Live 2 Surf

The sixth South Coast Surf Carnival took place this weekend, with the weather delivering the goods for all divisions, longboarding, SUPing, and even us kitesurfers!


The crowd at Scottburgh’s main beach witnessed some radical wave riding in the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, thanks in part to the strong south-westerly wind that blew all Sunday.
Conditions were tricky with a huge dead patch on the inside section (thanks to the Scottburgh bay), rocks, and over 20 knots on the outside combining to be a true test of skill.


Essentially a waveriding contest, the men's division was a true clash of the titans with all the top names in KZN kitesurfing vying for top position. Craig Chrystal and Lyle Botcher took first and second place, both displaying extreme prowess in the challenging, gusty conditions.
The ladies event was less well attended, with Nicole Annells and Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod the only ladies there. The pair pushed their limits in the growing swell to take first and second place respectively.
Bryce Rawlins proved himself a grom with serious guts as the youngest kiter out there, and earned himself the junior title once again!


In the longboarding event, a ladies division, as well as a grandmasters (age 35+) and over 50 division were contested. Competition was strong due to the large field, and it was Zanie Cawood (Durban) who clinched victory in the ladies event. Brandon Ribbink (Morningside) came out firing in the final of the grandmasters division, and managed to outscore Craig Daniel (Bluff) in a closely fought heat. In the over 50 division, Mike Patterson (Umdloti) showed that age is no obstacle as he powered his way to the title.


In the race to capture the first ever stand up paddleboard (SUP) title in South Africa, Dylan McCleod (Eastern Cape) was clearly the most consistent performer and rightly claimed the prestigious title and the main prize of a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.


Over and above the contest action surfing lessons were provided by uShaka Surf and Adventures; several experts in the various wave riding disciplines were also on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
The South Coast Surf Carnival was sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event were Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.