THE North was well represented at this year’s Durban July Surfing Extravaganza at the Bay of Plenty with a number of competitors from the North shining.
The three day competition featured men, women, pro junior boys and girls and U18, U16 and U14 divisions for boys and girls.
The men’s Final was won by uMhlanga’s Beyrick de Vries who is currently ranked 39th on the ASP Qualifying Series and 10th on the SSA Pro Surf Tour. De Vries narrowly defeated Durban North’s Dan Redman and Davey Van Zyl of Glenashley into second and third place respectively while Garret Parkes of Australia placed fourth.
Heidi Palmboom of the Bluff won the women’s final from the legendary two time World Masters Champion Heather Clark of Port Shepstone with current National Team member Tanika Hoffman of Hout Bay in Cape Town taking third spot ahead of Jess Wilson of Durban North.
Honours and a maiden national U20 boys division title went the way of Bryce Burness of Berea. Jarred Veldhuis of Kommetjie took second place in the U20 final with 2014 National Junior Team member and SAMSA supported surfer Ntando Msibi of Durban ending third.
La Lucia’s Nicole Pallet won the U20 Girls title in style beating uMhlanga’s Teal Grace Hogg of Umhlanga into second place. Fellow national junior team member Chanelle Botha of Warner Beach was third and Jade Story of Mount Edgecombe came fourth.
The well supported U18 boys division final went the way of talented eMdloti surfer Bevan Willis. The Northwood School pupil also took honours in the competitive U16 boys division with Sebastian Williams of Jeffrey’s Bay ending second.
Chanelle Botha won the U18 Girls title with Jade Mets of Salt Rock taking second.
Five girls contested the U16 Final which was won by 2014 SA junior team member eMdloti’s Cana Foster. Talented Gabi Lailvaux of Westbrook made her grandpa, Paul Van der Wall’s day, when she finished in second place ahead of Rachel Wood of La Lucia, Kelly Medley of Durban North and Olivia Izzard of La Lucia.
RVCA surfer Sebastian Williams made sure that his trip up the coast with his dad, Nick,was worthwhile when he showed his class in winning the U14 boys title.
