Billabong SA Junior Champs – Day 2

Day 2 of the Billabong SA Champs presented by Boss, and Jeffreys Bay decided to open up it’s wave rich taps! Waves came pouring down the point as Jbay showed off. What a beautiful country we live in. Most national champs would probably be surfed in sloppy beach break conditions complimented by onshore winds, but not our groms, they dine on only the finest point breaks complimented by the face brick houses which overlook. Anyway, conditions were cooking, so the groms went ham. 

Standouts include, Joshe Faulkner (Nelson Mandela Bay) who kicked the day off by acquiring a 16.16 heat score total, dark-horse Samuel Loppknow representing host district Nelson Mandela Bay who used all his local wave knowledge to pull off an impressive win over highly rated Calvin Goor, S’nenhlanhla Makhubu (eThekweni), who has just returned from competing in the ISA World Junior Champs in Japan, and delivered a classy performance on her backhand, and the list goes on…

Checkout the gallery from the days action below. And if you feel so inclined, well then might as well have a gander over the press release.

Joshe Faulkner was one of the standouts of the morning, earning a 16.16 heat score total for surfing like this. Image: Ian Thurtell

Adin Masencamp continuing his great ISA World Juniors streak. Image: Ian Thurtell

Calvin Goor showing some flair. Image: Ian Thurtell

Surfer: Taghiti Gericke. Image: Kody McGregor

Luke Malherbe, the upside of down. Image: Ian Thurtell

Surfer: Sophie Bell. Image: Kody McGregor

Arnold Vermaak, takes advantage of cooking point. Image: Ian Thurtell

Sne' Makhubu fresh off ISA Worlds and onto SA Champs. Image: Kody McGregor

Dark-horse Samuel Loppknow used all his local wave knowledge to pull off an impressive win over highly rated Calvin Goor. Image: Ian Thurtell

Paul Chudleigh's an exciting surfer to watch, here he is about to do something sick! Image: Ian Thurtell

Local, Kai Woolf another standout of the day dominated her heat with a pair of high nine point rides. Image: Kody McGregor

Surfer: Olivia Izzard. Image: Kody McGregor

Joshe Faulkner's surfing was electric. Image: Kody McGregor

Grab a Boss while you grab your rashie. Image: Kody McGregor

Nina Harmes, on the shred. Image: Kody McGregor

Luke Malherbe... showing us how good the waves were. Image: Ian Thurtell

Kirsty McGillivary carving her way to a 9.5 and backing it up with a mid range eight. Image: Kody McGregor

The teams were in high spirits. Image: Kody McGregor

Surfer: Junior Cini. Image: Kody McGregor

Surfer: Juliet Fiet. Image: Kody McGregor

Johan Van Der Walt with a smooth carve. Image: Ian Thurtell

Joel Fowls another micro grom who's been shredding. Image: Ian Thurtell

Henco Scholtz poised and ready. Image: Kody McGregor

Ethan Fletcher. Image: Ian Thurtell

Image: Kody McGregor

Calvin 'Drop Wallet' Goor. Image: Ian Thurtell

Micro grom Ben Ribbink. Image: Ian Thurtell

Arnold Vermaak pulling in deep. Image: Kody McGregor

Arnold Vermaak. Image: Ian Thurtell

Aimee Du Preez, check turn. Image: Kody McGregor

Adin Masencamp, carve city. Image: Ian Thurtell

Billabong SA Junior Champs presented by BOS

Lower Point, Jeffreys Bay

October 4-8, 2017

Jeffreys Bay Delivers Again on Day2 of Billabong SA Junior Champs pres. by BOS

An increase in swell at Jeffreys Bay was just what was required on a busy second day at the Billabong SA Junior Champs presented by BOS where surfers in eight different divisions produced exciting performances as they challenged for national titles and team points.

The Under 18 boys were the first in the line-up today and Joshe Faulkner (Nelson Mandela Bay) kicked off things in spectacular fashion by winning his heat with a total of 16.16 out of 20 that included a couple of scores in the excellent range.

Luke Malherbe (Buffalo City) was on fire on his backhand, finding a couple of the day’s biggest waves and producing a near-perfect nine point ride. That was matched by Kody Oberholzer (eThekweni) who used his entire repertoire of forehand manoeuvres on the long J-Bay walls.

Surprise of the round was dark-horse Samuel Loppknow representing host district Nelson Mandela Bay who used all his local wave knowledge to pull off an impressive win over highly rated Calvin Goor from the Ilembe district team making their debut at the SA Junior Champs

Kai Woolf (Nelson Mandela Bay), who is chasing the U16 girls title after winning the U15’s last year, was determined to steal the boy’s thunder and absolutely dominated her heat with a pair of high nine point rides that rewarded her vertical backhand attack.

S’nenhlanhla Makhubu (eThekweni), who has just returned from competing in the ISA World Junior Champs in Japan, also delivered a classy performance on her backhand.

Last year’s SA Champ U17 girls champion Kirsty McGillivray (Nelson Mandela Bay) kept her campaign for back-to-back titles rolling in the U18 girls by producing a heat total in the high teens, carving her way to a 9.6 and backing it up with an 8.5

“The waves were really fun,” enthused the J-Bay local. “I picked up a great set wave that just gave me so much space to do turns.”

By midday the onshore wind was freshening but J-Bay’s perfect geography ensured running waves for the surfers in the cutthroat 15 minute repercharge round heats. Aya Gericke (Eden) and Tye Findlay (Buffalo City) were impressive in moving through to Round 3 of the U16 boys, while Matt O Brian (Buffalo City) and Declan Fiet (Cape Winelands) were among those who will compete in the next round of the U14 boys. 

The Ugu district team were glad to see their U18 boys Tyler May, Senzo Shange and Dirkus Lubbe all escape the repercharge rounds and remain in contention for higher honours at the country’s premier event for surfers 18-and-under. 

The U14 girls showed style and grace in their Round 2 encounters with Jess Powell (Ugu) and Chanel Shaw (Eden) advancing after a great heat. And the U12 boys wrapped up a long day with Joel Fowles (Buffalo City), Josh Van Wyk (Cape Town Surfriders), Ben Ribbink (eThekweni) and Ntokozo Maphumulo (Development Team) all stoked to progress to Round 3. 

Alongside the individual titles at stake in the individual U12, U14, U16 and U18 boys and girls divisions, there are teams from eight districts plus the SA Development Academy competing for the coveted Freedom Cup.

There are also a number of specialty awards up for grabs including the BOS Highest Heat Score, VonZipper Airshow and the Wazoogles Surfer of the Event for Boys and Girls, while the teams compete for the prized Spirit Cup.

As part of Surfing South Africa’s commitment to transformation, the South African Development Academy team is participating thanks to support from Sea Harvest and a grant from Sport and Recreation South Africa.

All the action from the Billabong SA Junior Champs presented by BOS can be followed via:

Hashtag:       #SAJuniorChamps

Website:

Contest schedule, results and images will be posted daily on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the recognised governing body for surfing in South Africa. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA)