Grant 'Twiggy' Baker Wins Red Bull Big Wave Africa 2008

South Africa's 'Twiggy' takes the trophy in Africa's Biggest and Best Big Wave Surfing competition

Although CapeTownMagazine.com did not make it to join the surfers this year due to time constraints, we didn’t want leave you in the dark on the results of this year’s Red Bull Big Wave Africa.

2008 Red Bull Big Wave champion, Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker, caught two excellent waves and was victorious in this, truely international final.

This final heat was made up by two South Africans, two Americans, a Brazilian and a Hawaiian surfer.

The first drama of the day involved Durban surfer Jason Ribbink in heat one, who paddled and caught an excellent wave, then fell backwards off his board.

The South African big wave surfer made it through the heat but was unable to continue because of a concussion, once again showing the extreme nature of the biggest Big Wave event of Africa.

Heat four of RBBWA 2008 saw former event champion Greg Long catching what webcast commentator Richie Sills called "Undoubtedly one of the best waves to be ridden at Dungeons."

Greg made a massive drop fully barreled through two massive sections for a perfect and absolutely deserved 10-point ride.

Grant Baker from Durban opened up with a great wave in the first semi and he ran through the inside section for an excellent opening ride of 8.3 which he followed up with a 7.5 soon afterwards to get a commanding lead.

He finished off with a 9-point ride to win the heat comfortably.

During the second semi, Mark Healey, from Hawaii, paddled into a set wave, made the drop and calmly stalled before grabbing his rail and pulling into a massive tube ride on his backhand.

He slammed onto the waves but the judges rewarded his attempt with 7 points.

His second wave was a disastrous wipe, but he had done enough to advance to the final.

In the final it was Marc Healey who went down hard, at the beginning of the heat and ended up with a burst eardrum.

Then Greg Long scored an excellent 9.5 opening wave, followed up soon after by the Brazilian Carlos Burle.

Baker caught two great waves in quick succession with an 8.2 and a 9.0 to have the highest combined score and the victory.

"I don't know if you guys watching know how big the waves were out there," said Twiggy on the podium, clutching his first place trophy. "but when they came they were so good. Like John said a few years ago, I was just the fortunate guy who got the waves."

Final Results RBBW 2008:
1. Grant Baker (ZA)
2. Carlos Burle (BRZ)
3. Greg Long (USA)
4. James Taylor (ZA)
5. Anthony Tashnick (USA)
6. Mark Healey (HI)

Extra Awards Given:
Sensi Threads Biggest Wave Award - James Taylor
Billabong Biggest Tube Award - Greg Long
Von Zipper Deep Throat Award - Carlos Burle
DaKine Ikaika Award - Mark Healey

For more on Red Bull Big Wave Africa 2009 in South Africa subscribe to our free monthly Editor’s Picks Newsletter. We certainly will camp in Hout Bay Harbour next year to be in time in 2009.