Surfing talent is one thing South Africa most certainly does not lack. What we do though is a strong local pro tour, like Brazil for example. And the results of Brazil’s strong local pro circuit is evident if you skim through the ASP rankings.
That’s why the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One Series has been a welcome addition to the South African local tour. As well as the chance to win their share of the R90 000 in prize money on offer for the three event series, there is also the opportunity to surf heats against tough opposition – which is as important as cash to an aspiring local pro.
Cash and his first taste of victory, Davey Van Zyl was stoked on his win at Long Beach.
Davey Van Zyl took out the first event in Cape Town for his first ever pro victory, while Beyrick De Vries claimed the win in Umdloti at the second event to rev him up for the WQS. The series now moves to Victoria Bay for the final leg, which should prove an exciting finale. The rippable Southern Cape point is an excellent surfing arena, and with a stacked lineup of SA’s best the action is guaranteed.
Vic Bay is a quality venue for a surf contest.
The event takes place between 20 – 21 September, and will also include a Pro Junior division where SA’s future champs will get a chance to show everyone what they’ve got.
Check out the official press release below.
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SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST READY FOR FINAL LEG OF QUIKSILVER TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE SERIES
Mikey February and a field of SA’s best will be competing in Victoria Bay.
Victoria Bay, Southern Cape – South Africa’s best open mens and junior surfers will soon be making their way to Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape to compete in the final leg of the Quiksilver Takes One To Know One series. The event is the third of a three-part series and will take place on the 20th and 21st of September at the popular and picturesque point break setting of Victoria Bay. The event is a 3A Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour event that offers R30 000 in prize money.
With two of the three events already completed in Long Beach, Cape Town and Umdloti, KZN, the final stage in Victoria Bay is set to attract some top level competitive surfing. David Van Zyl of Durban North put on an impressive performance in Cape Town to take out his first open mens victory while Beyrick De Vries of Umhlanga Rocks stole the show in Umdloti to emerge champion. Both Van Zyl and De Vries won’t have it all their own way in Victoria Bay with the likes of Slade Prestwich (Durban), Michael February (Kommetjie), Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) and Dan Redman (Durban North) looking to impress and take home some silverware. De Vries has been focussed on the ASP Prime Tour and believes the event will be nice breather in between his hectic schedule, “I can’t wait to get to Vic bay and have a few heats with the boys and just have a good time down there. The local boys have been surfing really well and I can’t wait to battle it out in some fun waves on the point.”
Shane Sykes will be giving it his all in the Pro Junior division.
In the U20 junior division, Diran Zakarian of Melkbosstrand will be keen to repeat his previous result in Umdloti where he performed a series of radical manoeuvres to win the junior division final. He will be up against rivals Slade Prestwich (Durban North), Jarred Veldhuis (Kommetjie), Shane Sykes (Salt Rock) and Matthew McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay). Victoria Bay offers an inviting canvas for high performance surfing and should the ocean deliver these junior surfers will be a treat to watch perform.
The series has offered a total of R90 000 in prize money as well as some incredible prizes from sponsors DRIFT CAMERA’S, TECHNIBLOCK SUNSCREEN, SCULLCANDY HEADPHONES, ZIGZAG SURFING MAGAZINE and RED BULL. Quiksilver’s marketing and sales manager Dane Patterson has been very happy with the series and looks forward to final event in Victoria Bay, “We have seen a really good response from the surf community, the series has been welcomed with open arms. It gives a lot of guys looking to compete and get that competitive edge the opportunity to get involved, it’s a good stepping stone to bigger things. Let’s hope the surf delivers for the final event,”
To find out more about the series visit the event mini-site at http://www.quiksilver.co.za/totko/. For all aspiring competitors looking to take part go to http://www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za to get your entries in.
