The waves were tricky, but remarkably fun at Umdloti for the final day of the second event of the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One series. Rampy bowls made it possible to throw-down any trick possible, but linking one through to the inside proved the difference between winning and losing.
Bowling barrels = limitless opportunities.
Actually, in the Pro Junior final it was making a below-sea-level barrel which had swallowed him whole that proved to be the difference between winning and losing for Diran Zakarian. An incredible display of backside tuberiding earned the Melkbos local an excellent score, which left Slade Prestwich (who along with Mikey February and Diran were looking like elastic-limbed acrobats as they stuck some twisted airs throughout the day) in second place. Dylan Lightfoot finished in third, while Mikey Venter creased his board early in the final to finish fourth with no decent back-up.
Diran steered his way through a draining barrel to clinch victory in the Pro Junior final.
Watching some of the heats from the water earlier in the day was a treat as we surfed a bowl a little further down the beach. Witnessing how some of the country’s best attack the lip from the shoulder perspective is so much radder than being a beach-bound spectator. From side-on you notice just how extended these pros whip their airs (and how soft they touch down and revert).
In the Open Mens final, Beyrick De Vries saved the two most humongous turns of the day for one wave halfway through the heat. Bam, Whapow! Just like that he grabbed an insurmountable lead and held on for victory as Umdloti local, Brandon Jackson, finished in second, with Casey Grant in third. Dan Redman sat wide and although cracking some big turns on his backhand, he struggled to link through to the inside to finish fourth.
Beyrick was dancing above the lip in Umdloti.
Victory will give Beyrick a confidence boost as he prepares ahead of the next event on the WQS on the 16 June – the 6 Star Los Cabos Open of Surf in Mexico, where he finished runner-up in 2013. If he gets another good result there, then the Prime Mr Price Pro in home waters at the end of the month could prove to be a massive event for the Umhlanga local as he guns for a spot on the Dream Tour.
Here are the video highlights from an entertaining event:
Check out the official press release below.
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DURBAN SURFER BEYRICK DE VRIES WINS INAUGURAL SURF EVENT AT UMDLOTI
Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga) emerged victorious taking the title of the Open Men’s division at the second leg of the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One Series which took place in Umdloti over the weekend (31 May – 01 June).
Umdloti, Durban, South Africa – The second leg of the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One Series concluded in contestable one-metre surf at the weekend. Over 90 of the country’s top surfers converged on Umdloti’s south point for the Surfing South Africa 3A PST-rated event that catered for both open men and under twenty pro junior boy’s divisions.
Umhlanga’s Beyrick De Vries put on a solid performance to win the open men’s division. De Vries impressed the judges with selecting the biggest wave and pulled off two radical maneuvers to post the highest score in the twenty-five minute final.
“Paddling out in the final I knew that it would come down to whoever caught the best wave as the other three surfers are more than capable of posting excellent rides given the opportunity, I am really stoked to win an event in my hometown. This win will boost my confidence for upcoming events overseas,” said De Vries. Second place was claimed by Brandon Jackson (Durban), hot on his heels in third place was Casey Grant (Scottburgh) with Daniel Redman (Durban), a finalist at the first Quiksilver Takes One To Know One series event, taking fourth place.
Capetonian Diran Zakarian got off to a flying start with progressive aerial maneuvers and took an early lead over his fellow competitors. Zakarian then continued to build on his lead with an impressive late drop take off and tube ride which earned an excellent 8.25-points score that secured the U20 Pro Junior title. Slade Prestwich (Durban), one of the contest’s stand-outs, finished second. Jeffrey’s Bay local Dylan Lightfoot was relegated to third place while Mikey Venter (Warner Beach) finished in fourth position. Zakarian was also awarded the “Skullcandy Performance Award” for his impressive aerial surfing and tube riding . Winners and finalists took home prizes from sponsors Drift HD Camera’s, Techniblock Sunscreen, Skullcandy headphones and Zigzag Surfing Magazine.
Quiksilver’s Brandon Jackson was very pleased with the second leg of the series and said, “As a surf company we want to put on an event that both our spectators and competitors can enjoy and Umdloti allows that with its amphitheatre set up.Even though Saturday’s conditions were unfavourable, on Sunday all of the elements came together allowing the athletes to perform at their best and they put on a great show for everyone on the beach.”
The last remaining event in the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One Series will be held at Victoria Bay in September.
For more information, photos and videos on the event and series, please visit the official event website: www.quiksilver.co.za/totko.
FINAL RESULTS:
Open Mens Final:
1. Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga)
2. Brandon Jackson (Durban)
3. Casey Grant (Scottburgh)
4. Daniel Redman (Durban)
Pro Junior Final:
1. Diran Zakarian (Melkbosstrand, Cape Town)
2. Slade Prestwich (Durban)
3. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffrey’s Bay)
4. Mikey Venter (Warner Beach)
