Day 1 of the Kumba West Coast Classic
posted by Frans Lombard on 6th April 2012
NOTICE: All riders must meet at Bones again at 10:15 on Friday, 6 April 2012 for start of day 2.
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Day 1 of the Kumba West Coast Classic 2012 kicked off with solid 3-4 foot swell at "Bones" which grew into 6 foot and then later solid 8 foot sets sometimes creating havoc in some of the heats. It's was a real pretty sight to see the big ones roll in and a real treat to listen to the crowd's response. Some of the riders were knocked hard by the big waves causing some serious bruising. Some big ramps were seen and some of the riders got tucked away deep in the barrel. The predicted cross-shore wind managed to stays away and hopefully will for day 2 as well.
The contest kicked off with the Pro's paddling out first and it was very quickly noticeable that these guys were pumped and ready to fight to the end for that 20K cheque. Some big upsets of the day was Adam Morley and Ryno du Toit, Cape Classic champ, not making it to semi-finals. Some good solid performances were seen by Michael Osler, David Lillienfield and Wilder Schultz making the big waves their own and dominating their heats. Heat winners all scored 8 and upwards with sometimes perfect tens by all judges. The contest is wide open at the moment and day 2 should bring some more upsets if the conditions are almost the same but with a light north westerly wind blowing.
The Juniors produced a high standard of riding with Corban Warrington scoring a perfect 10 for his flip across the board. Wilder Schultz and Stephen du Preez also have their eyes on the Junior title and is certainly embracing the big waves and looking very comfortable. Some big sets rolled in during the 3rd quarter final heat causing only Bas Koopmans to finish the heat. Bas is also surfing well and is well in contention for the Junior title.
The Mens division has also dished up some good solid surfing showing that the boys from the Eastern Cape, David Camacho and Francois de Kock travelled to Lamberts to take the title home with them. The mens division is tight with good all round performances by all semi finalists.
It is going to be interesting to see what day 2 is going to dish up. Swell predictions shows 8 foot again which means some more high speed riding with big solid manoeuvres.Watch the live broadcast of the event at http://antcast.antfarm.co.za/kumba/westcoastclassic2012
BBA
Semi Finalists:
Pro's
David Lillienfield
Adam Waites
Wilder Schultz
Rory Fellow-Smith
Matthew Lombard
Aden Kleve
Michael Osler
Matthew Webster
Juniors
Stephen du Preez
Corban Warrington
Roger Pardoe
Brode Gleeson
Wilder Schultz
Niklas Martin
Sebastian Koopmans
Jason Fowler
Mens
Peet Verreynne
Robert Ash
Douw Steyn
Chris Van Westhuizen
Francois de Kock
Ruan de Bruin
David Camacho
Wesley Holm
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