PIC:

KZN SURFING BLACK LABEL - OPEN/MASTERS TEAM:

Back Row:        Chris Leppan, Marc Wright (Captain), John Israel, Mark Wootton, Murray Niven

Middle Row:      Chad du Toit, Antonio Bortoletto, Mike Godfrey, Hilton Lawrence, Shane Thorne, Ryan Bisset, Beyrick de Vries

Front on Floor:   Kat Steffen

STORY:

KZN SURFING OPEN/MASTERS TEAM HEAD TO ST MIKES THIS WEEKEND FOR SA CHAMPS.

From Thursday 26^th May to Sunday 30^th May 2010 the top surfers in the open men and women’s division and in the masters divisions will be going head to head in the hope of achieving the individual SA Champs Title for 2010.  The top sixteen surfers from the seven represented provinces from around the country will be descending on the quiet sea-side village of St Michaels on Sea in pursuit of the prestigious SA Champion label.

KZN Surfing have had a series of trials and many of the top surfers in the Province are making up a  very strong team.  Captain Marc Wright is top seed in the Kahunas (+45) Division, and must be one of the favourites to win as he has the title of World Champion.  Vice Captain Chris Knutsen who is top seed in the Grand Kahunas (+50) is also firm favourite for a win as he has been crowned World Champion on two occasions.

Shane Thorne who is top seed in the Masters Division (+35) is also the coach for the team and is very positive about the overall win going to KZN Province.  He said:  “Black Label have sponsored all our kit so thanks to SAB!  I am very confident that with the team we have got we are going to come home with the silverware.  The guys we have in our team are all seasoned surfers so I will be very surprised if KZN don’t win the overall Presidents Cup!.”

Other great surfers representing are Antonio Bortoletto who has recently retired from the WQS (World Qualifying Series) but who is feeling strong and is in top form.  Rob Moore-Boyle who placed second in last year’s SA Champs.  The Open Mens division has the younger generation of surfers dominating including Beyrick de Vries who comes fresh off a credible 9^th place in the Marasia 6* Event in Florianopolis Brazil.  With him are Chad du Toit who recently placed second in the Oakley Pro Junior and consistent finalist Chris Leppan from Umhlanga Rocks.  The girls are made up of Amber Kilfoil who has many years as a KZN Team member and Kat Steffen from Kloof.

Ryan Bisset, Hilton Lawrence, John Israel, Mark Wootton, Murray Niven and Mike Godfrey are also not new to the KZN surfing scene and will be going all out to make the finals and claim victory at this year’s SA Champs.