East London once again delivered as one of the best surfing venues the world has on offer as waveski riders where treated to decent but challenging waves for the full three days of the South African Waveski Championships.
Day two was the toughest of the days with light onshore winds making the surfing quite tricky. Westerly winds on day one and three allowed for great competition conditions with the third day bringing the best conditions by far for the finals.
Competition as usual was hot, this year even more so with positions in the national waveski team on offer. The SA team will travel to Pantin, Spain in September for the World Waveski Titles and SA is hoping to field a powerful team.
The open event is always the most sought after title at any contest. This years finalists included 2017 winner Bruce Viane, 2016 and 2017 runner up Duran Martin, 2009 world champion André Burger and canoe man Ant Stott.
Spectators on the shore where treated to some spectacular surfing and the panel of five judges where faced with the tricky task scoring the riders waves as accurately as possible.
In the end it was the KZN hotshot Duran Martin who took the win by less than half a point from East London local Bruce Viaene. KZN’s Ant Stott took third place with another East Londoner André Burger in 4th.
The age group categories where also hard fought boding well for a very strong team performance in Spain later on this year.
In the junior division it was exciting to see the massive leap in performance and skill by Marcus Esterhuyse to claim the title for 2018. Marcus the son of well known waveski surfer Dian Esterhuyse is already showing potential way above his young age.
The seniors was another extremely tough battle with Bruce Viaene taking the hard earned title. Mike Wessels pushing the limits and Bruce all the way to the final hooter with a very close 2nd.
In the masters, Western Province dominated with all four finalists. Schalk Van Wyk rose to top to claim yet another national title ahead of Dian Esterhuyse and Rory Taylor.
In the grand masters Tony Dubber, after years of top level performances, finally claimed that big SA title that he has been chasing for so many years.
Jeremy Pienaar out surfed his competition in the veterans to claim the top step on the podium.
All waveski surfers left the event with smiles on their faces after three days of good waves, sun and good company.
A big thank you to all the event organizers, judges and event sponsors for putting together an awesome event.
Sponsors who generously contributed where Viking Waveski’s, Bamboo Warehouse, Macski Custom Waveski’s, Knysna Racing Paddles, The Green Box, Surfears, Zigzag magazine, Nandos chicken and Debonairs Pizza.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – South African Waveski Championships 2018
Open:
1st Duran Martin (KZN)
2nd Bruce Viaene (Border)
3rd Ant Stott (KZN)
4th André Burger (Border)
Juniors:
1st Marcus Esterhuyse (WP)
2nd Francois Roesstorff (Border)
3rd Sharnan Flynn (Border)
Seniors:
1st Bruce Viaene (Border)
2nd Mike Wessels (WP)
3rd Ant Stott (KZN)
4th Rob Smith (Border)
Masters:
1st Schalk Van Wyk (WP)
2nd Dian Esterhuyse (WP)
3rd Rory Taylor (WP)
4th Tim Reinhardt (WP)
Grand Masters:
1st Tony Dubber (Border)
2nd Johan Oelofse (Border)
3rd Craig Smith (KZN)
4th Eric Perrier (KZN/France)
Veterans:
1st Jeremy Pienaar (EP)
2nd Bruce Tavenor (EP)
3rd Gary Duminy (KZN)
4th Ken Clements (WP)
Provisional SA Federation Squad (subject to change):
Cadets:
Marcus Esterhuyse
New Age:
Duran Martin
Gerhardus Van Zyl
Senior:
Bruce Viane
Mike Wessels
Master:
Schalk Van Wyk
Ant Stott
Dian Esterhuyse (reserve)
Grand Master:
Rory Taylor
Chris Jones
Veterans:
Tony Dubber
Jeremey Pienaar
Woman:
Sandra Pienaar
Tag team squad:
André Burger
Bruce Viaene
Duran Martin
Schalk Van Wyk
Mike Wessels
Gerhardus Van Zyl