KwaZulu Natal Longboard Surfing Association New Pier, Durban, S Afr. 17 - 22 April 2006
FAMILIES FIGHT IT OUT FOR LONGBOARD GLORY IN CHALLENGING SURF.
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 April, 2006 : - - In what must have seemed like a cruel joke by the organisers of the 2006 Jeep/Suncoast Longboard Championships, the Legend’s division (55 – 60 year olds) and Super Legend’s division (60 years or older) were made to paddle out in some of the biggest, most challenging and, at times, dangerous surf of the entire event so far.
In solid 1-2 meter surf at The Bluff’s Cave Rock, the longboarding clan elders threw themselves into heaving waves in the quest for a South African title. Mike Patterson (KZN) Maurice Lazarus (WP) and Jimmy Bell (WP) made their presence felt in the difficult conditions with wins in their respective heats. Also in the Legends division, Charlie Moir won his heat and set an example that his son, Matthew, would later follow in the heat 1 of the Men’s Open division.
The old cliché about the apple not falling far from the tree has certainly been corroborated during this years Jeep/Suncoast SA Longboarding Championships because in and amongst the melee of competition, a few families have consistently made it clear that they want their names to be permanently engraved on more than one South African longboarding trophy. Competing with the Moir’s are the Ribbink’s who also had a very successful day in the water.
Jason Ribbink and brother Brandon, placed in the top two positions of their seesaw heat that saw Brandon holding the number one position until the dying seconds when Jason took off on a shallow wave that allowed him to jump from 3rd position into the top spot. The result means that both Ribbinks will be competing in the semi finals to be held on Saturday morning. Their father, Alan, also made it through to the semi finals of the Legends division. While the Ribbinks may have a numerical advantage over the Moir’s, it is unsure whether Alan will be able to compete in his Legend’s semi final due to a knee injury he sustained while surfing his heat.
The Hill’s from St. Francis Bay had an equally successful day with Johno Hill advancing into the Junior semi final, while his sister Michelle occupies the same position in the Women’s division. Their father, Dave, is also in the Super Veteran’s semi final. Western Province’s brother and sister combo of Hannah (U18 Girl’s) and Justin Bing (Juniors), are also still in the event and are both one heat away from the finals.
KwaZulu Natal’s Mike Larmont, Colin Whitmore and KZN team captain Mark Brodowicz won all three Veteran heats and dominated the division today. Making full use of their homeground advantage, KwaZulu Natal are looking good to replace Western Province as South African Longboarding’s superpower.
In the Junior Division, Jordy Smith continued his efforts to add a longboarding national title to his already impressive list of accomplishments as did Justin Bing who advances into the semi finals.
Although there was plenty of great rides today, the combination of large waves and shallow reef meant that there were always going to be plenty of wipe-outs. John Mundy was one competitor who felt the full fury of the ocean when he tried to paddle into an overhead set that violently unloaded itself on Cave Rock’s reef. The result was a prolonged free-fall and an emphatically snapped board that received thunderous cheers from everyone on the beach. John was later quoted as saying, “I was sure I had that one!”.
Tomorrows action will once again take place on the bluff where the semi finals of all divisions, barring the Open Men’s and the Junior division, will be run.
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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