THE most recent King of the Kowie turned out to be cooker with temperatures reaching around 30°C on Saturday, allowing for a perfect winter’s beach day seeing local surfers and visitors compete in the second leg of the year’s King of the Kowie.
In the end number one ripper was visiting surfer and multiple times over South African champion, Mayne Monk, who won the open division, followed by Warwick Heny in second place. King of the Kowie veteran Andrew Donaghy placed third overall.
Heny, who is chairman of the Kowie Boardriders Club, said that it was decided to run the event at rather short notice once it was clear the weather was forecast to show warm berg winds coupled with spring tides.
Being school holidays also meant that East Beach was especially busy with onlookers who could enjoy watching the surf while soaking up the sun.
“Despite a relatively low turnout, the guys that entered on time were delighted, as they got to enjoy quality surf, in crystal clear water,” said Heny.
There were three heats surfed in the open division with great waves offering a clean canvas and drew some fresh lines
Heny said the youngsters have all improved in the U16 division and it seemed like all the hours spent surfing this holiday have paid off.
“They had a blast in the surf, and have been impressive in the bigger swells we have been getting lately,” he said.
The premier open division saw good performances from Jason Sharrock, who made the final after clawing his way back through a previous heat. Heny said that Monk was unstoppable all day, and won every heat he surfed, in both the open and over 40 divisions.
“Monk surfs like he is 21, and not like a 45-year-old,” said Heny.
With a relaxed chilled vibe, a perfect hot day, and fantastic surf, the event was always going to be a good one, and it certainly was. A quick prize giving was done immediately after the final heat ended, then organisers and surfers enjoyed a few ice cold refreshments, while watching the visitors and free surfers shred the higher tide waves.
“East Beach is a really special surf spot and we are so lucky to be able to call it our home break,” said Heny.
Beach goers were spoilt even further when a large school of dolphins decided to join in on the fun and held their own surf contest while playing in the waves.
Results:
Open: 1 Wayne Monk, 2 Warwick Heny, 3 Andrew Donaghy, 4 Jason Sharrock
Over 50: 1 Mickey Witthuhn, 2 Peter Britz
Over 40: 1 Wayne Monk, 2 Warwick Heny, 3 Andrew Donaghy, 4 Anton Wiersma
Longboard: 1 Richard Heny, 2 Justin Maddocks
Kneelo: 1 Anton Wiersma
U16: 1 Andrew Laverge, 2 Kaine Heny, 3 Luke Swart
Groms: 1 Owen Heny, 2 Lara Heny, 3 Lily Heny, 4 Carl Wiersma, 5 Kate Heny
Bodyboard: 1 Clinton Millard, 2 Ryan Owsley
