Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
Presented by Weekend Witness

Men's 1 Star WQS Event #14
Grade 1 ASP Junior Men's Event
SSA Women’s 2A Pro division
North Beach Durban South Africa
15 - 18 May 2008

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Casey Grant takes international pro junior victory on 2nd day of Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 May, 2008 : - - Casey Grant (Scottburgh) emerged victorious in the Grade 1 ASP International Pro Junior division of the Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro, presented by the Weekend Witness. Grant overcame a strong challenge from Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) as he snatched victory and the $2000 first prize in a very competitive final.

The event, now in its sixth year, is being held at Durban’s North Beach from 15 – 18 May, and offers a total of R121 500 ($15 000) prize money. As well as the pro junior division, the contest also includes a 1 Star ASP WQS Men’s division and a Surfing South Africa (SSA) Pro Surf Tour (PST) 2A rated Women’s division. The junior prize giving was held on Friday 16 May, with the men’s and ladies finals and prize giving still to be held on Sunday 18 May.

The quarter finals of the Grade 1 ASP International Pro Junior division did not produce any surprising results, with big names like Casey Grant, Klee Strachan, Rudy Palmboom (Bluff), and Nic Godfrey (Cape St Francis) all advancing to the semi-finals.

In the first semi final, Casey Grant posted an 8.25 point ride, the highest junior wave score of the day, as well as the highest junior heat total of the day, with a combined score of 15.75 points out of a possible 20 in securing his win over Klee Strachan, Michael February (Cape Town) and Matthew Bromley (Cape Town).

The second semi final was dominated by Kyle Lane (Umhlanga Rocks) and Nic Godfrey, who progressed at the expense of Rudy Palmboom and Chad du Toit (Durban), setting up an almost ideal final showdown.

Casey Grant started well in the Grade 1 ASP International Pro Junior final, overcoming a strong challenge from ASP Africa junior men’s ratings leader Klee Strachan. Kyle Lane was unable to prevail over an interference call and finished in 3rd place, with Nic Godfrey taking 4th. Grant was “really stoked with his first contest victory”.

Although tired after having surfed many heats in the men’s and junior division, Grant was “super amped for tomorrow (Saturday)” where he looks to maintain his momentum in the men’s open division.

The 1 Star ASP WQS Men’s Division got underway with the round of 64. Shane Thorne (Durban) dominated the first heat of day, continuing in the good form that saw him capture the Quiksilver Goodwave title a few weeks back. Many junior competitors took advantage of the opportunity to surf against some of South Africa’s top WQS surfers should they reach the round of 32, and dominated in the round of 64.

Lee Strachan : photo Cestari/ASP Covered Images

Youngsters such as Casey Grant, Lizzard rider Jacob Mellish (Somerset West), and current ASP Pro Junior Men’s ratings leader Klee Strachan will all be featuring in the opening heats in the round of 40, which will be completed on Saturday morning

ASP Africa’s Colin Fitch, Contest Director, was pleased ”with the very contestable surf”, which was “reflected in the high scores that came in today”. Fitch also commented on “the great mixture of youth and experience” in the mens open division, where some of the seasoned campaigners “still have the competitive edge and are really pushing the youngsters”.

Mike Frew, Lizzard’s Marketing Manager, was also thrilled at the near perfect surf that the competitiors and spectators alike were able to enjoy today. “We were blessed with really sick waves, and this allowed for some high performance surfing, North Beach really turned on today”, said Frew. He was also “stoked for Casey Grant winning the juniors, ill bet the Scottburgh locals are going to have a big party tonight!”

As part of the events over the weekend, there is a Lizzard Towel Swap happening on Saturday and Sunday at North Beach. Beachgoers can exchange their old beach towels for a new Lizzard or Lizzy one, and all the old towels get donated to the Star Seaside Children’s Home.

The third day of the Lizzard Nando’s Pro (Saturday 17 May) sees the completion of the 1Star ASP WQS Men’s Division round of 40 and round of 32. The SSA PST 2A rated women’s division also gets underway with its round of 24. To capitalize on the good early morning conditions, heats start at 7.00am.

Keep your eyes on the Lizzard website lizzardsurf.net which has a Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro section. For those unable to make it down to the contest, this page offers daily pictures and updates, as well as regularly updated schedule, heat draws, heat results and future press releases. The ASP Africa website aspafrica.com, will also carry the daily and current press releases from the event.

The supporting sponsors for the event are Bavaria, Nestle Pure Life Water, and Bokomo. The event is organised by Nerve Events.

Previous reports:
# 1 : North Beach Durban set to host Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
# 2 : Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro Durban announces its wildcards
# 3 : South Africa's top WQS surfers to hit Lizzard Nando's Pro

# 4 : Lizzard surfer Gavin Roberts set for Lizzard Nando's Pro  
# 5 : Lizzard Nando's Pro Day 1 sees Matt Bromley score a 10  

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