Guy & Redman crowned O'Neill Scottburgh Pro Champs

SSA Pro Mens and Womens event
Scottburgh Beach, KZN Coast South Africa
24 - 25 March 2007

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 March, 2007 : - - Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) and Josh Redman (Umdloti) took the women’s and men’s titles respectively at the inaugural O’Neill Scottburgh Pro held at Scottburgh Beach on the KZN mid-south coast at the weekend. The event carried a R15,000 prize purse and provided men and women’s division surfers with the first opportunity to open their points for the 2007 Surfing South Africa (SSA) Pro Surf Tour (PST).

“This first O’Neill Scottburgh Pro was an absolutely fantastic success. We were blessed with amazing surf conditions – the weather and waves really made it happen. O’Neill is proud to have showcased such phenomenal South African surfing talent and we are looking forward to growing the event in KZN, over the next couple of years.

This event is here to stay and we are already looking forward to growing the contest bigger and better every year,” commented O’Neill Brand Manager Chris Bertish. The powerful surf remained between 1 to 1.5-metres for most of the day with the easterly wind providing tricky, choppy conditions in time for the finals.

The men’s final was plagued by long lulls in between the sets of waves. Redman was quick out of the blocks scoring a 5.25-points ride. He extended his lead by catching a wide set wave which he annihilated with two really strong turns in the critical section of the wave to earn 8.5-points.

Former world tour surfer Paul Canning (Durban North) replied with a similar wave to score 8 out of a possible 10 points which saw him place second. Justin Sanders (Durban North), who was a standout throughout the event, landed a huge air in the final but it was not enough to progress past third place. Out of town surfer Quintin Jones (Kirstenhof) was less fortunate with his wave selection and placed fourth.

“I’m really happy to win the first SSA Pro Surf Tour event on the 2007 calendar, I am really glad that I have got off to a strong start this season,” commented Redman. In the women’s final three competitors from the Cape met the reigning Women’s Pro Surf Tour champion Sarah Maritz (Warner Beach).

Maritz opened up with first wave of the final but was soon overtaken by Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) who displayed excellent wave selection which enabled her to pack in a number of snaps and turns. The remainder of the final proved to be a tussle between Guy and Tara Hossack (Newlands) with the leads exchanging hands several times.

Tammy Robarts (Somerset West) executed an impressive ‘off the top’ turn into the bathing area but was unable to back it up with a second high scoring ride and finished fourth behind Maritz. Guy was crowned the inaugural O’Neill Scottburgh Pro women’s champion with Hossack taking a well deserved second place.

“I’m ecstatic about winning! The conditions out there were good but extremely tough. I’m so happy that O’Neill has brought an event like this to Scottburgh because I love the waves here,” said Guy.

In the Vans Off The Wall Expression Session 14 surfers made the most of the lumpy onshore surf boosting huge aerial manoeuvres. At the end of the day it was Antonio Bortoletto (Durban) who emerged head and shoulders above his rivals to win both the “Best Aerial” and the “Best High Risk Manoeuvre” titles. He pocketed a total prize purse of R1, 500 for his efforts.

“The conditions were very hectic out there and we are very grateful that the guys risked their bodies and boards to fight for the prestigious Vans Off The Wall Expression Session titles,” commented Vans spokesperson Mark Fessler. The moderate easterly wind provided the perfect platform for the Hi-Fly Kite crew who displayed giant, colourful kites.

Other activities which were open to the public included the Pam Golding property exhibition and a ‘learn to surf’ clinic by Point Surf Academy. Surfers Paradise, Pam Golding Properties – Savills International, Phat Boyz, Netcare 911, Speak Easy, Vans, USN Ultimate Sports Nutrition, Clayton / Vendetta surfboards and Wimpy are co-sponsors of the O’Neill Scottburgh Pro.

The event was sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the governing body for the sport in South Africa and is organized by Nerve Events with support from Umdoni Coast & Country Tourism.

O’Neill Scottburgh Pro Final Surfing Results

Women’s Final:
Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand)
Tara Hossack (Cape Town)
Sarah Maritz (Warner Beach)
Tammy Robarts (Somerset West)

Men’s Final:
Josh Redman (Umdloti)
Paul Canning (Durban North)
Justin Sanders (Durban North)
Quintin Jones (Kirstenhof)

Vans Expression Session:
Winner of “Best Aerial” and “Highest Risk Manoeuvre” Antonio Bortoletto (Durban)

Zigzag Blowing Up Award:
Byron Howarth (Berea)

Previous reports:
# 1 : O'Neill Scottburgh Pro gears up for the KZN South Coast
# 2 : Entries pour in for South Africa's O'Neill Scottburgh Pro
# 3 : Storm surf damage could hamper O'Neill Scottburgh Pro
# 4 : All systems go for South Africa's O’Neill Scottburgh Pro
# 5 : Scene set for thrilling O’Neill Scottburgh Pro showdown

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www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

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