World’s Top Surfers in J-Bay For Billabong Pro
The world’s top pro surfers, including nine time world champ and current number one ranked Kelly Slater (USA) and number three ranked local Jordy Smith, are convened in Jeffrey’s Bay where they are participating in what is probably the most prestigious surfing event in South Africa: the Billabong Pro.
The 25th Billabong Pro kicked off in pristine conditions in this Mecca of South African surfing yesterday, Thursday 15 July 2010. Smith, Slater, 2007 Billabong Pro winner and Aussie Taj Burrow and and reigning ASP World Champ Mick Fanning, also from Australia, all proceeded to qualify for the third round yesterday.
Fanning, who was the top scorer of the day, posting rides of 8.83 and 7.87 (out of 10) to amass a total of 16.70 (out of 20), said it was important to take every heat seriously this year. “There are so many threats and even the rookies can do damage. I feel like I’ve been surfing well all year and I’m just focusing on every heat, and hopefully that takes me to a solid result.”
The Billabong Pro will continue until 25 July 2010. For more information, visit the event’s official website. 
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Surfing Community Mourns Death of South African Surfing Pioneer
The local surfing community is in mourning following the death of a local surfing veteran hailed by many as one of the country’s pioneers for the sport.
Shorty Bronkhorst died in Jeffreys Bay this past weekend. He was 73 years old.
According to the Weekend Post Online, Shorty began surfing in the summer of 1949 in Durban and was still doing it more than 50 years later at Super Tubes and Surfers Point. While working as a professional lifesaver in Durban, he surfed on 5m boards made out of plywood.
In 1956, at the age of 19, Shorty and a friend hitchhiked their way across Africa and eventually ended up in London. In the UK, he began building surfboards and was eventually invited to do promotions for a travel company. “Big tour buses full of spectators arrived to watch Bronkhorst and his friends from the long breakwater,” reports the Weekend Post. They were soon dubbed the “Hawaiian surferboard riders from South Africa”.
Shorty was a big advocate of keeping surfing a ‘noble’ sport. “We should try to keep it that way. Tell the youngsters to be polite in the water. Show some respect towards others and you will be appreciated much more than if you just drop in on everybody else,” he said.
“It’s unnecessary to sneak around the waiting surfers and catch a sly wave. Rather just get in line and wait your turn. The guys will think more of you if you do so.”
He is survived by his son Glen and daughters Kim and Lisa.
This coming Saturday, November 28, there will be a paddle-out at Surfer’s Point in Jeffreys Bay (Shorty’s home for the last 15 years) in honour of Shorty. All his friends are invited to participate. His ashes will be scattered in the sea off the beach where he did most of his surfing.
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Kite Surfer Dies In Freak Accident
Brad Grobbelaar, a South African recreational kite surfer, was killed this past Saturday (13 June 2009) after being overcome by a squall while out kiting.
According to news reports, the gust of wind lifted him up and slammed him into rocks in front of a Milnerton hotel. Despite the valiant efforts by paramedics to save him, he later succumbed to massive head injuries.
Brad’s shock friends and fellow kite surfers described him as an experienced kiter who always wore a safety helmet.
An unindentified friend relayed the accident to IOL News: “Brad got close to shore but got picked up by the wind and didn’t go for the safety release. He tried to save his kite but landed up slamming into the rocks.” Apparently this is a ‘common mistake’ kite surfers make, which is why serious injuries among kite surfers are not uncommon.
Brad’s kite was later found on the roof of the Lagoon Beach Hotel.
Brad was a 38-year old IT specialist and father-of-two from Blouberg.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
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Surfers Honoured At SA Surfing Awards
Wetsuits were exchanged for more formal wear at the third annual South African Surfing Awards.
The event, proudly presented by Zigzag Magazine in association with Paarl Web, took place at Suncoast Casino in Durban last Saturday night, 25 April 2009.
Local legend and big wave rider Grant “Twiggy” Baker walked away with the evening’s most prestigious award, Surfer of the Year, which looks to recognise the surfer who exceeded all surfing expectations in the twelve months gone by.
Baker scooped top honours for his undeniable rise to the forefront of big wave surfing across the globe after winning the 2008 Red Bull Big Wave Africa and a Billabong XXL Award for the largest wave ridden in the last 12 months.
” 2008 was a phenomenal year. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, but this evening and this award all starts here, with being a South African surfer. We owe everything we have to the SA surf legends who are here tonight, and i want to pay tribute to them. But most of all, this award goes to all the surfers in South Africa. Thank you, it’s an honour.” said winner Twiggy.
Other awards of the evening included :
1. Pro Junior Champ 2008 : Bianca Buitendag (George)
2. Pro Junior Champ 2008: Klee Strachan (Amanzimtoti)
3. PST Champ 2008: Tammy Lee Smith (Ballito)
4. PST Champ 2008: Devyn Mattheys (East London)
5. ASP Africa Pro Junior Champ 2008: (Amanzimtoti)
6. ASP Africa Champ: David Weare (Durban North)
7. Blowing Up Performer: Dale Staples (St Francis Bay)
8. Contribution to surfing: Louis Wulff (East London)
9. Photographer of the Year: Alan Van Gysen (Cape Town)
10. Pushing The Boundaries: Red Bull Big Wave Africa
11. World Tour Qualifier: Roseanne Hodge (East London)
12. World Tour Qualifier: Jordy Smith (Durban)
13. World Tour Qualifier: David Weare (Durban North)
14. World Tour Qualifier: Greg Emslie (East London)
Will Bendix, editor of Zigzag, comments; “We’re honoured and extremely stoked to be able to host an evening like this that pays homage to the rich culture and legacy of South African surfing. And as you can see, there’s a lot to celebrate. It’s just an awesome reminder of how lucky we are to be surfers in this country.”
Highlights of the evening included the induction of surfing legends into the Hall of Fame, which honoured an elite group of surfers who have paved the way for South African Surfing. Current members include Max Wetteland, Mike Larmont, Spider Murphy, Graham Hynes and Shaun Tomson amongst others. The new inductees announced on the evening were Errol Hickman, and Michael Ginsburg.
1989 World Champion and surfing legend Martin “Pottz” Potter was guest speaker. When the awards ended, 1st Project went on to being the roof down with their phenomenal drumming act to round off an epic evening.
Be sure to get your June/July edition of Zigzag to check out all the latest surfing news and highlights of the awards.
Picture Courtesy of Al Nicoll
Story source: Rox-ann Govender, Olivia Jones Communications
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SA Juniors Ready To Rip at 2009 Quiksilver Pro Junior
South Africa’s best junior surfers are gearing up for the 2009 Quiksilver Pro Junior Surfing Championships at North Pier in Durban.
The Association of Surfing Professionals Grade 2 junior event is due to take place from April 17 – 26 2009.
With a generous prize pot of $10 000 (about R91 000) and several points up for grabs, the contest is attracting every major name in South African junior surfing, as well as an impressive line-up of international surfers.
Leading the local contingent will be South African junior team top seed and one of the most dominant forces on the local junior surfing circuit, Nick Godfrey of St. Francis.
Dale and Dane Staples, defending champion Klee Strachan (of Winklespruit) and Kyle Lane (of Umhlanga) will also be part of the action.
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