Frankie Obherholzer fires up at Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro presented by the Weekend Witness
ASP 1 Star Mens & Womens WQS New Pier, Durban 14- 17 April 2006
Frankie Fires Up at Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 April, 2006 : - - South Coast power surfer Frankie Obherholzer (Warner Beach) sent temperatures soaring during the Mens round of 32 at the Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro on Easter Sunday, when he posted two excellent 8-point scores in tricky 1-meter easterly conditions.
Performances went from mild to extra hot as the Pro Surf Tour veteran entered the water, locking in an 8.83 followed by an 8.77 to assume the heat lead as well as the highest heat score of the entire contest, a17.60 out of a possible 20.00 while his competitors scrambled to catch up.
“My strategy was just to get out there and find the long walls that would allow me to generate speed and do open face turns,” explained Obherholzer. “There were lots of bumps to ride but I was lucky to get two good ones at the start which allowed me to relax into the heat and be picky.”
Dylan Stone (Bluff) posted the second highest wave score of the day, an 8.67 after a series of low scoring rides against International Junior star Jordy Smith (Umbilo) who took the heat win – both surfers advancing into the quarters.
Defending Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro Champion Daniel Redman (Umdloti) opened his account with an 8.33, making his intentions clear and earning the first slot in the Mens Quarter finals.
“You needed to find the longer rides that went all the way to beach for a good score,” explained the New Pier local. “I’ve surfed here a lot in these conditions and I know what the banks are doing at the moment so it made it easier for me to find the right waves out there.”
Warwick “Wok” Wright’s (Durban) 8.17 on his first wave sounded alarm bells – but this did not deter Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh) from making his mark with two identical seven plus scores that earned him the heat win over ‘wok’ who failed to find a back up ride.
Stanley Badger (St Francis) joined the eight point leagues, advancing ahead of Mathew Kruger, Dane Patterson (Morningside) and Antonio Bortoletto (Durban) with his 8.0 and 6.5.
Top seeds in the women’s division came to life in their quarterfinal rounds, all five advancing into the semi-finals tomorrow.
Fifth seed Tasha Mentasti showed tremendous form against her younger competitors. Choosing to sit wide rather than hustle with the younger girls, Mentasti connected two long rides for the highest combined two-wave total of the women’s division, a15.17 out of a possible 20.
Others to advance into the semi-finals were WQS campaigner Tammy Lee Smith (Salt Rock), fourth seed Penny Robarts (Strand), top seed Stacey Guy (Cape Town), second seed Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook), Michelle Hill (St Francis) Sacha Moller (Bluff) and third seed Sarah Maritz (Warner Beach).
Former Port Alfred resident Kyle Jacobs (Durban) caused a major upset when he won the toughest of the four pro junior quarterfinals, defeating International junior star Smith (Umbilo), Josch Redman (Umdloti) and Australian Junior series campaigner Josch Schmeltzer (Westville).
“I’ve come up against Jordy a number of times and never beaten him, so it feels good to do so”, gleamed Jacobs. “My strategy was to keep the other guys off the good waves because one good wave could put them in the lead.”
2005 South African Junior Champion Rory Beach’s (Durban) low centre of gravity and powerful backhand attack saw him secure a first place finish and a slot in tomorrow’s semi-finals ahead of number four seed Brandon Roberts (Cape Town).
Others to advance included top seed Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Chad du Toit (Durban), second seed Keegan Nel (East London) and Captain of the National Junior team Klee Strachan (Warner Beach).
The Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro culminates tomorrow with the finals of the Pro Junior Mens, Women’s and Pro Mens divisions starting at approximately 12h30.
The Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro is a One Star rated World Qualifying Series event for Men and includes a Grade One Pro Junior and 2A Rated Womens divisions. The event holds a R92 000-prize purse. The event co-sponsors are Bavaria, Nestle Pure Life Water and Durban Africa
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