Team Lizzard takes JBay Surfing Challenge while February and Kouga locals shine

The Industry Cup was wrestled away from Billabong when Lizzard took the team event in the Jeffreys Bay Surf Challenge, sponsored by Bloodscan, this past weekend.

Lizzard team members Antonio Bortoletto, Casey Grant, Klee Strachan and Gavin Roberts blasted their way through the early rounds and went on to claim the trophy from the Billabong mantelpiece where it has resided since 2003. “This team has been together for so long,” said team captain Gavin Roberts. “We’ve surfed together for years and we’re going to take the event again next year.”
First place in the Industry Cup division went to Mikey February surfing for Team BloodScan. He pocketed R15 000 for the victory. February also won the U20 Boys division, adding another R7 000 to his winnings.
February picked up two good rides in the beginning of the U20 Boys Final and kept the lead all the way to the final siren. Davey van Zyl was second with Max Armstrong and Dylan Lightfoot coming in third and fourth. The U14 Girls final saw St Francis Bay ripper Crystal Hulett take the win from Ashleigh Vaughn. Third and fourth slots were Kai Woolf and Lauren Ridge respectively. In the U14 Boys division Adin Masencamp took the honours with Jake Elkington, Ethan Fletcher and Jose Faulkner filling the minor slots.
In the U20 girls Tanika Hoffman surfed to victory against Heidi Palmboom with local sisters Emma Smith and Gina Smith coming in third and fourth respectively.
Diran Zakarian and Beyrick De Vries were the two first-place candidates in the The Red Bull Air Show. Both performed big tech aerial moves for the judges. Eventually it was Beyrick who got the nod for a big forehand air that had everyone on the beach whistling and hooting appreciation.
Greg Emslie opened up the Industry Cup final with a solid ride, linking big turns all the way through to the inside on a wave that many thought was the heat winner. Greg went into the lead with an 8.2 score for the wave. Shaun Payne surfed a good final but couldn’t find the right waves and came in fourth place. Gavin Roberts fought hard as well but could only get one good scoring wave and came in third. Emslie was winning all the way to the end when Mikey picked up a medium wave and pulled a big reverse air and a few linking turns before launching into another similar air move on the inside, nailing it and getting the score required for the win. February’s constant big forehand reverse manoeuvres in the micro conditions earned him high points with the judges.
“Mikey February has definitely been the surfer of the contest,” said Head Judge Mike Ginsberg. “He has been blowing up all day with those big airs, and he has been surfing intelligently, knowing when to go for the big moves and when to surf to the next section.”
“It has been a great event,” said a grinning February on receiving his prizes and trophies. “Thanks to BloodScan, my supporters, my sponsors and my family.”
Event sponsor Lewis Khoury from BloodScan was happy about the event and the participation from the surf industry. “This event has been awesome,” said Lewis. “It enjoyed a great turnout, and the South African Surf Industry participation has been amazing. So many of the surfers in the industry have expressed their appreciation at the event, which has been very positive.”

Photos of some Kouga surfers:

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/05/02/jeffreys-bay-surf-challenge-photo-gallery-of-kouga-locals/

Final team placings.
1. Lizzard
2. BloodScan
3. Oakley
4. Billabong
5. Volcom
6. Quiksilver
7. FireWire
8. Nixon
tie 10 – Sector9
tie 10 – VonZipper
tie 12 – Hurley
tie 12 – O’Neill
13. Core Surf Shop
14 – EP Development Team
15 – TheBombSurf
16 – RVCA

Event co-sponsors were African Bank, Black Label, Sector9, Element and EP Skydivers.

Red Bull supplied the energy for all contestants.

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