Baggies Surf Pro

3A rated ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) Pro Men and Pro Women event
Warner Beach, KZN Upper South Coast – South Africa
March 17, 18 & 19, 2006  

‘Toti’ Hosts First Pro Surfing Event of 2006

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 March, 2006 : - - The bustling upper south coast town of Amanzimtoti is proud to be hosting the Baggies Surf Pro, the first ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) event on the 2006 calendar. Despite Warner Beach being home to some of the country’s finest surfers, it is the first time in the history of the sport that a major event is being staged in the area. The Baggies Surf Pro takes place from 17 to 19 March. 

“The Baggies Surf Pro is the product of the initiative taken by local surfers who include Dave Maritz, Sarah Johnston-Maritz and international surfing judge Mark Maritz. The aim of the event is not only to promote the sport on our coastline but it is primarily aimed at marketing the upper south coast (Umkomaas to Durban International Airport). For the past 15 months Amanzimtoti businessmen and the Amanzimtoti Publicity Association have been staging various events to promote the area. Durban City manager Dr Michael Sutcliffe attended school a stone throw away from Baggies Beach where the event is to be held and in a speech last year he advised local business to consider ocean sport and he placed emphasis on surfing as a tourist draw card,” commented event organiser Frank Horn. 

The 3A rated surfing contest carries a R30 000 prize purse and has already drawn nearly 80 entries catering for Pro Men and Pro Women. Surfers interested in competing must act fast and contact Colin Fitch on aspafrica@mweb.co.za or 082 699 4493; entries close at midnight on Tuesday, March 

“ASP Africa and the surfers are happy to see a new contest and a new venue on the ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour in 2006. There are more than 25 surfers from outside of KZN who will be making the trip to Amanzimtoti with the hope of securing some valuable rating points in the first of the men's and women's PST events on the national professional surfing tour,” commented Colin Fitch ASP PST Operations Manager. 

The nation’s top five pro men’s surfers have entered. 2005 ASP Africa champion Shane Thorne (Bluff) is the top seed ahead of Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh), local super star Frankie Oberholzer (Warner Beach), Matthew Kruger (Queensburgh) and Simon Nicholson (Berea). Oberholzer, Gary van Wieringen and Clinton Cross will be tough to beat as they have spent years surfing Warner Beach and know the break inside out. 

East London surfing sensation Rosanne Hodge (EL) is the top rated female entrant with Salt Rock surfer Tammy Lee Smith the second seed. All eyes will be on local favourite Sarah Johnston-Maritz who finished fourth on the 2005 ASP PST; the petite 23 year old is untouchable at her home break especially in larger surf conditions. Top ranked out of town surfers include Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) who will be travelling from the Western Cape, Michelle Hill (St Francis Bay) and East London’s Nikita Robb.  

Amanzimtoti is situated on the Strelitzia coast and boasts two world class beach breaks next door to each other at Warner Beach; depending on the wind and swell direction event organisers will utilise the best spot on each of the three days. For more information on Amanzimtoti please visit www.amanzimtoti.info and to find out more about the city of Durban, South Africa’s playground go to www.durbansouthafrica.co.za   

The Baggies Surf Pro was made possible by Durban Africa, Ferox Investments - the developers of the Blue Bay Winkelspruit shopping complex, South Coast Motors, Sandcastle Guesthouse and the eThekwini Municipality.

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Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com

Frank Horn
Baggies Surf Pro Event Organiser
frank@amanzimtoti.info

PST Contests - Surfersvillage