South Africa is ready for the Juniors

Surfing South Africa has announced the short list of surfers that will represent their country in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship to be held from March 28 until April 5 in the waves of La FAE beach in Salinas, Ecuador.

2009 South African Junior Surfing Team
 
U18 Boys
1. Nick Godfrey (Eastern Province)
2. Shaun Joubert (Southern Cape)
3. Matt Bromley (Western Province)
4. Dale Staples (Southern Cape)
 
U18 Girls
1. Bianca Buitendag (Southern Cape)
2. Sarah Baum (KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Tanika Hoffman (Western Province)
4. Kirsty Delport (KwaZulu-Natal)
 
U16 Boys
1. Michael February (Western Province)
2. David Brand (Western Province)
3. Dane Staples (Southern Cape)
4. Slade Prestwich (KwaZulu-Natal)
 
Manager: Pax Nydoo
Coach: Graham Hynes
Deputy Coach: Etienne Venter
Assistant Coach: Llewellyn Whittaker

South Africa has an outstanding record of results in the Overall Team standings in the history of the event. Having competed in the six editions of the event, they always placed in the top 10. Their best result was achieved in 2003 on their home turf, a fourth place that gave them the Copper medal.  

GENERAL INFO
By Robin de Kock – Surfing South Africa - www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

KICKING OFF THE YEAR
There were no National events held in South Africa during the first two months of 2009, which gave the provinces affiliated to Surfing South Africa (SSA) the chance to run a number of entry level surf contests and selection trials.

The entry level contests and selection trials are an important aspect of the surfing scene in SSA as they help to introduce new surfers into the various programmes run throughout the year.

In addition these provincial selection trials are used to pick teams for the South African Grommet Games, a 17 year old entry level event which takes place in Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) over Easter.

The trials are also held to select provincial teams that will participate in the South African championships in May and teams for the South African Junior Championships in September/October.

SSA has held two four day National Training Camps for the 2009 SA Junior Team which will be competing in the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championship in Ecuador.

CONTESTS
The unique Quiksilver Goodwave was put on amber alert on March 6 and the 32 invited surfers prepared themselves for a trip to Durban's New Pier to compete in this exciting Surfing South Africa sanctioned event.

The Goodwave has a 10 month waiting period and takes place in primo conditions at New Pier on the Durban beachfront. Prize money of $12,500 is shared among the finalists and the prestige of reaching the final in this event is in some cases, worth more than the prize money.

Unfortunately, the predicted swell and offshore conditions failed to materialize and the Goodwave remains in waiting.

Cape Town hosted the first SSA Pro Surf Tour contest of 2009
Nearly 70 surfers from all parts of South Africa descended on the Mother City to compete in the first of three Quiksilver King of the Groms events.

Misty Cliffs and perfect Long Beach in Kommetjie of the Southern Cape Peninsula produced great waves on Saturday and Sunday (March 14/15) and kick started the 2009 contest year in fine style.

Michael February and fellow South African junior team member Davey Brand competed in the U16 King of the Groms Final with honors going to defending champion and Long Beach local, February.

2008 SA Junior Team member Beyrick de Vries blasted his way to victory over his Umhlanga mate Chris Leppan in the U20 Final. The next event in the series is at Mossel Bay in June.

COMING UP

• The Volcomstone Finals take place in Durban on March 20 - 22.
• The 2009 South Africa Junior Surfing Team, which is once again supported by funding from the National Lottery, will receive its colours on Sunday March 22 and then depart from Cape Town for Ecuador.
• The SA Grommet Games takes place in Nelson Mandela bay from April 8 -12.
• The first Billabong Junior series contest is scheduled for Scottburgh in KZN from April 8 - 11.
• The Oxbow SA Longboard Championships takes place in the Eastern Cape from April 13 - 18.
• The Quiksilver Pro, n ASP 6 star WQS event, takes place in KZN from April 13 - 26.

GENERAL NEWS
South African surfing is mourning the passing of Jon Emslie, a former SSA Board Member, ASP Africa Chairman and Border Surfriders Association stalwart. Jon was the father of Greg Emslie who was competing in Australia when his dad passed away.
Surfing won’t be the same now that Jon has gone.

Please join us in sending condolences to the Emslie family.

ISA World Longboard Champion Matthew Moir, who suffered a stroke just over a month ago, has recovered well and will be in action at the South African Longboard Championships next month. Moir is the defending SA Champion.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

BACK TO HOME