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’ Delivers Good Swell in Time for Sunday’s Finals

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 March, 2006 : - - The waves at Warner Beach increased in size gradually over the course of the day resulting in 1.5-metre (4 to 5 ft) surf ahead of Sunday’s Baggies Surf Pro finals. The 3A rated event is the first pro surfing contest ever to be held in Amanzimtoti. Being the first stop on the 2006 ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour it has attracted almost 100 of the nation’s finest surfers who are hoping to establish an early lead in this year’s ratings. 

Justin Sanders (St Francis) shone brightly in the round of 48 surfers matching the highest single wave score, 9 out of ten points, achieved by Shane Warren (Bluff) in the previous round. Sander’s performance was short-lived when he was eliminated in the next round by an on form Lyle Bottcher and Warner Beach sensation Frankie Oberholzer.  

The reigning ASP Africa Champion Shane Thorne (Bluff) made his intentions clear for the 2006 ASP Africa PST when he achieved the highest heat tally of the event so far – 16.83 out of a possible 20 points. In the same heat local supporters were disappointed to see Warner Beach favourite and event wildcard Mike “Rose” Roscoe eliminated by Dane Patterson (Durban) who placed second behind Thorne. Shaun Payne from St Francis fell by the wayside in fourth place. 

The first round of the pro women’s division saw strong performances from out of town surfer Tammy Robarts (Somerset West), local favourite Nicole Annells (Warner Beach) and Lynne Mackey (Westville). The beach was packed with spectators which included World Championship Tour (WCT) surfer Travis Logie (Durban) who came down to support the event and his peers. 

“I have got ten men’s events, fourteen pro junior men’s events, nine women’s events and nine pro junior women’s events taking place this year. There is a total of R1.5 million on offer in professional surfing this year in South Africa. I think the Baggies Surf Pro has been a fitting start to the year, the waves have been really contestable and it’s great to see our World Qualifying Series surfers participating in this event,” said Colin Fitch ASP Africa Operations Manager. 

The men’s quarterfinals take to the water on Sunday morning at 09h00 with the women’s quarterfinals and semi-finals commencing at 10h40; these heats will be followed by the men’s semi-final clash. The Seabreeze Home and Builders Expression Session which boasts a R2000 prize purse takes place prior to the women’s final at 14h30 with the men’s final at 15h00. The Baggies Surf Pro carries a R30 000 prize purse and the prize giving will be held on the event tower at 15h45.

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.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Amanzimtoti proudly hosts Baggies Surf Pro PST event
# 2 : Shark sighting interrupts Baggies Surf Pro in Sth Africa
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

More African Surfing News available here
Check the latest Africa Surf Reports and Forcasts
Subscribe to Surfervillage News-Alerts 

Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com

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

PST Contests - Surfersvillage