P.E’s 4th annual logging contest, The Cobbles Classic, took place this past weekend at the rolling Cobbles Point of the Cape Recife Reserve. The much-anticipated event is hosted by the Loggers Union and brings some of the most graceful, skilled longboarders together for a weekend of choreographed cross steps, poised nose rides and the timeless elegance of traditional surfing that simply can’t be beat… This year saw contestants (and logs) of all ages, skill-levels and styles competing in the event; with Michael Hill, Mia Baard and Greg Smith taking first place in their respective categories and Craig Cuff claiming Surfer of the Contest. Check out what went down this time ’round and stay hooked on the glide – single-fins are forever!
Classic conditions greeted surfers on both days of the contest, with the reef and the point giving the loggers plenty to work with.
Grant Beck has been putting some serious time into his longboarding this year, and the results show just that. Making the finals at the SA Longboard champs, as well as surfing his way into the finals of the Classic has put him firmly on the logging map.
Last year’s Cobbles king, Craig Cuff, was on fire throughout the event, unfortunately getting knocked out before the semi-finals. However, he didn’t walk away empty handed and claimed Surfer of the Contest.
Kwezi Qika is always entertaining to watch. His smooth and powerful style stands out in the water, and this hang ten kick out earned him a place in the semi-finals.
One of the most seasoned ladies competing, Charmain Adams, charged all the way to the final where she placed a credible 3rd place.
Fun waves and great company ensured that every single person who came out of the water had the biggest smile on their face. Grant Beck all grins and shakas.
Looking at the heat sheets, nobody wants to draw Steven “Steezy” Sawyer in their round. Besides the fact that he can log in every condition, he is adept at surfing both goofy and regular. Here is the Steez with a switch bottom turn in the tricky conditions.
Logs of all shapes and sizes, and fins of every calibre were on show throughout the contest. So many logs, so little time to try them all.
During the ladies final Mia Baard lost her board after a cracker of a wave, and Joburg based photog Dominic Barnardt does the noble deed of fetching. On her paddle back out she helped fetch one of the other finalists boards and still managed to get back to the lineup with more than half of the heat left.
After a serious injury a while back, the doctors told Michael Hill that he wouldn’t surf again. Defying the medical odds he fought hard to get back onto his board, and lifted his log game to an incredibly high standard. From the first heat of the contest, right up until the final, he quietly kept winning his matchups, putting on a show that the judges deemed worthy of the crown.
Yes! ’nuff said.
Master shaper and surfer, Greg Smith logged his way to yet another Cobbles Classic over 50’s division title.
Not only a ridiculously good all round surfer, Steezy Sawyer can lay down a guitar riff with the best of them. Welcoming the contestants with a classic set of covers and originals, Steven is entertainment personified.
Congrats to the three winners! Cobbles King Michael Hill, Queen Mia Baard and over 50’s winner Greg Smith.
Big up to everyone involved for running another epic event, until next year!
*Lead Image Caption: All style and grace, Mia Baard put her local knowledge to good use and convincingly won the ladies division to claim her place as this year’s Cobbles Queen © Kody McGregor
*All Images © Kody McGregor
