Nov 4, 2008 | Surfing Events
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.
Nov 4, 2008 | Surfing Events
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.
Oct 24, 2008 | Surfing Events
The South Coast Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday, which kicks off in just over 2 weeks at Scottburgh’s main beach, promises to be an explosive event with many hot contenders contesting some of the newest and most progressive watersport events. With three exciting surf disciplines on display, and with over R30 000 in cash and product up for grabs, KwaZulu Natal’s South Coast is set to sizzle between 1-2 November.
Along with the well established disciplines of longboarding and kitesurfing, spectators will witness history in the making with the first ever Stand Up Paddleboarding division to be held in South Africa.
In the SALSA (South African Longboard Surfing Association) sanctioned Premier open division, the absence of Matthew Moir (Cape Town), who is a dominating force in the sport, has left the door wide open. Last year’s
finalists Brad Trickett and Donald Brierley are obvious contenders, although previous SCSC champ Dylan Macleod (PE) is also in the running. Jason Ribbink (Durban), who was runner up last year, will be looking to be the first KZN surfer to take this event since 2005. Capetonian William Wallace also fancies his chances and has the ability and experience to take this title.
Early indications are that the over 35 division will also be close battle, with defending SCSC 2007 masters champion Brendan Callaghan looking to defend his title against hopefuls Grant Gilmour () and Greg Smith (PE). Last year’s over 50 division champion Mike Larmont will be back to defend his title, as will Nikki Trickett, who won the Ladies longboarding division. Contestants in all divisions will be vying for a share of the R11 500 cash up for grabs, as well as fantastic product prizes and accommodation prizes for contestants entering next years SA Longboard Champs in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Although this revitalized traditional Hawaiian sport is a new addition to the local surfing scene, the Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) division will be no walk over, judging by the increasing number of paddleboarders perfecting their abilities at Durban’s beaches. Jason Ribbink, pioneered the SUP movement in South Africa , is an obvious early favourite. Another Ribbink, Jason’s brother Brandon, will also be fighting it out for the prestigious first ever SUP title in South Africa as well as the main prize of a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
Other Standouts in this division will be Alwin van Breda, Donald Brierley and Gavin Spowart.
The kitesurfing component of the carnival, which is the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, comprises of a mens open, ladies and junior divisions. In the mens division, last years runner up Gavin Spowart (Westville) will be looking to go one better and take on last years Champion Rob Chrystal, although he will have also have to deal with Alwin van Breda (La Lucia), Jason Wright (Ballito) and Dave Pons (Umhlanga) who are all in with a realistic chance of scooping the title and the many fantastic prizes on offer.
Paul Godwin, of event organizers Nerve Events, “is once again thrilled to be able to put on this event in its 6th year, it is the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, the only professional longboard event and is now the first ever Stand Up Paddleboarding event”. Godwin rates Scottburgh Beach highly, as it “is an amazing arena for this event. We are looking forward to an awesome event with South Africa’s top competitors in each discipline already hard at work practising for this unique event”.
Over and above the contest action there will be surfing lessons provided by uShaka Surf and Adventures as well as a very safe and protected bathing area for the public. The organizers welcome everyone to come on down and enjoy the event. Several experts in the various disciplines will be on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
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.
Oct 21, 2008 | Bodyboarding, Surfing Events
Matthew Moir successfully defended his ISA World Longboard title on the final day of the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games at Costa de Caparica in Portugal on Sunday.
The Capetonian was joined on the podium by fellow South African Dave Lee (Uvongo) who came fourth in the Men’s Bodyboarding and the SA tag team who also came fourth in the Aloha Cup.
Moir won all five heats he contested en route to his second gold medal, as he did in California in 2006. This is inspiring him to match the three consecutive longboard titles won by Brazil’s Marcelo Freitas.
“I’m so, so stoked. I never thought I would have the chance to win two events in a row. Marcelo Freitas won it three times in a row and I’ve done it twice, so I’m pretty happy for that. I had great support from my teammates on the beach. That was amazing, I just can’t believe it.”
Australia emerged as the champion nation at the 22nd edition of the “Olympics of Surfing”, earning the accolade for the third consecutive time. American CJ Hobgood took the men’s surfing title,
Australian Sally Fitzgibbons triumphed in the women’s surfing, Brazilian Marcus Lima in the men’s bodyboarding, Natasha Sagardia earned a first gold medal for Puerto Rico in women’s bodyboarding and France won the Aloha Cup tag team event
Oct 16, 2008 | Surfing Events
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.
Oct 8, 2008 | Bodyboarding, Surfing Events
With only three weeks to go, the countdown has begun for the Zulu Kingdom’s only dedicated wave riding festival. Organisers of the biggest Open Longboard and Kitesurfing event in South Africa are watching the weather patterns with glee as Scottburgh beach and its sand banks are being reshaped and moulded to hold the classic right hand waves which Scottburgh is internationally renowned for.
“With the recent rain and storm damage earlier in the year the face of Scottburgh beach has continually changed but the beach is starting to look like its old self again and this is good news for the surfing fraternity and the big guns who will be competing in this year’s SOUTH COAST SURF CARNIVAL presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday,” comented event organiser Paul Godwin of Nerve Events.
The much anticipated water extravaganza takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November at Scottburgh beach where the heavyweights will do battle for generous prizes in the Longboarding, Kitesurfing and Stand up Paddleboarding event which boasts over R30 000 in cash and product.
For the first time the traditional Hawaiian sport of Paddleboarding will also be contested. This sport is growing around the country and organizers expect to see South Africa’s top professional surfers taking part in this discipline. Stand-up Paddleboarding is a traditional form of surfing which has been revitalized around the world and now brought to South Africa by big wave surfer and Bilt Surfboards Jason Ribbink (Durban). Other “SUP” riders to look out for who have been practising feverishly for this event are Alwin van Breda (La Lucia), Jason Wright (Ballitto), Gavin Spowart (Westville) and Brandon Ribbink (Berea); another favourite to take this event is Donald Brierley (Durban)
The who’s who of SA longboarding will be in attendance in the SALSA (South African Longboard Surfing Association) sanctioned premier division starting with Jason Ribbink and his brother Brandon (Dbn). Other top contenders doing battle for the title will be Dylan Macleod (Port Elizabeth) ,William Wallace (Cape Town) and last years finalists Donald Brierley (Durban) and Brad Trickett (Durban) to name a few. This event has never been won by a KZN surfer and the local boys will be throwing down the gauntlet to the visitors. Contest Director for this years event is local legend and sponsor Hugh Thompson of Natural Curve Longboards.
The event will also feature an over 35 division and last year’s champion Brendan Callaghan will be looking for the double. Callaghan will face formidable competition in the form of multiple SA Champions Grant Gilmour (Dbn) and Craig Daniel (Bluff) to name a few. There will also be a ladies division with defending champion Nikki Trickett (Berea), Lisa Smith (Sherwood), Jessica Lefevre (Umhlanga), Nicole O’Driscoll (Dbn North) and longboard newcomer Traci-Lee Phillips (Durban). The over 50 division will also be a strongly contested division with big Durban names such as Mike Patterson, Mike Larmont and Attie van de Pas in the mix.
Kitesurfing will take place at Scottburgh Main beach in front of the Cutty Sark Hotel. This sport is an absolute spectacle to behold when a myriad of kites brighten up the sky and the action is guaranteed to be red hot. This event will see the likes of Rob Chrystal (Umhlanga), Gavin Spowart (Westville), Alwin van Breda (La Lucia), Jason Wright (Ballito), Dave Pons (Umhlanga) and Bryn James (PMB) powering up. As per 2007 the event will be run as a wave riding event were the judging will be based on wave riding ability combined with risky moves.
The experts will also be on hand to give tips to novices or interested members of the public who will also be able to try their hand at the sport.
Over and above the contest action uShaka Surf and Adventures will be conducting surfing clinics The organizers welcome everyone to come on down and enjoy the event. Several experts in the various disciplines will be on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
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, African Surf Rider Magazine and Southern Comfort Jeffreys Bay Accommodation.
Scottburgh has first class facilities with great restaurants offering fantastic sea views and a waterslide; there are also curio sellers in the vicinity and fast food outlets. Come and visit the Kingdom of the Zulu!
