Memories are Made of This
Wednesday 21 March 2017 The 2017 iteration of the JBay Winterfest will be remembered for a long time after an action-packed year that is largely thanks to a sublime run of insane surf and kiff winter weather.
MIN EFFORT: Greg Minaar's all round skill and fitness saw him through. Photo Kody McGregor
Thousands of people pulled in to participate in, or watch, events such as the Oakley XOver, the JBay Wind Farm MTB Classic, Endurade JBay X Trail Run, and The JBay Winterfest Skins Fishing competition.
The Oakley X Over powered by Sharp decided to move the surfing component down to Kitchen Windows, the first of three disciplines featuring celeb athletes and former athletes. Australian wildcard Tom Whitaker won with an innovative display in the Kitchen Windows surf, beating Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn and multiple MTB Downhill world champion Greg Minnaar into second and third place.
WIND FARMING: The MTB event has grown every year to now number 500. Photo Kody McGregor
Then it was over to the golf at the Links Golf Course, which was won by Ruan De Smidt from Butch James, and Garreth McLellan. The mountain biking - a shorter course using some of the Wind Farm route - was one by our ace downhiller Minaar, with Triathlete Raynard Tissink 2nd and Giniel de Villiers in third place.
Overall results were Minnaar on top, with previous winner Butch James runner up. John Smit took 3rd and Whitaker 4th.
The inaugural JBay Loggers Classic presented by Vodacom4U was held in consistent 3-4' surf at Lower Point providing for epic conditions for the loggers to strut their stuff on their nine foot single fin 'logs'. In the women's division it was former WSL world champ Rachael Tilly (USA) as well as Lucy Small (AUS) who were stand-outs.
COLOUR QUIVER: The loggers must ride heavier single fin longboards. Photo Kody McGregor
In the men’s pro division, solid surfing performances came from the likes of Ludi Du Toit, Tristan Lev, Michael Hill and Erik Knutson (HAW). Men’s amateur division saw Lyell Watson, Chris Heath, Greg Smith, George Bunting and Carel Olivier move to the quarterfinals.
Logging is different to longboarding. Here are the rules:
• Boards minimum length of 9’2, with most surfers actually riding boards between 9’4 and 9’6.
• The boards need to be a minimum of 6kg in weight. They also need to be purpose-built single fins, with the one fin either glassed or in a box, but there is no allowance for side boxes.
• There is a general no interference rule, as well as a general rule of no hassling or dropping in. The logging ideology is more about sharing and having fun than being overly competitive.
The tournament enjoyed very good surfing conditions the entire weekend, coupled with great weather, some live music on the beach, and excellent surfing performances.
IT'S A RUCK: Tonderai Chavanga drops in on John Smit. Photo Kody McGregor
The fifth JBay Wind Farm MTB Classic was held in awesome weather, unlike some years in the past when it was a deluging cold front. About 500 riders of all ages and skills rode distances, 25km, 50km and the gruelling 85km ultra marathon. At the sharp end of the ultra marathon it was a tight two-horse race, with East London’s Jason Reed and Max Sullivan from Stellenbosch. Reed eventually managed to breakaway in the wind farm and claimed R10,000 first prize in 03:20:41. Sullivan came in second (03:21:19), with 2016 defending champion, Ndumiso ‘Maza’ Dontso, rounding out the podium.
In the women’s race, Yolande de Villiers successfully defended her title, ousting three time defending champion, Anriëtte Schoeman in a time of 03:34:44 to finish sixth overall.
Full results at www.mountainevents.co.za and photos at https://www.facebook.com/jbaywindfarmmtbclassic/
HILLY MOVE: Michael Hill stylishly negotiates the bottom turn. Photo Kody McGregor
LOGGERS RESULTS:
Men’s Amateur
1. Greg Smith
2. Chris Heath
3. Karel Olivier
4. Lyle Watson
Ladies Open
1. Rachel Tilly
2. Alexandra Florence
3. Shannon Hughes
4. Caitlin Moir
Men’s Pro
1. Ludi Du Toit
2. Michael Hill
3. Steve Sawyer
4. Tristan Lev
Women's Noserider Of The Contest: Lucy Small
Men's Noserider Of The Contest: Mike Grendon
Turtle Morris Memorial Trophy / Interclub Contest Winners: Loggers Union
MTB RESULTS:
85km
Men1. Jason Reed, 2. Max Sullivan, 3. Ndumiso Dontso.
Women: 1. Yolande de Villiers, 2. Anriëtte Schoeman, 3. Siska van der Bijl.
50km
Men: 1. Ceejay Bosman, 2. Gerrit Rautenbach, 3. Thomas Kitching.
Women: 1. Olivia Reed, 2. Liza Mason, 3. Jolene Meyer.
XOver RESULTS:
See image right hand side above