As the fog cleared this morning in Lambert’s Bay, many competitiors caught their first glimpse of Yoyo’s, a rippable A-frame and home to the Vans Surf Pro Classic this weekend, May 14 – 15.
With the main event looming, the West Coast Boardriders held a trials event where the winner of the Men’s and U18 Boys will receive a wildcard into the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series QS1,000 rated Vans Surf Pro Classic.
“We’re so happy to be a part of the Vans Surf Pro Classsic and we feel priviledged to be involved in such a successful trials event.” -Josh ‘Dutchie’ Louw from West Coast Boardriders.
Yoyo’s produced some epic surf throughout the trials which had competitors and event organisers frothing.
The U18 Junior final took to the water as the onshore dropped off, cleaning up the A-frame of Yoyo’s. Eli Beukes came out on top of a high scoring final, taking the win over Luke Slijpen, Alex van Rijswijck and Ford van Jaarsveldt. Eli, Ford and Luke are already in the main event so the wildcard was awarded to the next highest placed surfer who was Alex van Rijswijck.
Alex van Rijswijck won the U18 Junior Boys Wildcard into the Vans Surf pro Classic WSL QS1,000.
Paul Samson Chudleigh won ‘Junior Surfer of the Event’ as he was the youngest surfer to place the furthest in the trials.
Conditions improved thoughout the day and conditions glassed off as the Open Men’s final took to the water. Chris Leppan from Umhlanga Rocks stuck to the left handers and won the final with two great rides. Brandon Benjamin came in second and also won ‘Surfer of the Event’, with a huge frontside air in the semi-finals earning himself a nine point ride from the judges. Dylan Fernandez finished in third place and Papi Makanyane in fourth.
Dylan Fernandez, winner of the Open Men’s Wildcard into the Vans Surf pro Classic WSL QS1,000.
Brandon Benjamin won ‘Surfer of the Event’ with this huge frontside air in the semi finals earning himself a nine point ride from the judges.
Chris and Brandon are already in the main event this weekend, therefore the Vans Surf Pro Classsic Wildcard was awarded to Dylan Fernandez and Papi Makanyane will be the first alternate.
“We’re so happy to be in Lambert’s Bay and the waves were insane today. There’s so many talented surfers in the event and Yoyo’s is the perfect canvas for their work,” said Warren Talbot, Vans SA Marketing Manager. “The forecast for tomorrow is looking really good and we can’t wait for the action to kick off.”
Stanley Badger is the event commentator at the Vans Surf Pro Classic and winner of the Open Plate final.
U18 Junior Boys final L-R: Alex van Rijswijck, Luke Slijpen, Eli Beukes and Ford van Jaarsveldt.
Open Mens final L-R: Dylan Fernandez, Papi Makanyane, Brandon Benjamin and Chris Leppan.
Read more about the Vans Surf Pro Classic in Lambert’s Bay this weekend, May 14-15 HERE.
Joaquin Del Castillo (PER) won the QS1,000 Cape Town Pro last weekend. Today he was looking sharp, doing some amazng freesurfing at Yoyo’s and will be hoping for back-to-back wins in South Africa.
