Beachbum Beachblog

Some of the country’s top surf and motocross professionals descended on Durban this past weekend for what is widely regarded to be one of the highlights on the South African action sports calendar, the fourth annual Fox Surfer X.

In this unique, cross-over contest, participants show off their versatility and skills by competing in both a surfing competition on the Umhlanga coast and an MX race around the Springfield dirt race track. Points are given according to positions attained in the two contests and then those are added together to determine a contestant’s final ranking. The overall winner is the person who had managed to accumulate the most points.

In this case, the honours went to Plettenberg Bay boy Wihanne Kotze, who had a narrow win over Dylan Lightfoot to take home much of the R20 000 prize money and the title of 2010 Fox Surfer X champion.

The contest had kicked off on Saturday in idyllic surfing conditions. On Sunday, contestants were greeted by a powerful South Easterly wind and a shortened race course at the Springfield track. The wind made the race extremely challenging, with several crashes happening during the practice rounds.

But in the end, Wihanne Kotze’s performance during both events added up to victory in the Main Class, with Lightfoot in second place and Shaun Baker coming in third.

“Despite the challenging weather conditions at the track, this year’s Surfer X was as successful as we had hoped it would be,” said Jon Channing, Fox’s Marketing Manager. “The new format, with the introduction of the Pro Surf and Pro MX Class, made sure that all the races and heats were closely contested and provided more excitement for the spectators.”

The event was co-sponsored by Monster Energy and PS3.

Tags: 2010 Fox Surfer X, Adventure sports, Dylan Lightfoot, Jon Channing, KwaZulu-Natal, Monster Energy, Motocross racing, MX, PS3, Shaun Baker, south africa, Springfield race track, surfing, Umhlanga, Wihanne Kotze
Posted in Industry News, South African surfers | | No Comments »

On Saturday, Gerhard van Zyl went surfing with a friend at Outeniqua, a beach close to the Southern Cape towns of Mossel Bay and George.

Just after 3 o’clock, Gerhard became the first shark attack victim in that area in more than 20 years. After the attack – in which his right leg was completely bitten off above the knee – his buddy helped him to shore where a Netcare 911 paramedic tried to save his life. Despite the on the scene help and being airlifted to a hospital in nearby George, 25-year old Gerhard unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, becoming the first shark attack fatality in South Africa this year.

Horrifically enough, this is the second time the devastated Van Zyl family has lost a son in a beach-related incident. Only three years ago, Gerhard’s youngest brother Christo died when he fell from a cliff into the ocean on the St Blaize hiking trail outside Mossel Bay. He was 17 years old.

Although no one is sure exactly what shark species attacked and killed Gerhard, experts agree that it can probably be attributed to a Great White since they are known to frequent that area this time of year.

Ever since the movie Jaws scared the wits out of movie-goers worldwide, sharks have had the reputation of being blood-thirsty man-eaters. That isn’t actually true.  According to Stephan Swanson of Oceans Research in Mossel Bay, sharks are opportunistic hunters “who investigate anything that might be edible. To determine whether an object is edible, they first smell and ‘taste’ it.”

He told News24 that shark researchers have tagged approximately 400 great white sharks in that area over the past three years, in order to determine their behavioural patterns. About 98% of these sharks are between 2m and 3m in length. The smaller sharks in particular are nomadic and migrate to Gansbaai and False Bay, returning to Mossel Bay in August and September.

Gerhard is survived by his parents and a brother, 23-year old Johan.

Tags: Fatal Shark Attack, Gerhard van Zyl, Great White Shark, south africa, surfing
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Ten of South Africa’s hottest young female surfers are currently battling it out at the Roxy Invitational 2009 event in Ponto d’Oura in Mozambique.

The event, in which prize money of R15 000 is up for grabs, has been turned into a truly international contest with the inclusion of two surfers from the island nation of Reunion, Johanne Defay and Canelle Bullard. The week-long contest kicked off on Monday, the 4th of May 2009 and will continue until next Monday.

In attendance is the reigning champion, Port Shepstone’s Heather Clark. She is vying for the winner’s pot of R10 000 against the likes of 2009 Roxy Wahine Cup winner Tarryn Chudleigh from Cape Town, and East London girls Nikita Robb and Alice MacGregor.

Competitors also include SA junior surfing team members Kirsty Delport (Durban), Tanika Hoffman (Cape Town), Bianca Buitendag (George) and Durbanite Sarah Baum, who is fresh from her victory at the Oakley Pro Junior that took place in Port Alfred over the weekend.

Faye Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth) and Tasha Mentasti (Durban) are also competing.

For more information, visit http://www.roxy.co.za/invitational

Tags: Alice MacGregor, Bianca Buitendag, Canelle Bullard, Faye Zoetmulder, Heather Clark, Johanne Defay, Kirsty Delport, Mozambique, Nikita Robb, Ponto d'Oura, Reunion, Roxy Invitational 2009, Sarah Baum, South African surfers, surfing, Tanika Hoffman, Tarryn Chudleigh, Tasha Mentasi
Posted in Industry News, Surfing Events | | No Comments »

The International Surfing Association recently announced the forty recipients of its 2009 ISA Individual Scholarship Programme, and three South Africans are among them.

The lucky Saffas are Brandon Benjamin, Bright Ntuli and Khaye Ngcobo. Congrats to them all!

This is the third consecutive year that the ISA is presenting the Scholarship Programme. It began in 2007 with only five grants awarded. Within one year, it had expanded to 20 scholarships. This year, the ISA has increased the programme by 100%, issuing 40 scholarships to Under 18 junior surfers from 22 countries. They received over 80 applications from 24 countries for this year’s programme.

All the recipients made the cut to become ISA Surfing Ambassadors in their respective countries, because they are inspirational human beings, great surfers and students who want to succeed in surfing and school.

Before announcing the winners, ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: “I believe the Scholarship is a huge step forward by the ISA in areas of the world where we can’t do enough.  Together, we are supporting the dreams and hopes of good students who are also good surfers. We went from five to 40 scholarships in three years and we´re hoping to reach 100 in a couple of years.”

The ISA is able to provide scholarships due to the generous support from Billabong, Quiksilver Foundation, Reef Redemption and Global Surf Industries, Inc.

The 2009 ISA Scholarship recipients from other countries are:

Brian Masmut –Argentina
Martín Carricart –Argentina
Joaquín Castanon –Argentina
Dominic Reisch –Australia
Amiya Doyle – Australia
Ametza Nicholls –Barbados
Jade Niccolls –Barbados
Henry Rivera Hidalgo -Guatemala
Jordan Heaselgrave –Barbados
Cristian Rivera –Puerto Rico
James Philips – Trinidad
Victor Bernardo –Brazil
Isaac Norman –Canada
Tomás Villegas –Chile
Camilo Hernández –Chile
Manuel Mesen –Costa Rica
Alberto Muñoz –Costa Rica
Carlos Muñoz –Costa Rica
Roberto Rodriguez –Ecuador
Brandon García –Guatemala
Freddy Morales –Guatemala
Garren Pryce –Jamaica
Leon McKenzie –Jamaica
Nao Omura –Japan
Arashi Kato –Japan
Aman Ashraf –Maldives
Itzel García –Mexico
Jayda Martin Fitzharris – New Zealand
Joaquín del Castillo – Perú
Juninho Urcia – Perú
Miguel Tudela – Perú
Pedro Alcobia –Portugal
Lucía Martino –Spain
Darío Jordan –Trinidad
Federico Longo –Uruguay
Christian Arballo –USA
Demi Boelsteri –USA

Remember these names. We’re almost certain that there are a few future surfing champions among them!

Tags: 2009 ISA Individual Scholarships, Billabong, Brandon Benjamin, Bright Ntuli, Fernando Aguerre, Global Surf Industries, International Surfing Association, Khaye Ngcobo, Quiksilver Foundation, Reef Redemption, surfing
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The seventh edition of the Lizzard Nando’s Surf Pro, again a 1* WQS rated event, will take place at Durban’s North Beach between 15 and 17 May 2009. With R100 000 in prize money up for grabs, as well as 250 WQS points for the winner, South Africa’s top international surfers will need no invitation to battle it out.

Mike Frew, Lizzard’s Marketing Manager, says “Lizzard is stoked to once again be able to put on a WQS rated surf event together with Nandos”. Frew is hopeful that the event will see South Africa’s top surfers performing in quality waves as “the month of May sees early winter swells and consistent offshore winds making it prime season for waves in Durban.”

North Beach has become a favourite venue for this event, and Frew says this is because “the natural amphitheatre of North beach means spectators can get a good look at some world class surfing.”

The Lizzard Nandos Pro occurs just after a big WQS event in Scotland, and just before another in the Maldives, which means that most of South Africa’s top surfers will be in the country.

Early favourites for the event include surfers such as Travis Logie, Royden Bryson and Ricky Basnett, as they are all top WCT competitors trying to get back onto the Championship tour. South Coast charger and Lizzard sponsored rider Gavin Roberts will be hoping that his experience as a former WQS campaigner will give him an edge. Antonio Bortoletto, who is arguably one of the most talented surfers in Durban’s waters, will also be a threat due to his intimate knowledge of the conditions at North Beach.

Other Lizzard riders who will be hoping to shine in their sponsor’s title event include Klee Strachan (Warner Beach), Shawn Dennis (Durban), Jacob Mellish (Somerset West), Dave Richards (Kommetjie), Matt Pallet (Durban) and Mark Shepperson (Umdloti).

For more information on the contest, Lizzard products, team riders and more
check out Lizzard Surf’s website. During the event, the site will feature videos, heat scores, results, pictures and news uploaded directly from the Lizzard site office at North Beach. Co-sponsors for the event are Bokomo, Nestle Pure Life Water and Bavaria. The entire event will be organised by Nerve Events.

About Lizzard: Established in 1991, Lizzard is a clothing, accessories and footwear brand with roots in authentic surf culture. From offices in Durban (South Africa) and Burleigh Heads (Australia), products are distributed to 27 countries globally. Lizzard supports independent and core retailers. Lizzardsurf.net showcases the latest ranges, making it easy to find products and to locate the nearest stores or distributors worldwide.

Tags: Antonio Baroletto, Dave Richards, Durban, Gavin Roberts, Jacob Mellish, Klee Strachan, KwaZulu-Natal, Lizzard Nando's Surf Pro, Mark Shepperson, Matt Pallet, Mike Frew, North Beach, Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson, Shawn Dennis, south africa, surfing, Surfing South Africa, Travis Logie
Posted in Surfing Events | | No Comments »

The hugely popular annual Vodacom Easter Adrenaline, scheduled to take place from 10  – 13 April this year, has been relocated to Margate Main Beach.

As one of the most frequented tourist destinations on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Margate will certainly benefit from this high profile event.  The festival is jam-packed with loads of exciting events, including Freestyle Motocross, Jet Ski exhibitions, touch rugby, beach soccer and beach volleyball.

Alberts Breed, Managing Executive of Vodacom KZN, believes that the change of venue for this year’s Vodacom-sponsored festival will “expose a whole new audience to the variety of high octane sports, and with the competitors having to adapt to the local conditions, it’s bound to be an exciting event.”

He says the change of scenery “also allows a much greater involvement by Vodacom and the event partners into the local community and economy, as an event the size and profile of the Vodacom Easter Adrenaline will stimulate the local economy enormously through the increased tourism revenue.”

“As the event sponsors, we are extremely excited about this fantastic opportunity to showcase this event to a new audience,” says Breed.

Other crowd-pleasing and exciting events at this year’s Vodacom Easter Adrenaline include Brian Capper Extreme Riding, a bikini glamour event, numerous stage activities, and an exciting Vodacom Paddle Challenge.

There will also be a Vodacom Ocean Experience clinic, which will teach ocean safety and awareness, as well as surfing, to the public free of charge.

Vodacom Rescue Demonstrations, featuring the latest marine safety craft and rescue methods, will also educate the public further on how to have an enjoyable yet safe time at the beach.

“Margate celebrates its centenary this year and it is fitting that a prestigious event of this nature should be hosted over one of our busiest weekends to form a part of this important celebration,” says Vicky Wentzel
of Wozani Africa Events.  Wozani hopes to attract more events of this nature to the South Coast district.

According to Michael Bertram, CEO of UGU South Coast Tourism, Margate, like most South Coast towns, relies on tourism to drive the economy. “The stimulation of these areas through increased exposure in both regional and national media, as well as both local and inland visitors, will raise the profile of the entire area.”

Beachgoers will not be disappointed, says Bertram, as “Margate has worked extremely hard at developing itself as a holiday venue of choice for tens of thousands of people, and invested heavily in its infrastructure and services.”

“Our sponsors, Vodacom and the KZN Department of Transport, should be commended for ensuring that Margate Beach will be buzzing this Easter.”

Tags: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Brian Capper Extreme Riding, Freestyle Motocross, Jet Ski, Margate, Michael Bertram, south africa, surfing, Touch Rugby, UGU South Coast Tourism, Vicky Wentzel, Vodacom Easter Adrenaline, Vodacom Ocean Experience clinic, Vodacom Rescue Demonstrations, Wozani Africa Event
Posted in Surfing Events | | No Comments »

Jordy Smith has beaten Damien Hobgood to win the first ever O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series event at Bluff Reef in Marrawah, Tasmania, Australia.

Battling 8-foot swells and offshore winds, the two surfers skillfully displayed why they are at the top of the World Tour surfing ranks.

“It was good to get a win,” said Jordy. “It’s been a while. Damo’s been ripping this whole event. I looked up to him as a kid, so it’s great to be out there with one of your heroes.”

Despite Damien’s impressive second place performance, he admitted that he struggled. “I had needed to step it up. I just didn’t do it. It was hard for me. Sometimes I was really hanging on with my toes so hard. It’s a bit more bumpy out there than it looks for sure.”

On his way to the top, Jordy knocked out phenomenal talent like Australian Owen Wilson and Brazilian Jadson Andre.

Well done, Jordy! Our South African hearts are swelling with pride!

Tags: Damien Hobgood, Jadson Andre, Jordy Smith, Marrawah, O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series, Owen Wilson, South African surfers, surfing, Tasmania
Posted in Surfing Events | | No Comments »

South African surfing champion Travis Logie, widely regarded by his peers to one of the best small wave surfers, secured a victory in the Mark Richards Pro Surfing competition in Australia this past Sunday (22 March 2009) in what has been described as the ‘tightest of men’s finals in many years’.
“This is huge confidence boost. I’ve been training so hard so it’s good to see it pay off,” Logie said. “This is very prestigious event and I always come here. I am stoked to win at Newcastle. Mark Richards is a true icon of the sport of surfing and to win a trophy named in his honour is unbelievable,” he added.

Tags: Australia, Mark Richards Pro Surfing Championship, South African surfers, surfing, Travis Logie
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A South African surfer made a splash recently in the art world when he shelled out a cool R17 000 for a surfboard.

So yes, granted, it wasn’t just any board. It was a two metre ‘wavescape’ meticulously decorated by underground comic artist Andy Mason.

A stunned Mason said he was “speechless” by the amount of money paid by avid surfboard art collector Glen Thompson. Thompson, who is a surfing historian, also bought Mason’s last two boards in 2005 and 2006. The amount Thompson bid for the “egg surfboard” is believed to be the highest paid in South Africa for a surfboard decorated by an artist.

The sale was part the third annual Wavescapes Surfboard Art Exhibition and charity auction to raise funds for the NSRI and Shark Spotters.
Of the R125,000 raised at the event, R18,500 came from five signed photographs of sharks by a top marine photographer from the Save Our Seas Foundation, Thomas Peschak. A famous image of a great white following a man in a kayak sold for R5,000.

The Wavescapes Film Festival, which kicked off at the Labia in Cape Town yesterday and will run until Sunday, 14 December, also forms part of the event.

Tags: Andy Mason, Glen Thompson, NSRI, Save Our Seas Foundation, Shark Spotters, south africa, Surboard, Surfboard Art, surfing, Thomas Peschak, Wavescapes Film Festival, Wavescapes Surfboard Art Exhibition
Posted in Movies About Surfing, Surfboard Art | | No Comments »

This year is not ending on a good note for Jordy Smith.

The young, talented South African surfer badly injured his left knee during last week’s O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach. We’re all waiting with baited breath to see if his #25 ranking will hold up following the year-end Pipeline Masters to secure him a 2009 spot on the Dream Tour.

Just last week, Jordy was still on a roll, delivering a playful yet skillful performance at Sunset Beach. But then the unthinkable happened. ”I was bottom turning on my first wave and my foot slipped to the nose and I did the splits and I just felt my knee go. I tried to feel it out on the next wave and straight away I could tell that my knee was done.”

“I still want to surf the Pipeline Masters, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” he said.

Although his injury will eventually heal, the timing of it is really unfortunate – especially since he was on such a roll when it fell him.

We wish you a speedy recovery, Jordy!

Also read: Jordy Smith – injured and out of Pipeline.

Tags: Jordy Smith, O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, Pipeline Masters, south africa, South African surfers, surfing
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