Rising Longboard Star Lefevre Out to Challenge the Pecking Order at South Coast Surf Carnival
Jessica Lefevre and support : photo Paul Godwin
Rising longboard star and Jeep Apparel team rider Jessica Lefevre (Glenwood)
is out to challenge the pecking order amongst the more established
competitors taking part in the South Coast Surf Carnival at Scottburgh beach
on November 3 and 4. The fifth annual festival is sponsored by the Ugu-South
Coast Tourism Board, TCE and Komuity Project and presented by Jeep Apparel
and Independent on Saturday.
“This is the first time that I will be taking part in the South Coast Surf Carnival so I am a bit nervous. I know the pressure is on me as I will be surfing against the likes of Nicole O’ Driscoll and the current champion Lisa Smith so I am hoping to do well,” commented the 19 year old who is currently studying an IMM Marketing diploma at Varsity College.
Lefevre has been keeping fit with some swimming training and enjoys all sports that involve the outdoors. She started surfing in 2000 and since then she has been crowned the KZN Champion as well as the 2006 SA champion in the under 18 division. Lefevre has been on a roll in 2007; she was announced as the top seed for the KZN team in the ladies division.
“I am very excited about Scottburgh as a venue it will be the first time I surf there and I have heard so much about it,” said Lefevre. Lefevre will be up against top names such as Lisa Smith (Sherwood), Tasha Mentasti (Durban North), Niki Trickett (Durban) and Nicole O’Driscoll (Umhlanga).
The South African Longboard Surfing Association sanctioned event boasts an increased prize purse of R11, 000 which is bound to attract the cream of the country’s longboarding crop to compete. Divisions include Open, Over 40, Over 50 and Ladies.
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 Quinton Shabalala 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, TCE and Komunity Project.