Grommets go big

With Bloodscan stepping up as major event sponsor, the organisational and operational standards lifted visibly, which is evident in the overall competition appearance as well as the introduction of cash prizes for the winners of each age group.

Things got off to an early start, with the boys U17 breaking the ice as there was still quite a chill in the air. The girls events were placed on hold until 13:00 when the tide filled in so that both left and right sides of the venue could be used for the contest.

Mike Ginzberg and the team of judges had their hands full, keeping track of all the grommets, and did an excellent job, even when dual venues were operational.

A noteworthy moment came when one of the grommets surfed a wave out after his heat was finished, which confused the judges, causing the wrong surfer to advance. What was potentially a negative experience, was turned around when the grommet realised. He showed great courage and maturity to notify the officials of the error instead of keeping quiet and advancing unfairly.

Laureen Payne, the seasoned contest director, handled the situation with great wisdom, saying they were proud of them for being honest and coming out with the truth that is in step with a healthy lifestyle of integrity.

After a long day of surfing, with many heats and repo rounds, the event climaxed with the U17 Boys and Girls finals that took to the water and caused great excitement on the beach.

Once again Emma Smith snatched victory from sister Gina and took out the U17 Girls title. Steven Sawyer nailed the U17 Boys title, beating an in form Tobias Schroeder who´s surfing has evidently improved since his trip to Peru where he represented Germany.

During the prize giving ceremony, event sponsors and everybody who had a part in the event was thanked, happy snaps were taken and grommets and their parents were thanked for their hard work.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with both the quality of surfing, and the growing support of the BloodScan Surf Series,” says Lewis Khoury, MD of BloodScan Africa and Europe. “As our brand gains momentum throughout the Eastern Cape with our first BloodScan center opening in Jeffrey’s Bay last week, we’ve seen this event really gain traction and become a premier platform in the Eastern Province to showcase the phenomenal surfing talent this region has bred!”

The final stop in the Bloodscan EP trials series will be held at Kitchen Windows on Sunday 14 August 2011 in Jeffreys Bay.

The BloodScan Africa Surf Series 2011 is hosted by international nutrition and metabolic benchmarking specialists, Bloodscan, with the aim of showcasing the benefits of a health and wellness driven lifestyle. Bloodscan aims through the series to provide young members of the local community with exceptional role models in the world of surfing.

Results

Girls U13

1. Crystal Hulett

2. Kai Woolf

3. Zoe Smith

4. Ashleigh Vaughan

Boys U13

1. Jose Faulkner

2. Rewaldo Abersalie

3. Angelo Faulkner

4. Alex van Rijswijck

Girls U15

1. Tahrah Uren

2. Britney Linder

3. Robyn van der Merwe

Boys U15

1. Matthew Mcgillivray

2. Jerry van Wyk

3. Josh Chipps

4. Tim Baard

Girls U17

1. Emma Smith

2. Gina Smith

3. Phillipa Linder

4. Azraa Abrahams

5. Amba Holmes

Boys U17

1. Steven Sawyer

2. Tobias Schroeder

3. Dylan Lightfoot

4. Jarred Veldhuis