Jason Ribbink Claims Longboard Title at South Coast Surf Carnival
The 2008 edition of the South Coast Surf Carnival, presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday, was blessed with perfect conditions over both days this past weekend, with Durban’s Jason Ribbink taking full advantage to snatch the SALSA (South African Longboard Surfing Association) sanctioned Premier open division.
In the race to capture the first ever stand up paddleboard (SUP) title in South Africa, Dylan McCleod (Eastern Cape) was clearly the most consistent performer and rightly claimed the prestigious title and the main prize of a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
In addition to the longboard and SUP divisions, the crowd at Scottburgh’s main beach witnessed some radical maneuvers in the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, thanks in part to the strong south-westerly wind that blew all Sunday. Here, Craig Chrystal (Durban) and Lyle Bottcher (Durban North) took 1st and 2nd place respectively in the men’s open event, whilst Nicole Annells (Warner Beach) triumphed in the ladies division defeating pre-event favourite Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod (Amanzimtoti). Bryce Rawlins (Umhlanga) cemented his position as one of the country’s leading up and coming kitesurfers when he successfully defended his junior title.
In the longboarding event, a ladies division, as well as a grandmasters (age 35+) and over 50 division were contested. Competition was strong due to the large field, and it was Zanie Cawood (Durban) who clinched victory in the ladies event. Brandon Ribbink (Morningside) came out firing in the final of the grandmasters division, and managed to outscore Craig Daniel (Bluff) in a closely fought heat. In the over 50 division, Mike Patterson (Umdloti) showed that age is no obstacle as he powered his way to the title.
Contest director Hugh Thompson was right in saying that “all the elements came together – wind, waves, and spectators – which made the event an amazing spectacle”. Thompson regarded the competitive introduction of SUP as “a roaring success”, setting a precedent for future South African SUP events. As the day progressed, “the wind came through for the kiteboarding guys, and the surf got bigger which added to an already exciting final”.
Michael Bertram CEO of South Coast Tourism commented on what was “an awesome weekend! It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves in the south coast sunshine, and the waves for the longboarding final came to the party at just the right time”. He offered his congratulations to Nerve Events “for taking this event from strength to strength.”
Over and above the contest action surfing lessons were provided by uShaka Surf and Adventures; several experts in the various wave riding disciplines were also on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
The South Coast Surf Carnival was sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event were Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
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Wave Riders Make History at Scottburgh Beach
Wave riders made history at Scottburgh beach this past weekend as they took part in the first Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) event ever held in Africa at the South Coast Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. The surf festival also included a kiteboarding and longboarding contest.
“We are encouraging members of the public to come and witness history in the making with the SUP contest. Today we are expecting Donald Brierely and Jason Ribbink to be going head to head for the first SUP title in South Africa,” commented Gavin Spowart ex-Springbok surfer and coach on Sunday.
On Saturday surf conditions improved throughout the day with a building swell, light winds and glassy fun waves on offer which pleased all of the contestants except the kiteboarders.
“The ocean turned on for the first day of the South Coast Surf Carnival with spectacular performances in all divisions of the longboard surfing competition. In addition to this, SUP proved to be a real hit with dozens of
people playing in the lagoon and the ocean on these traditional Hawaiian boards,” said Paul Godwin, event organizer, from Nerve Events.
In the SALSA (South African Longboard Surfing Association) sanctioned Premier open division, the door was wide open with the country’s best longboarders in attendance. Open standouts included Jason Ribbink
(Berea), Donald Brierley (Berea), Brad Trickett (Berea) and Brad Weare (Durban).
In the Over 35 division heats Brendan Callaghan (Durban North), Craig Daniels (Bluff), Brandon Ribbink, (Morningside), Jason Ribbink (Berea) and Colin Whitmore (Pinetown) excelled with high scores.
The kitesurfing component of the carnival, which is the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, comprises of men’s, open, ladies and junior divisions
Over and above the contest action, surfing lessons were provided by uShaka Surf and Adventures as well as a very safe and protected bathing area that was open to the public.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event are Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine, Phatboyz.
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Entries Still Open for South Coast Surf Carnival
Kiteboarders, longboarders and stand up paddleboarders still have time to enter the lucrative South Coast Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday. The wave-riding festival takes place on the weekend of November 1 and 2 at Scottburgh main beach on the KZN south coast.
“Nerve Events is really proud to be staging the sixth edition of the South Coast Surf Carnival which has already attracted a host of the country’s top watermen and women to take part. We are encouraging others to enter before all of the slots are filled to avoid disappointment and also to book accommodation soon as it is a very busy weekend for the mid-south coast,” commented Paul Godwin, Event Organizer from Nerve Events.
South Coast Surf Carnival entry forms are available from the Durban Surf Coffee Shop, Larmont Surf Shop and
Salsa or contact mw.nerve@mweb.co.za For accommodation listings please contact Paul Godwin on 031 201 2169 or 083 560 1185.
The carnival, backed by Tourism South Coast, boasts the biggest longboarding event in South Africa with R11 500 cash and fantastic product prizes as well as accommodation prizes for contestants entering next years SA Longboard Champs in Jeffrey’s Bay. Divisions to be contested include Open Men, Ladies,
Over 35 Men ad Over 50 Men.
The nationally rated SALSA longboarding event is open to all surfers and since 2005 no KZN longboarder has won the premier open men’s event. Komunity project has donated a prize for the most progressive longboarder with Natural Curve having sponsored a longboard as well.
The South African Wavemasters Kitesurfing event also has fantastic prizes on offer and the stand up paddleboard “SUP” main prize is a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
Festival organizers have ensured that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy from the spectacular, bright kites to traditional forms of wave riding and clinics held for newcomers to water sports. Scottburgh has first class facilities with a variety of restaurants offering fantastic sea views as well as a waterslide and the opportunity to buy some local curios from the sellers in the vicinity.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event are Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
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