Friday, June 14, 2013

SUPSA reports on Durban Surf Carnival


Peter Petersen and Gary Van Rooyen sharing the stoke - pic John Henshelwood

Here is a Recap of the SA CHAMPS written by the newly appointed National Technical Advisor ... Peter Petersen :

The Durban Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel

Durban’s New Pier once again hosted the SUPSA sanctioned SA SUP Surf Champs on the 7th – 9th of June 2013. This event was the first of two events to determine the 2013 ranking and who’d be eligible to represent SA at the ISA World Champs in 2014.

Nerve events with Paul and Pat Godwin did a sterling job and the event site was as pro-looking as any top ASP event.

67 entrants had signed up (31 Open, 13 Ladies, 15Legends O/45 and 8 Juniors). Of these, 44 were from Cape Town!

Last year Justin Bing was victorious in the Open division, while local hero, Brandon Ribbink, succumbed in the 1/4’s, leaving the final an all Cape Town affair.

This year the local Durban crew had promised it would be different and the challenge was on.

From the first round it was clear that the level had improved tremendously across the board (excuse the pun) – smaller, more nimble boards allowed for much tighter surfing with Brandon Ribbink, Justin Bing and Dylan Frick showing some great surfing and high scores in the early rounds. Tom King, Oswald Smith and the more experienced crew of Gary van Rooyen and Grantley Read were also showing promise.

Conditions were near perfect with 2-4ft waves and hardly any wind on the first two days.

Marcel Bestel got wave of the event with a backhand screamer which was captured by Jon Ivins and gave him a deserved heat win.

The first two rounds determined the top 16 who advanced into the Quarters based on the percentage system. The percentage system gives each contestant a percentage of winners score and combined from the two rounds you get the top 16. This means you don’t necessarily have to beat your opponents, it’s enough to get a score that is as close as possible.

In the semi’s we saw a rare father/son constellation in Francois Frick and Dylan Frick going head to head – Francois was hoping for a one/two but South Coast resident Stephen Lawson put an end to that dream, when he booked himself a place in the final together with Dylan.

In the other semi Brandon Ribbink and Justin Bing narrowly edged out Tom King.

The final was held on the Sunday with a howling South West’er making the transitions very difficult. The waves were still coming through though, and the local knowledge of Brandon Ribbink shone through, as it had throughout the entire event. Brandons wave selection was the best of anyones and he had one bomb wave with some fast progressive surfing which sealed the deal. Justin looked good, but having completed 2x 20minute finals (Retro and Longboard) back to back before the SUP final was probably more of a warm-up than he’d hoped for. In the end Brandon took a deserved win and got redemption for last years implosion. Dylan got a 3rd and being only 17yo there is still plenty of chances for a title in the years to come.

The ladies put on a brave show on day two when they ventured into some solid waves way beyond what half of them had ever been in before. Everyone made it out and everyone caught waves – kudos to all of you.

The ladies riding has improved tremendously and it was a closely fought final with Tarryn Kite getting the best waves, but young Mishka Steyn (15yo) and Tammy Robarts showing slightly more radical surfing. In the end Tammy Robarts top to bottom surfing gave her the SA SUP Surfing title ahead of Mishka and Tarryn.

The legends may be over 45 (this years final had a combined age of over 200 years) – but the surfing is still as good as ever with Gary van Rooyen still having to declare his muti as he continues to defy the laws of gracious aging. Grantley Read got skunked by an interference call last year – but this year he made up, to take the title ahead of Gary and Dave Maxwell with Freddie Le Roux in 4th.

In the Juniors division we saw some of the best riding of the event – none of these guys weigh more than 70 odd kg and they are riding tiny little boards which they get into the tightest spots on the waves.

Dylan Frick was the pre-event favorite, a status which put extra pressure on him to perform. Oswald Smith, who is a pro-kiteboarder had nothing to lose and gave it his all while Ethan Koopmans had been riding consistently well throughout the entire event. Matthew Maxwell was the surprise package showing a few of the more experienced riders a thing or two.

The Junior final was almost a repeat of the ladies final with Ethan Koopmans getting the better waves but Dylan doing slightly more aggressive turns and in the end taking the title. A huge relief for Dylan who felt he should have done better in the Open final. Oswald let himself down with his wave selection but in the end it was very close between those three with Ethan clinching second.

Another great event by Paul and Pat Godwin – thanks guys – we’ll definitely be back next year.

Thanks to all the sponsors:
JEEP, Bokomo, NaishSUP, Natural Curve Surfboards, Coreban SUP, Thule, Nestle Pure Life Water, Container Conversions, Gunslinger Skateboards, Mad Dog Surfschool, Maisch Fins, Nescafe, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Pro class/Lamont Surfshop, Club Zero Fitness, Carling Black Label and Kahuna Creations

Open:
1st Brandon Ribbink (KZN)
2nd Justin Bing (WP)
3rd Dylan Frick (WP)
4th Stephen Lawson (KZN)


Ladies:
1st Tammy Robarts (WP)
2nd Mishka Steyn (WP)
3rd Tarryn Kite (WP)
4th Kim Du Venage (WP)


Legends O/45
1st Grantley Read (KZN)
2nd Gary van Rooyen (WP)
3rd Dave Maxwell (WP)
4th Freddie Le Roux (Zululand)

Juniors
1st Dylan Frick (WP)
2nd Ethan Koopmans (WP)
3rd Oswald Smith (WP)
4th Matthew Maxwell (WP)


No comments:

Post a Comment