Rusty Pro
presented by Mini

2A rated ASP Pro Junior
New Pier, Durban Beachfront
23 - 25 June 2006

2006 Rusty Pro Shines With Support From Mini

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 June, 2006 : - - The 2006 Rusty Pro is set to shine with the support from presenting sponsor MINI cars; the 2A rated ASP Africa event is scheduled to take place at New Pier on 23, 24 and 25 June. 

The event which is into its second year sees a few changes to the line up, the most important is the venue which has been moved from Cave Rock on the Bluff to New Pier on the Durban beachfront. The 2006 Rusty Pro presented by MINI does not only cater for Pro Men and Women but also Pro Juniors. R20, 000 will be split between the three hotly contested divisions.

 “We changed the venue because Cave Rock proved to be a very fickle wave so with this and a few other issues in mind we decided to move the Rusty Pro presented by MINI to one of the most contestable waves in the world at New Pier. Spectators will be able to enjoy a safe, user-friendly beach with easy access to all amenities as well as a great viewing area which includes the piers,” said Rusty Sales Manager Mike Varikas.

The contest tower will be based at Dairy Beach on the pump house to enable surfers to ride New Pier or Dairy depending on the surf conditions on the day. 

Frankie Oberholzer (Warner Beach) is the current number one Pro Men’s seed and he will be keeping a close eye on the current 2006 ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour rating’s leader Warwick Wright (Durban). Top seeds won’t make the mistake of underestimating locals like Rusty team surfer Mike Varikas (North Beach) who has grown up surfing the waves along the Golden Mile and has the break at New Pier wired.

Pro Women’s number one seed Rosanne Hodge (East London) and current point’s leader Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) will be the ones to watch when they come up against seasoned professionals like multiple ASP Africa champion Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook). Lynne Mackey (Westville) has risen from obscurity to being a force to be reckoned with, the Rusty surfer will be out to impress her sponsors with a strong performance.

Keegan Nel (East London) is the top seed and leads the Pro Junior men's race by a slender 175 points from Jordy Smith (Umbilo) who will be hungry for victory in the Rusty Pro presented by MINI. Smith and Ricky Basnett (Bluff) have the most wins in the Pro Junior division with five each. Rusty team riders Chris Leppan (Umhlanga), Scott Lefevre (Hillcrest) and Dane Monks (Umhlanga) will be going all out to topple the more established favourites in the Pro Junior and Men’s divisions.

An Expression Session will be held to encourage the top ten invited aerial specialists to boost the biggest and most radical airs possible in the 30-minute final. A panel of selectors will announce the invitees on the final day of the event. 

Entries have been pouring in with 66 Pro Men, 22 Pro Women and 46 Pro Juniors in the running for the titles in their respective divisions.The Rusty Pro presented by MINI will give locals a platform to excel on the domestic circuit as well as assisting them to get comfortable competing on the Durban Beachfront ahead of the international surfers’ arrival for the Mr Price Pro 6 star World Qualifying Series event. 

“The Rusty Pro presented by MINI will fall directly ahead of the Mr Price Pro providing our local surfers with a golden opportunity to get some contest surfing under their belts before taking on the world’s best the following week at the neighbouring beach. Our event could be a great move for SA surfing because it could easily affect the outcome of our local surfers’ results which has been a problem in the past,” said Varikas.

The Rusty Pro presented by MINI is the 13th event on the PST for 2006 and it is the 213th professional surfing event in South Africa since 1986. This is the 20th year of the ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour. In addition to the spectacular surfing action beachgoers can look forward to Rusty give-aways for the duration of the Rusty Surf Pro presented by MINI.

The opening function takes place on June 22 at the Durban Surf Lifesaving Club at 6.00pm where the heat draws will be announced and contestants will receive their entry packs. The function is open to any interested media, contestants and officials.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Mike Varikas
sales@rusty.co.za

Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com

Junior contests - Surfersvillage