The final national contest on the 2018 waveski calendar is the KZN Open Championship in Durban this coming weekend and surfers from all over South Africa will paddle out from Durban’s shoreline for the prestigious title.
Following the Ballito Pro, the KZN Open is expecting perfect surf for the competitors to sink their teeth into as they battle heat by heat.
Fresh off a big win, the 2018 South African Open men’s champion and local boy Duran Martin will hold a home-ground advantage.
‘I’m very excited to share Durban’s beautiful weather and water with fellow competitors coming from across the country, and I’m hoping that we can put on an awesome event for surfers and spectators alike,’ Martin shared.
Due to work, Martin feels he has not spent enough time in the water since his win in East London, ‘I have used up a lot of my surfing credit prior to SA’s and I have had to keep my head down now, before I leave for Spain, but I will try my best to keep the title within KZN,’ Martin continues.
Martin and a team of riders – Mike Wessels (Seniors), Bruce Viaene (Seniors), Dian Easterhuyse (Masters), Marcus Esterhuyse (Cadets), Schalk van Wyk (Masters), Rory Taylor ( Masters) Tony Rubber (Grand Masters) and Ant Stott (Masters) – will be representing South Africa on the world stage later this year at the 2018 World Waveski Championships held in Pantin, Spain.
Martin will have his work cut out for him as surfers from all over the country chase for the coveted title. Van Wyk, 2018 WP Open champion, has been spending some time in Durban and will be a real threat to the title.
Van Wyk is a great competitor and is known for his explosive power surfing, which is likely to help make up for his unprecedented early round loss at the SA Champs. Other notable mentions are Wessels (WP), Esterhuyse (WP), Craig Smith (DBN), Stott (DNB) and Viaene (EL).
Photo: SA champion Martin in action, by Chris Jones/Gameplan Media