SA Masters Seek Gold In Ecuador – ISA World Masters Champs

The 2013 SA Masters Surfing Team will be leaving our shores next Tuesday in search of gold at the ISA World Masters Surfing Championships in Ecuador. They’d be hoping to at least bring back gold, it’s the only way to pay back the funds that they’ve had to contribute to attend the tournament themselves. They’re also without a team manager or a coach, since funding was not available for them either.

But they’re twice past world champs, and boast seven gold medals amongst their individual performers – so they are confident in their quest. They’re a team that SA can certainly be proud of, and you can watch their progress in their battle for glory on http://isawmsc.com/

Check out the teaser below, if the hombres and chicas are lucky enough to score some swell for the event, Ecuador might just rock hard:

Also, If you’d like to contribute towards the SA Master’s ‘warchest’, to help our team bring back gold, then click here to enter into a silent auction for either of these rad prizes:

Diamond Reef Wetsuit; Billabong hamper; Epoxy Roxy surfboard; Hutchison Handcrafted surfboard; Epoxy Quiksilver Mini Mal.

Check out the official press release below…

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South African Masters Team ready to take on the World at the ISA World Masters Championships in Ecuador

ISA World Masters Surfing Championships
Montanita, Ecuador
April 6 -14, 2013

The South African Masters surfing team might be short on financial support in their bid to win a third team title at the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championships, but there is no lack of fire and determination as they prepare to make the 30 hour journey to Ecuador next Tuesday.

No manager or coach will accompany the eight-strong side due to severe financial constraints which resulted in each team member having to raise R25 000 to represent the country, bring back the team title and a haul of individual medals.

Team South Africans won the World Masters team title in Puerto Rico in 2008 and Peru in 2009. The 2013 team is an experienced group that has pooled its resources to attend this year’s event.

The team contains two World Champions in Heather Clark of Port Shepstone and Chris Knutsen of Durban. They are joined by a pedigreed group that includes regular World Masters finalists David and Andre Malherbe of East London as well as former ASP WCT surfer, South African and Pro Surf Tour champion and current South African Masters Champion, Greg Emslie of East London.

Two-time South African Champion Wayne Monk of East London, his 1992 South African team-mate at the ISA World Surfing Games in France, Carl Roux of Durban and former SA Masters champion Gary Van Wieringen of Warner Beach make up the eight members of this fit and focused team.

Over 160 surfers from 24 nations will be competing in the ISA World Masters Championships which begins at Montanita, Ecuador’s premier surf venue, on Saturday April 6 and ends on Sunday April 14.

The SA Masters Team has been provided with kit by Quiksilver. Other support has been received from generous benefactors and the team is trying to add to its “war chest” by holding a silent auction of a Diamond Reef Wetsuit, a hamper of Billabong goods, an epoxy Roxy surfboard, a Hutchison Handcrafted surfboard and an epoxy Quiksilver Mini Mal.

Go to www.wavescape.co.za to check the items out and place your bids. All funds raised will go to support team expenses.

2013 South African Masters Surfing Team:
Over 35 (Masters) : Greg Emslie (East London) & Gary Van Wieringen (Warner Beach)
Over 40 (Grandmasters) : Wayne Monk (East London) & Carl Roux (Durban)
Over 45 (Kahunas) : David Malherbe & Andre Malherbe (both East London)
Over 50 (Grandkahuna) : Chris Knutsen (Durban)
Women Over 35 : Heather Clark (Port Shepstone)