Exciting End to Durban Surf Carnival!

 

Brandon Ribbink, SUPSA Open Champion 2013 - photo Jon Ivins

 

Exciting End to Durban Surf Carnival!

The Durban Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel at New Pier on Durban’s Golden Mile came to an exciting close this past weekend. This multi-disciplined three day surfing event, which is in its 11th year and second year in Durban, drew great crowds who enjoyed good waves throughout.

World class events that included the Longboarding, Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) and Retro Surfing brought in prizes worth over R200 000.

Paul Godwin, from Nerve Events, thanked major sponsors of the event - the City of Durban, Jeep Apparel and The Independent on Saturday – as well as support sponsors, contestants and the public for making the Durban Surf Carnival a major success.

Stand up Paddle events included the SUPSA sanctioned Open Men and Women’s divisions as well as the Juniors and legends division (over 45). The winners of the Open, Men and Women’s divisions will be eligible for squad selection to represent South Africa at the 2014 ISA Stand Up Paddle World Championship

The SUP final was won by Brandon Ribbink (KZN) with Justin Bing (WP) in second place. Ribbink took top honours with scores of a 10’ s and a nine. Joining them were Western Province’s junior surfers, Dylan Frick and Oswald Smith, who were placed third and fourth respectively.

 

Ribbink said that, for him, this year’s event was “amazing” but said that he knew that it would be tough. “It was brilliant and we had fantastic waves for all three days. I enjoyed each moment,” he said. This was the second time he has won this event, having taken top honours in 2011.

 

The Ladies SUP Final was won by Tammy Robarts (Boland). Up and coming talent 15 year-old Mishka Steyn (WP) took second with compatriots Tarryn Kyte (WP) and Sue Maxwell (WP) finishing third and fourth respectively.

 

The SUP Junior division was hotly contested with first prize going to 17 year-old Dylan Frick (WP). Frick’s scores included a 8.5 and a 7.5. Ethan Koopmans (WP), Oswald Smith (WP) and Matt Maxwell achieved second, third and fourth respectively.

The KZN Longboard Open Championships, sanctioned by the Kwa Zulu Natal Longboard Surfing Association (KZNLSA) was won by Justin Bing (WP) who scored a perfect 10 and a backup of a nine. Luke Patterson (KZN) fought hard but had to settle for second while Josch Schmeltzer (KZN) and Thomas King were third and fourth respectively.

 

After receiving his prize, Bing also praised New Pier’s good waves and said that he would not only be back to defend his title again next year but would bring others with him.

The over 50 longboard final was an all Durban affair with some great surfing from Hugh Thompson who took the win with stylish surfing and a total heat score of 17.5. Hot on his heels in second place was former SA Team captain, Barry Campbell. Third and fourth went to New Pier locals Bush Greeff and Colin Whitmore.

 

The “golden” event of this year’s carnival was the Forgotten Soul Retro Surfing Division. Held for the first time, this required the surfer to ride a single-fin surfboard which generally falls into the sub 7’0” category. Here, Justin Maisch (SC) was unstoppable, pulling off the traditional manoevres that were reminiscent of surfing in the seventies. He was followed by shortboard ace, Chad du Toit (KZN), second and Justin Bing (WP) and Gregg Mundy (KZN) third and fourth respectively.

 

Maisch described this even as fun but said that riding waves with an “old school” board was far more difficult than when using today’s high tech version. He, too, says he’ll be back to defend his title next year.

Other results were as follows in the Ladies Longboard division: 1^st place - Heather Klug (KZN), 2^nd place- Tarryn Kyte (WP), 3^rd place- Traci-Lee Phillips(KZN), 4^th place- Zanie Cawood (KZN)

In the over 45 SUP Division- 1^st place- Grantley Reid (KZN), 2^nd place- Gary Van Rooyen (WP), 3^rd place- Dave Maxwell (WP), 4^th place- Fred Le Roux (ZLD) and lastly in the men’s over 35 longboard category: 1^st place- Grant Gilmour (KZN), 2^nd place- Justin Maisch (SKZN), 3^rd place- Craig Daniel (KZN), 4^th place- Andre Steyn (KZN)

For more information contact Nerve Events on 031-2012169 or go to durbansurfcarnival.blogspot.com

Support sponsors are, Bokomo; Naish SUP, Natural Curve Surfboards, Coreban SUP, Thule, Nestle Pure Life Water, Container Conversions, Gunslinger Skateboards, Mad Dog Surf School, Maisch Fins, Nescafe, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Pro Class/Lamont Surf Shop, Club Zero Fitness, Carling Black Label, Kahuna Creations.

The Event is created and produced by Nerve Events

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