KZNCSA Trial 4 Youth Day Celebration

Well 16th June marked our national youth day and what a fantastic day it turned out to be. No wind in the morning to a bit of a SW buster dying down to light winds and loads of contestable swell. The juniors kicked off with the U17 division boys cranking the left hander’s being offered by Wedge. This somewhat took the juniors out of their comfort zone and required a change of tactic and adjusting to a new break for the trials. The surfing was going to deliver today and the Juniors celebrated Youth Day with surfing. I have noticed a vast improvement in the surfing from the first trial so Clayton will be pleased with these youngsters. So who stood out?

Well first up was Teal Hogg who set the bar picking up where she left off last trial and blitzing her way to the final and walking off with the GIRL’S BLOW UP award. Then not going to be out-done was young Koby Oberholzer who won the BOY’S BLOW UP award and the U13 Boys Final with some polished surfing, I see the apple has fallen not far from the tree. Dad was stoked for Koby too. Ketho Ngobo and Mntando Msibi made a semi final appearance in the U15 boys division and was well deserved. However for me the standout was Shane Sykes who absolutely comboed all the other competitors in his Final heat to take the U15 Boys division. Sophie Bell surfed to take the U13 girls division well done to her. Kelly Simkiss took top spot in the U15 Girls. U17 boys final was a cracker with loads of dosh Joshua Smit winning top spot there and continuing his fine form from last week’s Rip Curl Grom Search contest.

Once again trial 4 was well supported and a big thank you to all the Moms and Pops who spent the day encouraging their kids as the day unfolded and supported our youth. There was a fantastic atmosphere as all enjoyed Surf City’s revamped beach front. As for me well the Flu bug finally had its go and I had been man down so I have not had the privilege of getting into the surf however I told it’s been good all week in Surf City.

Don’t we just love KZN from May to July with epic surf conditions. We have such fantastic natural resource that can take advantage of. So hope to see you in the water soon.

Brendan