Surfer”s big challenge in South Africa

Jane Emerick
SURF Coast’s Ross ClarkeJones says his passion for adrenalin emerged early and retained its grip over his 41 years.
Now he will join some of the world’s best big wave surfers in search of the ultimate adrenalin rush and $16,000 for the winner of Red Bull Big Wave Africa, taking place any time in the next two months.
The field of international surfers will have 48 hours to make its way to feared bigwave break Dungeons, off Hout Bay, Cape Town, once the waves surpass six metres.
Ross said he was ready to go.
“I’ll jump on the next plane heading to Africa and after a 16hour flight it’s straight into sharkinfested waters,” he said.
“I’m on call at any time. I keep watching the forecast on the net.”
Ross, a former world professional tour competitor who has spent the past seven years based at Jan Juc, was chasing big waves across Australia this week to stay in form.
“There’s some huge swell in Sydney today at a place called Long Reef, so that’s what I’m doing – just heading into the office.”