Source: Surfing South Africa – www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

Press release issued on March 8

Mr Price WP Open
A Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour 3A Men, 2A Women and 2A Pro Junior event
The first event in the 2010 Mr Price Tri Star series
Mobile Venue, Cape Peninsula
Saturday & Sunday, March 6 & 7, 2010

Greg Emslie of East London put his ten years of international experience to good use when he won the premier 3A rated Men’s division of 2010 Mr Price WP Open in four foot surf at Long Beach, Kommetjie at the weekend.

While spectators and officials baked in the plus 40C temperatures on the beach the 33 year old former World Tour campaigner put together a hot performance in the water, posting 12 points to runner up Warwick “Wok” Wright of Moullie Point’s 11.5 heat score. Kommetjie local Matthew Bromley came third and Jaco Steyn of Melkbosstrand was fourth.

Emslie now heads up the 2010 Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour after the first PST event of the year and is leading the ratings in the inaugural Mr Price Tri Star Series which includes the WP Open, the Mr Price SA Open and the Mr Price Classic.

Emslie was stoked with his result and the event saying “It was a fun event for me. Everything worked well and I peaked at the right time in the final. It was very competitive and Warwick was in great form. After beating him (in the final) Wok came up to me and said he would get me in the next one so there is already a healthy rivalry on the PST and it’s good for the sport.”

Having retired from the World Tour at the end of 2009, Emslie will focus his efforts on the PST and plans to become more involved in Surfing South Africa’s national coaching and development programs.

He is positive about the SSA Pro Surf Tour events and feels that the more PST contests that are held the more chance that the next Jordy Smith will be found. “I love surfing against the younger surfers and I have said to them that if they need any advice or help that I am here to help”.

The Pro Junior title went the way of Beyrick de Vries of Umhlanga who scored 15.5 points to Davey Brand of Kommetjie’s 10.95 in the final. Bromley was third and fellow Kommetjie surfer Mikey February was fourth.

ISA World Junior Championship bronze medal winner Sarah Baum of Durban dominated the Women’s final scoring 16.4 points to beat fellow SA Junior Team member Bianca Buitendag of George into second place. Another SA Junior team member, Tanika Hoffman of Kommetjie, was third and Sabrina Scott of Glencairn was fourth.

“I have had a great start to the year with my result in New Zealand and the win here” said Baum. “Hopefully it will be a good year ahead.”

Baum and Buitendag both head to Australia this week to compete in the six star Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River.

The Mr Price WP Open was the first event on the 2010 Pro Surf Tour and took place on two perfect days of waves and weather. Over 65 surfers from the Cape to KZN entered the event

The Mr Price WP Open, the Mr Price SA Open in East London and the Mr Price Classic in KZN, which make up the Tri-Star series will all be televised on the Vuzu Channel on DSTV courtesy of a grant from the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDTF). 

Surfing South Africa is recognized by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport in South Africa. Surfing South Africa is a member of the International Surfing Association (ISA).