South Africa finished in seventh place out of the 27 nations at the 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Panama which was completed in inconsistent one metre waves at Playa Venao, five hours drive west of Panama City on the Pacific coast of Panama yesterday (Saturday).

The eight person team collected one medal, a copper for placing fourth in the Aloha Cup event. The two South Africans in contentions for medals going into the final day, Nikita Robb in the Women’s division and Matthew Moir in the Longboards, were both eliminated before reaching their respective finals.

Robb was ousted in a wave starved Repecharge Round 7 heat where she placed fourth to finish equal eighth overall in the event, contributing 1 056 points to SA’s team total.

Moir, a two-time former ISA World Longboard Champion (2006 & 2008) had cruised through the Qualifying stream but slipped to fourth place in Round 5, one step away from the Grand Final. Dropping into the Repecharge Final, where he had a second chance to qualify for the final four and a medal, Moir came agonisingly short of the top two result required to qualify for the Grand Final, placing third in the heat for overall 5th place in the event and a haul of 1 220 team points.

These results combined with Argentina’s Santiago Muniz’s surprise victory in the Men’s division saw Team SA drop one place to seventh in the final rankings for the event.

Team Australia clinched the team gold medal for the first time in three years, providing five of the 12 individual medallists who earned two silvers, two bronzes and a copper. Brazil grabbed the runners-up team silver medal with France taking bronze and Argentina the copper.

Having contributed several of the highest individual wave and heat tallies during the seven-day event, Muniz was a worthy Men’s champion. Just 1.33 points separated first from fourth with Australia’s former ISA champion Mick Campbell taking the silver, 18 year-old South African born Thomas Woods (AUS) taking bronze and Ian Gouveia (BRA) the copper.

France’s Canelle Bulard wrote her name into the ISA history books by becoming the first surfer to hold both the Junior and Open titles simultaneously when she won the Women’s division by defeating 2004 World and ISA champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Australians Jessi Miley-Dyer and Dimity Stoyle, who finished in that order in the final.

Tony Silvagni secured Team USA’s first Longboard gold in 15 years by overcoming the challenge of Harley Ingleby (AUS), Piccolo Clemente (PER) and Antoine Delpero (FRA).

Panama’s President, Ricardo Martinelli, and Tourism Minister, Salomón Shamah, were guests of honour at the closing ceremony and medal presentation where Martinelli thanked everybody and invited the world to Panama to surf and enjoy its excellent waves.

All the results from the 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, along with images and video footage of the action, can be found at www.billabongisawsg.com

The preparation, training and travel costs for the South African team were made possible by a grant from Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). Skullcandy and Power Balance added their support to the team.

Surfing South Africa (SSA) is recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) as the governing body for the sport in South Africa. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is the governing body for World Surfing.

2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games
Playa Venao, Panama

Results

Final Team Standings
Gold: Australia – 15,000 points
Silver: Brazil – 12,132 points
Bronze: France – 11,816 points
Copper: Argentina – 11,312 points

7th – South Africa – 10 008 points

Men Medalists
Gold: Santiago Muñiz (ARG)
Silver: Mick Campbell (AUS)
Bronze: Thomas Woods (AUS)
Copper: Ian Gouveia (BRA)

South Africans
16. Klee Strachan
25. Gavin Roberts
25. Llewellyn Whittaker
37. Matt Bromley

Women Medalists
Gold: Cannelle Bulard (FRA)
Silver: Sofía Mulanovich (PER)
Bronze: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Copper: Dimity Stoyle (AUS)

South Africans
8. Nikita Robb
9. Tanika Hoffman

Longboard Medalists
Gold: Tony Silvagni (USA)
Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Bronze: Piccolo Clemente (PER)
Copper: Antoine Delpero (FRA)

South Africans
5. Matthew Moir
9. Justin Bing

Team points    
1.  Australia – 15 000
2. Brazil – 12 132
3. France – 11 816
4. Argentina – 11 312
5. Peru – 10 930
6. Venezuela – 10 342
7.  South Africa  – 10 008
8. Usa – 9 679
9. New Zealand – 7 816
10-Ecuador – 7 740
11. Costa Rica – 7 696
12. Tahiti – 7 575
13. Mexico – 6 618
14. Puerto Rico – 6 606
15. Uruguay – 6 466
16. Panama – 6 126
17. El salvador – 5 568
18. Switzerland – 5 328
19. Guatemala – 4 595
20. Japan – 4 080
21. Nicaragua – 3 516
22. Chile – 2 832
23. Israel – 2 436
24. Colombia – 1 920
25. Jamaica – 1 440
26. Canada – 1 296
27. Ireland – 540

/ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

Surfing South Africa
Contact: Robin de Kock – General Manager
Cell:  082 454 1149
Email:  surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
Web:   www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za
Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Sarah Baum used her patented forehand attack and full repertoire of progressive manoeuvres to clinch an outstanding third place finish in the ASP 6-Star Swatch Girls Pro France at Hossegor last Friday.

The result rocketed the 17 year-old from Warner Beach up to No. 7 on the latest ASP Women’s World Rankings and into contention for a spot on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title Race. The Top 6 on the World Rankings at the end of each year join the Top 10 from the ASP World Title Race Rankings to contest all the events on following year’s World Title Race, the series of contests that determine the annual ASP Women’s World Champion.

With three of the women ranked above Baum already well-placed to re-qualify via their World Title Race Rankings, the SA teenager is in fact currently fourth in line for one of the six qualifying spots with three Star series events still to be run in 2011.

 Starting the Swatch event in the Round of 48, Baum posted a number of excellent performances including recording the highest scoring ride of Day 2 of the event on Friday – 8.75 out of a possible 10 – and winning a tightly contested quarterfinal over elite tour member Alana Blanchard (HAW). In the semifinals Baum was ousted by eventual runner-up Sage Erikson (USA), pocketing US $2 000 and 2 080 rankings points for third place.

“I am super stoked with a third here,” Baum said. “I didn’t expect to get this far in the event. Last year I made it to the Round of 12 and I am really pleased to beat that. It is my best result for sure. All the girls are ripping and it is a great feeling to be part of it. I am heading down to Estoril on Tuesday and I am now looking towards that contest.”

The Swatch event was won by current ASP World No. 2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Other South African girls in the event included Nikita Robb (East London, 19th), Bianca Buitendag (Victoria Bay, 19th), Rosanne Hodge (EL, 25th), Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie, 37th) along with Fay Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth) and Tanika Hoffman (Kom) who placed equal 49th.

The entire SA girls’ contingent has travelled to Portugal for the ASP 6-Star Estoril Surf and Music Billabong Girls 2011 which runs from Friday to Sunday, 10-12 June. The final two events on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour rankings, both 6-Star rated, will be run in Spain and on the Azores Islands in September.

Swatch Girls Pro France Final Result
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.00 Def. Sage Erickson (USA) 9.70

Swatch Girls Pro France Semi-Final Results
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.67 Def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.00
Heat 2: Sage Erickson (USA) 10.77 Def. Sarah Baum (ZAF) 4.67

Swatch Girls Pro France Quarter-Final Results
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.25 Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 7.15
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.00 Def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.90
Heat 3: Sage Erickson (USA) 8.00 Def. Suelen Naraisa (BRA) 7.20
Heat 4: Sarah Baum (ZAF) 14.25 Def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 8.40

ASP Women’s World Tour Rankings (After event #4 – Swatch Girls Pro France)
1 Conlogue,Courtney  USA 8220
2 Erickson,Sage  USA 6080
3 Fitzgibbons,Sally  AUS 5580
4 Hareb,Paige   NZL 4680
5 Woods,Rebecca  AUS 4183
6 Ho,Coco   HAW 3880
7 Baum,Sarah  ZAF 3423
8 Ado,Pauline  FRA 3160

South Africans
17 Robb,Nikita   ZAF 2143
22 Buitendag,Bianca  ZAF 1843
37 Hodge,Rosanne  ZAF 1170
37 Chudleigh,Tarryn  ZAF 1170
48 Zoetmulder,Faye  ZAF 880
77 Hoffman,Tanika  ZAF 250

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Bianca Buitendag grabs third place in Swatch Girls Pro Junior in France

Bianca Buitendag continued her sensational assault on the World’s age-group surfing scenario by grabbing third spot in the Swatch Girls Pro Junior France on Saturday.

The lanky 17 year-old from Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape, who won the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Australia in January and finished runner-up in the U18 girls’ division of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships in Peru 10 days ago, again defeated a slew of the world’s best female surfers aged 20-and-under in France.

Buitendag earned US $350 after defeat by eventual champion Sarah Mason (NZL) in a semifinal encounter held in tricky one metre waves.

“The swell definitely dropped and although the conditions were quite nice I didn’t get any good scoring waves,” said Buitendag. “I have a Pro Junior event coming up in South Africa and it is very important to get a result there to qualify for the World Juniors.”

Mason went on to beat Demitry Stoyle (AUS) in the final held at Les Bourdaines on the Bay of Biscay coast. South Africans Faye Zoetmulder (PE) and Tanika Hoffman (Kom) finished 25th and 33rd respectively.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Royden Bryson the top South African in South American Prime events

Royden Bryson produced the best results by the South Africans in the two Prime rated events run in South America over the past fortnight. The Hout Bay based Capetonian boosted his ASP World Tour ranking from No. 113 to No. 81 after placing 13th in the Saquarema Surf Pro International near Rio de Janeiro and following that up with 9th in the Super Surf International in Santa Catarina.

Both events were run in huge waves with the final day of the Saquarema event postponed to the Monday when the waves on the Sunday were deemed too dangerous for competition. ASP Dream Tour member Kai Otton (AUS) beat Raoni Monteiro (BRA) to pocket the US$40 000 and 6 500 points there while Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Medina,17, scored two perfect 10 point rides on the final day to claim the title from experienced Australian Tom Whittaker in the Super Surf.

Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), who qualifies for all 11 events on the 2011 Prime Series thanks to his third place finish in the 2010 ASP World Junior Title Tour, and fellow 20 year-old, Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay), who leapfrogged into the top 100 on the rankings with an outstanding fifth place finish in the first Prime event of 2011, were eliminated in the first round (Round of 96) in both events.

Brandon Jackson (Durban North) and former ASP Dream Tour campaigner Travis Logie (Durban) only competed in the Super Surf event with Jackson ousted early and Logie, in his first event after recovering from a foot injury sustained in April, advanced to the Round of 48 but placed fourth in his next match-up to end the event 37th overall.

Logie has dropped from No. 28 to No. 42 in the rankings but remains the highest placed SA surfer behind Jordy Smith (Durban) who is No. 2 behind 10 times ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). Joubert has maintained his ranking of No. 80 with Bryson now up to No. 81 while Jackson has held on to his No. 104 spot.

ASP World Tour Rankings (After Super Surf International, Brazil)
1 Slater,Kelly   USA 66200
2 Smith,Jordy  ZAF 52000
3 Fanning,Mick  AUS 43648
4 Burrow,Taj   AUS 43177
5 Durbidge,Bede  AUS 39370

South Africans (Top 200 out of 784)
42 Logie,Travis  ZAF 15162
80 Joubert,Shaun  ZAF 8570
81 Bryson,Royden  ZAF 8564
104 Jackson,Brandon  ZAF 6280
113 Palmboom,Rudy ZAF 5807
141 Strachan,Klee  ZAF 4072
147 Fahrenfort,Damien  ZAF 3849
157 Gibbens,Brendon  ZAF 3357
170 Staples,Dale   ZAF 2912
176 Weare,David  ZAF 2695
178 De Vries,Beyrick  ZAF 2608

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Beyrick de Vries takes early lead in ASP Africa Pro Junior men’s rankings

Beyrick de Vries won the 2-Star rated Quiksilver Pro Junior at New Pier in Durban back in April to take the early lead in the 2011 ASP Africa Pro Junior men’s rankings which determine four of the five-man squad invited to compete in the this year’s ASP World Junior Title series.

De Vries, 18, from Umhlanga, produced an impressive display of progressive surfing to overcome Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh), 16, in the final and take home US $2 500 and 500 rankings points.

Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) and Michael February (Kommetjie) were sidelined by Prestwich and de Vries in their respective semifinals while Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), David van Zyl (Glenashley), Matt Pallet (Cape Town) and Matt Bromley (Kommetjie) ended their campaigns in the quarters.

The ASP Africa Pro Junior men’s rankings will be finalised after the 1-Star Billabong Pro Junior at Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape from September 1-4. The top four on the season ending rankings plus the highest placed ASP Africa Pro Junior on the ASP World Tour Rankings who has not already qualified via the local rankings will join representatives from the other six ASP regions in the World Junior Title series.

The 2011 series comprises three events starting with the Oakley ASP World Junior in Bali from October 3-14, followed by the inaugural Arnette ASP World Junior in Rio de Janeiro from October 24-November and culminating in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships which will be staged as part of the recently announced Australian Open of Surfing at Manly Beach in Sydney from 11-19 February, 2012.

ASP Africa Pro Junior Men’s Rankings (After Quiksilver Pro Junior)

1 De Vries, Beyrick 500
2 Prestwich, Slade 375
3 Lightfoot, Dylan 281
 February, Michael 281
5 Staples, Dale  211
 Bromley, Matthew 211
 Van Zyl, David 211
 Pallet, Matt  211
9 Gibbens, Brendon 158
 Smit, Rigard  158
 Godfrey, Nicholas 158
 Baum, Sarah  158

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mid-year international events in Durban, Ballito & Jeffreys Bay

South Africa’s traditional mid-year series of international surfing events will be kick-started by the ASP 1-Star Roxy Wahine Girls Pro Junior in Durban followed by the ASP Prime rated Mr Price Pro Ballito at Ballito in KZN and culminates in Jeffreys Bay with the Billabong Pro J-Bay, stop No. 4 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title series.

The inaugural edition of the Roxy Wahine Pro Junior to be an ASP rated event will be staged at New Pier in Durban on the weekend 18 & 19 June. The event features the country’s best 20-years-and-under female surfers competing for a prize-purse of US $2 000 with the winner also earning one of the two coveted invitations to compete in the 2011 ASP World Junior Title series.

The 12th edition of Mr Price Pro Ballito is stop No. 7 of 11 on the ASP Prime Tour and will be run from July 4-10. The event is restricted to the top 88 ranked ASP surfers who enter plus six wildcards and two trialists and offers $250 000 in total prize-money with $40 000 and 6 500 points going to the winner. The field is headed by defending event champion and current World No. 2, Jordy Smith, and includes 24 of the world’s top 34 ranked surfers.

The 26th running of the Billabong Pro J-Bay will again attract all of the world’s top 34 ranked surfers to the waves of Supertubes from July 14-24. The event offers a total purse of $425 000 with the winner earning $75 000 and 10 000 points. The seeding is headed by 10-time and reigning ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) along with former world champions Mick Fanning (AUS) and CJ Hobgood (USA), former event champions Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Australians Joel Parkinson and Taj Burrow and current ASP World Title Race ranking s leader Adriano de Souza (BRA).

ASP World Title Race rankings (After event No. 3 – Billabong Pro Rio)

1 Adriano De Souza (BRA) 20500
2 Joel  Parkinson (AUS) 19200
3 Kelly  Slater (USA)  16950
4 Taj  Burrow (AUS)  16500
5 Jordy Smith (ZAF)  14750
6 Owen  Wright (AUS) 12150
7 Michel Bourez (PYF) 12000
8 Mick  Fanning (AUS) 11500
9 Bede  Durbidge (AUS) 11000
9 Tiago  Pires (PRT)  11000

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For more news on the South African based ASP Events see www.aspafrica.com. For up to date news on the events and ASP Africa members ‘like’ ASP Africa on Facebook

ENDS
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

The South African junior surfing team claimed an unprecedented four medals at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships which was completed in wild two to three metre waves at Punta Hermosa in Peru yesterday (Saturday).

Team SA finished runner-up to hosts Peru to claim the team silver medal for the first time and also provided a finalist in each of the three individual divisions with Dylan Lightfoot and Bianca Buitendag earning silver medals in the U16 Boys and U18 Girls respectively while team captain Davey Brand took the bronze in the U18 Boys.

In an inspiring comeback after seven SA surfers were eliminated in Day 5 action on Thursday, the five remaining team members produced stellar performances on the last two days to put the country back into contention for the team gold medal. However, it was not to be and the local knowledge of the host nation, Peru, paid off on the final day as the size of the waves grew to challenging proportions.

Dylan Lightfoot came within 30 seconds of claiming SA’s first individual junior gold medal in the event since Jordy Smith in 2003. Starting the final day in Round 8 of the U16 Boys Repecharge, the 16 year-old from Eastern Province blasted his way through three consecutive heats in the rising surf,  including a confidence boosting heat win in the repecharge final, to reach the Grand Final,.

Lightfoot led for the majority of the 25 minute final encounter after posting the heat’s highest scoring ride of a 6.50 plus a 4.72, both out of 10. This gave him the lead going into the final minutes even though he and Peru’s Joaquín del Castillo were tied on identical two-wave tallies of 11.22 out of 20.

But while the leading pair battled for position in the heaving whitewater covered lineup, Brazil’s Felipe Toledo, needing 6.03 points for victory, slipped inside and racked up a series of manoeuvres on a smaller wave, finishing with a small aerial to be awarded 6.08 points and the gold medal by 0.06 of a point.

Bianca Buitendag started her final day campaign in the same situation as Lightfoot, three heats away from the Grand Final in the U18 Girls repecharge rounds. Undaunted the talented teenager from South Cape finished second behind Canelle Bulard in two heats before scoring a satisfying win over the French girl in the repecharge final.

However, the Grand Final belonged to Bulard who recorded rides of 7.30 and 6.56 to leave her three opponents in a combination situation before Buitendag fought back with a 4.62 and 5.54 to claim second place ahead of the two Australian girls.

With Davey Brand, Mikey February and David van Zyl all still in contention for U18 Boys’ medals on the final day, and the demise of the teams from surfing powerhouses such as Australia, the USA, Hawaii and Brazil, Team SA was in with a shout for the team gold medal.

Even after February and van Zyl were ousted from the event in equal 9th place following third place finishes in Repecharge Round 8, Davey Brand emerged victorious from the Qualifying stream final to complete an unbeaten run straight to the U18 Boys Grand Final to keep the dream alive.

Despite Brand leading the final with a couple of early low-scoring rides, the grand finale was dominated by local hero Cristobal de Col whose previous experience in the washy, double-overhead conditions saw him snag the better inside waves with higher scoring potential and ride them flawlessly to clinch the gold medal.

Brand delivered a gutsy performance and produced a 6.26 point ride with four minutes remaining to get back into contention but the 18 year-old from Western Province ultimately placed third behind de Col and Portuguese standout Vasco Ribeiro to earn a second bronze medal to go with the one he took home as an U16 surfer in Ecuador in 2009.

The four medal haul is the best return by a South African junior team in the nine year history of the event while the silver medal in the team standings is the first time South Africa has finished better than fourth in the annual gathering of the world’s best surfers aged 18-and-under.

All the results from the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships can be found at www.isawjsc.com along with video footage, an extensive photo gallery and the news.

2011 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships
Punta Hermosa, Peru

Final Team Standings:
Gold: Peru
Silver: South Africa
Bronze: Australia
Copper: Hawaii

Girls Under 18 Final Results:
Gold: Canelle Bulard (FRA)
Silver: Bianca Buitendag (RSA)
Bronze: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Copper: Codie Klein (AUS)

South Africans
25th Sarah Baum
31st Emma Smith
37th Nikita Kekana

Under 16 Boys Final Results:
Gold: Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Silver: Dylan Lightfoot (RSA)
Bronze: Joaquín del Castillo (PER)
Copper: Juninho Urcia (PER)

South Africans
25th Diran Zakarian
25th  Slade Prestwich
37th Benji Brand

Under 18 Boys Final Results:
Gold: Cristobal de Col (PER)
Silver: Vasco Ribeiro (POR)
Bronze: Davey Brand (RSA)
Copper: Miguel Tudela (PER)

South Africans
9th Mikey February
9th David van Zyl
41st Steven Sawyer

Final Team Points
1. Peru (5123)
2. South Africa (4860)
3. Australia (4651)
4. Hawaii (4546)
5. USA (4164)
6. France (4113)
7. Brazil (4060)
8. Portugal (3505)
9. Tahiti (3393)
10. New Zealand (2810)
11. UK (2640)
12. Costa Rica (2505)
13. Japan (2357)
14. Argentina (2198)
15. Barbados (2128)
16. Ecuador (2034)
17. Mexico (1910)
18. Venezuela (1736)
19. Chile (1652)
20. Germany (1649)
21. Ireland (1488)
22. Puerto Rico (1390)
23. Uruguay (1156)
24. Jamaica (1064)
25. Italy (960)
26. Guatemala (652)
27. Morocco (340)

/ENDS
Issued on behalf of:

Surfing South Africa
Contact: Robin de Kock – General Manager
Cell:  082 454 1149
Email:  surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
Web:   www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Defending champions Border retained the coveted President’s Cup at the 2011 Billabong SA Surfing Championships which was completed in clean, offshore four foot surf at Seal Point in Cape St Francis on Sunday (May 15).

Not only did the team from East London win the 46th team title for the second year in a row but they also produced the Open Men’s champion in Greg Emslie, the runner up and Surfer of the Contest recipient Wayne Monk as well as the Women’s champion in Nikita Robb.

This was Emslie’s second title in a row and his fourth SA Championship victory. He joins George Thomopoulos on four SA Championship wins and one more will see him match Chris Knutsen.

Robb returned from competing on the World Qualifying Series to represent her beloved Border and it proved to be a good decision. 2010 National Team member Chantelle Rautenbach of Boland was second in the Women’s final.

Western Province surfer Nick Godfrey, who grew up surfing Seal Point, beat Steven Sawyer of Eastern Province to win his second Under 20 Boys crown in three years while Sarah Baum of KZN Central edged fellow National Junior Team member Bianca Buitendag of Southern Cape to take honours in the Under 20 Girls division.

The four new champions, who shared R30,000 in prize money, were awarded their trophies by Surfing South Africa President Mark Hoffman, Vice President Ant Brodowicz, Board Director Emile Zoetmulder and legendary coach Graham Hynes.

All the competitors earned 3A PST points by competing in the 2011 Billabong SA Championships.

Mark Hoffman presented the coveted Presidents Cup trophy to the Team Champions Border, who were also named as the team with the most spirit during the event. The East London side not only won the accolades and the bulk of the trophies but also took home ten cases of Carling Black Label from SAB for their efforts.

The Billabong SA Surfing Champs was proudly presented by Zigzag, fuelled by Monster, coordinated by Surfing South Africa, supported the Cape St Francis Resort and hosted by the Eastern Province Surfing Council.

Surfing South Africa is recognised by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as the governing body for the sport and is a member of the International Surfing Association. (ISA)

Updated heat sheets, results and full image galleries available on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za and on the official SA Champs 2011 media portal, hosted by: www.zigzag.co.za
Results:
Open Men
1st – Greg Emslie (Border)
2nd – Wayne Monk (Border)
3rd – Klee Strachan – (KZN Central)
4th- Casey Grant – (Southern KZN)

Open Women
1st – Nikita Robb (Border)
2nd – Chantelle Rautenbach (Boland)
3rd – Michelle Imeson (Southern KZN)
4th – Tasha Mentasti (Boland)

U20 Boys
1st- Nick Godfrey (W.P)
2nd – Steven Sawyer (E.P)
3rd – Matt Bromley (W.P)
4th – Dylan Lightfoot (E.P)

U20 Girls
1st – Sarah Baum (KZN Central)
2nd – Bianca Buitendag (Southern Cape)
3rd – Faye Zoetmulder (E.P)
4th – Emma Smith (E.P)

Surfer of the Contest
Wayne Monk (Border)

Team Spirit award
Border

President’s Cup
1st – Border                                        43,464 points
2nd – KwaZulu-Natal Central              41,836 points
3rd – Eastern Province                          41,200 points
4th – Western Province                       39,844 points
5th – Southern KwaZulu-Natal            37,634 points  
6th – Boland                                         32,300 points
7th – Southern Cape                           29,630 points
8th – Zululand                                      19,910 points

ENDS

From Surfing South Africa
www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za
0824541149

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
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Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Bianca Buitendag became the first South African to win the women’s title at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships when she narrowly outscored Justine Dupont (FRA) in the final held in tricky one metre waves at North Narrabeen beach in Sydney, Australia, earlier today (Tuesday).

The lanky 17 year-old from Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape secured the biggest victory of her career, pocketing US $5 000 (approx. R34 000) and 10 000 points which saw her finish tied second with Bali event winner Tyler Wright (AUS) in the 2010 ASP Women’s World Junior rankings.

“I’m very happy,” Buitendag said. “I don’t know how to explain it. I really wasn’t expecting this. I’m really happy about it and it’s the best result of my life. I’m stoked. My Dad has been supporting me since I was little, sitting on the beach and without him nothing would be possible, so thanks to him.”

Coming into the event as a dark-horse after placing ninth in the first leg of ASP World Junior Tour in Bali on October, Buitendag started her campaign by comprehensively defeating second seed Alizee Arnaud(FRA) in Round 1 on Saturday to advance directly to Round 3. On Sunday she overcame the challenge of Port Elizabeth born Australian Philippa Anderson and then moved into the semis by beating Felicity Palmateer (AUS).

Today Buitendag squeaked past Arnaud, who had just claimed the ASP Women’s World Junior title when her compatriot Dupont defeated defending champion Laura Enever (AUS) in the first semifinal, before racking up scores of 6.33 and 3.67 to beat Dupont by 10.0 to 9.0 in the 30 minute finale.

Fellow South African Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) was a Round 2 casualty, placing equal 17th in this event and 21st in the overall rankings.

Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), the second seed in the men’s event following his runner-up finish to Jack Freestone (AUS) in the first leg in Bali, continued his charge by securing a comfortable Round 3 victory over Hiroto Arai(JAP). Staples opened his tally withan excellent ride that earned 8.17 out of 10 from the judges and then slammed the door on his opponent witha 4.47 in the closing moments after the Japanese surfer had chipped away at his lead with rides of 4.83 and 5.33.

“I’m just focusing on my own heat, but I was watching Jack (Freestone) in the heat before me and I’m just trying to do better than him,” Staples said of the only competitor currently ahead of him in the rankings. “I have my own things that I do before heats, but I do watch him quite a bit because he’s number one. I just hope I can do better than him every heat.”

Staples’ compatriots Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie) and Shaun Joubert (MosselBay) were less fortunate when they were eliminated by Alex Smith (HAW) and Krystian Kymerson(BRA) respectively, with Kymerson clinching the score he required right on the final hooter. The South African pair finished equal 17th in the event, taking home US $1 200 each.

Chad du Toit (Berea, Durban) came up against Jesse Mendes(BRA) in the final heat of the day and posted an early score of 6.17 followed by a 6.67 with 11 minutes remaining. Despite recording the heat high score of 6.93, the Brazilian could not find the 5.91 he needed for victory in the time remaining and du Toit joined Staples in the last 16.

Even though the event has been plagued by small surf, onshore winds and so many bluebottles in the line-up that many competitors are wearing full wetsuits for protection, the world’s top 20-and-under competitors demonstrated exceptional talent with every heat punctuated by high-flying progressive manoeuvres.

Freestone was impressive in advancing to Round 4 (the last 16 in the event) along with the likes of fellow Australian Dean Bowen, Grainger Larsen (HAW), Nat Young (USA), Marc Lacomare (FRA) and Brazilians Caio Ibelli and Miguel Pupo.

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships runs until 16 January and the organisers make a decision at 7am (10pm SA time) each day on whether to get the event underway or wait for better waves.

All the action from the event is webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com which also features a ‘heats on demand’ facility where video footage from every heat can be found.
 
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 
The BillabongASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy is made possible with the support of Sony, Volkswagen, VonZipper, Nixon, Australia’s Surfing Life Magazine, Manly Warringah Council and NSW Sport and Recreation.

Billabong ASP Women’s World Junior Championships Final Results:
1 – Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.00
2  – Justine Dupont (FRA) 9.00

Billabong ASP Women’s World Junior Championships Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.27 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 8.70
SF 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.37def. Alizee Arnaud (FRA) 7.56

2010 ASP Women’s World Junior Rankings(After event #2 – Narrabeen)
 Name                                              Points  Placings
1.  Alizee Arnaud(FRA)            14500  2,3
2.  Tyler  Wright(AUS)              13750  1,9
2.  Bianca  Buitendag(ZAF)      13750  9,1
4.  Laura  Enever(AUS)              11750  5,3

South Africans
21.  Chantelle Rautenbach(ZAF)   3500  17,17

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.70 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 11.16
Heat 2: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 12.16 def. Luke Davis (USA) 7.57
Heat 3: Evan Geiselman (USA) 10.76 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 10.47
Heat 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 13.27 def. Ty Watson (AUS) 9.00
Heat 5: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 11.40 def. Kaimana Jaquias (HAW) 7.83
Heat 6: Dean Bowen (AUS) 12.37 def. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 9.00
Heat 7: Charles Martin (GLP) 9.16 def. Chris Salisbury (AUS) 8.40
Heat 8: Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.50 def. Ramzi Boukhaim (MOR) 8.17
Heat 9: Dale Staples (ZAF) 12.62def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 10.16
Heat 10: Alex Smith (HAW) 11.84 def. Brendon Gibbons (ZAF) 8.20
Heat 11: Nat Young (USA) 13.93 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 10.16
Heat 12: Krystian Kymerson (BRA) 12.73 def. Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 10.37
Heat 13: Mitch Crews (AUS) 11.27 def. Andrew Doheny (USA) 7.40
Heat 14: Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.36 def. Nic Von Rupp (DEU) 9.30
Heat 15: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.80 def. Felipe Jervis (PRT) 5.50
Heat 16: Chad Du Toit (ZAF) 12.84 def. Jesse Mendez (BRA) 12.26
ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

The Billabong Girls Get Out There will conclude their 3 week- long summer tour with two highly anticipated back-to-back events in Cape Town.

Muizenberg will host the first of two action packed events on Tuesday 21 December, immediately followed up with one final activation at Cape Town’s famed Camps Bay on Wednesday 22nd December.

The three week long summer tour kicked off in fine style on Ballito’s Willard Beach last Saturday 11th December and was followed up the next day (Sunday 12th December) at Durban’s Suncoast Beach.  It was then the turn of the South Coast holiday town of Margate to deliver a hugely successful conclusion to the KZN leg with the third activation on a sun-soaked, jam-packed Margate main beach.

After heavy rain unfortunately enforced the cancellation of the Port Elizabeth’s activation, the Billabong Girls Get Out There Summer tour redeemed the garden route crowds with two sun-soaked events in the bustling holiday towns of Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay respectively.

All eyes are now on Cape Town as the Billabong Girls Get Out There prepares to wrap up the summer roadshow after almost three weeks touring the country’s coastline.

Starting at 10am and wrapping up at 3pm, each event promises a fun-filled day for the entire family, with a primary ploy to get girls onto the beaches and experience the healthy, energizing Billabong lifestyle.

Whether it’s free surfing lessons, art workshops, beach games, or give-aways; the Billabong Girls will spice up those long sunny beach days this Summer.

At every activation, Billabong, in collaboration with 8.ta, will be holding FREE Learn to surf classes throughout the day with professional surfer, Tarryn Chudleigh. These classes will happen every hour on the hour and numbers are limited so be sure to get there early. Every girl who partakes in the surf school will receive a goodie bag containing Billabong and 8.ta give-aways

Bevcan will be fronting the fun on their giant inflatable slide and chill out area, they’re also hosting a competition where anyone can win a uniquely designed surfboard at each event!

Seventeen Magazine is focusing on all the things girls just love such as Hula hoop games; Twista; Celebrity Quiz, Bingo; UrbanScout sign ups; Pamper Corners as well as the Ava A-List girl search.

A free creative corner is also available throughout the day, where girls can express their creative side with paints on canvas, beading and sand art.

As if that’s not enough, Billabong, Seventeen, Sony, and Nixon will be giving away awesome prizes at each event so make sure you fill out as many entry forms as possible at the beach to stand the chance of winning.

The day is all about fun with the Billabong beach DJ keeping the happy summer sounds coming your way while MC, Marius Roberts, will get you involved in games and activities with heaps of prizes to give away.

So be sure to join the Billabong Girls Get Out There Summer tour at one of their remaining  four FREE beach day activations as they travel the country’s coastline through the Garden Route and on to Cape Town.

Remaining Billabong Girls Get Out There Itinerary:

Muizenberg, Cape Town
Tuesday 21st December 2010

Camps Bay, Cape Town
Wednesday 22nd December 2010

Using Sony Bloggie’s, daily photographs will be uploaded onto www.billabong.com.
You can follow the tour and check daily uploads on facebook – /Billabong Girls-sa and twitter – /BbgGirlsSA

Thanks to Bevcan, 8.ta, Seventeen, Sony, Von Zipper and Nixon, who have all contributed to making this the coolest beach activation this summer.

/ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact: Brendon Kegel
Telephone: +27 (0) 42 200 2747
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Be sure to join the Billabong Girls Get Out There Summer tour at one of their eight FREE beach day activations as they travel the country’s coastline from KZN right through the Garden Route and on to Cape Town.

Each event promises a fun-filled day for the entire family, with a primary ploy to get girls onto the beaches and experience the healthy, energizing Billabong lifestyle.

Whether it’s free surfing lessons, art workshops, beach games, or give-aways; the Billabong Girls will spice up those long sunny beach days this Summer.

At every activation, Billabong, in collaboration with 8.ta, will be holding FREE Learn to surf classes throughout the day with professional surfer, Tarryn Chudleigh. These classes will happen every hour on the hour and numbers are limited so be sure to get there early Every girl who partakes in the surf school will receive a goodie bag containing Billabong and 8.ta give-aways

Bevcan will be fronting the fun on their giant inflatable slide and chill out area, They’re also hosting a competition where anyone can win a uniquely designed surfboard at each event!

Seventeen Magazine is focusing on all the things girls just love such as Hula hoop games; Twista; Celebrity Quiz, Bingo; UrbanScout sign ups; Pamper Corners as well as the Ava A-List girl search.

A free creative is also available throughout the day, where girls can express their creative side with paints on canvas, beading and sand art.

As if that’s not enough, Sony, Von Zipper and Nixon will be giving away awesome prizes at each event so make sure you fill out as many entry forms as possible at the beach to stand the chance of winning.

The day is all about fun with the Billabong beach DJ keeping the happy summer sounds coming your way while MC, Marius Roberts, will get you involved in games and activities with heaps of prizes to give away.

Starting at 10am and wrapping up at 3pm, join the Billabong Crew for plenty of free fun in sun with the Billabong Girls Get Out There Summer Tour 2010.

Billabong Girls Get Out There Itinerary:

Ballito, KZN
Saturday 11th December 2010

Sun Coast, KZN
Sunday 12th December 2010

Margate, KZN
Monday 13th December 2010

Hobie Beach, PE
Thursday 16th December 2010

Main Beach, Plettenberg Bay
Friday 17th December 2010

Dias Beach, Mossel Bay
Saturday 18th December 2010

Muizenberg, Cape Town
Tuesday 21st December 2010

Camps Bay, Cape Town
Wednesday 22nd December 2010

Using Sony Bloggie’s, daily photographs will be uploaded onto www.billabong.com.
You can follow the tour and check daily uploads on Facebook – /Billabong Girls-sa and twitter – /BbgGirlsSA

Thanks to Bevcan, 8.ta, Seventeen, Sony, Von Zipper and Nixon, who have all contributed to making this the coolest beach activation this summer.

/ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact: Brendon Kegel
Telephone: +27 (0) 42 200 2747
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico
Stop No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico
Stop No. 7 of 8 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour
Somewhere, Puerto Rico
October 30 – November 10, 2010

Porta Del Sol/Puerto Rico (Monday, November 1, 2010) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, has claimed her fourth, consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, making history at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico.
 
With her Quarterfinal win over Melanie Bartels (HAW), 28, Gilmore amassed enough points to knock sole remaining contender, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, out of the running for the 2010 ASP Women’s World Title Race.

“I’m really at a loss for words right now,” Gilmore said. “Mel (Bartels) is one of the most dangerous surfers in the world and has had my number on several occasions. Even on that last wave there, I was certain she’d got the score. I was blown away when they called it out and I’m rapt right now.”
 
The historic occasion marks the first time an athlete has achieved a perfect record in the professional surfing world, with Gilmore claiming the coveted crown in her rookie season and every year since.
 
“I guess I haven’t really been thinking about that,” Gilmore said. “But to hold a record that Layne (Beachley) or even Kelly (Slater) never got is pretty special. I never thought I would even win two, consecutive titles so to win four is a massive achievement for me.”
 
In one of her strongest performances to date, Gilmore’s comprehensive and unabated assault on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour marks the first time the prodigious natural-footer has clinched the crown before Hawaii.
 
2010 ASP Women’s World Tour Results:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: WIN
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: WIN
TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival New Zealand: Equal 9th
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic: WIN
Movistar Peru Classic: Equal 3rd
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Portugal: Runner-Up
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico: TBD
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach: TBD
 
Today’s ASP Women’s World Title clinching is the latest in a long list of achievements for the young Australian, which include: ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year (2007), two-time Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, 15 ASP Women’s World Tour event victories and four consecutive ASP Women’s World Titles.
 
“This Title means a lot to me,” Gilmore said. “The girls on tour this year have been the best they’ve ever been and I’ve been pushed in every one of my heats. The younger girls especially have a whole new approach and they’re gaining in confidence in every surf. The future for the sport is going to be exciting and I can’t wait for it. But for now, I’m going to celebrate my win. Thanks to everyone for all the support.”
 
The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico is being webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com
 
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 
Ends

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) MEDIA
ASP International Media Manager
Dave Prodan                                                                           
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USAmobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228
 
TV NEWS FEEDS
Many McKinnon
email: mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com
 
Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com
 

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Alice McGregor was the star of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge in Port Elizabeth on Monday when she won both the Open and U20 divisions of the event run in solid overhead surf, rain and demanding windswept conditions.

Presented by Surfing South Africa, the inaugural Women’s Day Surf Challenge saw events scheduled for three venues nationally and while the Durban event had to be postponed due the sardine run and shark sightings at Bay of Plenty, the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth based contests went ahead in typical wintery weather.

More than 30 surfers from Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay, East London, George, Durban and even a couple from Belgium and Holland took to the surf at Pollock Beach to celebrate the Women’s Day public holiday.

While East London based McGregor was unbeatable in the Open and U20 divisions, rising star Emma Smith from Jeffreys Bay won the U16 category and the Rookie title went to Britney Linder.

Each of the three divisions were 1A rated Pro Surf Tour (PST) events with a total of R2 500 in prize-money at stake and the results counting towards the annual PST rankings.

EP Surfing Council thanks the judges Dave Lipschitz, Donovan and Emile Zoetmulder, Mike and Grant Beck and Gavin Viljoen along with Contest Director Etienne Venter and tabulators Shireen Abrahams and Hannelie Bakker for working so hard in the tough conditions.

The Women’s Day Surf Challenge is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and Sport & Recreation SA while the media partners for the events are Gsport for Girls and Saltwater Girl magazine.

The initiative is proudly partnered by Skullcandy, Power Balance, Billabong, VonZipper, Rip Curl, Aquarius Screenprinting, Vic Bay T Shirts and Reef Wetsuits. Kustom Footwear and Surf Centre PE donated great additional prizes for the Rookies division in the PE event and Denis Ellis Surfboards donated a surfboard which was raffled to raise money for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

Surfing South Africa is recognized by Sport and Recreation SA (SRSA) as the governing body for the sport. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

Women’s Day Surf Challenge

Port Elizabeth Results
Open
1. Alice McGregor
2. Faye Zoetmulder
3. Cara MacDonald
4. Catherine Lee

U20
1. Alice McGregor
2. Kirsty Delport
3. Faye Zoetmulder
4. Emma Smith

U16

1. Emma Smith
2. Tahra Uren
3. Julie Lauwers
4. Inge McClaren

Rookies:
1. Britney Linder
2. Michelle Verrynne
3. Shumeez Salie
4. Chloe Meecham
5. Kayla Ann Verrynne

Ends

Issued on behalf of:

Surfing South Africa
Contact:            Robin de Kock
Cell:                  082 454 1149
Email:               surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Cape Town’s top female surfers tamed the elements by surfing with grace, style and no shortage of good old-fashioned guts in the Women’s Day Surf Challenge held in wild 1 to 1.5 metre waves, rain and strong wind at Long Beach in Kommetjie on Monday.

Presented by Surfing South Africa, the inaugural Women’s Day Surf Challenge saw events scheduled for three venues nationally and while the Durban event had to be postponed due the sardine run and shark sightings at Bay of Plenty, the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth based contests went ahead in typical wintery weather.

When the results of the Cape Town event were finalised, Kerri Hodgkinson had won the Open division, 2010 SA Junior Team member Tanika Hoffman clinched the U20 title and Amy Bosworth triumphed in the U16 category.

Each of the three divisions were 1A rated Pro Surf Tour (PST) events with a total of R2 500 in prize-money at stake and the results counting towards the annual PST rankings.

Hoffman and recently selected 2010 SA Team member Stacey Guy each received a Power Balance Band when they were adjudged to be the Power Balance ‘Power Surfers’ of the event. Eight of the surfers, judges and officials were rewarded with prize packs which included Skullcandy headphones, Power Balance bands  and other cool stuff in the lucky draws.

The Derevko wetsuit was awarded to Jules Buchanan and a total of R1100 was raised for CANSA in the raffle for the surfboard, which was won by Anoush Zakarian.

All the finalists received custom-made trophies and medals and to crown a great initiative Amy Bosworth donated one of her surfboards to the SSA development programme.

Listen to Cape Talk on 567 MW at 8.30am each morning to hear Jeff Ayliffe’s interviews with some of the girls at the event.

The Women’s Day Surf Challenge is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and Sport & Recreation SA while the media partners for the events are Gsport for Girls and Saltwater Girl magazine.

The Women’s Day Surf Challenge is proudly partnered by Skullcandy, Power Balance, Billabong, VonZipper, Rip Curl, Aquarius Screenprinting and Vic Bay T Shirts. Additional prizes are provided by Surf Centre PE, Pull-In Underwear, Glaceau Vitamin Water and Derevko wetsuits.

Surfing South Africa is recognized by Sport and Recreation SA (SRSA) as the governing body for the sport. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

Women’s Day Surf Challenge

Cape Town Results
Open
1.  Kerri Hodgkinson
2.  Holly Armstrong
3.  Stacey Guy
4.  Lisa Mace

U20
1.  Tanika Hoffman
2.  Holly Armstrong
3.  Sabrina Scott
4.  Amy Bosworth

U16
1.  Amy Bosworth
2.  Natasha Bernstein
3.  Anoush Zakarian
4.  Ruth Armstrong

Ends

Issued on behalf of:

Surfing South Africa
Contact:          Robin de Kock
Cell:                  082 454 1149
Email:              surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za