Craige’s Heavenly Surf Search

Staged by: Bluff Liquid Revolution & Son Surf
Ansteys Beach – Bluff, Durban
Saturday, 19 February, 2005

Excellent Waves for Craige’s Heavenly Surf Search

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 February 2005: - - Excellent waves were on offer all day for the commemorative Craige’s Heavenly Surf Search event held at Ansteys Beach on the Bluff (Saturday, February 19). 1.5-metre (3 to 5 ft) powerful conditions provided the perfect platform for the surf community to ride in honour of their late friend Craige Mladovan who passed away in the sea a year ago.

Event Organisers Ryan and Elle Boswarva were overwhelmed by the number of entries received, “we can’t believe how many surfers came to show their support, we had so many entries that we could have extended it to a two day event - we ended up holding the prize giving in the dark.”

“For each of the six Bluff Liquid Revolution events we have held the waves have been shocking the day before to the point where some of the locals have commented that we would have to cancel. The night before each contest the BLR Son Surf team would meet up and pray and without fail God has delivered good waves which happened again this time,” added Ryan Boswarva.

Bluff local Scott Venter was undoubtedly the “surfer of the day” as he surfed back to back finals in the Junior, Open and Pro divisions were he placed first, first and second respectively. Goofy-footer Venter’s talent was only rivalled by that of Gary van Wieringen (Warner Beach) who won the hotly contested Pro showdown.

Shane Thorne (Bluff) who celebrated his birthday at the event was generous enough to donate his prize money for finishing third in the Opens and fourth in the Pros to the BLR who in turn have passed it on to a chosen charity (SPCA). Former Port Elizabeth resident Dylan Stone who recently moved to the Bluff put on a fine performance collecting third place in the Pro and fourth in the Open final. Neil Millar (Berea) surfed exceptionally well against the big guns to scoop second place in the Opens.

2004 Southern Natal team member Lynne Mackey (Westville) triumphed in the Ladies final with Danielle Le Roux (Dbn) the runner up. 11 year old Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) was responsible for one of the biggest upsets of the day when she eliminated National Team surfer Tasha Mentasti (Dbn North) in the semi-finals. Palmboom placed third overall with Michelle Imeson (Warner Beach) in fourth.

Venter blitzed the Junior decider with Bazley Beach surfer Devan Mac Nicol claiming second place; Dustin Harding (Bluff) and East Londoner Matt Hodge finished third and fourth.

Devon Mundow (Port Elizabeth) won the Cadet (under 15) final ahead of Umhlanga’s Ryan Klein-Smith and local ripper Chad Schwab with Tyrone Elvers (Bluff) in fourth place.

Special thanks goes out to the sponsors RB’s Pawn Brokers, the Mladovan family and Mc Dade’s Pest Control for the cash prizes. Red Bull was also on hand to provide refreshments and keep the competitors energy levels up. Island Style put up some great product prizes like leashes, surfboard grips and board bags. Local Bluff surfer Julian Read from Akitron International sponsored the sound equipment for the day while the Green Dolphin restaurant provided lunch for the judges and electricity.

The Bluff Liquid Revolution (Son Surf club) staged the event to honour the memory of popular local surf grom Mladovan who would have celebrated his 16th birthday on the 18 February 2005. Craige was the epitome of a ‘stoked grom’ who will always be remembered for his ready smile and enthusiasm that he exuded whilst clocking up hours of water time surfing.

“I would like to thank God for a really special day. The response we got was awesome; Craige would have been very chuffed with the event being held the day after his birthday. It was overwhelming. If there are any young surfers out there interested in joining our BLR group we meet on Tuesday nights,” said Craige’s mother Nina.

Bluff Liquid Revolution is the local Son Surf club. Son Surf is a national Christian boardriding culture built around John 10:10b: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest”. Son Surf is open to everyone for more information visit www.sonsurf.co.za  

“We were blown away by the support not only from the community but particularly the Bluff surfing community because at the end of the day we hold these events for the Bluff, our goal is to bring unity amongst surfers and hope that by running these events we achieve this,” commented Ryan Boswarva on behalf of the Bluff Liquid Revolution.

Craige’s Heavenly Surf Search Final Results:

Cadet Final:
Devon Mundow (Port Elizabeth)
Ryan Klein-Smith (Umhlanga)
Chad Schwab (Bluff)
Tyrone Elvers (Bluff)

Junior Final:
Scott Venter (Bluff)
Devan Mac Nicol (Bazley Beach)
Dustin Harding (Bluff)
Matt Hodge (East London)

Ladies Final:
Lynne Mackey (Westville)
Danielle Le Roux (Durban)
Heidi Palmboom (Bluff)
Michelle Imeson (Warner Beach)

Open Final:
Scott Venter (Bluff)
Neil Millar (Berea)
Shane Thorne (Bluff)
Dylan Stone (Bluff)

Pro Final:
Gary van Wieringen (Warner Beach)
Scott Venter (Bluff)
Dylan Stone (Bluff)
Shane Thorne (Bluff)

More African Surfing News available here
Check the latest Africa Surf Reports and Forcasts

Bluff Liquid Revolution

Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com  

Contests - Surfersvillage