KwaZulu Natal Longboard Surfing Association New Pier, Durban, S Afr. 17 - 22 April 2006
“BOARDSMITH” WOWS LONGBOARDERS.
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 April, 2006 : - - While the older competitors struggled in the board-snapping 2-3ft (1 metre) onshore conditions at Durban’s New Pier today, part-time longboarder and teenage surf phenomenon, Jordy Smith, made mince-meat of his competitors and the mushy surf that was on offer during his Junior repocharge heat.
Smith demonstrated his intimate knowledge of his home break when he picked up one of the best waves of a shortened day of competition and proceeded to perform a futuristic aerial-floater combination that is unheard of in most longboarding circles. The ride earned him the only perfect 10 point ride of the day's competition.
Jordy, who is already a Junior World Champion and is known for his aerial prowess on a short board, is tipped to be the brightest prospect for a future South African world surfing champion. While that goal may still lie a few years adrift, his antics in today’s heat earned him a first place finish and takes him one step closer to being crowned Junior S.A. Longboard Champion as well.
Diminutive Chad Du Toit (KZN) also showed that he had abilities outside of his budding surfing career when he won his repocharge match-up. Du Toit along with Smith will join the likes of reigning Junior S.A. Champion Kwesi Quika (WP) and KZN’s Klee Strachan in the knockout stage of the competition
Earlier in the day, Dave Stubbs (WP) won his Grandmasters heat against all odds despite his prized longboard being on the receiving end of a vindictive outside wave. In an attempt to paddle back out after catching a wave, Stubbs, who is a well-respected surfboard shaper, found himself right underneath the falling lip of a hollow wave. The extreme force of the breaking wave was enough to snap his board clean in half. Luckily, Dave’s teammates had his spare board close at hand and were quick to rush to his aid.
Dave’s board was one of many longboards and longboarders that fell prey to the unsettled ocean’s whim. However, there were some fortunate competitors that managed to sneak in some good rides amongst the chaos.
Dave Hill (EP) was one such man and he cruised to a heat victory in his Super Veterans (50-55 year olds) encounter. Western Province’s Barry Platt also managed to avoid being knocked out of the competition when he won his heat in the same division.
KZN made a clean sweep of the U18 Girls and U15 Boys heats today with Cora Jackson and Danielle Le Roux advancing to the semi finals, while in the Boy’s division, Grant Gilmour and Scott Lefevre emerged as victors and will proceed into the next round.
In deteriorating conditions veterans Richard Brummer (KZN), Keith Kelly (WP), W. Bagley and Scott Dawson, who are both competing independently from any provincial affiliation, advanced. Rob Ngyutin (KZN) and Mark Mattison (EP) will make up the last of the semi finalists in the Masters division.
Thursday will see the Legends (55 to 60-year-olds) and the Super Legends (60 years or older) take to the water for the first time in the 2006 Jeep/Suncoast S.A. Longboard Surfing Championships. Day 4 will also see the completion of the second round of competition in the Junior, Veterans and Senior Men age groups.
Please call the hotline (076 731 5644) for confirmation of Thursday’s venue.
The 2006 South African Longboard surfing championships are proudly sponsored by Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World and Jeep Clothing and Accessories. The supporting sponsors are Fosters, Aquellé, Hurricane, Island Tribe, Mad Buzz energy drink, Marshall Surfboards, Steffanuti and Bressan (scaffolding) and 3663.
For more information on the 2006 South African Longboard Championships sponsored by Jeep and Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, please visit the South African Longboard Surfing Association website: http://www.salsa.co.za.
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