Young at Heart

The multi-disciplined three day surfing event, which is in its 12th year and its third year in Durban, included Longboarding, Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) and Retro Surfing with prizes worth over R200,000 on offer.

Stand up Paddle events included the SUPSA sanctioned Open Men and Women’s divisions as well as the Juniors and legends division (over 45). The winners of the Open, Men and Women’s divisions will be eligible for squad selection to represent South Africa at the 2015 ISA Stand Up Paddle World Championship.

The SUP final was won by Justin Bing (CPT) who scored a heat total of 15 and Brandon Ribbink (KZN) in second place. Joining them were Western Province surfers, Ethan Koopmans and Thomas King who placed third and fourth respectively.

Bing said that he was stoked at his win after having competed in three finals back to back. “Even though I am tired from the events, I am extremely proud of myself and happy with my results,” he added.

The Ladies SUP Final was won by national SUP champion Tarryn Kyte (CPT), whose talent was reflected in her two wins after winning the Longboard Ladies as well. Second place in the Ladies SUP went to Roxy Davis (CPT) with Tammy Robarts (BOL) and Penny Stemmet (BOL) in third and fourth respectively.

The SUP Junior division was hotly contested with first prize going to 17 year old Ethan Koopmans (CPT) with fellow Capetonian’s, Kimon Dos Santos in second, Joshua Roberson placing third and Matt Maxwell in fourth place.

The KZN Longboard Open Championships, sanctioned by the KwaZulu Natal Longboard Surfing Association (KZNLSA) was won by Brad Weare (KZN) who scored 14 overall with Justin Bing (CPT) in second place, Gareth Jones (KZN) in third and Damien Stander (KZN) in fourth.

Weare was delighted to have taken the win after having had a two year break from competing. “I am overwhelmed and excited to have taken first place in this event. It was really great to get back into competitive surfing and this was a great spot to have held this event,” he said.

In the Ladies Longboard event, impressive style saw Kyte (CPT) complete the double. She was followed by Nix Bez (KZN) in second, Christy Gilmour (KZN) in third and Tracy Phillips (KZN) in fourth. At the age of 67, Bernie Shelly enjoyed the clean glassy conditions of Day 2, but had to make way for the younger surfers, but finished a creditable 5th.  

For Kyte, surfing in these events was “amazing”. “I am stoked to have won two events, this one as well as the SUP Ladies. Not only am I happy about taking the win on this one, but also for the SUP event, as this is one of the qualifying contests for the World games,” she said.

The over 50 longboard final saw some great surfing from Hugh Thompson who took the win with some top class surfing. Hot on his heels in second place was Craig Daniel (KZN), Deon Bing (CPT) in third and Paul O’Connell (CPT) in fourth.

The much anticipated event of this year’s Durban Surf Carnival was the Retro Surfing Division, which was held for the second time.  Requirements of this event saw surfers having to ride a single-fin surfboard which generally falls into the sub 7’0” category. Here, Justin Maisch (SKZN) was unstoppable once again, pulling off the traditional maneuvers that were reminiscent of surfing in the seventies. He was followed by Justin Bing (CPT) in second, Ethan Pentz (CPT) in third and Damien Stander (KZN) in fourth.

To wrap up the event in total, Contest Director, Ann Wright commented, said, “This year, the competition as usual has been a great success with 168 competitors participating from around the country. The weather has also been excellent and even though the waves that started off on Friday were small 2-foot offshore conditions they landed up as 3-4 foot onshore conditions, but very contestable with the guys producing some huge scores in the excellent range. We have had three long days with the promenade being full of spectators showing support and making this a thriving event once again”.

Paul Godwin, the Event Organiser from Nerve Events, thanked major sponsors of the event - the City of Durban, Jeep Apparel, The Independent on Saturday, Gooderson Leisure Hospitality Group, as well as supporting sponsors, contestants and the public for making the Durban Surf Carnival a major success.

Sponsors to the event are: Jeep Apparel, The City of Durban, Independent on Saturday, Container Conversions, Gooderson Leisure, Thule, Maisch Fins, Larmont Surf, Natural Curve Surfboards, Coreban SUP, Naish SUP, Learn to Surf School, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Boss Ice Tea, Sir Juice.

Longboard Open

1) Brad Weare (KZN)
2) Justin Bing (CPT)
3) Gareth Jones (KZN)
4) Damien Stander (KZN)

Longboard Over 50

1) Hugh Thompson (KZN)
2) Craig Daniel (KZN)
3) Deon Bing (CPT)
4) Paul O’Connell (CPT)

Longboard OVER 35

1) Justin Maisch (KZN)
2) Grant Gilmour (KZN)
3) Paul O’Connell (CPT)
4) Rory Stander (KZN)

Longboard – Retro

1) Justin Maisch (KZN)
2) Justin Bing (CPT)
3) Ethan Pentz (CPT)
4) Damien Stander (KZN)

Longboard Ladies

1) Tarryn Kyte (CPT)
2) Nix Bez (KZN)
3) Christy Gilmour (KZN)
4) Tracy Phillips (KZN)

SUP Open

1) Justin Bing (CPT)
2) Brandon Ribbink (KZN)
3) Ethan Koopmans (CPT)
4) Thomas King (CPT)

SUP Over 45

1) Grantley Reid (KZN)
2) Peter Petersen (CPT)
3) Gary Van Rooyen (CPT)
4) Fred Le Roux (KZN)

SUP Ladies

1) Tarryn Kyte (CPT)
2) Roxy Davis (CPT)
3) Tammy Robarts (BOL)
4) Penny Stemmet (BOL)

SUP Junior

1) Ethan Koopmans (CPT)
2) Kimon Dos Santos (CPT)
3) Joshua Roberson (CPT)
4)  Matt Maxwell (CPT)