with a massive day of competition to run 3 rounds of men and 2 rounds of women in fun
Ballito Pro - Men's
Australian Connor O'Leary defeats Frenchman Joan Duru in the final of the 2016 Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong.
Big chunks of water test surfers on day 6 of Ballito Pro to decide the last eight surfers in contention for the pristine title.
O capixaba Krystian Kymerson foi o único brasileiro a chegar no domingo e terminou em quinto lugar no Ballito Pro.
The Australian gets past France's Joan Duru to take the season's first QS 10,000.
Krystian Kymerson ganhou o duelo com Deivid Silva e foi o único brasileiro a passar para o domingo decisivo do QS 10000.