East London once again proved to be one of the world’s best surfing venues as waveski riders were 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 surfing quite tricky. Westerly winds on day one and three allowed for great competition conditions with the final day bringing the best conditions 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 are hoping to field a powerful team.
The open event is always the most sought-after title at any contest. This year’s finalists included 2017 winner Bruce Viaene, 2016 and 2017 runner-up Duran Martin, 2009 world champion Andre Burger and canoeing ace Ant Stott.
Spectators on the shore were treated to some spectacular surfing and the panel of five judges was faced with the tricky task of scoring the riders’ waves as accurately as possible.
In the end, it was KZN hotshot Martin who took the win by less than half a point from East London local Viaene. KZN’s Stott took third place with another East Londoner Burger in fourth.
The age group categories were 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, son of well-known waveski surfer Dian Esterhuyse, is already showing potential way above his young age.
The seniors was another tough battle with Viaene taking the hard-earned title. Mike Wessels pushed the limits all the way to the final hooter with a very close second.
In the masters, Western Province dominated with all four finalists. Schalk van Wyk claimed yet another national title ahead of Dian Esterhuyse and Rory Taylor.
In the grand masters category, Tony Dubber – after years of top-level performances – finally claimed that big SA title that he has been chasing for so many years and Jeremy Pienaar outsurfed 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.
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.
Photo: Viaene in championship action, by Dalton Burton/Gameplan Media
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Open:
1 Duran Martin (KZN)
2 Bruce Viaene (Border)
3 Ant Stott (KZN)
4 André Burger (Border)
Juniors:
1 Marcus Esterhuyse (WP)
2 Francois Roesstorff (Border)
3 Sharnan Flynn (Border)
Seniors:
1 Bruce Viaene (Border)
2 Mike Wessels (WP)
3 Ant Stott (KZN)
4 Rob Smith (Border)
Masters:
1 Schalk van Wyk (WP)
2 Dian Esterhuyse (WP)
3 Rory Taylor (WP)
4 Tim Reinhardt (WP)
Grand Masters:
1 Tony Dubber (Border)
2 Johan Oelofse (Border)
3 Craig Smith (KZN)
4 Eric Perrier (KZN/France)
Veterans:
1 Jeremy Pienaar (EP)
2 Bruce Tavenor (EP)
3 Gary Duminy (KZN)
4 Ken Clements (WP)
Provisional SA federation squad (subject to change):
Cadets: Marcus Esterhuyse
New Age: Duran Martin, Gerhardus van Zyl
Seniors: Bruce Viaene, Mike Wessels Masters: Schalk van Wyk, Ant Stott, Dian Esterhuyse (reserve)
Grand Masters: Rory Taylor, Chris Jones
Veterans: Tony Dubber, Jeremy Pienaar
Women: Sandra Pienaar
Tag team squad: André Burger, Bruce Viaene, Duran Martin, Schalk van Wyk, Mike Wessels, Gerhardus van Zyl