South Coast Perfect Setting for Zulu Kingdom’s Only Dedicated Wave Riding Festival
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 September, 2008 : – – It is going to be wet and wild on Kwa Zulu-Natals’ South Coast this November as South Africa’s top watermen and women descend on the picturesque town of Scottburgh for the sixth edition of the Tourism South Coast SOUTH COAST SURF CARNIVAL presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday.
This much anticipated water extravaganza takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November at Scottburgh beach where the heavyweights will do battle for the generous prize money in the Longboarding divisions and Kitesurfing event.
For 2008 the traditional Hawaiian sport of Paddleboarding will also be contested. This sport is growing around the country and organizers expect to see South Africa’s top professional surfers taking part in this discipline. Stand-up Paddleboarding is a traditional form of surfing which has been revitalized around the world and now brought to South Africa by big wave surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban) and multiple kneeboard world champion Gigs Cilliers.
“In 2007 we showcased the sport and the results were amazing, I have even taken the sport up, it really is a great alternative sport for flat surf days and for wave riding but it is definitely not as easy as it looks,” said Paul Godwin, Event Organiser from Nerve Events.
The who’s who of SA longboarding will be in attendance in the SALSA (South African Longboard Surfing Association) sanctioned Premier division starting with Jason Ribbink and his brother Brandon (Dbn).
The defending event champion Matthew Moir (Cape Town) is unable to take part as he will be overseas which leaves the door wide open for other previous carnival champions such as Michael Grendon (Cape Town) and Dylan Macleod (Port Elizabeth). This event has never been won by a KZN surfer and the local boys will be throwing down the gauntlet to the visitors.
The event will also feature an 0ver 35 division and Greg Smith (Port Elizabeth) the current senior men’s SA champion will be going for gold, he will have tough competition in this division as there are numerous past SA champs like Grant Gilmour (Dbn) and Craig Daniel (Bluff). There will also be a ladies division with Lisa Smith, Nikki Trickett and Professional Surfer Tasha Mentasti (all Durban) already preparing for the event.
Kitesurfing will also take place at Scottburgh Main beach in front of the Cutty Sark Hotel. This sport is an absolute spectacle to behold. The myriad of kites light up the sky and the action is red hot.
This event will see the likes of Gavin Spowart (Westville), Alwin van Breda (La Lucia), Jason Wright (Ballito) and Dave Pons (Umhlanga) powering up. As per 2007 the event will be run as a wave riding event were the judging will be based on wave riding ability combined with risky moves.
The experts will also be on hand to give tips to novices or interested members of the public who will also be able to try their hand at the sport.
Over and above the contest action there will be swimming lessons provided by “SWIM SA” and Surfing clinics available as well as a very safe and protected bathing area for the public. The organizers welcome everyone to come on down and enjoy the event. Several experts in the various disciplines will be on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event are Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
Scottburgh has first class facilities with great restaurants offering fantastic sea views and a waterslide; there are also curio sellers in the vicinity and fast food outlets. Come and visit the Kingdom of the Zulu!