2004/ 2005 Volcom Qualifying Series (VQS) Championship Final

Surfing South Africa (SSA) Sanctioned Specialty Event
Dairy Beach – Durban, South Africa
Sunday, 13 March 2005

Thorne Bound for California (USA) to Surf VQS World Champs

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 March 2005: - - In two months time Bluff surfer Shane Thorne will be packing his bags for Newport Beach (California) to compete in the VQS World Championship following his first class performance at today’s VQS National Final which took place at Dairy Beach in Durban.

1.5-metre (3 to 4ft) waves were the order of the day complimented by hot, sunny weather and light winds.

“I feel stoked! I am very happy about winning especially now that I can look forward to competing in the VQS World Champs,” commented 31 year old Thorne who said he would also be taking the lady in his life, Melain Scrooby, with him to the USA.

Thorne out surfed 15 of the country’s hottest competitors in the Pro-Am division in crumbling surf conditions to claim victory. Stanley Badger (St Francis) who is known for his progressive surfing style finished as runner up. Despite impressing the crowd with two exceptional waves, 27 year old Shane Warren from the Bluff finished third. The youngest finalist, 21 year old Matt Kruger (Queensburgh), put up a tough fight but finished fourth.

“I was really patient and got lucky; despite getting only two waves I still won. When I was out there it felt like a match up between Shane (Warren) and I because we kept having wave exchanges but then Stan caught that wave at the end of the heat which changed things,” said Thorne.

The Junior final proved to be a tussle between top ASP Africa Pro Junior surfer Brett Shearer (CT) and former U16 ISA World Champion Jordan Smith (Umbilo). With less than a point separating them Smith walked away with top honours earning another opportunity to compete internationally as he returned home from the Junior World Tour less than a week ago. Josch Schmeltzer (Westville) who won the Grom division at last year’s event has moved up an age group to surf against the Juniors where he placed third ahead of defending Junior event champion Brandon Jackson (Dbn North).

Cape St Francis’s Dale Staples was unmatched in the Grom division scoring 8.5 out of a possible 10 points for one of his waves. Dane Monks (Umhlanga), who was awarded a late wildcard on the morning of the event, proved he was a worthy recipient with his second place finish. Kyle Whitaker (St Mikes) slipped into third ahead of Volcom team rider Haydn Mac Nicol of Bazley Beach.

In May the South African winners consisting of Thorne (Pro-Am), Smith (Junior) and Staples (Grom) will be up against surfers from America, Australia, Japan, Europe, Brazil and Indonesia to determine the ultimate world champion.

For the first time ever a Girls division was introduced to the event with Tasha Mentasti (Dbn North) carving her way into the history books by claiming victory. Experience showed when ASP Africa Champion Tamarys De Maroussem (Westbrook) outshone 20 year old Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) who finished third. 15 year old Tarryn Chudleigh (CT) once again demonstrated that she is becoming an even greater threat to the older surfers by taking fourth.

“I am really stoked to have won the first Girls VQS Championship Final; it was such a fun contest and for me it was a really great start for the 2005 competitive season,” said Mentasti.

A total prize purse of R11 000 was split between the Pro-Am, Junior, Grom and Girls divisions. Today’s showdown was between the best surfers from the Elephantfish, Baboonfish and Rhinofish VQS regional events held in 2004 at Port Alfred, Cape Town and Durban respectively.

Aside from the serious battles waged in the surf, Volcom’s fun theme “Creepy Carnival” provided entertainment all day. There was mayhem on the beach with surfers dressed in clown suits throwing eggs at each other. A large inflatable dinosaur was ‘surfed on’; wheelbarrow races, a treasure hunt and jousting contests were held. Booths were set up with generous cash and Volcom product prizes up for grabs. The ‘dunk bin’ proved to be extremely popular with surfers lining up to have their chance to see Volcom’s Simon Nicholson (Dbn) showered with buckets of ice and water. Free popcorn, candy floss and good times were enjoyed by all while popular local band Sibling Rivalry played live on the beach.

Red Bull provided an energy centre and Taco Zulu supplied a delicious meal for all contestants.

The VQS Tour is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA).

Additional information about the VQS can be obtained by emailing vqs@volcom.co.za or calling 031 313 2695 alternatively the fax number is 031 313 2698.

VQS Championship Final Results:

Pro-Am:
Shane Thorne (Bluff)
Stanley Badger (St Francis)
Shane Warren (Bluff)
Matt Kruger (Queensburgh)

Juniors:
Jordan Smith (Umbilo)
Brett Shearer (CT)
Josch Schmeltzer (Westville)
Brandon Jackson (Dbn North)

Grom:
Dale Staples (Cape St Francis)
Dane Monks (Umhlanga)
Kyle Whitaker (St Mikes)
Haydn Mac Nicol (Bazley Beach)

Girls:
Tasha Mentasti (Dbn North)
Tamarys De Maroussem (Westbrook)
Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand)
Tarryn Chudleigh (Cape Town)

ZigZag Blowing Up Award: Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh) R1 000

DATES OF VOLCOMSTONE'S TOTALLY CRUSTACEOUS TOUR 2004/2005:

VQS Championship Final - Durban March 13, 2005, R11 000 prize money
Winner of Pro-Am division wins an air ticket to the finals in California
Winner of Junior and Grom divisions invited to compete in the VQS World Championship Final
Girls win cash and product prizes
VQS World Championship Final – at Newport Beach in May 2005

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

Volcomstones South Africa
Simon Nicholson (Marketing Manager
simon@volcom.co.za

Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com

VQS Contests - Surfersvillage

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