From Brazil to Japan, over 130 internationals pulled into Durban this week for the Volkswagen SA Open of Surfing Presented by Hurley, the most significant surf event (in terms of QS points and international contestants) in quite a long time… The contest kicked off yesterday at New Pier with 25 heats of the QS3000 men’s event run under grey skies, in 1-2ft waves and dabs of drizzle. But conditions didn’t stunt the high performances from the South African and world’s best performers…
There were multiple scores in the “nailed it!” range (8.0 or more out of 10) with Mateus Herdy (BRA) producing one of the standout results of the day’s action. He emerged with the heat win after a battle with compatriot Weslley Dantas (BRA), SA’s Dale Staples and Henrique Pyrrait (PRT). Shane Sykes (the Salt Rock local) was the stand-out South African performer of Day 1, winning the first heat of the event and then slamming the door on his Round 2 rivals with a strong 9.0 in Round 2 to advance into the round of 96.
The contest has brought the likes of surf legends Tiago Pires (Portugal) and Basque’s Aritz Aranburu to our shores… An exciting time for the KZN surf scene and it’s not over yet. Action continues until Sunday 18 June, with conditions set to improve, but for now check out some of the punches in the Day 1 gallery below…
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*All Images © Ian Thurtell. Full WSL report HERE.
