Victoria Bay: In almost perfect conditions, WP riders took the bulk of the honours at the SA Waveski Surfing Championships held at Victoria Bay near George on 25 and 26 April.
With a light offshore breeze, Vic Bay’s legendary right hand break produced five to six foot waves on the first day,
moderating to four or five feet on the second and final day. Diminishing surf on the second day forced many contestants pushing their final point-chase rides ever closer to the rock-strewn promenade, producing some exciting rides and occasional hair-raising moments.
In an intense battle for top spot in the Seniors event, 2003 SA champ Pierre Slabber (WP) wowed the crowd and impressed the judges with a consistently high standard of performance filled with aerial manoeuvres, sometimes twice on each wave, to earn a well-deserved first place. 2006 World champ Grant Kendrick (WP) and 2008 SA champ Malan Calitz (WP) took second and third places respectively.
In the Masters category, defending champion Chris Jones (WP) took top honours, with Neels Thiart (WP) and Percy Louw (WP) taking hotly contested second and third places respectively. Jones’ performance was notable for his consistent choice of best wave in each set and maximising his point scores with powerfully executed manoeuvres in the power pocket.
Western Province also made a clean sweep in the Veterans event, with new-comer Gerard Wilke taking first and Bruce Tavenor, riding his new design board, taking second. 2004 World finalist Ken Clements showed good style, taking the third place with a solid showing.
The Ladies’ event was won by top seed and 2007 World finalist Sandra Pienaar from Eastern Province. Sandra amply demonstrated her world class abilities with fluid style and well chosen waves. Border’s Mary-Ann MacSherry and Catie Oelofse took second and third respectively.
The hotly-contested New Age category, for 21 to 30 years age group, provided a huge upset when top seeded Border rider André Burger was out-surfed by WP’s Mike Wessels in the final heat. Wessels impressed the judges with superb wave selection, consistency and control, giving him the top spot. Third place went to Eastern Province’s Lee Bernette. Notwithstanding his narrow defeat, Burger then went on to acquit himself with a superb performance in the Tag Team event, performing three aerials on a single wave and also taking the highest wave score of the tournament.
In the Junior category, a solid performance with impressive moves gave WP’s up-and-coming rider Gerhardus van Zyl first place, followed by Brad Cawcutt, also from WP, in second place and Martin Steyn of Border in third.
In the Development category, Border’s Devan Kukaardt took first place with a smooth performance filled with well-executed manoeuvres, followed by WP’s new-comer James Park-Ross second and Border’s Rian Smit third. These youngsters are showing promise of greater things to come and should be watched in future.
A solid showing in the Cadet division gave Border a one-two-three for Jano Smit, Ruan Brand and Tian Podges respectively.
In the Tag Team event WP outsurfed Border and Eastern Province for the second year running. The eight top seeded riders overall have been selected to represent South Africa in the prestigious Tag Team event at the World Waveski Surfing Championships to be held at Coff’s Harbour, New South Wales, Australia from 4 to 12 September 2009. The National Squad (chosen by division) is expected to be announced next week.
The Tag Team comprises:
Lyndon Storer (National Team Manager)
Pierre Slabber (WP)
Malan Calitz (WP)
Percy Louw (WP)
Willy Graser (WP)
André Burger (Border)
Ruan Brand(Border)
Chris Jones (WP – reserve)
Neels Thiart (WP – reserve)
Photography Dan Prata: http://www.capeshots.com |
