Du Preez Conquers at West Beach Warfare
posted by Iain Campbell on 13th July 2014
The second consecutive West Beach Warfare went under-way this weekend in Port Alfred. The waves were very contestable with a consistent 3-4 foot swell for both Friday and Saturday. The judges and officials were treated to some good riding from the competitors as well as good food from Spar.
The final day started off with some messy conditions but as the day continued the conditions started to improve to some awe-inspiring conditions that allowed the contestants to show their skills in the better conditions.
As the
Pros ran the man on man semis with Iain Campbell (CKZN) and Samuel Kamffer (EP), where Campbell managed to advance through to the final. While a tight heat against Michael Ostler (CKZN) and Stephen Du Preez (CKZN) saw Du Preez advancing and meeting Campbell in the final. As the final began the offshore winds started to blow allowing some radical moves from both riders. Du Preez started his heat with some good barrel riding into a roll on the end section while Campbell showed a smooth roll to air reverse. It was then Du Preez who was able to land a huge backflip off a set closeout scoring his high while Campbell could only land a backflip off a smaller wave and not match up to the strong riding by Du Preez. This allowed Du Preez to triumph over Campbell and take the title of Pro champ for 2014. Du Preez had this to say about the contest, "I would like to extend a huge thanks to the SABA committee and EP Bodyboarding for putting together an incredible event. I would also like to say a thank you to my sponsors for all the ongoing support. Thanks to the sponsors of the event, without you guys we wouldn't have been able to have this successful event. I hope for another incredible event next year and hope to see you all back for SA Champs in October."
Photo: Riaan Nutt
Juniors started off with some inconsistent waves with some shifting peaks. Luckily in the dying minutes of the heat, Garryd Ensor-Smith (CKZN) managed to land a massive roll scoring him high with the judges before getting an interference call for a drop in, he was able to hold off Michael Mynhardt (SKZN) who was hot on his heals. Pieter Meiring (EP) was unable to match their scores and ended in third with Cameron Watkins (SC) in fourth.
The
Ladies heat was full of thrills as the conditions had picked up. The ladies were getting some tough waves to deal with including some of them going over the falls and getting bruises. Melissa Bowles (EP) was riding well and as the local lady was at home she had the advantage to get some awesome strong riding which the judges liked and awarded her the points. Georgi McKoene (SKZN) was able to score some good rides and ended in second with new-comer, Skye Bothma (SKZN), getting a third with Robyn Nutt (CKZN) in fourth.
Photo: Riaan Du Preez
The
Boys final was another good battle between Alex Nutt (CKZN) and John-Barry Coleman (SC). The boys displayed some awesome riding with Nutt landing some good moves to secure another tour win while Coleman got a close second.
The
Mens final was another good heat as the conditions continued to get better with the guys getting some good waves. The local boy and sponsor, Clinton Millard (EP) got an awesome barrel in the dying seconds of the heat getting him the best wave of the heat and winning the mens with Chris Bosman (EP) in a tight second. Chris Green (CKZN was unable to land a last big roll and got a third with De Waal Spies (EP) in fourth.
The
DK final was a tightly contested heat with many of the guys unable to get some good scoring waves. Michael Ostler (CKZN) looked to be getting some good waves at the start of the heat but let one go allowing Iain Campbell (CKZN) to get a last scoring wave and winning the heat. Third was Dylan Van Tonder with Chris Bosman ending in fourth place.
Photo: Riaan Du Preez
The
Masters riders was a competition between Billy Thiel (CKZN) and Simon Williamson (CKZN) with Williamson able to defeat Thiel again and claim the Masters champ for West Beach Warfare. Great riding from both riders.
The
Grand Masters final was a good heat with Riaan Du Preez (Bol) and Michael Van Huyssteen (CKZN) putting on a show for the crowds. Van Huyssteen was able to out ride Du Preez and come up first.
The results are as follows: Pro Final Results1st Stephen Du Preez
2nd Iain Campbell
3
rd Michael Ostler
3
rd Samuel Kamffer
5
th Michael Houston
5
th Storm Prestwich
5
th Dylan Van Tonder
5
th Ethan Nel
Junior Final Results 1st Garryd Ensor-Smith
2nd Michael Mynhardt
3rd Pieter Meiring
4th Cameron Watkins
Boys Final Results 1st Alex Nutt
2nd John-Barry Coleman
Mens Final Results 1st Clinton Millard
2nd Chris Bosman
3rd Chris Green
4th De Waal Spies
DK Final Results 1st Iain Campbell
2nd Michael Ostler
3rd Dylan Van Tonder
4th Chris Bosman
Ladies Results 1
st Melissa Bowles
2nd Georgi McKoene
3rd Skye Bothma
4th Robyn Nutt
Grand Masters Final Results 1st Michael Van Huyssteen
2nd Riaan Du Preez
Master Final Results 1st Simon Williamson
2nd Billy Thiel
Thanks again to our sponsors:SABA
EP Bodyboarding Association
Multi Security Services
Havanas Night Club
Spar
Rossi Board Co
Von Zipper
Dakine
Zen Surfboard Wax
NutriTech
We look forward to celebrating another year of a bigger and better West Beach Warfare in 2015. Hope to see you all there.
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