Local talent trumps in surf series

Despite some tricky surfing conditions, Quiksilver hosted another successful event on the North Coast with the second leg of the Get Free Series.

Over 70 of South Africa’s top surfers converged at Bronze Beach in Umhlanga over the weekend to take part, but it was the local knowledge that reigned supreme.

Umhlanga’s Beyrick de Vries surfed his way to victory in the premier open men’s division, showing no ill-effects from recent travelling.

“It was so nice to win at my home break. I just got back from Los Angeles so have been a bit jet-lagged, but I am really stoked with the win,” said De Vries.

De Vries was a clear standout and lead the final right from the buzzer, making it almost impossible for the other competitors to catch up.

Good old power surfing, together with some aerial moves on the inside sections clinched the title and a cool R8000 for De Vries, ahead of Capetonian, Michael February who won the first leg of the series in Kommetjie in the Western Cape.

Dale Staples of Westbrook finished third.

The event was not without drama with day one being called off early due to the incontestable conditions.

With the tide coming in, the sand banks did not cooperate and the ocean went flat.

The last four heats of the open mens division were moved to day two, which produced near perfect competition conditions with a four to five foot groundswell and a long period.

In the U20 junior boys division it was pre-event favourite, Shane Sykes of Salt Rock who stole the show.

Sykes faced some tough competition, but that did not phase him, building up a decent score throughout the final.

There were a few lead changes between Sykes and J-Bay’s Dylan Lightfoot, with a nail-biting last minute wave exchange.

“I’m just so stoked to get the win!” said Sykes after walking away with the title and a hard earned R4000.

Lightfoot placed a strong second while Matt McGillivray also of Jeffrey’s Bay was relegated to third and Wade Simkiss from Umdloti finished in fourth position.

Sebastian Williams from Durban took top honors in the U16 division.

“Bronze Beach came alive on the final day proving to be a world class beach break with South Africa’s best surfers pulling out all of the stops to impress spectators.” said Quiksilver team rider and event co-ordinator, Brandon Jackson.

The third and final stop of the Surfing South Africa 3A rated event series will take place in Port Alfred on August 29 and August 30.