VW NMB Surf Pro, pres. By Billabong, final day
In an action packed finals day, David van Zyl out surfed Adin Masencamp by three points to snatch the World Surfing League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) rated Volkswagen Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Pro, presented by Billabong title with a comfortable 14.50 to 11.50 victory. Not only did Van Zyl take home a respectable scalp and bragging rights, but he also got to bank 1500 QS points and a R40 000 prize purse.
“It is fantastic to have a QS1500 event in South Africa and to have the opportunity to earn those points and money on home soil without having to travel overseas. It is also amazing that the City Surf Series has brought so many QS rated events to South Africa”, said Van Zyl.
The open women’s laurels went to Aussie youngster, Kai Woolf who also clinched the junior women’s title an hour before surfing in the open final against WSL Africa champion, Nicole Palett.
Seventeen-year-old Woolf logged scores of 6.25 and 7.25 to take the 13.50 to 9.00 win over Palett. Woolf’s victory earned her 1000 QS points and R8 000 in the bank while Palett took home 750 points and R4 000
The runner-up in the in junior women’s final was Sophie Bell, who also surfed in the open women’s semi-final.
“I’m super stoked to win both the junior and open women’s titles and am looking forward to the next contest,” said Woolf.
Dillon Hendricks from J-Bay kept up the good form that earned him a special mention earlier on in the contest, to win the junior men’s title. He narrowly edged out Max Elkington who also scored 13.50 points in the final but lost out because Hendricks scored better on his highest wave score. His win earned him a valuable 1000 QS points towards his international QS ranking.
The Mitchum On The Move prizes for the male and female surfers who kept the coolest head under pressure to pull off the best come-from-behind manoeuvre, will be made known in a video announcement on the City Surf Series Facebook and Instagram pages this week (facebook.com/citysurfseriesza and @citysurfseriesza on Instagram).
The City Surf Series comprises a series of five QS rated events plus the Volkswagen SA Open, presented by Hurley and will each host activities coordinated by Surfing South Africa, the national controlling body for the sport. These will be run by SSA Development Officer, Danielle Powis, in the various locations. The activities are designed to foster and encourage surfing amongst young people, regardless of their background.
The next event (Royal St Andrews Hotel PORT ALFRED CLASSIC – Amanzi Festival) takes place in Port Alfred from April 6-8.
Complete final results available here:
Junior Women: http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2018/wjun/2674/vw-nelson-mandela-bay-surf-pro/results
2018 City Surf Series Event Schedule:
- VW Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Surf pres. by Billabong – 30 Mar – 2 April
- Royal St Andrews Port Alfred Classic pres. by Quiksilver (Inaugural event) – 6-8 April
- Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro pres. by Reef Wetsuits– 13-15 April
- ZigZag Durban Surf Pro pres. By G-Force – 18-20 May
- Jordy Smith Cape Town Surf Pro pres. By O’Neil – 14-17 June
- VW SA Open of Surfing pres. By Hurley – 19-24 June
About WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.
The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, annually running in excess of 180 global events across the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed world champions in Men’s, Women’s across all divisions within the tour.
Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Tyler Wright, John John Florence, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Taylor Jensen, Honolua Blomfield, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.
About Surfing South Africa
Surfing South Africa is recognised governing body for Surfing in South Africa by the Department of Sport and Recreation. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Jacqueline Herbst
