WQS 6 Star Mens Event
Cave Rock/New Pier Durban South Africa
16 - 22 April 2007

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Surf City Durban Backs Quiksilver Pro Africa

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 April, 2007 : - -  The city of Durban and Durban Africa have shown their support of the continent’s first 6 star prime ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, the Quiksilver Pro Africa presented by Virgin Mobile, and hope that the event will boost international tourism in “surf city”.

The prestigious event takes place from April 15 to 22 at New Pier on the Durban Beachfront and has attracted over 200 international and local surfers who will be vying for the biggest share of the US$125, 000 prize purse.

“Hosting the Quiksilver Pro Africa is good for Durban; it’s really about affirming Durban as surf city as well as spoiling visitors and locals with a diverse range of activities. Quiksilver is a well known brand and it’s good to have them as part and parcel of everything that Durban has to offer.

Events like this increase the number of tourist arrivals which is great for Durban because we will have more people here staying for longer and spending more,” commented Lindiwe Mahlangu the CEO of Durban Africa.

Brandon Jackson : photo Ponzone Redman

“We are thrilled to have the backing from city officials and Durban Africa it really shows their commitment to growing the city’s international events calendar and supporting the local economy. The Quiksilver Pro Africa presented by Virgin Mobile is set to take the surfing world by storm – it carries the most WQS points than any other WQS event ever held on the African continent.

We are expecting surfers and surfing fans to fly into Durban not only from the rest of the country but international visitors as well,” commented Dane Patterson, Quiksilver Marketing Manager SA.

The timing of the Quiksilver Pro Africa has been perfect for local businesses on the beachfront who suffered greatly from the recent tidal flooding which destroyed shops and infrastructure in the area resulting in revenue loss. The “golden mile” is set to sparkle in time for the arrival of the scores of international surfers from Europe, Brazil, America, Hawaii, Australia and Japan.

“It’s such a blessing that Quiksilver preplanned a massive event for Durban like this which will attract tourists and the world’s best surfers to New Pier. The beachfront was dead quiet for over two weeks as some news reports and media made it out to be a no go zone.

Pier jump : photo Barry Tuck

We are looking forward to the vibe and crowds returning to the Durban beaches to help us all recover our losses from a lack of trade and huge damage to our shops,” commented Richard Sills co-owner of the popular Taco Zulu restaurant at New Pier.

The Quiksilver Pro Africa presented by Virgin Mobile presents WQS campaigners with a golden opportunity to notch up points in their bid to make the WQS top 16 to cut to get onto the elite ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) with likes of Kelly Slater (Florida) and Travis Logie (Durban) amongst others.

Professional surfing at its best is guaranteed with wildcard entrants like American wonder kid Dane Reynolds, Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Joan Duru (France) and Keegan Nel (East London) poised to turn heads. SA WCT surfers Travis Logie (Durban), Ricky Basnett (Bluff), Greg Emslie (East London) and Royden Bryson (East London) will also be out to impress in home waters with the backing of the local crowd.

New Pier locals such as Jordy Smith (Umbilo), 2007 Quiksilver Goodwave winner Antonio Bortoletto (Durban) and former New Pier Quiksilver Goodwave winners Warwick Wright (Durban) and Simon Nicholson (Berea) are amongst the favourites tipped to excel.