With only one swell due to arrive in the waiting period window, Billabong Pro Contest Director Mike Parsons decided on using the ASP's new one-and-done format that caused quite a stir among the ASP World Tour competitors in Tahiti. The new format, which was approved during the off season in order to improve the odds of surfing in better conditions, makes it possible to finish events in three days rather than four. The thinking early on was this would make life easier for the pros, as they wouldn't be forced to surf on as many crappy days since the average swell lasts about three days.

Of course, the new format ran into serious PR issues at Bells and Teahupoo, where even it couldn't rescue the event from some crappy surf and high drama, as guys like Kelly Slater and Dane Reynolds lost in their first heats and were sent home. Naturally, those who lost early weren't happy with the format, and the fever pitch of bitching by ASP pros was glass shattering in Tahiti, as a long flat spell and heated debates over the new format raised blood pressures across the board. At Teahupoo, Contest Director Luke Egan, one the most vocal voices for surfers during his days on the pro tour, found himself on the other side of the table, taking all the abuse.

At Jeffreys Bay, it's Parsons in the unenviable position of making things run smoothly. Odds are he'll be copping shit from several athletes regardless of which way he decides to go, as the casualties mount either way. One possible saving grace was the option of running dual heats, which would have allowed the old format to be used, albeit in a way that moves things along much faster. Parsons, no doubt getting pressure from surfers who want the safety net option, hadn't ruled that out until early Monday morning in South Africa. He ruled against it due to the long lulls between sets. But in order for that option to work, there must be a steady flow of waves.

Here are the Round One match ups that took place last night.

ASP NEW FORMAT

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)

Heat 2: Jay Thompson (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)

Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 6: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)

Heat 7: Dustin Barca (HAW) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)

Heat 8: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Ryan Payne (ZAF)

Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Devyn Mattheys (ZAF)

Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Heath Joske (AUS)

Heat 11: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)

Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 13: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 14: Jihad Khodr (BRA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)

Heat 15: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)

Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)



BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA

Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBA

Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. TBA

Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBA

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA

Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 7: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA

Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBA

Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBA

Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBA

Heat 16: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA