SA Longboard Champs Crowned
Monday 29 August 2022 Spectacular 3-4' lines, glassy conditions and sunshine welcomed competitors and spectators for the finals of the 2022 SA Longboard Championships presented by Ryd Brand yesterday.
CRYSTAL VOYAGER: Crystal Hullet prepares for her heat at Lower Point. Photo Mike Ruthnum
The event, which is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, saw beautiful waves reeling down Lower Point - the perfect canvas for SA's top longboarders to strutt their stuff across all age groups.
Angelica Rosslind of the Western Province showed maturity beyond her years in the U16 Girls final. Using her priority efficiently, Rosslind patiently waited for the best waves and used her traditional style to lock in a heat score total of 12.9, making her the unequivocal 2022 U16 Girls Champion.
In the U16 Boys, Jackson Ribbink (KZN) put on a sterling performance, combining swinging turns with tight nose rides on his backhand to propel him to a win with a 13.76 heat score total.
GOING FOR A STROLL: Alfonso Peters is a perennial standout on the longboard. Photo Ruthnum
Local legend and surfboard shaper Hugh Thompson took a confident win in the Legends division. Combining swooping turns, tall nose rides and his classic style, Thompson won over both the judges and the audience for a massive 16.76 heat score total (9.13 + 7.63). His timeless surfing style also won Thompson the ‘Surfer’s Surfer’ Award.
In the Diva division (Women 50+), Kay Holt’s (WP) youthful surfing, complete with spritely turns and nose rides, propelled her to a division win, while confident performances throughout the week propelled Michelle Van Kempen (EP) to a solid win in the Senior Ladies, pairing a 7.13 with an 8.63.
Craig Cuff (EP), a standout surfer in the Open Mens and Grand Masters divisions throughout the event, put on an arresting performance in the Grand Masters final that earned him the highest single heat score of the event, a whopping 9.83. Cuff went on to take the victory, a third in the Open Mens and the Best Overall Surfer Award.
In the up-and-coming U18 divisions, Eastern Province took both victories. Justin Van Niekerk (EP) owes his title as the U18 Boys champion to his skillful, traditional style of longboard surfing. In U18 Girls, Hannah Praetorius’ (EP) rock solid surfing won her the division title.
NOSING AROUND: Cara Stubbs pulls off a hang 10 for a good score. Photo Mike Ruthnum
In the Open Womens division, Crystal Hulett (KZN), picked off a runner in the dying seconds of the heat and garnished her buzzer beater with noserides through critical sections and signature arching turns to secure her victory as the 2022 South African Womens Longboard Champion.
The day closed with the Open Mens heat, which was a thrilling affair with finalists going blow for blow in the flawless conditions. Sam Christianson (KZN) managed to select the largest set waves and, in combination with an array of maneuvers, proceeded to ride seemingly endless noserides halfway down the point. With a colossal 15.95 heat score total (8.25 + 7.7), Christianson defended his title to become the 2022 South African Longboard Champion.
Thank you to all sponsors: Ryd Brand, Surfing South Africa, Kouga Municipality, TCS Wifi, Red Bull, Pura Vida, Spar J-Bay, Vissla, Sisstr Revolution, Mahina, Instep