by SFT | Nov 17, 2024 | Surfing Today
The Zigzag Clutch Fueled by Monster Presented by Vans round 1 is officially in the books, and what a round it was! A true battle of the barrels. With 30 entries from surfers across South Africa and beyond, this round brought waves from iconic locations like J Bay, Cape Town, Durban and Indonesia. With such a high calibre of submissions, selecting a victor would take a lot of work.
The first step in the process was putting the decision in the hands of the public. For an entire week, surf fans could vote for their favourite entries on our website. The top three surfers with the most votes would then face off in an Instagram poll to determine the final winner. The surfers who made it to the public vote were Kane Johnstone, Rylan Jarvis, and Indie Malherbe. Fans then had 24 hours to cast their votes on Instagram, and the results were clear. After thousands of votes, the Public Vote winner was Indie Malherbe, with 55% of the vote, followed by Rylan Jarvis at 25% and Kane Johnstone at 20%.
With the public vote complete, it was now up to the judges to choose the overall winner.
The first to vote was the Zag team.
“Yoh! That was proper! The round kicked off with a banger from Chad Du Toit and continued to deliver entry after entry. There were so many insane tube rides, from Ry Colepeper’s snipe through a thick beach break to Levi Kolnik’s bonus section down-the-line tube, but there was no doubt in our minds that Chad’s Durban spitter was the best of the bunch. He set the bar high, and in the end, no one could match it. He gets our vote.
The Local Heroes also made judging very difficult! Dan Wilson’s backside drainer was something special, but who could deny Indie’s stand-up turquoise tube?! That thing was mental!”
Monster Energy had this to say:
“The first round is clearly the battle of the barrels! Some incredible rides were submitted, which is a true testament to the level of surfing in South Africa. I wish there was another angle of Kai’s Desert Point beast; it looked massive. Indie’s Mentawai beauty was insane, but Chad’s wave is Monster’s choice for October’s winner – it was big, it was long, he was deep, he had his pedal on the gas all wave long, and he came out with (or after) the spit.
On the Local Hero front, barrels dominated here too. Blake Crankshaw, Dan Wilson, and Ry Colepeper were all deserving winners, but we feel the size and length of Levi Konik’s barrel edged him a whisker ahead of the other three for our vote. We can’t wait to see what’s up next!”
The final vote came from Monster team rider, Brendon Gibbens.
“Chad’s tube is sick! Incredible wave. Good style. I dig it. He gets my vote.
For the Local Hero, my vote goes to Dan Wilson. Backhand tube riding is difficult in my opinion. Dan’s wave was heavy AF! He’s also got a sick style. Mad respect. Like this clip.”
And so it was decided! Chad Du Toit stood out amongst all the judges and became the Round 1 winner! Yeeeew!
The Local Hero vote wasn’t as clear-cut. Indie Malherbe, Levi Kolnik, and Dan Wilson each received a vote from the judges. However, Indie managed to clinch the Public Vote and therefore takes the Local Hero win!
It was a round to remember, but the show must go on! Round 2 is currently underway and heating up.
Send in your clips for a chance of glory! Send to: online@zigzag.co.za. Let’s go!
by SFT | Nov 17, 2024 | Surfing Today
Bali, Indonesia – The 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch International, covered by Sun Bum, wrapped up in Bali today with incredible waves and high performances at Pererenan Beach, solidifying its reputation as the premier event for young surfing talent around the globe. The event saw the UK’s Lukas Skinner successfully defend his title in the 16 & Under Boys division, while the USA’s Eden Walla claimed victory in the 16 & Under Girls.
Lukas Skinner’s journey to the final was nothing short of extraordinary. He scored a perfect 10 along the way, showcasing his exceptional skill with a flawless alley-oop into a carve, finishing with a clean air-reverse. In the nail-biting final, Lukas faced off against Spain’s Dylan Donegan, who beat Cape St Francis surfer Rory Dace in the semis en route to the final. Lukas was trailing, but caught one of the biggest waves of the day at the end, launching a huge straight air to seal the deal with a 9.33.
“Man, it means the world to me,” said Lukas. “Dylan had me on the ropes. We both got two eights, and he scored higher on both, but I knew I had to go big on my next chance. I’ve been struggling to beat Dylan all year—he pushes me so much—and I’m stoked to finally get him.”
16 & Under Girls division
In the 16 & Under Girls division, American Eden Walla emerged victorious, overcoming an in-form Ziggy Mackenzie from Australia in the final. Mackenzie defeated Scottburgh’s Louise Lepront in the semis to gain her final berth.
Louise Lepront, (Scottburgh), Eden Walla, Ziggy Mackenzie, Carla Morera
Eden’s composed performance in the high-pressure format was a testament to her poise and talent. “I think my dad was more nervous than me, but the man-on-man format is nerve-racking,” said Eden. “It was such a cool experience surfing in this CT format, and I’m so happy with the win.”
Another highlight included surf legends Steph Gilmore, Molly Picklum and Rosy Hodge taking over commentary on the live webcast for the day. The trio had plenty to discuss, including Spain’s Carla Morera placing equal third in the girl’s division at 13 years old and Aussie Ben Zanatta Creagh throwing elite rail surfing all day to make it to the boy’s semi-finals.
Launching Pad
The Rip Curl GromSearch International is more than just a competition; it is a launching pad for future professional surfing stars. Two-thirds of current Championship Tour (CT) surfers are former GromSearch competitors, underscoring the event’s significance in shaping the careers of some of the most successful surfers of all time.
For complete results, visit the LiveHeats Event Page, or follow the Final Days live webcast: YouTube Live Webcast.
The Rip Curl GromSearch Global Finals was covered by Zigzag Magazine.
Zigzag, Sea Harvest, the Royal St Andrews Hotel, and Surfing South Africa supported the South African team.
Distributed by Surfing South Africa
Craig Jarvis
e. info@craigjarvis.co.za
t. 082 376 4443
About Surfing South Africa
Surfing South Africa is the official National Federation for Surfing in South Africa. SSA is a member of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and is recognised as the governing body by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Surfing South Africa is responsible for developing the sport, hosting National tournaments, sanctioning International events, and selecting National teams in all SSA disciplines. SSA is a member of the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA), the World governing body.
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Read More: Lepront and Dace Advance On Day 3 of the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final Covered By Sun Bum in Bali
by SFT | Nov 17, 2024 | Surfing Today
The South African Surfing Team is on their way to compete in Reunion Island. This is what this tournament is all about
Fast Facts
What Is It?
The Coup De Surf Francophonie and Ocean Indien Challenge On Réunion Island brings together surfers from India, South Africa, Mauritius, and French-speaking countries like Senegal, Tahiti, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France) to compete on the idyllic Indian Ocean Island.
When Will It Take Place?
The event will take place from 17 – 24 November 2024.
Who’s In The Team?
The South African team comprises Anastasia Venter (JBay), Zoe Steyn (EL), Lorenzo Perels (JBay) and Daniel Emslie (EL). Liam Wood is the coach, and Danielle Powis is the manager.
Why This Tournament?
The origins of this event trace back to a regional competition, initially held as the Elio Surf Challenge, organised by the Saint-Leu Surf Club. It has now evolved into an international platform: La Coupe de Surf Francophonie and Océan Indien. The Union of Indian Ocean Surf Federations (UFSOI) has been pivotal in this transformation.
How Does The Competition Work?
The event features three major contests:
1. Indian Ocean Cup:
This tournament is between South Africa, India, Mauritius and Reunion Island.
2. Francophonie Cup:
This tournament is between Sénégal. Tahiti, Aquitaine (France), Mauritius and Réunion Island.
3. International Cup:
This competition gathers all participants from the other cups in a final contest. Next weekend will be the event’s highlight, along with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Reunion Island Surfing League.
Safety
Comprehensive safety measures are in place, provided by the Shark Lookout Program and the Water Patrol, to ensure the well-being of all participants.
All surfing sessions during the event will be supervised by the Shark Lookout Program.
The Reunion Island Surfing League is committed to ensuring the safety of all participants.
Where About Will The Surfing Happen?
One of the right-handers in Reunion © Red Bull Content Pool
Surfing on Réunion Island is a unique experience. Unlike anywhere else, surfing here is limited to designated and secure areas.
Some of the options.
– Les Zaigrets: A-frame peak, with a better right-hander.
– Les Brisants: Three left-hand peaks that break over a reef and offer barrels, turn sections, and the odd slab.
– L’Hermitage: World-class left and right reef-pass waves. Chunky and powerful barrels that break over a shallow reef.
– Trois-Bassins: A fun left-hander with good opportunities for performance surfing.
Ocean Indien Heat Draw HERE
International Cup Heat Draw HERE
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