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)
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