Bobby Martinez maintained his sixth-place standing on surfing’s elite “Dream Tour” after recording an equal 5th place finish in South Africa on Wednesday. The Santa Barbara native lost to eventual champion Joel Parkison in the quarterfinals by a score of 15.66 to 10.83 at Jeffreys Bay.
With five of ten events completed, the tour takes a seven-week mid-season break before regrouping at the Hurley Pro in September.
Ventura native Dane Reynolds came through with his highest result in two years on tour. The sophomore clawed his way all the way to the semifinals to boost himself to No. 20 in the season ratings, up from No. 34.
“This event was obviously a welcome change in my year so far,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t have a good start to the season and came here a bit more motivated to compete. But then I started out pretty slow with some board problems and stuff, so I don’t know. I don’t do well when I think about what I need in heats and that, so I just go out to surf. This result takes a bit of pressure off in terms of ratings and stuff so hopefully I can get a few more before the year is done.”
Parkinson defeated Damien Hobgood in the final with a two-wave score of 15.97 to Hobgood’s 11.94.
(Photos by ASP/CI/CESTARI vie GETTY IMAGES)
