Surf groms do North Coast proud

Four local surfers claimed podium finishes at the Billabong Junior Surfing Series in Mossel Bay last weekend.
Some big surf tested the youngsters on the final day of the competition but did not stop them from shredding up some waves.
Bevan Willis from Umdloti impressed the judges on the biggest waves of his heat to win comfortably. He ended up finishing in fourth place overall in the U16 boys division.
Salt Rock local Sophie Bell shone in the U14 girls division. The waves were not as big when the girls paddled out, but there were still some good sets pouring through. Bell won the U14 division, while another North Coast resident, Gabrielle Lailvaux came in second place and Mossel Bay surfer Nina Harmse came third. A stand out performer was Lailvaux, who went up against the girls in the U14 category even though she is only 12-years-old.
Sixteen-year-old Jade Mets from Salt Rock won all her heats in the U20 ASP Pro Junior Women division, ultimately finishing fourth and taking the award for best manoeuvre of the day.
In the U18 boys division, Ballito resident Richard Kidd came in third place behind Benji Brand in second place and Jeffrey’s Bay surfer Matt McGillivray, who won the division.
Last but not least, Salt Rock surfer Shane Sykes competed in the U20 ASP Pro Junior Men division. He managed to secure third place on the podium behind Diran Zakarian and winner Dylan Lightfoot.
The next stop of the Billabong Junior Series is in Cape Town from August 8 to 10. Surfers will take on the cold Atlantic waters at Long Beach.