THE uMhlanga Lizzard Nature Valley Surf Fest (7/8 December) was hailed a success by organisers last week. The two to three foot waves, with a slight north easterly wind, helped surfers to impress over the two days. The standout performer on the day was Sarah Baum who got first in both the U20 girls and the open ladies’ divisions.
Slade Prestwich also impressed winning R5 000 from Lizzard and the open men’s division, and a R20 000 bursary from Varsity College for winning the U20 boys’ division.
Other winners on the day were Westbrook’s Gaby Lailvaux who won both the U12 girls and the U14 girls’ divisions. The U16 girls’ division saw Chanelle Botha in first place.
In the U12 boys’ division Karl Steen got top honours, and Calvin Goor won the U14 boys. Salt Rock top surfer Shane Sykes placed first in the U16 boys winning R2 500 cash. In the Masters’ Men first place went to Paul Canning.
Special awards went to Sean Ruggeri who won a custom made Clayton surfboard valued at R3 500, and Teal Hogg who won the Eco R1 000 for the girls paddle battle. Josh Smit won the R1000 Zag Award for doing the most ‘insane aerial manouvre’.
Gavin Roberts, marketing manager for Lizzard, said uMhlanga delivered superbly yet again. “Despite the lack of sunshine, the waves were contestable, and surfers all got a good weekend of fun and waves. A big thank you goes to Paul Izzard from KZN Surfing and his team for putting it all together so well,” he said.
Final results (selected)
U12 girls
1. Gaby Lailvaux (Westbrook)
2. Kelly Medley (uMhlanga)
3. Courtney Sim (Durban)
U14 girls
1. Gaby Lailvaux (Westbrook)
2. Sophie Bell (Salt Rock)
3. Christy Gilmour (Durban)
U16 girls
1. Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach)
2. Teal Hogg (uMhlanga)
3. Cana Foster (eMdloti)
U20 girls
1. Sarah Baum (Warner Beach)
2. Heidi Palmboom (Bluff)
3. Teal Hogg (uMhlanga)
U12 boys
1. Karl Steen (Durban)
2. Saxton Randall (Dbn North)
3. Christian Brand (eMdloti)
U14 boys
1. Calvin Goor (uMhlanga)
2. Liam de Villiers (Richards Bay)
3. Tide Lee Ireland (Durban)
U16 boys
1. Shane Sykes (Salt Rock)
2. Simo Mkhize (Umzumbe)
3. Richard Kidd (Salt Rock)
U20 boys
1. Slade Prestwich (Scottburgh)
2. Davey Van Zyl (Glen Ashley)
3. Shane Sykes (Salt Rock)
