HIGHLITES
HOLT WINS LONGBOARD DIVISION AT WOMEN'S DAY EVENT
Bronze Beach, Umhlanga Rocks hosted the postponed KZN edition of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge last weekend as the shark nets were still not back in place along Durban’s beachfront. The lack of shark nets due to the extended sardine run forced the postponement of the KZN event a month ago but this time round all went well and over 70 surfers from as young as 7 to over 40 took part in the inaugural Women’s Day Surf Challenge.
(Photo: Longboard division runner-up Nicky Trickett © Stander)
Challenging 3-4 foot surf made things tough for the contestants and there was special praise by the officials for the rookies who tackled the difficult conditions with courage and determination. The competitors were inspired by the performance of Heather Clark, who highlighted South Africa’s female surfing talent when she won her second World Title at the ISA World Masters Championships in Panama the day before the local event got underway. There were some fine performances from a number of surfers on the day with Chanelle Botha one of the stars. The tiny Warner Beach local not only came second in the Under 20 final behind SA Junior Invitation team surfer Nikita Kekana but also won the Under 16 final which resulted in her being awarded the Surfer of the Contest title.
Among the most inspiring aspects of the Surfing South Africa Women’s Day Surf Challenge in KZN was the fact that not only did it attract four heats of “rookies”, but it also brought back the past as former SA Champions and National Team members Tamarys de Maroussem and Kay Holt made their return to competitive surfing. Despite having “retired” some five years ago to start a family, de Maroussem seems to have retained her competitive skills, winning the Open Division and scoring a 8 point ride in the final. Holt was fourth in the Open final but recorded a win in the Longboard Division, adding another national title to the many that she has been collecting since the late 1970’s. With Clark taking honours in Panama and de Maroussem and Holt showing their class at home the KZN version of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge was a celebration of some of South Africa’s history as well as its up and coming talent.
In the Rookies division there was plenty of up and coming talent and although Robynne Theron won the title all of the girls who took part can look to a bright future in competitive surfing. Lenieka Botha was named the most promising surfer at the event and Tatum Ambrose recorded the Best Manoeuvre. The KZN Women’s Day Surf Challenge attracted the biggest entry of the three Women’s Day event held and was a huge success despite being postponed by a month.
Over R1000 was raised through the raffle of a Safari surfboard and this money has been donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa. Rip Curl South Africa presented the winner of the rookies division with a wetsuit and Skullcandy and Powerbalance, donated prizes. Surfing South Africa was partnered at all three events by Saltwater Girl Magazine, gsport for girls, Aquarius Screenprinting and Vitamin Water. The Women’s Day Surf Challenge was supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and Sport & Recreation SA.
Surfing South Africa is recognized by Sport and Recreation SA (SRSA) as the governing body for the sport. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Women’s Day Surf Challenge / KZN Results
Open
1. Tamarys de Maroussem
2. Tatum Ambrose
3. Heather Klug
4. Kay Holt
U20
1. Nikita Kekana
2. Chanelle Botha
3. Shebjorn Axelson
4. Caryn MacNicol
U16
1. Chanelle Botha
2. Caryn MacNicol
3. Shannon McGee
4. Courtnay Ellish
Rookies:
1. Robynne Theron
2. Tiffany Higgens
3. Karabo Nyembe
4. Kelsey Tiegs
5. Gaby Lailvaux
6. Jade Story
Longboards :
1. Kay Holt
2. Nicky Trickett
3. Madz Nixon
4. Dorette Oosthuizen
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