TRAVIS LOGIE SETS HIS SIGHTS ON MR PRICE PRO BALLITO

Image Caption:  After finishing runner-up in the Mr Price Pro in 2008 and securing nearly every other result possible it's little wonder that the Durbanite  Travis Logie is aiming for nothing less than the top spot on the podium at this year's event scheduled to run at Ballito from July 2-8. PICTURE: KIRSTIN SCHOLTZ / ASP WORLD TOUR

With less than a week until the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro Ballito, South Africa’s finest surfers are waxing up their surfboards and putting time inside the barrel in preparation for the one of the biggest surfing events on the African continent.

Current ASP World No. 24 Travis Logie (Durban) is one of two South Africans currently competing at elite level on the ASP World Championship Tour and is optimistic about his chances in this years’ event.

One of the most consistent performers at the Mr Price Pro, Logie posted a career best runner-up result against Australian Chris Davidson in 2008 and will have the support of his home crowd as he takes on 19 of the world’s top 32 at Willard Beach next week.

“I’ve come everywhere in this event except first,” Logie said. “I've got second down to 33rd and almost everything in-between and it’s my home event so I have an enormous desire to win.”

With nearly seven years experience at elite level, Logie could almost be considered a veteran. Last year he took to the spotlight for his gutsy performance during the Billabong Pro Tahiti, charging in the enormous Teahupo’o swell to post the highest heat score of the quarterfinals, a blistering 18.07 out of 20, reaching the semis and finishing equal third behind Owen Wright (AUS).

2012 has proved relatively slow for the explosive South African and after netting three equal 13ths in Australia and Brasil, Logie slipped down to an equal 25th in Fiji and will return home for the first time in six months to compete in Ballito hoping to turn his year around with a solid result. 2012 has proved relatively slow for the explosive South African, after netting three equal 13ths in Australia and Brasil Logie slipped down to an equal 25th in Fiji and will return home for the first time in six months, hoping to turn his year around with a solid result in Ballito.

A tenacious competitor with a swift backhand style, Logie has proved he has what it takes to beat the best and will leave nothing at stake when he takes on the who’s who of international surfing at this year’s event.

“I think being a goofy footer (right foot forward stance) is an advantage for me and my style of surfing,” Logie said. “I love surfing Ballito, it is one of the best surf spots in the world during winter, it consistently pumps and it’s one of my favorite waves.”

Logie is one of 12 South African to have qualified for the main event, including six wildcards and two trialists, yet to be decided.

Daniel Redman of Umdloti surfed his way into the eight man trials after winning the five event KZNSA Trials and being crowned as the KZNSA champ at the weekend.  A powerful surfer, adept at both barrel riding as well as an unleashing massive airs, Redman came extremely close to qualifying for the World Tour in 2005 and continues to charge in bigger surf along the South African coastline.

The Mr Price Pro Ballito takes to the waves on July 2-8 and preceeds the six star rated ASP Billabong Pro JBay from  July 10 – 15.