Increased Prize Purse for Largest Longboarding Event in Africa
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Mathew Moir : photo
courtesy Nerve Events
The fifth annual South Coast Surf Carnival will be hosting the highest rated longboarding event in Africa at Scottburgh beach on November 3 and 4. The contest is sanctioned by the South African Longboard Surfing Association and boasted a prize purse of R10, 000 which has been sweetened by an additional R1, 000 raising the prize purse to a whopping R11, 000.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by the Ugu-South Coast Tourism Board and presented by Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. “All of the top longboarders from around the country including, the ISA world champion, will be battling it out in a showdown like never seen before. I think this contest will take longboarding to a completely new level,” commented Contest Director Brendan Callaghan.
The additional cash has been donated by longboarder Attie van de Pas from Thermoplastic Concepts and Equipment for the ‘TCE Standout Award’ which will be given to the surfer who shone throughout the event, not necessarily the winner. The award is aimed at encouraging and motivating surfers to push the limits and raise the standard of surfing at the event.
The Open event has
attracted legendary longboarders such as ISA World Champion Matthew Moir
(Cape Town), the unbeatable Ribbink brothers Jason and Brandon (Berea), SA
champion Dylan Macleod (East London) and previous event champion Michael
Grendon
(Cape Town).
The Women’s division will be stacked with big names which include perennial favourite Lisa Smith (Sherwood), top surfer Tasha Mentasti (Durban North) and upcoming stars such as Jessica Lefevre (Glenwood). Other longboarding divisions include Over 40 and Over 50.
This year’s South Coast Surf Carnival kiteboarding event consists of a downwind dash as well as a R5, 000 prize purse for the “king of the air”. Big names that are expected to feature high on the results ladder include Alwin van Breda, Rob Chrystal, Dave Pons and Gavin Spowart (all Durban).
For the first time ever paddleboarding will be introduced to the South Coast Surf Carnival and this is expected to be a highlight of the festival showcasing the unique sport which has helped to shape modern day surfing. Paddleboarding is a traditional Hawaiian form of surfing which has been revitalized round the world and now brought to South Africa by big wave surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban).
If Neptune comes to the party and delivers big surf over the weekend of November 3 and 4, spectators will be treated to a spectacular tow-in surfing demonstration by South Africa’s top big wave riders. The Point Surf Academy will once again hold development surfing clinics open to members of the public. Youngsters will be in good hands with top coaches Shaun Hague (Scottburgh) and local south coast hero Cyril Mquadi overseeing the clinics.
In addition to the surfing clinics, free Swimming South Africa Ocean Splash lessons will take place to teach children basic water safety and surf swimming skills. Windsong Kites will be responsible for impressive kiteflying shows with their most eye-catching kites on display.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is organised by Nerve Events and sponsored by the Ugu-South Coast Tourism Board in association with Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Sub sponsors to this event are Pepsi, Nestle Pure life water, Bavaria, Bokomo, Pick n Pay Scottburgh, Cyclone Kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air Kiteboarding and Bilt surfboards.