iLembe surfers aim for silverware at SA Masters Championships

Leaving the youth in their wake, iLembe’s veteran surfers are shooting for silverware in the South African Masters Championship (SAMC) this week.

Seventeen of the North Coast’s finest surfers over the age of 35 are heading to Victoria Bay (between George and Wilderness) to compete in the SAMC from August 19 to 22.

The competition runs with groups competing in 5 year age increments from 35+ to 60+.

“The standard of competition is going to be very high. A lot of the surfers have previously competed on the World Championship Tour and World Qualifying Tour. We are expecting to see some great surfing,” said team captain and competitor in the 55+ category, Brian Dougherty.

To qualify, the surfers had to compete in 2 of the 3 qualifying events and post high enough scores to join the team.

The iLembe Surf Riders team will be up against 7 other strong districts from along the coast, countrywide.

“Buffalo City have been the winners in the past few events so they are going to be the one everyone is hoping to beat. Cape Town, Eden District and Nelson Mandela Bay are also strong so to finish in the medal places would be a great effort from the team.”

The competition runs both individual events and a team event.

All of the surfers will compete in head-to-head heats before paring down into 2 semi-finals, the winners of which will compete for the gold medal.

All 4 semifinalists will end up with a medal, as the competition adds a copper medal for the 4th placed finisher aside from the standard gold, silver and bronze.

All of these individual events amass points which count towards the team prize, crowning the best masters district in the country.

South Africa’s surfing silver medalist at the Olympics and Victoria Bay local, Bianca Buitendag, will be there for the prizegiving ceremony.

iLembe will have at least 1 surfer in every age group, cheer them on from afar and follow the North Coast Courier for updates on the results.

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