Liam rips it up at surfing challenge
The talented youngster impressed judges with his slick moves in the testing 3-foot surf.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/56/2015/01/liam-de-villiers-e_548425216.jpg)
RICHARDS Bay surfer Liam de Villiers finshed second in the combined U14 and U16 division of the Reunion Island Challenge finals held at Tiffany’s Reef, Salt Rock, on Sunday.
The talented youngster impressed judges with his slick moves in the testing 3-foot surf.
The contest, which was presented by Surfing South Africa and hosted by the KZN Surfing Association, saw the South Africans winning all four finals.
The contest involved surfers from KZN, Jeffreys Bay and a group of surfers and bodyboarders from the St Leu Surf Club in Reunion.
SA teammember and top KZN surfer Shane Sykes used his extensive local knowledge to win the combined U18 and U20 division, when he beat Reunion’s Mathis Poulot.
In the combined U14 and U16 division, visiting Jeffreys Bay surfer Sebastian Williams was the standout in the final and took the gold medal in style.
De Villiers claimed a solid second ahead of Calvin Goor of Salt Rock and Reunion’s Mathis Cozon, who were third and fourth respectively.
Gabi Lailvaux of Westbrook beat Sophie Bell of Umhlali into second place to take top honours in the girls’ final, while Olivia Izzard of La Lucia was third.
Garryd Ensor Smith claimed the bodyboarding title.
The St Leu Surf Club members spent 10 days in Durban surfing in beach break conditions which are nonexistent on the volcanic island of Reunion.