There must be something in the ‘Turdie’ that explains Border’s domination of the SA Masters Champs. The team from East London clinched their 8th straight Masters title this weekend and got us thinking…
While talking on the phone this week with legend Slummies photographer, Louis Wulff, Zag were reminded that Buffalo City groms get bathed in the Turdie river at least once before becoming a man. So, perhaps there’s something in its smelly waters that make the men from Border get better with age?
The Reef was cooking on the final day of the 2014 SA Masters Champs.
The waves were classic for the final day. Overcast and windy, but cooking. Not even a spot of rain could ruin the vibe as the country’s top surfers over the age of 30 tore the powerful Nahoon walls apart.
Better still was the fact that it was being watched by spectators from across the globe. The 2014 Cool Shoe SA Masters Champs was the first national event to be webcast live, and the broadcast was a welcomed addition.
Greg Emslie dominated the Masters division to retain his crown and help Border to overall victory.
At the end of the day the team from Border boasted four (of seven) division title winners, three runner-up positions, as well as five third places. This gave them a solid lead over Zululand, who put up the strongest fight to grab second in the overall standings.
Provincial Team rankings
1. Border – 39 764 points – Masters Cup
2. Zululand – 29 812 points
3. Eastern Province – 27 956 points
4. Western Province – 26 252 points
5. KwaZulu-Natal Central – 17 932 points
6. Southern Cape – 11 780 points
7. Southern KwaZulu-Natal – 8 872 points
The triumphant Border Masters surfing team.
Check out the official press release below for all the results from an epic day of Masters surfing.
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BORDER WIN EIGHTH SUCCESSIVE TEAM TITLE AT COOL SHOE SA MASTERS SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN EAST LONDON
Devyn Mattheys (Border) on his way to clinching the Senior Men’s title in the 2014 Cool Shoe SA Masters Surfing Championships at Nahoon Reef in East London today.
The 2014 Cool Shoe South African Masters Surfing Championships was completed at Nahoon Reef in East London on Saturday with the Border team dominating proceedings in their home surf, clinching their eighth successive provincial team title along with four of the seven individual titles on offer.
Competing in excellent one to two metre waves with stiff offshore winds, Border had representatives in the final of every division and accumulated 39 764 points to retain the Masters Cup. Zululand surprised their counterparts by finishing runners-up in the team standings ahead of Eastern Province, Western Province, KwaZulu-Natal Central, Southern Cape and Southern KwaZulu-Natal.
Devyn Mattheys (Bor) excelled in the final of the Senior Men (Over 30 years), selecting the best waves on offer and posting a heat total of 15.50 out of 20 and leaving teammate Tyrell Johnson needing a near-perfect 9.0 point ride for victory. Alan Johns (Zulu) picked up third place with Kelvin Zehmke (EP) in fourth.
Reigning World Masters Champion and defending SA Masters champ Greg Emslie (Bor) was in a class of his own in the Masters (O35) final, finishing nearly five points ahead of runner-up Clinton Fraser (EP). Stuart Fowles (Bor) and Andrew Banks (Zulu) claimed third and fourth respectively.
Gary van Wieringen (SKZN) fought a see-saw battle with Wayne Monk (Bor) in the Grandmasters (O40) before securing the crown with Kevin O’Brien (Bor) and Vince King (Zulu) collecting the minor positions.
The Kahunas (O45) division saw Gareth Sepp capture another title for hosts Border as he comprehensively outscored Rob Moore-Boyle (KZNC), David Malherbe (Bor) and Mark Wooten (KZNC), who finished in that order.
Fred le Roux claimed the Grandkahunas (O50) title for Zululand with a dominant display. Nick Pike (Bor) grabbed second place and Arthur Cowan (KZNC) narrowly outpointing Andre Venter for third.
Border’s Brian Heathcote produced the upset of the day when he finished just 0.50 of a point ahead of four-time World Masters Champion Chris Knutsen (KZNC) with Gordon Harmer (Bor) in third and Hand Kamhoot, the only male finalist from last year’s runners-up Western Province, finishing fourth.
The peerless Heather Clark, a two-time Women’s World Masters Champion and multiple South African titlist, showed her ongoing dominance by recording a heat total of 16.50 points, the highest in any of the finals, to earn the Women’s title. Tasha Mentasti (SC) took the runner-up spot with Nicky Hare (Bor) and Carolyn Dent (WP) in equal third and Michelle Holmes (EP) fifth
The 2015 Cool Shoe SA Masters Surfing Championships will be run in Richards Bay and will be the first national event hosted by Zululand Surfing Association.
RESULTS:
Provincial Team rankings:
1. Border – 39 764 points – Masters Cup
2. Zululand – 29 812 points
3. Eastern Province – 27 956 points
4. Western Province – 26 252 points
5. KwaZulu-Natal Central – 17 932 points
6. Southern Cape – 11 780 points
7. Southern KwaZulu-Natal – 8 872 points
Senior Men (Over 30)
1. Devyn Mattheys (Border)
2. Tyrell Johnson (Border)
3. Alan Johns (Zululand)
4. Kelvin Zehmke (Eastern Province)
Masters (O35)
1. Greg Emslie (Border)
2. Clinton Fraser (Eastern Province)
3. Stuart Fowles (Border)
4. Andrew Banks (Zululand)
Grandmasters (O40)
1. Gary van Wieringen (Southern KZN)
2. Wayne Monk (Border)
3. Kevin O’Brien (Border)
4. Vince King (Zululand)
Kahunas (O45)
1. Gareth Sepp (Border)
2. Rob Moore-Boyle (KZN Central)
3. David Malherbe (Border)
4. Mark Wooten (KZN Central)
Grandkahunas (O50)
1. Fred Le Roux (Zululand)
2. Nick Pike (Border)
3. Arthur Cowan (KZN Central)
4. Andre Venter (Eastern Province)
Veterans (O55)
1. Brian Heathcote (Border)
2. Chris Knutsen (KZN Central)
3. Gordon Harmer (Border)
4. Hans Kamhoot (Western Province)
Women (O30)
1. Heather Clark (Southern KZN)
2. Tasha Mentasti (Southern Cape)
=3. Nicky Hare (Border)
=3. Carolyn Dent (Western Province)
5. Michelle Holmes (Eastern Province)
Results from all heats in the Cool Shoe SA Masters Surfing Championships are available on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za.
