SURFERS from the South Coast have been making some big waves further north on the coast.
Jenna Unsworth of Uvongo recently won the Lizzard Hurricane Summer Surf novice girls’ division competition, beating Kirra and Maya Attfield into second and third respectively.
One of South Africa’s best women surfers, Heather Clark, of Uvongo got a pair of seven point rides to place second in the open women’s division behind Nicole Pallet, with Chanelle Botha and Cana Foster in third and fourth spots.
Over 100 surfers, including several from Uvongo, took part in the competition which forms part of the Umhlanga Summer Festival with Just Juice, hosted by Wave Wizards Surf Club and sanctioned by Surfing South Africa.
Simo Mkhize from Uvongo also did well when he placed tied fifth overall in the U18 boys’ division. Other surfers from Uvongo who took part and had a lot of fun were Mquobi Radebe, Zamani Gcwensa, Seluleko Cele, Kelly Mbutho and Mtuthukisi Mtolo.
On Saturday the conditions started off well with contestable two- to three-foot waves on offer. However the surf got tricky towards the afternoon and a lot of the big names were eliminated. On the Sunday a solid south-west wind prevailed but this did not dampen the enthusiam of the contestants who all put on their best show.
Outstanding surfer of the event was Dale Staples from Westbrook. Dale posted some near perfect scores during the weekend and won the open men with R5 000 cash from Lizzard and also took the R1 000 cash win from Zigzag Surf Magazine for the surfer who performed the best over the weekend. Second, third and fourth in open men’s division were Chad du Toit, Richard Kidd and Shane Sykes.
A lot of fun was had by all participants and spectators and Wave Wizards club chairman, Jestyn Viljoen, was delighted with the outcome. “It is such a pleasure to see so many families taking part in ocean sports and we are stoked that we had such a great response again this year,” he said.
“The level of surfing was world-class and we look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.”
