The Eastern Province surfing team won the Hurley SA Junior Champs in home surf at Jeffreys Bay for the first time in the 16 year history of the event.
The proud EP team also won three of six SA individual titles and three of five special awards on offer, including the the coveted Freedom Cup team trophy. The three EP winners were Matt McGillivray, Gina Smith and St Francis Bay’s Crystal Hulett.
After five straight days of excellent surf at the Point with offshore winds competitors had much opportunity to showcase their talents.
Other team placings were: KwaZulu-Natal Central (KZNC from Durban was the runner up, 184 points behind, with defending champions Western Province third, Boland , then came Southern KZN, Southern Cape, Border, the SA Development Academy and Zululand.
EP Matt McGillivray was the standout performer in J-Bay, producing inspired surfing that saw him win every heat on his way to the SA U15 boys’ title. He was deservedly crowned the Surfer of the Contest earning a R20 000 voucher to any destination in the world, plus R5 000 for winning the Red Bull Airshow, beating the best aerial surfers at the event.
Gina Smith from Jeffreys Bay is the U17 SA Girls Champ
J-Bay local Gina Smith (EP) was another unbeaten in the event and deservedly won the SA U17 girls champion . The U15 girls’ final was a closely fought affair between St Francis Bay’s Crystal Hulett (EP) and the highly favoured-to-win Chanelle Botha (SKZN).
Crystal Hulett surfed like a Pro and grabbed every good wave she could even when she was already in the lead, resulting in her being announced the champion before the prize winning ceremony. Her EP team mates and family and friends hugged her and she was proudly carried on her team’s shoulders. There were few dry eyes at this moment.
Sadly for EP’s Kai Woolf, the U13 girls’ title went to Sophie Bell (KZNC) with Kai finishing in second place.
Benji Brand (WP) won the SA U17 title and also taking home the R3 000 for the Citroën Highest Heat Score award when he posted a 17.0 point out of 20 total in his semi-final encounter. Diran Zakarian (Boland) took the runner-up spot with Jason Harris (KZNC) in third and Ethan Pentz (WP) placing fourth.
Adin Masencamp (Boland) won the the Citroën Highest Heat Score award. The Skullcandy Team Spirit award was presented to Eastern Province for its enthusiasm and support teammates.
2102 Hurley SA Junior Champs Results
Freedom Cup Team Trophy
1. Eastern Province – 28 092 points
2. KwaZulu-Natal Central – 27 908
3. Western Province – 26 949
4. Boland – 22 248
5. Southern KZN – 20 494
6. Southern Cape – 18 792
7. Border – 17 330
8. SA Development Academy – 16 040
9. Zululand – 8 476
U17 Boys
1. Benji Brand (WP)
2. Diran Zakarian (Boland)
3. Jason Harris (KZNC)
4. Ethan Pentz (WP)
U17 Girls
1. Gina Smith (EP)
2. Caryn McNicol (KZNC)
3. Tahra Uren (EP)
4. Inge McLaren (Border)
U15 Boys
1. Matt McGillivray (EP)
2. Shane Sykes (KZNC)
3. Jordy Maree (WP)
4. Nthando Msibi (KZNC)
U15 Girls
1. Crystal Hulett (EP)
2. Chanelle Botha (SKZN)
3. Olivia Brand (KZNC)
4. Ruth Armstrong (WP)
U13 Boys
1. Adin Masencamp (Boland)
2. Ethan Fletcher (WP)
3. Jose Faulkner (EP)
4. Max Elkington (WP)
U13 Girls
1. Sophie Bell (KZNC)
2. Kai Woolf (EP)
3. Ashleigh Vaughan (EP)
4. Danica Stockigt (Border)
Hurley Surfer of the Contest, in association with All Aboard Travel
Matt McGillivray (EP) – R20 000 travel voucher
Red Bull Airshow
Matt McGillivray (EP) – R5 000
Citroën Highest Heat Score
Benji Brand (WP) – R3 000
Zigzag Blowing Up Award
Nthando Msibi (KZNC) – R3 000
Skullcandy Team Spirit Award
Eastern Province
(edited)
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