Kai Otton, Blasting the last of the swell at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

“The waves at J-Bay have been rare,” says Australian Kai Otton, currently in South Africa for the Billabong Pro. “But when they come it’s fun. Not as fun as watching the cheetahs eat a wildebeest last night. But fast and fun in the evening sun.”

Ryan Miller, man-on-the-spot and lensman to the stars, notes the ghost town J-Bay has become during the contest lay-days: “The last few days have seen the swell and surfers around town go totally into hibernation. The event area looks like the finals wrapped up a few days ago. All’s quiet in J-Bay. There was talk today of Taj renting a helicopter and flying out to the shark cage diving town of Mossel Bay, but I don’t think he went. This shot’s of Kai Otton from two nights ago. I was down shooting Jordy in waist high waves, wishing I was back at the house sucking down a few glasses of red. Kai stroked into what actually looks, now, like a legit wave. This thing was head-high at least, and everyone’s eyes lit up real big when it came through. You can see Jordy with a big smile on the shoulder.”

For more of Ryan’s awesome work, jump over to his site here.