23rd November 2010
It's that time of the year again, a time that I really look forward to ... it's time for the Canaries again!
As I sit in Joburg airport with a buffed Jerry and eager Bass there is nothing better to do while we wait for my flight out but to treat ourselves to a few flame grilled Spur burgers caressed with pepper sauce, chips and onion rings ...
A lot has been going through my mind over the last few weeks while preparing for this last IBA event of the year for me and I apologize that I have not posted a blog in ages so I will first update you on what I have been up too.
After SA champs I went back to Richards Bay for to hang with friends and family. I do recall the first 2 weeks after SA champs I must of have some of the best waves in the Bay ever and it just kills me that I can't share it with you due to the lack of guys wanting to take pics and film. I don't really blame them, it's hard to sit and film when you got 4 to 6 feet wedges off to pier.
But over the last 2 weeks it's been real poo. It's been hard to put the hours in the water and have had to force myself to ride onshore powerless waves ... but that's why I have decided to head to the Canaries 2 weeks before the event to get some real pits again. After seeing a few of the waves that the guys have been scoring in the Cape I did think about heading to CT to indulge in some Koel Baai but opted to head out earlier. Damn I have not been this excited in a while so can't wait to just get over there already! It's also been quite a build up as all the guys have had a good 2 month break from the IBA.
I am sure you guys all know what is going to happen with the IBA tour next year with there being a GSS (Grand Slam Series) tour and a GQS (Global Qualifying Series) tour. The GSS will showcase the best riders in the world at premium wave locations with longer waiting periods.
Feb 2011 - Pipeline (Hawaii)
April 2011 - Box Event (WA)
June 2011 - Arica Event (Chile)
July 2011 - Mexico Event
August 2011 - Sintra Event (Portugal)
September/October 2011 - Tahiti Event
December 2011 - Fronton Event (Canary Islands)
This will allow the IBA to produce high quality media and imagery to promote the sport. The new Grand Slam series will consist of the Top 24 riders in the World (selected off previous years ranking) along with 4 wildcards and 4 qualifiers. These riders will surf a 32 man, 3 round series (4 man heats) with each round being re-seeded so that you would not surf against the same guy twice. There will be a leader board after R1, R2 & R3 and then at the end the top 16 would go into R4 man-on-man heats. From here the event would do man-on-man Quarter's, Semi's and final.
The GQS will act as a feeder tour to the Grand Slam Series. At the end of the competition year the Top 8 from the GQS will qualify for the GSS and the bottom 8 of the GSS will be replaced. So there is so much on the line for the guys to make the exclusive GSS. Currently I am lying at 19th and need a good result to assure myself a slot for the GSS.
So I will be arriving back in European land on the 20th Nov and have a Science trip organized with a few of the team riders. So far it looks like we will be heading to Lanzarote but not too sure yet but I will keep you all posted on some of the site seeing and wave riding we get up too.
I will also be looking forward to be hooking up with the original Boss man himself. Yes that's right Cobus Bosman has also made the journey to the Grand Canary. So stay tuned on the lasted from him too.
So as it stands like look like Jerry (hulk), Bass, Dre (bru), Bossman (awe), Morley (caveman) and I will be journey to the Islands this year.
Boetie signing out for today. Will be bringing you the latest to you soon.
2041 views | Back to Mark McCarthy Blog
 | mac13 25th November 2010 23:37 |
| tell me about it.over bread and ham already | |
 | Lyle Schentke 25th November 2010 11:20 |
| best wishes to all of you! | |
 | Jared Houston 24th November 2010 21:08 |
| I could so go spur for dinner right now maaaaaaaaaan | |
