Matthew “mouse” Moir (Cape Town) surfed to victory in Africa’s biggest pro longboarding event at the South Coast Surf Carnival at the weekend. The fifth annual South Coast Surf Carnival at Scottburgh beach on the KZN south coast was sponsored by the Ugu-South Coast Tourism Board and presented by Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. 2007 was the third consecutive year that an out of town surfer won the prestigious Open title.
“The 2007 South Coast Surf Carnival was another outstanding success we had two brilliant days of high energy kiteboarding and longboarding. The best competitors in South Africa descended on Scottburgh and the champions were rewarded for their efforts thanks to Jeep, the Independent On Saturday and Ugu. We are looking forward to putting on an even bigger event next year,” commented Paul Godwin of Nerve Events.
The much-anticipated Open final came down to a battle for supremacy between 2006 ISA World Longboard Champion Moir and Jason Ribbink (Berea) who was rated second in the world in 2001. Ultimately Moir triumphed with a near un-beatable final score of 18.5 out of a possible 20 points. Donald Brierly (Glenwood) surfed well en route to the final and finished third overall with Brad Trickett (Glenwood) taking fourth place.
Brendan Callaghan (Durban North) won the Masters division with some stylish nose-riding and a big re-entry. Callaghan played the waiting game which paid off handsomely and gave him the edge over Grant Gilmore (Durban North), Craig Daniel (Bluff) and Doug Escreet (Berea) who finished second, third and fourth, respectively in a closely contested showdown.
In the Seniors final Mike Larmont (Durban North) was the star of the show when he recovered after almost falling off his opening wave to score 7.5-points out of a possible ten. Runner up Attie van de Pas (Durban North) surfed phenomenally well with an injured hand which he cut on his surfboard fin during his first heat. Hugh Thompson (Scottburgh) claimed third place ahead of Alan Smith (Sherwood) in fourth.
The Ladies final was dominated by Nikki Trickett (Glenwood) who managed to overcome a strong challenge from Kim Bagley (Berea), Nicole O’Driscoll (Durban North) and Zanie Cawood (Glenwood) who placed second, third and fourth, respectively.
The South African Longboard Surfing Association sanctioned event boasted an increased prize purse of R11, 000 which attracted the cream of the country’s longboarding crop to compete.
The kiteboarding event shifted its focus from the big air award to judging competitors wave riding ability. The Open men’s contest was won by perennial favourite Rob Chrystal (Umhlanga) with Gavin Spowart (Westville) and Lyle Bottcher (Durban North) second and third place.
Linda Potts (Durban), Dagney du Toit (Durban) and Charlotte du Toit (Umhlanga) shone in the Ladies kiteboarding contest proving how far women have come in the sport in recent years. Seasoned competitor Potts rose to the top ahead of Dagney du Toit and Charlotte who took second and third.
In the Junior event Bryce Rawlins (Umhlanga) cruised to an easy win.
The South Coast Surf Carnival has cemented itself as one of KZN’s premier watersport festivals and attracts large crowds to the mid-south coast to enjoy world class kiteboarding and longboarding action.
For the first time ever paddleboarding was introduced to the South Coast Surf Carnival and was a highlight of the festival. Jason Ribbink (Berea) showcased the unique sport which has helped to shape modern day surfing.
The Point Surf Academy held development surfing clinics open to members of the public. Hundreds of youngsters benefited from the lessons that top coaches Shaun Hague (Scottburgh) and local south coast hero Quinton Shabalala hosted.
In addition to the surfing clinics, free Swimming South Africa Ocean Splash lessons taught children basic water safety and surf swimming skills.
South Coast Surf Carnival Results 2007: Longboarding :Open
1) Matthew Moir (Cape Town) 2) Jason Ribbink (Berea)
3) Donald Brierly (Glenwood) 4) Brad Trickett (Glenwood)
Over 40/ Masters
1) Brendan Callaghan (Dbn Nrth) 2) Craig Daniel (Bluff)
3) Doug Escreet (Berea) 4) Grant Gilmore (Dbn Nrth)
Over 50/ Seniors
1) Mike Larmont (Dbn Nrth) 2) Hugh Thompson (Dbn)
3) Attie van de Pas (Dbn Nrth) 4) Alan Smith (Sherwood)
Ladies
1) Nikki Trickett (Glenwood) 2) Kim Bagley (Berea)
3) Nicole O’Driscoll (Dbn Nrth) 4) Zanie Cawood (Glenwood)
Kiteboarding Results:
Open
Open
1) Rob Chyrstal (Umhlanga) 2) Gavin Spowart (Westville)
3) Craig Chrystal 4) Lyle Bottcher (Dbn Nrth)
Ladies
1) Linda Potts (Dbn) 2) Dagney du Toit (Dbn) 3) Charlotte du Toit (Umhlanga)
Juniors
1) Bryce Rawlins (Umhlanga)
Kitesurfing Sportsman Awards
Dave Pons – (Umhlanga) & Bryn James (Pmb)
Longboard TCE Stand out award - Dylan Macleod (PE)
Longboard TCE Stand out award - Dylan Macleod (PE)
Bilt Surfboards Sportsperson of the event - Colin Whitmore (Pinetown)
Komunity Project most progressive surfer - Zanie Cawood (Berea)
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