Weare West & Wok advance at Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro

ASP 1 Star Mens Event
ASP Pro Jr Grade 1 Event
SSA PST 2A rated Womens Event
New Pier, Durban South Africa
6 - 9 April 2007

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 April, 2007 : - - New Pier, Durban (Sunday, 8 April 2007) – Competitors in the Men’s Round of 32 were at the mercy of the three ‘W’s’, David Weare, Granville West and Warwick Wright, who lit up the clean 1 – 1.5 meter waves on offer at the one star World Qualifying Series Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro, at Durban’s New Pier on Sunday.

Leading the wave of ‘W’ supremacy was former ASP World Tour campaigner and top seed David Weare (Morningside), who’s smooth style and electric maneuvers punctuated the day’s performances, with two excellent scoring rides, an 8.83 and 8.17 out of possible ten.

A former two time Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro Champion, Weare has just recovered from a plaguing knee injury and impressed all, bringing a touch of international class to the R100 000 event. “The waves were really fun and it was nice to have a good heat again, it’s been a while,” admitted Weare who is back on the WQS having failed to requalifying for the premier ASP World Tour at the end of 2006.

“I just want to keep my momentum going, I had a lot of fun and as long as I’m having fun I’m surfing well, I aim to up the ante each time.” Weare posted a heat total of 17.00 points to defeat local Pro Surf Tour campaigner Manfred Adrio (Morningside), junior surfer Josh Redman (Umdloti) and Keegan Nel (East London), advancing into the quarterfinals along with Adrio.

Despite a desperately slow start to his round of 32 heat, Pro Men’s wildcard Granville West (PE) followed suit, with a devastating performance which included lightening fast, fins free turns and risky floaters that earned him 8.67 and 8.00 scores as well as a definitive victory over Ryan Payne (St Francis), Australian surfer Corey Zeims and Brett Shearer (Cape Town).

“I was having such a meltdown at the start of the heat. I blew one wave which I knew was a good one and then I just thought bugger it, I’m going to have fun and luckily the heat turned around for me,” explained a breathless West.

“There were actually a lot of waves out there, you just had to be patient and wait for them. I’ve been training hard, the waves have been so good at home so I’ve been surfing every day, going to gym and spending a lot of time in the pool. I really feel ready for this event.”

Defending Pro Men’s Champion Warwick Wright got off to a positive start, his powerful backhand attack awarded with an excellent 8.67 (out of ten points) off his first ride, offering him an early lead, which was soon challenged by fellow 2006 Lizzard Nandos Pro finalist Frankie Oberholzer (South Coast).

Scoring a six point ride in the final minute, Wok secured the victory and a spot in the quarterfinals ahead of Oberholzer who also advanced.

The Women’s quarterfinals were dominated by Saturday’s top scorers Heather Clark (Port Shepstone) and Nikita Robb (East London) whose similar backhand stance, proved to be to their advantage on the open faced waves, both surfers advancing in first place ahead ASP Africa champion Sarah Maritz (Warner Beach) and Tammy Robarts (Strand) who advanced in second places respectively.

Defending event champion Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) earned her second victory of the event, advancing into the semi finals ahead of Tasha Mentasti (Durban North), who eliminated world number 20 on the WQS Tammy Lee Smith (Balitto), by scoring a solid 7.33 (out of ten) in the last minute of their quarterfinal match up.

Others to advance were junior surfers Kirsty Delport (Durban) and Sarah Baum (Warner Beach).

Advancing into the semi finals of the Pro Junior Men’s division late on Sunday afternoon where Josh Redman (Umdloti), Brandon Roberts (Cape Town), Brandon Jackson (Durban North), Clinton Gravett (East London), Brett Shearer (Cape Town), Jordy Smith (Umbilo) and Rudy Palmboom (Bluff).

Monday is the final day of the Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro which gets underway at 8am. The finals take place at 12h30 and prize giving will be held at 14h15.

The Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro is the first of three WQS events on the ASP Africa calendar which will count towards crowning the ASP Africa champion at the end of the year.

The event is co sponsored by Nestle Pure Life Water, Bokomo, Bavaria, Durban Africa and Clayton Surfboards.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro sets up for Durban's New Pier
# 2 : Cory Ziems confirms entry for Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
# 3 : Lizzard presenting biggest Pro Jr men’s event in Africa
# 4 : Top seeded pros gearing up for Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro

# 5 : Twelve amphibious facts about the Lizzard Nandos Pro
# 6 : Grey steals day one thunder at Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
# 7 : Pro juniors kicking off day 2 of Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
# 8 : Du Toit & Clark top scorers at Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro