Future Legends on Track

HEADING FOR THE TOP: Calvin Goor did good. Next stop JBay. Photo Dove

Goor won the U16 division of the Future Legends Coaching Series, which held its third and final event on Saturday at New Pier.

An elated Goor was stoked at the notion of surfing Supers with three other guys. He acknowledged the Coaching Series for helping him fully understand how judging works, and how to maximise heat conditions, which gave him a "massive advantage".

The surf at New Pier improved as the tide filled in. After a sobering Friday night presentation on sponsorship by surf industry stalwart Gary Green, the surfers were put through their paces through a multi-tiered coaching approach. They got instruction on surfing and how to surf heat, were exposed to video review and analysis, skateboard correction and stretching and other physical conditioning techniques, under the guidance of South African Surfing Legends Simon Nicholson, Paul Canning, Spider Murphy, Jason Ribbink and others.

SURF STOKE: Kirsty McGillivray gets her award from Legends CEO Graham Cormac. Pic Flanagan

“This is not a surf contest,” said coach Bruce Jackson. “It’s a coaching day, using contest structures as a platform. We’re here to coach and motivate, educate and inform these surfers, and the best way to do this is to have them surf heats for us.”

In the U13 Boys division, a very stoked young Luke Thompson showed good form and marked improvement throughout the day, making it to the final in his division. Alex Townsend was also surfing tight, along with the stylish Mitch Du Preez. The division however, belonged to James Ribbink on the day as he took out the final at his home break.

“Over the three events all the surfers have shown improvement,” said head judge Jono Hutchison. “It’s clear that they have understood what is expected of them, worked towards their goals and have made steps forward, which is what this coaching series is all about.”

The U16 Girls division also showed great advancement, with the girls surfing to contest criteria and upping their games in heat conditions. Kayla Nogueira fought her way into the final, along with Olivia Izzard and Anna Jellema-Butler, but the polished Kirsty McGillivray took first honours.

FUTURE LEGEND: McGillivray was in fine fettle. Photo: Dove

In good New Pier conditions, the U16 Boys final was an exciting affair, with all four surfers catching a multitude of waves. Koby Oberholzer failed to clinch the better waves and struggled to find his rhythm, while Luke Slijpen and Calvin Goor both showed flashes of brilliance. This heat however, belonged to Angelo Faulkner, who was on every good set, and showing some committed surfing.

“This is the first step in the South African Surfing Legends vision, and now we’re going to start the real work,” said SASL’s Barry Wolins. “The High Performance Surfing Academy is where we are going to start seeing results as our surfers start going through our professional coaching system and start developing mental and physical attributes that will elevate their surfing performances and get them onto the podiums.”

The series winners of the three divisions all received an invite to attend a course at the High Performance Surfing Academy.

WINNING WAYS: The series was a great success say the participants. Photo: Flanagan

EVENT WINNERS

U13 Boys
1. James Ribbink (DBN)
2. Mitch Du Preez (EL)
3. Alex Townsend (CT)
4. Luke Thompson (DBN)

U16 Girls
1. Kirsty McGillivray (JBay)
2. Anna Jellema-Butler (CT)
3. Olivia Izzard (DBN)
4. Kayla Nogueira (DBN)

U16 Boys
1. Angelo Faulkner (JBay)
2. Calvin Goor (Salt Rock)
3. Luke Slijpen (CT)
4. Koby Oberholzer (DBN)

SERIES WINNERS
 

U13 Boys
1. Mitch Du Preez (EL)
2. James Ribbink (DBN)
3. Nate Spaulding (DBN)
4. Alex Townsend (CT)

U16 Girls
1. Kirsty McGillivray (JBay)
2. Anna Jellema Butler (CT)
3. Sne Makubu (DBN)
4. Olivia Izzard (DBN)

U16 Boys
1. Calvin Goor (Salt Rock)
2. Koby Oberholzer (DBN)
3. Angelo Faulkner (JBay)
4. Luke Slijpen (CT)

The Future Legends Coaching Series has been a very unique concept in the realms of inspirational surf coaching in South Africa, and can only be deemed a resounding success.

The South African Surfing Legends’ High Performance Surfing Academy is set to become the benchmark for surf coaching in the country. Watch the media for further announcements.

South African Surfing Legends is supported by South African Rugby Legends, Richmark, Firewire, Red Bull, Avis, Maverick Printing, and Core Medical and Wellness Centre.

High Performance Surfing Academy on Instagram - @surfacademysa
SASL Website – southafricansurfinglegends.com
SASL Facebook page - on.fb.me/1oGsP5z
For more info on SASL please contact Pat Flanagan on pat@southafricansurfinglegends.com