Mr. Price Pro

ASP 6 Star WQS Men's Event #19
ASP 5 Star WQS Womens Event #7
3A Surfing South Africa Pro Junior
North Beach Durban South Africa
29 June - 26 July 2008

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Juniors to kick-start Mr Price Pro

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 June, 2008 : - - Durban -- Light land breezes and punchy one-metre waves will herald the start of the 2008 Mr Price Pro Junior, as 80 of South Africa’s top surfers aged 20-years-and-under, take to the surf during the sixth annual 3A rated Surfing South Africa event.

Eight surfers from the KwaZulu-Natal development and transformation program, including Bo Shabalala, James Maddocks, Fika Ngubane, Trevor Sicelo (all of Durban) as well as Mbongeni Hlengwa, Senzo Ngcobo, Talente Mkhize and Bright Ntuli (all of South KwaZulu-Natal) will open the prestigious ten day competition as the compete in the Glodina Pro Junior Trials.

The overall winner will earn a place directly into Round 2 of the Mr Price Pro Junior while the remaining seven surfers will compete in Round 1. Defending Mr Price Pro Junior Champion Klee Strachan, 19, (Winkelspruit) is a hot favourite to take out the 2008 edition after phenomenal success on the Pro Junior Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour where he currently leads the ratings.

Strachan is seeded straight into round two and will take on the winner of the Glodina Pro Junior trials. “I’m amped to be surfing against one of the trialists,” Strachan said, “It’s a great opportunity for that surfer to show his skills at the Mr Price Pro; it’s such a big event, with so many international guys and it will definitely push us both to surf better.”

With four years of international experience on the National Junior team, Strachan said he was feeling relaxed and confident about competing in tomorrow’s competition. “I’ve been really focussed and trying my best this year,” Strachan continued, “my consistency has definitely paid off and a big result here will help me to maintain my goal of finishing in the top three at the end of the year.”

Other top rated surfers joining Strachan in the seeded round include No. 2 on the U20 boys PST ratings Chad Du Toit (Berea), No. 4 Shawn Dennis (Durban) and No. 6 Kyle Beach (Queensburgh). The girls division sees a talented field including all five of the top rated surfers on the U20 girls PST ratings.

Current PST ratings leader Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) and defending event champion Nikita Robb (East London) will be tough to beat but can expect stiff competition from the likes of Bianca Buitenbag (George), Sarah Baum (Warner Beach), Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) and Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand).

Fifty four boys and 28 girls will compete for top honours, as well as a wildcard into the 6-Star Men’s ASP World Qualifying Series Mr Price Pro. Mr Price has also generously increased the winner’s cheque from R2500 to an impressive R4000 in both divisions, which should inspire massive performances from South Africa’s surfing future.

The finals will take place from 15h00 on Saturday 28, with the prize giving scheduled for 16h30.

www.mrpricepro.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Durban's Mr Price Pro preps for action, celebrates year 40
# 2 : Mr. Price Pro welcoming Shaun Tomson back to Durban..
# 3 : Juniors to kick off South Africa's 6-Star WQS Mr Price Pro

# 4 : David Weare favoured South African for the Mr. Price Pro 
# 5 : ASP 6 star Mr. Price Pro WQS event goes live at New Pier 
# 6 : Women to compete on international stage at Mr Price Pro 

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