iLembe groms on a winning streak
Nathan Tayler (U14) and Marcello Zedde (12) made the break their own to claim victory in their respective age groups.
The future of iLembe surfing is bright.
Ballito delivered another two winners at the Cape Town Surf Pro two weeks ago, continuing a fantastic run for the youngsters.
The event formed part of the ongoing South African Surfing Tour (SAST), which stopped at Muizenberg from April 14-16.
Nathan Tayler (U14) and Marcello Zedde (12) made the break their own to claim victory in their respective age groups.
Both faced stiff competition from the Cape Town locals and other travelling surfers countrywide, given the SAST is the premier age group competition in South Africa.
Tayler’s first wave of the event, a 6.83 in the quarter-final, set him up for strong points returns throughout.
It was no plain sailing however, as the youngster kept his nerve to make it through the quarter- and semi-finals in second position.
But his scoring was consistent, providing confidence going into a packed final against Adam Faclier, Ashbjorn Gwenin and Ben Esterhuyse, the last of whom pipped him to first in the semi-final.
But when it mattered, Tayler claimed two strong waves – his last of the competition – to finish with a 10.90, more than a point ahead of runner-up Faclier.
His last wave was caught with only five seconds left in the heat, earning him his first SAST victory.
Photo: Craig Wilson.
In the U12 age group, Zedde has been the dominant surfer in the country, claiming a series of victories on different breaks this year.
He was in typically sparkling form, breezing through his quarter- and semi-finals by almost three points apiece.
With another final facing the Zimbali charger, it was all muscle memory and momentum against Sebastian Copson, Harry Walton and Benji Paul.
Although he started slow, two of his last three waves shot him to a 10.97, which was enough to grab yet another another gold.
Photo: Craig Wilson.
He is the only surfer left on the SAST who has won all four competitions to date, and he is more than 1 600 points ahead in his age group standings with eight events to go.
His brother, Valentino, also competed in Cape Town, making it to the quarter-final stage in the U14 boys category.
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