Jason Ribbink, age 33.

It was actually Jason’s main sponsor, Barry Wolins from Quiksilver, who said that you don’t find many surfers like Jay in the world. Most people have one particular surfing strength and stick to it, but Jay is one of the most versatile and talented surfers in the world.  From competitive small-wave surfing to longboarding and from paddle-in surfing giant waves to tow-in surfing, Jay makes the transition among disciplines with absolute ease. 

Originally a competitive short-boarder winning local pro events and competing on the pro tour, Jason was always on the winner’s podium.  Whether it be small point break waves or booming beach break barrels, Jason has that competitive dynamic needed to win heats.  The cross-over to long-boarding found Jason competing on an international level placing second on the 2001 ASP long-boarding world tour and second at the world long-boarding champs in Ecuador in 2004.

As the industrial revolution hit surfing in South Africa, Jason quickly got onto the Jet Ski program.  He soon won the Oakley Big Wave Challenge, a competition to find the biggest waves in African waters and capture them on film.  Jason’s wave was measured in at a mammoth 36 feet and won him the event decisively.

Jason is one of those guys who has to surf every day.  He fits in time between his family life and Bilt Surfboards to surf his beloved New Pier whenever there are waves.  As a South African surfer, Jason stands head and shoulders above the rest.  When the international big wave surfers arrive to surf the giant waves of Cape Town, Jason slips into their circle with ease.  His reputation is a done deal amongst the world’s best.

At 33 years of age, Jason still has a long and illustrious career ahead of him.