2A Rated Hutchinson Handcrasted Pro

Pro Surfing Tour/Surfing South Africa
Balito, KZN North Coast South Africa
15 - 17 December 2006

2A Rated Hutchinson Handcrasted Pro Ready For Action

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 November, 2006 : - - The 2006 Pro Surf Tour is set for a Grand Finale when it moves to  Ballito for the Hutchison Handcrafted Pro. With invaluable ratings  points up for grabs and a prize purse of R20 000, this years event  promises to be as spectacular as the stretch of coastline upon which  it takes place.

Current Pro Surf Tour leader and event favourite, Warwick Wright  (DBN), will be among the top talent that will exhibit their ability  at Surfer’s Point, Ballito’s premier surf break. But his best efforts  will be necessary to overcome a stacked field of South Africa’s best  surfers.

Fresh from a recent stint on the North Shore of Hawaii, teen  phenomenon, Jordy Smith, has been entered into both the Men’s Open  division as well as the Junior Division. Smith, who is currently  lying in fourth place on the PST ratings sheet, will be looking for a  solid result in his quest for his first South African Pro Surf Tour  title and is very capable of taking down the biggest names in the sport.

But his charge will be fiercely challenged by reigning Hutchison Pro  Champion and newly qualified World Championship Tour campaigner,  Ricky Basnett. Hailing from the Bluff in Durban, Basnett has had a  phenomenal year on both the local PST as well as the World Qualifying  Series tour, and will be hoping to back up his sensational win at  this years Mr. Price Pro with a solid result at this, the last event  of 2006.

Other big names who will be making their presence felt at the event  will be Frankie Oberholzer from Warner Beach, and Hutchison  Handcrafted team rider Matthew Kruger (DBN).

The Women’s division will be equally as competitive and will feature  the talents of South Africa’s top female surfers as they vie for the  coveted trophy. PST stalwart, Tamarys de Maroussem (DBN) will be a  hot favourite thanks to her powerful surfing and her intimate  knowledge of the local conditions.

Other big names expected to take  part in the event are local favourite Tammy Lee Smith (Salt Rock),  Stacey Guy (CT), Nikita Robb (EL), Heidi Palmboom (Bluff), Sarah  Maritz (Warner Beach) and current PST leader and World Qualifying  Series competitor, Rosanne Hodge from East London.

The Junior Division will see the next generation of South African  surf stars take to the water. According to Johno Hutchison, the owner  of Hutchison Handcrafted Surfboards, “We have some outstanding local  talent in Ballito, with a lot of local entrants. Young surfers in the  area are encouraged to surf harder and are often blown away by what  can be done at their local surf break.”

Leading the charge in this division will be none other than current  Junior ratings leader Jordy Smith. But his performance levels will be  lifted by the threat posed by the other top seeds, which include:  Brandon Jackson (DBN), Keegan Nel (EL) and Ryan Klynsmith  (Winkelspruit). This year, the Hutchison Handcrafted Pro will also feature a “Retro  Expression Session” which will focus on radical surfing on the  equipment of yesteryear.

Riding on boards that mimic the surfboard  designs of  the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, competitors in this speciality  event will have the chance to wow the crowds with retro styled  manoeuvres as well as supplying some insight into where surfboard  design has come from and where it will be going in the future.  Regardless, this event will be tons of fun for both competitors and  spectators alike.

The Hutchison Handcrafted Pro is the final stop of the 2006  Professional Surf Tour (PST) and is a Surfing South Africa (SSA)  sanctioned event. The Hutchison Handcrafted Pro is proudly supported by: Bedboys  Ballito, Furnishings by Conrad, Friendly Supermarket, Sailors Bottle  Store, Dream Nails, U Investing in Health, Secret Spot. The revamped SubZero nightclub is the official party host for the event.

Cane Cutters resort have agreed to a special offer available for all  competitors and spectators for the period of the event. Should you  require accommodation please contact Cane Cutters Resort, Sheffield  Beach, on (032) 947 0851

Surfers that may require transportation to and  from Durban  International Airport as well as other areas in Durban are advised to  contact Aqua Tours and Transfers on 031 208 6494 or e-mail:  info@aquatours.co.za 

All event related queries should be directed to Bernice Hutchison at  Hutchison Handcrafted Surfboards. Please direct all media enquiries to Brendon Thomas on the contact  details provided. Distributed on Behalf of Hutchison  Handcrafted Surfboards.Bernice Hutchison Tel: (083) 4096286

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

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Brendon Thomas

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