Longboard Waltz

In an open men’s heat, billed as good as a final, current reigning South African champion longboard surfer, Matthew Moir (WP) came head-to-head, shoulder-to-shoulder, literally so, with Dylan McCleod, from the Eastern Province - both falling off their boards; both losing opportunity to score points on what otherwise would have been a high-scoring wave.

With both surfers having taken off simultaneously – Mcleod intending to ride to his left, and Moir intending to ride right – the end result was wipeouts for both surfers, and a tough call for judges in deciding which surfer be penalised.

KZN Longboard Surfing Association (KZNLSA) organiser, Nix Trickett, later joked about “the mellow family, fun vibe” in the surf when captioning pictures of the surfing clash.

But for judges – and the two contestants - it was one of those decisions that could “dig up old bones”, said KZNLSA association president, Brad Trickett.

The end result of judges’ deliberations was that McLeod be penalised, as he was deemed “to be furthest away from the beach as the wave developed” said SA longboard association president, Deon Bing.

Moir went on to win the heat, but with the knockout rounds only starting today, both Moir and Mcleod remain top contenders for the championship title - and best of mates, at least out of the water.

And with swells peaking on the horizon,  and bigger – much bigger surf – predicted tomorrow and Friday, there will be loads more surfing action in the build-up to the finals on Saturday.  – Roving Reporters.