New surfing series to kick off in Western Cape

The 3A Pro Surf Tour forms part of the Quiksilver Takes One to Know One series. It caters for open men’s and junior boys’ divisions and will take place in the Atlantic seaboard area.

The more than 90 competitors who have entered so far will be vying for Pro Surf Tour points and the R30,000 prize money.

Stalwarts Shane Thorne and Sean Holmes, both from the Cape, will come up against young stars Michael February (Kommetjie), Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga Rocks), Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay), Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) and David van Zyl (Durban North), among others.

The Durban trio of Ricky Basnett, Brandon Jackson and Daniel Redman will also stake their claim for the R8000 first prize.

“With the right swell and conditions it could be a really exciting event. All the boys will be home for it, so there should be some crazy heats,” said February.

In the U20 Pro Junior division, Capetonians Max Armstrong and Diran Zakarian will come up against Jeffreys Bay duo Dylan Lightfoot and Steven Sawyer and Salt Rock’s Shane Sykes. Prize money of R10,000 will be up for grabs in the Pro Junior division.

The event will be run as a roaming venue with Witsands and Long Beach being favourable locations.

“We will have to make a call on the day before the event and even a final call on the morning of the event as to where the event will be staged. It’s all swell and wind-dependent. It’s in Mother Nature’s hands, but we’re looking for the best possible conditions,” said the sponsor’s representative, Dane Patterson.

The competition starts at 8am on Saturday, March 15, with the finals and the awards ceremony to take place around 4pm the next day.

The next event in the series will be held in Umdloti, on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, on May 31 and June 1 and the final event takes place in Victoria Bay in September.

– Sapa