Bluff surfer in top 3 at national surfing championships
For the first time ever at a national surfing event, a decision was made to provide jet ski assistance to assist the surfers.
Pro surfer and surf instructor, Scott Venter, was placed second at the South African National Surfing Championships hosted by Tidy Towns.
The four-day championship, held from August 6 to 9, at the south coast’s St Michaels Beach in Margate, was an initiative by the South Coast municipality to improve local areas and set an picturesque scene for surfers from around the country as they were met with a marquee on the beach, live music, bonfires and decadent food.
Scott said he was proud to have competed in the event, which he says most surfers believe will go down on history as the most successful masters national championships ever held.
PHOTO: Kevin Rom
“I was fortunate enough ride down with legendary surfer, Chris Knutsen, a four-time ISA World Champion, who also held the title of SA Masters Champion multiple times. We kept focused and were ready to battle! The event started in perfect conditions and I managed to take all convincing wins from the first heat through to the semi finals. However, as the competition went on, the swell kept building. Conditions went from a perfect swell with long running rides to uninviting treacherous conditions. Most of all, competitors were only managing to get one wave in 20 minutes and were unable to make the paddle out after their waves,” Scott said.
For the first time ever at a national surfing event, the accomplished surfer said a decision was made to provide jet ski assistance at the beginning of each heat to assist the surfers.
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“I declined this offer and was the only competitor in the semi finals to paddle out from the beach. I did this so that I could warm up and be out earlier than my competitors, as the jet ski driver was having a difficult time getting the competitors out to the back. After successfully winning the semi finals, the finals were set and I surfed an extremely good heat. Finally, my competitor, Gavin Roberts, got the best wave of the final, which lead him to win. Unfortunately, that is how it goes with the ocean and sometimes it is just not in your favour,” added Scott.
Even though he had high hopes of bringing home the title of South African national champion, Scott, who was signed as a professional surfer when he was just 14-years-old, was pleased to have been placed second in his division.
“The level of surfing was possibly some of the highest ever witnessed and all the masters that took part can be proud of being a part of it. Our ESA Masters Team won the 2022 SA Masters Champs for the first time and we have much to celebrate. I thank all those that helped and supported me to get to the championships and I hope I would be able to bring home the gold next time,” said Scott.
He is excited for his next challenge, which is to compete in the Open National Championships in Victoria Bay, Western Cape, from October 27 to 30.
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