The 2016 Tiger’s Milk Surf Classic ended on a high note at Muizenberg Corner yesterday (Sunday, June 19th ) when eleven champions were crowned at this well supported multi discipline surfriding event.
Driving rain did not dampen the spirits of the competitors who showcased their skills in perfect 3 -4 foot offshore conditions in front of an enthusiastic crowd who watched the proceedings from the comfort of the welcoming Tiger’s Milk Restaurant & Bar.
The premier Men’s Longboard Final, a World Surf League (WSL) Speciality event with R10,000 in prize money on offer brought the contest to a close in fine style as the four best longboarders in the event had the crowd cheering. A two time World Champion, a South African Champion, a multiple provincial champion and a popular Muizenberg local made up the final and from the outset it was clear that the local longboarder, Alfonso Peters, was out to cause an upset. As the crowd in Tiger’s Milk roared their support, Peters posted one high scoring ride after another eventually winning the title and the R5700 prize purse.
Two time World Champ Matthew Moir tried hard to defend his 2015 title but it was not to be and he had to settle for second ahead of William Wallace and Steven Sawyer, the current SA Champion who finished third and fourth respectively. In his victory speech at the prize giving Alfonso made the point that “although most of you guys are taller than me, this victory makes me feel taller than anyone”.
Alfonso Peters, WSL Men’s Longboard Speciality Division champion. –Photo By: Ant Smyth Liquid Images
The Opens Men’s Surfing went the way of a stoked Jarred Veldhuis, who secured his maiden victory in a 3A Rated Surfing South Africa PST event. 2015 winner Jordy Maree was second, S.W.O.T Surf Club member and popular local surfer and coach Craig Johnson was third and Diran Zakarian took fourth place.
In the WSL Women’s Longboard Division World Longboard Champion Simone Robb beat defending champion Kay Holt into second place with Hannah Bing taking third ahead of Roxy Davis. Tarryn Chudleigh led from start to finish to win the Women’s surfing final. Faye Zoetmulder was second, Emma Smith third, 2015 winner Nikita Robb came fourth and Danielle Johnson came fifth.
Simone Robb WSL Women’s Longboard Speciality Division champion. -Photo By: Ant Smyth Liquid Images
Adin Masencamp followed his victory in the U18 Division of the Cape Crown a week ago with a win yesterday. Ford Van Jaarsveldt was second. Jake Elkington came third and Ethan Fletcher was fourth. The U18 Girls title went the way of Pippa Jones who beat Natasha Van Greunen into second place. Taghiti Gericke was third and Danica Stockigt came fourth.
Top ranked Stand Up Paddler Thomas King won the SUP Men’s Final and claimed the Rayne Action Camera which was awarded to the competitor across all divisions and disciplines who posted the highest heat score in the contest. King’s 18 point heat score on Day Two earned him this great prize. Second place behind King was taken by Matthew Maxwell with 14 year old Nathan Van Vuuren securing third spot ahead of Dave Maxwell. The SUP women’s title was successfully defended by Tammy Foster who beat Tarryn King, Penny Stemmet and Jessie Gould in the final.
Radio personality and dedicated longboarder, Deon Bing took gold in the Over 40 Longboard final when he beat Gavin Moir into second place by a mere ,3 points. Paul O Connell was third and Waldo de Kock came fourth. In the Varsity Division final another local surfer, Brandon Benjamin, posted his first ever premier contest victory when he beat Steff Burrows into second place. Dillan Lowenthal was third and Cameron Gouws came fourth.
In the Women’s Varsity final defending champion Gina Smith held on to her title with UCT surfer Nina Woermann taking the runner up spot. Anoush Zakarian was third and Samantha Sutton was fourth.
The second annual Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic celebrated a number of firsts for a surfing competition. It remains the only multidiscipline surfriding event held anywhere in South Africa, it offered a significant prize purse of R55000 as well as prizes to competitors in the eleven divisions, over 150 individuals entered the three day event which not only included 3A Surfing South Africa PST divisions but also featured the first ever WSL Longboard Speciality events ever held in South Africa. In addition there were unique divisions for students and an opportunity for young surfers from local outreach surfing programmes to participate in the Tiger’s Milk Outreach initiative which was held at Surfers Corner on the final day.
While most surf contests are run from gazebos or structures positioned on the beach the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic is run from inside the restaurant which kept the judges, commentators and spectators warm, dry and comfortable throughout the event.
The Tigers Milk Surf Classic has certainly brought big name surfriding back to Muizenberg Corner.
Full results and a photo gallery can be viewed on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za
The Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic was supported by Rayne Action Cameras, Just Islands Foods, House of Juice, Nomu products, Red Bull, Part Wolf Lager, Tiger’s Milk Lager,Corona,Jack Daniels, Jagermeister,Ken Forrester Wines, Graham Beck Wines, Bill Riley meats and other loyal Tiger’s Milk suppliers.
ZigZag Magazine is the official media partner of the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic.
About Tiger’s Milk Restaurant & Bar
Located in the heart of the Cape Town Surf scene, Tiger’s Milk brings both a heighted sense of excitement and delicious food to Surfers Corner in Muizenberg. Serving generous portions of all your favourite ‘Dude foods’ with a panoramic view of the bay is a hard combination to beat. It wasn’t long before this popular restaurant opened its second store successfully in Long Street, and its third store opened its doors to Century City in May of this year. It is through Tiger’s Milk’s love for surfing that has led to them hosting the Tiger’s Milk Classic Surf competition in 2015 and again this year. Their aim in sponsoring this competition is simple; to promote surfing as a sport in South Africa and provide accessibility to emerging surfers. Through the expansion of the brand, Tiger’s Milk has held on to the ethos that their customers have fallen in love with: mouth-watering ‘Dude Food’ enjoyed in a festive environment.
About Surfing South Africa
The 2016 Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic is presented by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
