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REEF WETSUITS SA MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS One of the features of the SA Masters championships was that surfing South Africa positioned Shark shields attached to buoys in the lineup which kept the competitors protected for eight hours each day. This is probably the first time that Shark Shields have been used at any major contest anywhere in the world. During the six days of surfing there were no sightings of any sharks, despite the fact that the annual sardine run had already begun. Over 100 surfers representing seven provinces competed in the Senior Men (Over 30), Masters (Over 35), Grandmasters (Over 40), Kahunas (Over 45), Grand Kahunas (Over 50) and Veterans (Over 55) divisions. The Masters Cup for the top provincial team went to the host province, Border, for the second year in a row. Their victory can be attributed to the fine performances by SA Masters team stalwarts Dave and Andre Malhrbe who were first and second in the Grandmasters division. Other Border stars were former two time SA Champion Wayne Monk who took honours in the Masters and Dave Fish who convincingly won the Veterans title. Double ISA World Champion Chris Knutsen won the Grand Kahunas final, Steven Hair took gold in the Kahunas and Ryan Ribbink won the senior Men title. Trials to select the South African Masters Team for the 2009 ISA World Masters Championship were held immediately after the contest and these took place in great surf at Nahoon Reef. The 2009 SA Masters Team which will defend the title in 2009 will be announced soon. JUNIOR CONTESTS The Whipping Wave Warriors came first, the Rebel Reverts second, the Geckos third and the Young Guns 5 came fourth. Next one in on July 26/27 in Port Elizabeth. QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS # 2 Held in great conditions at Inner Pool the event was dominated by SA Junior Team members. Davey Brand of Kommetjie was outstanding and deserved to be crowned King of the Groms when he beat Mikey February in the Under 16 final. Shaun Joubert, SA Team vice captain and one of the standout surfers in France, beat a former SA Team captain Klee Strachan in the Under 20 final. Joubert scored 18,25 and Strachan 18 points in an action packed final. The third and final 2008 Quiksilver King of the Groms will take place in Scottburgh near Durban in August. UP AND COMING The action kicks off in Durban with the Surfing South Africa PST rated Mr Price Pro Junior on June 27 & 28 and continues with the six star ASP World Qualifying Series Mr Price Pro. Then all eyes will be on Jeffrey's Bay as the top 44 surfers plus four wildcards contest the Billabong J Bay Pro, a prime ASP World Championship Tour event. Current ISA World Champion Jordy Smith will be making his debut as a WCT surfer in South Africa (although in 2006 he competed in the Billlabong Pro as a wildcard and came third). In Cape Town, the world's best big wave exponents will be waiting for Mother Nature to provide over 15 foot waves at Dungeons so that the 10th annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest can be held and the Reef Wetsuits SA Championships takes place at Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape from July 24 - 27 Check the SSA website Events calendar for dates of contests and information: www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za * The Mr Price Pro Junior will kick off with the Glodina Trials on June 27 when eight surfers from Surfing South Africa and KZN's transformation and development programme will surf for a spot in the second round of the Mr Price Pro Junior. * Andy Marr was a popular recipient of the O'Neill Raw Courage award for riding the biggest wave in South Africa in the last twelve months and deservedly won $3500 which he plans to put towards an airticket to Hawaii later in the year. * Tarryn Chudleigh of Kommetjie, a multiple SA Champion and four time ISA World Junior Championships attendee has been nominated as one of the sportswomen of the year by gsport.co.za. Votes cast will determine the eventual winner......
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