It was a classic way to end a great day of surfing at the 2014 Hurley SA Junior Champs. While the beats jammed in the background as Saturday’s action drew to a close, a helicopter flew overhead and surfers were grabbing their own version of airtime in the lineup – as if the contest was still on. Behind the media tower, bystanders happily collected complimentary ice cold beers from a blue container, soaking up what’s left of the sunniest day of the comp, while an army of groms hustled every single mush of a wave that unfolded down the point.
A wobbly, but beautiful start to Day 4 of the 2014 Hurley SA Junior Champs.
Day 4 kicked off with clear skies, but the waves after a cooking Day 3 were still struggling with a case of morning sickness thanks to an early morning onshore. After the first two heats however, the size picked up nicely as the wind dropped off, making for some decent ramp sections and super fun conditions for competitors still in the event and with a shot at the title.
Bonginkosi Ntuli was doing a great job of leading KZN Central’s cheer squad.
The Under 15 Boys quarter finals saw the surprise elimination of Jake Elkington (WP), who failed to advance as Koby Oberholzer (SKZN) and Nathan Wallace (KZN Central) took top honours and advanced through to the semi finals in Heat 1 of Round 4. The next heat saw Adin Masencamp (BOL) and local hopeful, Sebastian Williams (EP) shred through to the semi finals. Sebastian in particular was ripping, and boosted a crowd pleasing air to put him in good stead for the R3000 ‘Best Air” prize sponsored by Red Bull. One of yesterday’s standouts, Calvin Goor from KZN Central, saw his event come to an end in Heat 3 of Round 4. He failed to get the better of Joshe Faulkner (EP) and Ford Van Jaarsveldt (WP), who both advanced to the semi finals.
Local favourite, Sebastian Williams pleased the crowd with this morning boost.
In the Under 13 Girls division, Olivia Izzard (KZN Central) scored a great 7.75 for a long, clean runner she managed to crack some big turns on. She took the win in Heat 1 of the quarter finals and will be looking to repeat the feat in the next round. Crystal Hulett (EP) then followed suit in the Girls Under 17 division, when she impressed the judges with a very technical wave that she read to perfection to score a 7.5 – booking herself a spot in the semi finals.
Olivia Izzard (KZNC) on her way to scoring an impressive 7.75 to advance to the semi finals.
Standout in the division had to be local ripper, Kai Woolf though. Kai showed exceptional commitment on every single wave she took, and one excellent 9.5 scoring ride saw her smash two massive turns before finishing with a monster bash on the inside section. It was the highest scoring ride of Day 4.
Kai was in her element at her home break.
In the Under 13 Boys division, Karl Steen (KZN Central) was in top form, demonstrating superb speed and flow to post a solid 7.5, which took him to the top of his heat as he advanced through to the semi-finals. Max Elkington (WP) also showed good form in his Round 3 heat. The Cape Town shredder attacked everything that came his way to take a comfortable win.
Max Elkington (WP) was smashing every last bit of scoring potential out of his rides.
Jandre Strydom had his team throwing a small party on the rocks after a heart stopping finish to his heat. The Southern Cape ripper managed to advance in the dying stages with two waves in the final two minutes. After hearing that the first score wasn’t enough, he quickly paddled out to snag another right on the buzzer, which he then managed to carve out the required score on to grab a spot in the quarter finals. Talk about a smash ’n grab.
Eli Beukes (WP) also put on a fine performance in the Under 13 Boys division.
Things will be getting rather interesting tomorrow as the final day brings victory, defeat and all the frustration, tears and joy that goes with it. The groms are fired up, and expecting decent conditions to end things off.
Kai Woolf, done for the day and hungry for a potential victory.
Get all the results from Day 4 at surfingsouthafrica.co.za.
