DUNGEONS

DUNGEONSRibbink seeking the 100-foot wave
January 12, 2005

By Kirstin Scholtz

For most people the start to 2005 might mean buying a new car or finding a new job, but for long time waterman Jason Ribbink, this year is about hunting down the elusive 100ft wave.

As far out to sea as the Oceanos's wreck, Ribbink will monitor storms and swells between Cape Town and Mozambique to find the ocean's moving mountains which, he believes reside at the lower latitudes.

Before he does that, the Quiksilver rider is off to the famed shores of Maui in Hawaii to "tow-in" at Jaws, without a doubt the biggest wave in the world. It's something he's been dreaming about for three years.

Having just won the 2004 Oakley Big Wave Challenge, making the drop on a 36ft monster at Dungeons in Cape Town, the wave at Jaws is a big "drop-in" for Ribbink.

"I've been very, very fortunate, in that every year Red Bull brings the best big wave surfers in the world to Cape Town to ride Dungeons," says Ribbink.

"I have surfed there every year since the onset of the event in 1999 and have been working on my quiver of 'tow-in' boards with the big wave legends for three years now, so I am feeling very prepared."

Having ridden a number of big wave spots around the world including Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Hawaii, Todos Santos in Mexico and Dungeons, Ribbink feels his big wave experience is lacking until he's conquered Jaws.

Tomorrow Ribbink sets off for the North Shore of Oahu where he will practice tow-in surfing with big wave rider Jamie Sterling.

The two will track the swells and fly to Maui when the waves hit.

Ribbink's partner and Yamaha Wave Runner driver, Giggs Celliers, will fly in for three weeks and the two will hopefully have the opportunity to tow in together in the 60foot surf.

"My No 1 aim is to tow-in well at Jaws and my No 2 aim is to tow-in into the biggest Jaws wave and win the Billabong XXL challenge," says an excited Ribbink.

The Billabong XXL window period ends in March and earns the rider of the first 100ft wave $1m, while there is $60 000 for the biggest wave ridden.

While most people would describe this behaviour as insane, Ribbink explains that adrenalin overrides fear and believes there's no better feeling than the adrenalin that big wave surfing creates.

For a surfer who's always had an affinity for big waves, it's not a question of insanity but rather a natural progression for a waterman who has been in the ocean since the age of six.

Meanwhile on Jan Juc Beach, Victoria, Australia, the Globe Jetty Pro is well under way with Durbanite Jordy Smith back in action after a disappointing ninth placing at the Billabong World Junior Championships last week.

The 16-year-old South African sensation knew he had to go with big moves in his round four heat when he faced the highly seeded Gold Coast surfer Dion Agius who is recognised as one of the world's best aerial surfers.

From the start both surfers signalled their intention to go for the high scoring air moves and while many thought Agius would have the upper hand, it was Smith who actually won the air battle to advance to round five.

Satisfied with his performance, Smith commented after his win, "I was ready for an air show battle - power progressive surfing is where it's at these days and I'm committed to flying whenever the waves allow it and that heat was great." - tostee.com