National Waveski champs decided at Nahoon Reef
Competition as usual was hot, this year even more so with positions in the national waveski team on offer.
EAST London once again delivered as one of the best surfing venues the world has on offer as waveski riders were treated to decent but challenging waves for the full three days of the South African Waveski Championships.
Competition as usual was hot, this year even more so with positions in the national waveski team on offer. The SA team will travel to Pantin, Spain in September for the World Waveski Titles and SA is hoping to field a powerful team.
The open event is always the most sought after title at any contest. This year’s finalists included 2017 winner Bruce Viaene, 2016 and 2017 runner up Duran Martin, 2009 world champion André Burger and canoe man Ant Stott.
Spectators on the shore where treated to some spectacular surfing and the panel of five judges where faced with the tricky task scoring the riders waves as accurately as possible.
In the end it was the KZN hotshot Duran Martin who took the win by less than half a point from East London local Bruce Viaene. KZN’s Ant Stott took third place with another East Londoner André Burger in 4th.
The age group categories were also hard fought boding well for a very strong team performance in Spain later on this year.
In the junior division it was exciting to see the massive leap in performance and skill by Marcus Esterhuyse to claim the title for 2018. Marcus the son of well-known waveski surfer Dian Esterhuyse is already showing potential way above his young age.
The seniors was another extremely tough battle with Bruce Viaene taking the hard earned title. Mike Wessels pushing the limits and Bruce all the way to the final hooter with a very close second.
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