Team captain Llewellyn Whittaker led Team South African to a great start on the opening day of the annual 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games which got underway in tricky one metre waves at Playa Venao on the Pacific Ocean coast of Panama on Sunday.

Whittaker posted the highest heat tally in the Open Men’s division as all eight team members finished either first or second in their respective opening encounters to advance to Round 2 of the Qualifying stream in the double-elimination format used at the event.

Only Australia, Brazil and New Zealand from the 27 countries contesting the event matched SA’s clean sweep on a day when 173 registered surfers in the Open Men, Women and Longboard divisions competed in a full day of action at two surfing venues located 250 metres apart.

Whittaker, from Southern Cape, registered scores of 7.17 and an excellent 8.67, both out of 10, for a heat total of 15.84 out 0f 20, leaving his three opponents, including multiple South America champion Magnum Martinez (VEN), needing to improve on both their counting rides to overtake him.

“Our team arrived five days before the contest, and we had a lot of time to practice on these waves,” said Whittaker. “We are feeling very comfortable surfing here in Playa Venao. The level of competition is extremely high – you have the best surfers from every country at this event – but for those 20 minutes you have to believe you will get through your heat.”

The balance of SA’s men’s Open Men’s squad each finished second to Venezuelan opponents in their Round 1 match-ups with Gavin Roberts (SKZN) just four hundredths of a point behind Francisco Bellorin, Matt Bromley (WP) less than half a point short of Rafael Pereira and Klee Strachan (SKZN) just over a point adrift of Justin Mujica.

Former World Tour campaigner Nikita Robb (Border) posted the second highest heat tally – 14.67 – of the Open Women’s division to easily win her match-up and progress to Round 2 while teammate Tanika Hoffman (WP) was less than a point behind heat winner Dominic Barona from Ecuador and over four points ahead of the third placed competitor.

Team SA’s two longboard surfers, two-time ISA World Champion Matthew Moir and fellow WP competitor Justin Bing, both racked up comprehensive Round 1 victories with Moir’s 15.06 point heat total second only to the 15.66 awarded to Tony Silvagni (AUS) in the longboard division.

The 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games runs until Saturday July 2 and all the action will be webcast live at www.billabongisawsg.com starting at 8am (3pm South African time) daily.

Schedule for Monday 27 June:

Podium 1 (will be webcast live)
Open Men Qualifying Round 2 (SA’s Whittaker, Bromley, Strachan & Roberts)
Longboard Qualifying Round 2 (SA’s Moir & Bing)
Open Men Qualifying Round 3 (TBC)
Podium 2 (will have scores online)
Women Qualifying Round 2 (SA’s Robb & Hoffman)
Open Men Repecharge Round 1
Longboard Repecharge Round 1
Women Repecharge Round 1

The 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games were officially opened on Saturday when nearly 275 competitors and officials from the 27 national teams participated in the Parade of Nations through the streets of nearby Pedasi showing their country’s colours and cultural traditions. Thousands of locals lined the streets to welcome the athletes in traditional handcrafted dresses and headdresses adorned with gold jewellery as a sign of joy, celebration, love and respect.

As the entire entourage gathered at the stage in the town’s main plaza, the traditional ISA Sands of the World Ceremony began. Representatives from every National Team brought sand from their country’s beaches up to the stage, where they were mixed together in a glass bowl. The perennial ritual signifies the union of nations, beliefs and races through surfing and the Olympic spirit this event embraces.

The official opening of the event was made by Panamanian Tourism Department Minister, Salomón Shamah who said, “On behalf of the ISA and its President, Fernando Aguerre, it is my pleasure and greatest honour to declare this 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games officially open!”

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.
 
/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

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

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.

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.

Bronze Beach Umhlanga Rocks hosted the postponed KZN edition of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge last weekend as the shark nets were still not back in place along Durban’s beachfront.

The lack of shark nets due to the extended sardine run forced the postponement of the KZN event a month ago but this time round all went well and over 70 surfers from as young as 7 to over 40 took part in the inaugural Women’s Day Surf Challenge.

Challenging 3-4 foot surf made things tough for the contestants and there was special praise by the officials for the rookies who tackled the difficult conditions with courage and determination.

The competitors were inspired by the performance of Heather Clark, who highlighted South Africa’s female surfing talent when she won her second World Title at the ISA World Masters Championships in Panama the day before the local event got underway.

There were some fine performances from a number of surfers on the day with Chanelle Botha one of the stars. The tiny Warner Beach local not only came second in the Under 20 final behind SA Junior Invitation team surfer Nikita Kekana but also won the Under 16 final which resulted in her being awarded the Surfer of the Contest title.

Among the most inspiring aspects of the Surfing South Africa Women’s Day Surf Challenge in KZN was the fact that not only did it attract four heats of “rookies”, but it also brought back the past as former SA Champions and National Team members Tamarys de Maroussem and Kay Holt made their return to competitive surfing.

Despite having “retired” some five years ago to start a family, de Maroussem seems to have retained her competitive skills, winning the Open Division and scoring a 8 point ride in the final.

Holt was fourth in the Open final but recorded a win in the Longboard Division, adding another national title to the many that she has been collecting since the late 1970’s.

With Clark taking honours in Panama and de Maroussem and Holt showing their class at home the KZN version of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge was a celebration of some of South Africa’s history as well as its up and coming talent.

In the Rookies division there was plenty of up and coming talent and although Robynne Theron won the title all of the girls who took part can look to a bright future in competitive surfing. Lenieka Botha was named the most promising surfer at the event and Tatum Ambrose recorded the Best Manoeuvre

The KZN Women’s Day Surf Challenge attracted the biggest entry of the three Women’s Day event held and was a huge success despite being postponed by a month.

Over R1000 was raised through the raffle of a Safari surfboard and this money has been donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa. Rip Curl South Africa presented the winner of the rookies division with a wetsuit and Skullcandy and Powerbalance, donated prizes.

Surfing South Africa was partnered at all three events by Saltwater Girl Magazine, gsport for girls, Aquarius Screenprinting and Vitamin Water.

The Women’s Day Surf Challenge was supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and Sport & Recreation SA.

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

KZN Results

Open

1. Tamarys de Maroussem
2. Tatum Ambrose
3. Heather Klug
4. Kay Holt

U20

1. Nikita Kekana
2. Chanelle Botha
3. Shebjorn Axelson
4. Caryn MacNicol

U16

1. Chanelle Botha
2. Caryn MacNicol
3. Shannon McGee
4. Courtnay Ellish

Rookies:

1. Robynne Theron
2. Tiffany Higgens
3. Karabo Nyembe
4. Kelsey Tiegs
5. Gaby Lailvaux
6. Jade Story

Longboards :

1. Kay Holt
2. Nicky Trickett
3. Madz Nixon
4. Dorette Oosthuizen

Ends

Compiled by Robin de Kock

Media enquiries :
Contact:            Robin de Kock
Cell:                  082 454 1149
Email:               surfingsouthafrica@gmail.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

The country’s top Pro Junior surfers shredded the 1 to 1.5 metre waves on offer at Herold’s Bay in the Southern Cape on Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series today (Thursday), using the hollow wedges and boostable sections to deliver top-class performances in the chase for prize-money, points and prestige.

Organisers had no hesitation in moving the event from the main venue of Victoria Bay at first light and competitors in the Round of 32 of the R37 500, internationally rated Billabong Pro Junior enjoyed the best conditions of the day.

Davey Brand set the tone for the day by earning two scores of 6.75 out of 10 early in the first heat of the day before shutting out his opponents with an excellent 8.0 just before the siren. Brand advanced to the last 16 along with runner-up and fellow Billabong team rider and Kommetjie resident Matt Bromley.

Billabong’s Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), the fourth seed here and winner of the Billabong Pro Junior on KZN’s Dolphin Coast in April, kept his challenge alive by progressing along with heat winner Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) before Kommetjie’s Mikey February blitzed the highest heat total of the day, 16.25 out of 20, in Heat 3.

Top seed Chad du Toit (Berea) controlled his opening encounter but 14 year-old Billabong rider Benji Brand (Kommetjie) gave Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) a fright by securing the heat victory with the second seed having to settle for the runner-up spot. David van Zyl (Glenashley), Nick Godfrey (St Francis Bay) and another 14 year-old standout in Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh) clinched the remaining heat wins.

After one heat of U12 boys where rising stars Ford van Jaarsveld (Kommetjie) and Billabong’s Max Elkington (Cape Town) eliminated Rewaldo Abersalie (J-Bay), international campaigner Tarryn Chudleigh opened the Pro Junior women’s event with a stunning performance.

Determined to make an appearance at her sponsor’s contest, the Billabong team rider shrugged off 48 hours of travel, including rising at 4am for the five-hour drive to Herold’s Bay from her home in Kommetjie, to dominate the heat and relegate top seed Bianca Buitendag, currently SA’s currently highest placed surfer on the ASP Women’s World Rankings, to the runner-up spot.

Sarah Baum (Athlone Park), another with strong international credentials, clinched victory in the next heat with while Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) and Holly Armstrong (Scarborough) upset higher ranked rivals for their heat wins.

The eight remaining Pro Junior Women were back in contest vests in more intimidating overhead conditions at the end of the day when the crosswind had freshened and the tide had turned. Baum and Buitendag eliminated Kirsty Delport (Durban) and a clearly exhausted Chudleigh to move into the one-on-one semifinals where they were joined by recent SA Open Women’s champion Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) and Palmboom.

In between the U14 boys battled with elements that saw the lifeguards on standby on the beach. Max Armstrong (Scarborough) had no problem in winning the opening heat while Jason Harris (Scottburgh) snatched his berth in the last eight with a great 6.25 point ride in the final seconds. Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay) reveled in the peaky lefts to win Heat 2 before Benji Brand recorded the highest single ride score of the day with – 9.0 out of 10 – in Heat 3.

The last heat saw the lead change hands on virtually every ride with all four competitors in front at some stage. When the final siren sounded it was Matt McGillivray (Port Elizabeth) in first place with Steffen Burrows (Strand) in second and joining him in the semifinals.

The trials for U12’s and U14’s to qualify for Saturday’s VonZipper Air Show, where the surfer completing the most outrageous aerial manoeuvre pockets a winner-takes-all R2 000 prize-purse, were held in daunting conditions at the end of the day and not one air was completed.

The rising swell may well see the season-ending Billabong Junior Series back at the main venue of Victoria Bay on Friday and organisers will make a call at 7.30am on when and where the day 3 action will commence.

Anyone who would like to be included onto the Billabong Junior Series event SMS notification database can send their name and mobile number to brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

There are daily video and picture uploads for each day of the event on www.billabong.com/za and the heat results can be followed as they happen throughout the event on Twitter and Facebook (Username- BillabongSA).

The Pro Surf Tour (PST) events in the Billabong Junior Series are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, while the internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International.

The series is proudly supported by Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and fueled by Monster Energy.

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Brendon Kegel – Media and Communications
Billabong South Africa
Tel: 042 200 2747
Fax: 042 293 2478
Cell: 083 799 0110
Email: brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

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

 

Chantelle Rautenbach won the Billabong Pro Junior Women’s title at Victoria Bay on Friday, defeating Sarah Baum in the final held in rippable head-high waves peeling down the point at the iconic Southern Cape surf break.

Rautenbach, 20, from Melkbosstrand controlled the final from outset, selecting two waves that allowed her to utilise her full repertoire of backhand manoeuvres and post scores of 6.5 and 5.0. While she didn’t improve on these for the remainder of the heat, they ultimately proved sufficient to clinch victory, a cheque of R2 000 and a haul of 1 000 points on the Pro Surf Tour (PST) rankings.

Baum was the favourite going into the final after a convincing semifinal victory over top seed Bianca Buitendag (George), but the 16 year-old from Athlone Park struggled to find waves with good scoring potential during the final and, with a highest ride of 4.35, was left needing 7.15 points when the curtain came down on the 25 minute match up.

Rautenbach, who captured the SA Open Women’s crown in East London last weekend, defeated Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) in a wave-starved, low-scoring semi-final. Palmboom and Buitendag finished equal third overall in the event.

Day 3 action opened with the Pro Junior men going to work in solid 1 to 1.5 metre waves that offered plenty of opportunity for high performance surfing. The country’s best surfers aged 20-and-under did not disappoint, tearing into the long lines on the point and producing several shock eliminations.

First to be ousted was fourth seed Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), winner of the first Billabong Pro Junior event in April, and he was soon followed by the seemingly unstoppable Benji Brand (Kommetjie), then second seed Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and Scottburgh standout Slade Prestwich.

The Pro Junior men’s quarterfinal heats, using the man-on-man format, were held at the end of the day and saw top seed Chad du Toit (Berea) lead throughout to defeat Shawn Dennis (Durban) and set up a crucial semifinal encounter with Matt Bromley who eliminated fellow Billabong team rider Kommetjie resident Davey Brand in their quarter.

The match-up between 2009 ASP Africa champion du Toit and Bromley will be one that the Kommetjie surfer will be desperate to win. With Staples and du Toit having secured their participation in the inaugural ASP World Junior Tour by reaching the last 16 here, Bromley needs to reach the final of the Billabong Pro Junior Vic Bay to clinch the coveted third and final invitation.

In the bottom half of the draw, J-Bay standout Steven Sawyer grabbed victory over Haydn MacNicol and will go up against Nick Godfrey (Cape St Francis) in the second semifinal on Saturday.  Godfrey, a previous Vic Bay winner, had racked up an 8.0 and a 6.0 to eliminate David van Zyl (Glenashley).

In between the clashes of the Pro Junior titans, the semifinals U12 boys produced a spectacular display of rising talent as Adin Masencamp (Somerset West) simply blitzed to book his berth in the final alongside runner-up Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay). The pair will be up against perennial achiever Donovan Wichmann (Marina da Gama) and diminutive Ford van Jaarsveld  who caused an upset by ousting fellow Kommetjie surfer Ethan Fletcher.

In the U14’s, long time friends and rivals Max Armstrong (Scarborough) and Benji Brand had their opponents fighting for second place in their respective semifinals as they continuously delivered excellent scores. The pair will duke out tomorrow’s final against respective runners-up Shane Sykes (Salt Rock) and Steffen Burrows (Strand).

The highly competitive U16 boys quarterfinals produced another phenomenal display by Benji Brand as the Billabong rider racked up scores of 8.1 and 7.0 to move into the semis along with Matt McGillivray (Port Elizabeth) while Dylan Lightfoot (J-Bay) and a fast improving Brandon Benjamin advanced from Heat 2.

Slade Prestwich detonated with an excellent 8.25 to win Heat 3 ahead of newcomer Wade Simkiss with Max Armstrong and Steven Sawyer dominating the last quarterfinal.

Prestwich then went on to book his spot in tomorrow’s final of the R2 000 VonZipper Air Show by punting a massive boost in the U16 trials.

With the wave period shortening and the swell dropping the organisers will make a call at 7.30am on when and where the final day of action will be staged.

Anyone who would like to be included onto the Billabong Junior Series event SMS notification database can send their name and mobile number to brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

There are daily video and picture uploads for each day of the event on www.billabong.com/za and the heat results can be followed as they happen throughout the event on Twitter and Facebook (Username- BillabongSA).

The Pro Surf Tour (PST) events in the Billabong Junior Series are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, while the internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International.

The series is proudly supported by Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and fueled by Monster Energy.

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Brendon Kegel – Media and Communications
Billabong South Africa
Tel:                   042 200 2747
Fax:                  042 293 2478
Cell:                  083 799 0110
Email:               brendon.kegel@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

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

Greg Emslie is the 2010 Mr Price SA Open Champion. After two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday (August 28 & 29) in conditions that ranged from marginal 2 foot surf on Day One to perfect 5-6 foot offshore at Nahoon Reef on Day Two, the title in the eighth edition of the SA Open of Surfing went the way of the top seed.

The experienced East London surfer was joined in the winner’s circle by fellow SA Team member Chantelle Rautenbach of Melkbosstrand, who won the Women’s title, and Slade Prestwich of Scottburgh whose brilliant performance in the Pro Junior Final saw him taking home the trophy.

Emslie was a standout throughout the event, setting benchmarks in every heat he surfed in. Even when conditions were small, and at times marginal, on Day One the current SA Champion was outstanding. In his first round Emslie showed his true skill by recording a 9. 20 out of 10 wave score which underlined his status as a true champion.

It was not all plain sailing in the final however and the thirty two year old was pushed all the way by 16 year-old Jeffreys Bay star Steven Sawyer who led the heat until Emslie caught his final high scoring rides. Simon Fish who makes surfboards out of Cape St Francis but hails from East London was third and father-to-be Tyrell Johnson of East London came fourth.

Emslie has now won four of the five PST events he has competed in this year and is not only the current SA Champion, National Team captain and Cold Water Classic winner but can now add a second SA Open title to his list of achievements in 2010.

Rautenbach produced top quality surfing in the Women’s final beating Kirsty Delport of Durban, local girl Alice Mc Gregor and fellow national team member Stacey Guy into second, third and fourth respectively.

Scottburgh local Prestwich produced the highest heat score of all three finals, 16 out of a possible 20, beating Dylan Lightfoot and fellow Jeffrey’s Bay surfer Steven Sawyer into second and third respectively. Another JBay local, Bertie Stuurman, achieved his best result in a major PST event when he finished fourth.

Competitors in the 2010 Mr Price SA Open of Surfing were protected by the Surfing South Africa Shark Shield devices which were placed strategically in the line-up by the local lifeguards and other water craft on both days of the event.

The 2010 SA Open of Surfing was sponsored by Mr Price, sanctioned by Surfing South Africa and hosted by the Border Surfriders Association. It was a 3A Men’s Pro Surf Tour contest with the Women and Pro Juniors both 2A rated. R40 000 in total prize-money was on offer across the divisions.

Members of the 2010 SA Team as well as Head Coach Graham Hynes attended the event as part of their preparations for the 2010 ISA World Surfing Games in Peru in October. The team preparation, camps and fitness training as well as their attendance at the World Games is supported by a R250 000 grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

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

Ends

Release compiled by
Robin de Kock
General Manager
Surfing South Africa
surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
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
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za