Dylan McCleod  : photo Kelvin Thomas

Jeep/Suncoast S.A. Longboard Surfing Championships

KwaZulu Natal Longboard Surfing Association
New Pier, Durban, S Afr.
17 - 22 April 2006

DARK HORSE MCCLEOD LIFTS SA LONGBAORD TROPHY. KZN WIN TEAM EVENT

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 April, 2006 : - - Dylan McCleod became the biggest name in South African longboarding today after he beat an accomplished field to take the 2006 Jeep/ Suncoast SA Longboard Surfing Championship title at Durban’s New Pier. McCleod, who seemed to be completely in tune with an angry ocean, managed to find some long waves which allowed him to link together some critical manoeuvres and a number of high-risk floaters. 

McCleod finished ahead of Durban’s Jason Ribbink and previous SA Champion Matthew Moir from Cape Town. Eastern Province’s Greg Smith finished fourth after he had already used a lot of energy earlier in the day competing in the Senior Men’s division final, where he placed third.

Today the conditions were every competitor’s most feared rival as the howling onshore winds whipped the ocean into a frenzy of rolling white horses and churning 1.5 metre close-outs. In fact, conditions were so difficult to negotiate, a jet ski had to be employed to ferry competitors back to the backline after every single ride.

Durban’s Jordy Smith, however, revelled in the conditions and added the Junior SA Longboard title to his already large trophy cabinet. 
Smith already has multiple SA short board surfing titles and a World Junior surfing title to his name and showed today that he is a jack of all trades and master of them all. Performing a series of vertical turns and extended floaters on route to his win, Jordy comfortably took the Junior final ahead of Justin Bing (WP), Mark Smith (WP) and Jono Hill (EP).                                                                 

Cape Town’s Tara Hossack took the Women’s Division final ahead of Roxy Towill (WP), Simone Robb (WP) and Lisa Smith (KZN). Jessica Lefevre (KZN) battled bravely against the elements to take the U18 Girls title. Vinita Oosthuizen (WP) placed second ahead of Hannah Bing (WP) and Durban’s Nicole O’Driscoll.

KZN won the team event ahead of Western Province and Eastern Province respectively. The Puma Western Province team have only lost the South African team trophy once in the past 12 years of competition and have retained the title for the past six years on the trot. KZN’s win is a fitting end to an historic event that has seen an outstanding standard of longboarding being exhibited throughout the six days of competition.

Special thanks to Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World and Jeep Clothing and Accessories for their support of this years event.

Full results:

Mens Open
1. Dylan McCleod (EP)
2. Jason Ribbink (KZN)
3. Matthew Moir (WP)
4. Greg Smith (EP)

Juniors
1. Jordy Smith (KZN)
2. Justin Bing (WP)
3. Mark Smith (WP)
4. Jono Hill (EP)

Women
1. Tara Hossack (WP)
2. Roxy Towill (WP)
3. Simone Robb (WP)
4. Lisa Smith (KZN)

Boys
1. Saul Bernstein (EP)
2. Scott Lefevre (KZN)
3. Ryan Klynsmith (IND)
4. Papi Makanyone (WP)

U18 Girls
1. Jessica Lefevre (KZN)
2. Vinita Oosthuizen (WP)
3. Hannah Bing (WP)
4. Nicole O’Driscoll (KZN)

GrandMasters
1. Dave Stubbs (WP)
2. Gary Jeeves (KZN)
3. Craig Daniel (KZN)
4. Brendan Callaghan (KZN)

Masters
1. Alan Robb (WP)
2. Craig Potgieter (EP)
3. Mark Theunissen (WP)
4. Jean Pugen (KZN)

Senior Men
1. Grant Gilmour (KZN)
2. Gary Van Rooyen (WP)
3. Greg Smith (EP)
4. Gary Kleynhans (WP)

Vets
1. Colin Whitmore (KZN)
2. Marc Brodowicz (KZN)
3. Mike Larmont (KZN)
4. Richard Brummer (WP)

Senior Woman
1. Lisa Smith (KZN)
2. Bernie Sheely (WP)
3. Therese Russell (WP)
4. Cherelee Bilson (KZN)

Super Legends
1. Jimmy Bell (WP)
2. John Grendon (WP)
3. Gustov Preller (KZN)
4. Ticky Ross (KZN)

Super Veterans
1. Hugh Thompson. (KZN)
2. Donald Paarman. (EP)
3. Dave Hill. (EP)
4. Dave Lee. (KZN)

Legends.
1. Andy Austen. (KZN)
2. John McLeod. (EP)
3. Mike Patterson. (KZN)
4. Charlie Moir. (WP)

Surfer of the contest: Dylan McCleod.
Matthew Hough Memorial Trophy – Top Junior Surfer: Justin Bing.

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.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Grim weather, great waves, perfect scores & Big Shark
# 2 : Jordy Smith wows longboarders at Longboard Champs
# 3 : SA families fight it out for longboard glory in tough surf
# 4 : SA Longboard Surf Champs poised for climactic finish  

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