Future Stars Selected To Compete at Quiksilver Pro Junior 2011 presented by Durban

Fika Ngubane © Greg Ewing

Quiksilver Pro Junior 2011
Presented by Durban

ASP 2-Star Mens Pro Junior Event
North Beach, Durban South Africa
22 - 24 April 2011

Future Stars Selected To Compete at Quiksilver Pro Junior 2011 presented by Durban

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 March, 2011 : - - New Pier, Durban -- Eight promising young surfers have been selected out of the Surfing South Africa transformation program to compete in the Future Stars division at the upcoming Quiksilver Pro Junior 2011 presented by Durban. The Future Stars will compete at the Quiksilver Pro Junior and King of the Groms which is set to take place from 22-24 April at Durban’s New Pier Beach (Dairy Beach).

The Future Stars division is an initiative between Surfing South Africa (SSA), Quiksilver and the City of Durban. It aims to give promising young talent the chance to take part in an event like the Quiksilver Pro Junior.” The event really creates a stage for these surfers and gives them the opportunity to show off their abilities. It allows them to show their skills at a major tournament and gives them a chance to make a name for themselves.

Surfing South Africa really appreciates the investment that Quiksilver makes and we are pleased that these eight surfers get this opportunity to shine on a big stage,” said Robin de Kock, General Manager of Surfing South Africa.

This year Papi Makinyane (17), Brandon Benjamin (16) and Benjamin De Castro (17) will be representing Western Province at the event. Marchal Reans (16) will be the lone Eastern Province representative whilst Khayehile Ncgobo (18), Bright Ntuli (18) and Thalente Mkhize (18) will be making the short trip up from Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Fika Ngubane (18) has been selected as the only competitor from Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The majority of these surfers have represented their provinces at a national level and are no slouches when it comes to competitive surfing. Two semi finals and a final will be held on Friday April 22.

The Future Stars division offers these young surfers the opportunity to surf against each other in front of the best junior surfers in the country whilst competing for a wildcard berth into the main event of the Quiksilver Pro Junior. All of their fees and expenses including airfares, meals, accommodation and entries are paid for which is what makes one of these eight slots so sought after.

In 2009 and 2010 Jeffrey’s Bay local Dominic Abersalie managed to edge out good friend and fierce rival Bertie Stuurman to take the gold, 2010 was their final year as junior surfers which leaves the door wide open for a new winning face in 2011.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior is a 2 star ASP Pro Junior event that boasts a hefty R75 000 in prize money. The event attracts the best junior surfers from all over the country. Event favourites include 2010 winner Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga). The King of the Groms will be held at the same time for surfers under the age of 16 years old. The winner of the prestigious U16 division will be flown to France to compete in the Quiksilver King of the Groms international finals in October. Other divisions include U14 and U12.

There will be some great Quiksilver and Skullcandy prizes on offer in the Expression Session before the finals on Sunday (24th), which should produce some great surfing. The finals for all four divisions will be held on Sunday (24 April) afternoon with the event prize giving and crowning immediately after at the event site.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior and King of the Groms is presented by Durban and other sponsors include Skullcandy, SuperSport, Brandhouse, Bokomo and Nestle Pure Life Water.

www.quikprojunior.co.za
www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

2011 Surfersvillage Awards launched - Surf Journalists, Photographers, Videographers, Bloggers, and Webcasters eligible to win Awards

Surf Journalists, Photographers, Videographers, Bloggers, and Webcasters eligible to win Awards

Carnage at Waimea © Mike McGinnis

Creativity and originality will be honored at the Surfersvillage Awards

London, U.K. - The 2011 Surfersvillage Awards have been inaugurated with the launching of the official 2011 Surfersvillage Awards website. The Awards provides journalists photographers videographers bloggers and webcasters the opportunity to submit entries to the competition, to be voted on. The ultimate winners are honored and receive an Award.

Surfersvillage Awards has been developed to discover encourage and help creative and technical talent, amateur and professional, to progress and evolve in traditional and new media in the models of print photo video social media and web documentary.

The purposes of The Awards are:

1, To recognize & acknowledge excellence in creating content across traditional & emerging technologies.

2, To connect diverse groups of luminaries facilitating growth & development in surf media arts & sciences.

3, To educate industry professionals, and public, about what is relevant in creating more successful media.

The Awards is an intellectually diverse organization that includes members such as surf-industry executives and marketers, respected editors, photographers and film makers, as well as new-media gurus. Online voting and results are audited by an independent professional authority.

The Surfersvillage Awards are:

Surfersvillage Awards Journalist of the Year,

Surfersvillage Awards Photographer of the Year,

Surfersvillage Awards Film/Video Producer of the Year,

Surfersvillage Awards Social Media Blog of the Year,

Surfersvillage Awards Web-documentary of the Year.

Surfersvillage Awards Surf Event Webcast of the Year

Surfersvillage Awards Surfer of the Year

Breaking Wave © Joliphotos.com

The Surfersvillage Awards are held in two separate categories;

1- Surf Media: The Awards winners are decided by the Surfersvillage Awards Academy

2- Webcast & Surfer of the Year: The Awards winners are decided by public vote

A two-part voting process is implemented to find the winners of The Surfersvillage Awards. Firstly, the public at large vote online for the entries of their choice in each category. The top ten voted entries in each category are put before the respective Awards Academy Judging panels.

The Awards Academy panels made up of Europe’s leading editors, writers, broadcasters, photographers, film-makers and new-media experts in surfing, and vote on the publicly voted top ten entries in each of the (media) categories and determine the ultimate winners.

Winners in the two additional categories are determined by public online vote only;

Surfersvillage Awards Surfer of the Year.

Surfersvillage Awards Surf Event Webcast of the Year.

The Awards present a true Win-Win opportunity for all concerned.

Media talent has the opportunity to present their work.

Industry has the opportunity to engage with new emerging talent

Recognition of talent by industry may lead to commercial opportunities

Entries are published on The Awards website and also on Surfersvillage.com

Published entries are re-distributed by Surfersvillage, and social media networks.

Aileen’s © Mikey Smith

Anyone, amateur or professional, is encouraged to enter The Surfersvillage Awards competition and present their work for consideration and voting by the public and The Surfersvillage Awards Academy.

Voting will take place throughout 2011, with the final selection and voting taking place, and winners announced, in late October 2011.

For more information please visit http://www.surfersvillageawards.com

About Surfersvillage Awards

Surfersvillage Awards is an intellectually diverse organization that includes members such as surf-industry executives and marketers, respected editors, photographers and film makers, as well as new-media gurus. Surfersvillage Awards' vision is to provide a platform to discover, encourage, and help creative, technical, amateur and professional talent, progress and evolve in traditional and new media in the surfing domain. The Awards mission is to recognize excellence in creating content across traditional and emerging technologies. For more information please visit http://www.surfersvillageawards.com

For further information contact;

Projeckts Ltd, PR Agency & Consultants | T: + 33 559 230 194 | E: director@projeckts.com

Off the Hook SUP Classic 23-24 April 2011- SC Longboarding Association

SOUTHERN CAPE LONGBOARDING ASSOCIATION

Off the Hook SUP Classic 23-24 April 2011 Entry Form

Events:

Flatwater-lagoon paddle 5km

Deep Blue- 5km downwind shipped out to sea

4x4 Race- round the blinders into the mouth and back

Surf contest.

Tug of SUP

Divisions:

Juniors (18 and under)/Open/40 PLUS/Ladies

Entry fee R150.00 plus R50.00 boat fee for Downwind race.

Entry includes Fish and Chips voucher from Off the Hook!

Name:……………………………..

Date of Birth:……………….

Division:………………………

Flat water yes/no

Downwind yes/no

Surf yes/no

4x4 Race yes/no

Email No………………………

Phone No………………………

Direct Payments to be made to:

Southern Cape Longboarding Association

Confirmation to be sent to salter@telkomsa.net or faxed to 044-533 0359

Bank Details:

Bank Details: Savings Deposit Acc

Nedbank Branch code: 109014

Southern Cape Longboarding Association

Acc No: 209 005 3739

The weekend in a nutshell.(subject to change due to weather/surf/wind conditions.)

Friday Afternoon Evening: Registration at Nippers Surf Life Saving Club on Central Beach: final details and directions will be given. There will be fires going for a bring and braai, and a well stocked cash bar. Warning there is a jolly good chance a party will ensue.

Saturday morning:

8:30am Lagoon Paddle from Launching Bay down to Poortjies.

12:00am The boys and girls and craft hop on an Ocean Blue boat and head upwind for 5km, once the captain is happy, off you get. Please let me know if you are taking part in this for logistical reasons.

14:00pm- Tug of Sup and 4x4 Race from central beach. This is the ideal time for the board manufacturers, to show off their craft.

Saturday Evening:

Time to run free, braai, use your fish and chips voucher at Off the Hook, the fish and vibe is going to be fresh. Visit the Surf Café, for a drink later, or chill at the Nippers club.

Sunday Morning:

Surfs up- venue to be determined by conditions.

Sunday Evening:

8:00pm: Prize giving at Surf Café above Off the Hook.

Monday: Do what you want!

Accomodation: The Whaling Station www.thewhalingstation.co.za

Pete Wall – 082 569 2423 has a special offer for SUP guys R300.00 per night breakfast included. This is a great spot, surrounded on 3 sides by golf course, 4^th side, lagoon with private access, huge braai area, pool and secure parking. Also boasts a view of lookout point. Check out the website.

Let me know if there are more budget orientated competitors, and I will see what I can arrange.

Non SUPpers, there is a mountain bike race, an extreme trail race, surfski race and golf all organised for the weekend. Let me know if you are interested in any one of these and I will get you the info.

So bring your family, there is plenty to do. The weather is usually perfect and the swell is going to cook.

At the end of the weekend you wont want to SUP anywhere else.

Brian

Chairman: Brian Salter Cel 082 569 6278

salter@telkomsa.net

Fax 044-533 0359

South Africa’s Best Junior Surfers Ready For Quiksilver Pro Junior 2011 Presented by Durban

North Beach, Durban – Easter weekend (22-24 April) sees North Beach, Durban play host to the 2011 Quiksilver Pro Junior and King of the Groms. Over 80 of South Africa’s best junior surfers are expected to compete in the event that has fast become the biggest and most prestigious junior surfing event on the calendar. North Beach is a very consistent beach break with multiple random peaks and is the perfect arena for spectators to get up close and personal when the action heats up in the water.

Proceedings will get underway on Thursday 21 April with a Quiksilver/Durban Surf Day. Surfers from various different backgrounds have been invited to participate in a fun tag team event whereby ever-improving surfers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds will be teamed up with top juniors and other well-known professional surfers as they compete for fun and some great prizes. Good food and drinks, laughs, complimentary Quiksilver t-shirts and caps will all be on the menu for the day.

Friday 22 April, to kick start the event, sees 8 Future Stars surfers take to the water to compete for a wildcard place in the main event. These surfers from all over the country have been selected from Surfing South Africa’s transformation program and will be flown to Durban and accommodated for the event as part of their experience. Last year Dominic Abersalie from Jeffrey’s Bay took out the Future Stars competition for the second time and progressed impressively into the latter rounds of the main Pro Junior division. This year event organizers hope to see the level of the Future Stars raised once again.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior is a 2 star rated ASP junior event and boasts a massive US$ 10, 000 (R75 000) prize money with the winner claiming US$ 2, 500 (R18 750) of that total. This event will count towards deciding the South African juniors that will compete in the ASP World Champs in Australia in January 2012. Last year’s winner Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and runner-up Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) have been deemed the two favourites but will not have it all their own way should the likes of Brendon Gibbens (Cape Town), Dale Staples (St. Francis Bay), David van Zyl (Durban) and Nic Godfrey (Cape St. Francis) find their form. “I am super amped for this years’ Quik Pro Junior, I have been competing quite a bit oversees recently and it has been tough so it would be good to get a big win under my belt to boost my confidence before traveling again. The Quik Pro is definitely one of the events on the calendar that you want to do well in,” said de Vries. Other threats to watch out for is Cape Town charger Matt Bromley, rising star Steven Sawyer (Jeffrey’s Bay) and current under 17 South African Champion Michael February (Cape Town).

The King of the Groms is a PST (Pro Surf Tour) rated event and caters for the younger surfers, U16, U14 and U12 divisions will be jam packed with the hottest talent South Africa has to offer. The under 16 winner will receive R5 000 cash, some insane Skullcandy headphones and an all expenses paid trip to France for the Quiksilver King of the Groms International finals which is held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France WCT in October. Last year Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh) managed to secure himself a place on the prestigious king’s throne after some grueling competition in testing 2 foot surf. Slade jetted off to France and surfed exceptionally well on a global stage to earn himself an equal 3rd place and some valuable experience. “Competing in France was unreal, the beach breaks there are amazing. I also got to hang out with Travis Logie a lot and also met Dane Reynolds, Mick Fanning and a bunch of other top surfers. I am really looking forward to this year’s event,” said Prestwich. Other names to take note of are the in-form Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffrey’s Bay) who is the current U15 South African Champion as well as fellow SA team members Diran Zakarian (Cape Town) and Benj Brand (Cape Town).

There will be some great Quiksilver and Skullcandy prizes on offer in the Expression Session before the finals, which should produce some mind-blowing surfing. Finals for all four divisions will be held on Sunday (24 April) afternoon with prize giving and crowning immediately after at the event site.

All the photos, videos, results and more can be found at the event’s website: www.quikprojunior.co.za as well as www.facebook.com/quiksilver.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior and King of the Groms is presented by Durban and other sponsors include Skullcandy, ASP, SSA, SuperSport, Brandhouse, Bokomo and Nestle Pure Life Water.




Image: Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga), runner-up of the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Junior is one of the 2011 favourites.
The attached image is royalty free for editorial use only, no commercial rights granted. The copyright is owned by Quiksilver.
High resolution images available on request.


For all media requirements contact:

Rox-ann Govender
Olivia Jones Communications (PR Consultancy)
PR Assistant Account Manager
Cell: 082 677 8330
Office landline: (031) 303 9341
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za
Alternate email: roxygov@gmail.com

For all Quiksilver requests contact:

Dane Patterson
Marketing Manager
Cell: 082 444 5333
Office landline: 031 313 1465
Email: dane.patto@quiksilver.co.za

Surf Tools to sponsor Bali trip for SA Longboard Series champion

Surf Tools to sponsor Bali trip for SA Longboard Series champion

(Muizenberg, Cape Town) Surf Tools have announced their intention to support the South African Longboard Surfing Association (SALSA) Series of events by sponsoring a trip to Bali for the overall series champion.

The winner of this coveted prize will be determined at the SA Longboard Surfing Championships, the fifth and final event on the tour, which will be held at New Pier in Durban in May.

With four events already completed at Stilbaai, New Pier, Earthwave in Cape Town and Noordhoek in Port Elizabeth, Dylan McLeod from PE holds a narrow lead on the national ratings. He is closely followed by Capetonians Michael Grendon, Justin Bing and Alfonso Peters along with KZN’s Brad Weare and Brad Trickett, all of whom are still in contention for the title and the trip that goes with it.

SALSA President Deon Bing was pleased to announce the sponsorship deal at an opening function for the WP longboard surfing trials on the weekend, thanking Surf Tools for their support and indicating that the sport is in desperate need of financial assistance.

Surf Tools also confirmed their intention to set up a bursary for disadvantaged local surfers, providing them with the funds to continue their studies.

“Surf Tools is happy to be associated with SALSA, at the competitive level with the trip to Bali and at grassroots level with our educational fund,” said multiple SA and ASP Africa champion Shane Thorne, the head of Sales for Surf Tools.

“We donate 20% of all sales made to watermen and women and invest the funds in an educational bursary fund for various individuals,” Thorne explained.

The longboard function was staged at Lagerchinos in Muizenberg where surfing band, the Hang Tenors, playing into the night. Club members were encouraged to sign their names and the date of the first wave they rode on the ‘Wonderwall’ – a giant surfing mural painted onto the side of the building. 1968 is the oldest date recorded so far!


About Surf Tools:
Surf Tools is an independent surfing company making big strides in securing the successful longevity of the sport through backing South African surfing, promoting the sport of Hawaiian kings and providing support for those in need of educational assistance.

Surf Tools sell surfing accessories along with surfboards shaped by Baron Stander and Dutchie, thereby promoting the local shaping market. All boards have a 100% return warrantee – if they snap in the surf within three months of purchase, they will be replaced free of charge, “That is our commitment to the core of surfing!” says Thorne.

Ends

Issued on behalf of:

SA Longboard Surfing Association (SALSA)
Deon Bing (President)
M: 082 565 3899
E: deon@deonbing.co.za

Distributed by:

Life's a Beach Communications

PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965

Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250

Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964

Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za