KZN SURFING 2010 AWARDS EVENING GREAT SUCCESS

THANKS to all the parents / family etc that supported their children at the awards function the other night.  It was so great to have you all there!  Every single surfer is so important to us at KZN Surfing!

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF SURFERS WHO GOT TEAM AWARDS:

The sport of surfing is so unique and special!  The wave knows no race, colour, creed or age.  Surfing is a sport that is timeless.  From tiny tots to the older masters and veterans they all have the same ‘stoke’.

This was highlighted in the KZN Surfing Awards evening held at the Natal Sharks Board recently where over 200 surfers and their families came together to celebrate their success.

Development surfers from Durban, including street children from the Umthombo House were awarded with trophies, right up to the A and B Team Juniors, and Masters.  The evening was a fun celebration of all who have achieved.  It was brilliant to have the different spectrum of ages all under the same roof, which gave the youngsters a vision of the road head.

At least 8 surfers received their full or half colours from KZN Surfing for the first time – a good sign that there is a lot of new blood coming up the ranks in the Province.

Rob Moore Boyle said “I have been surfing for 29 years, and this is the first time I have my green blazer!” – this statement was important for the ‘groms’ in the room to hear.  With surfing it is never too late to be competitive and set your goals. 

Paul Godwin put together a very special award for long time surf individual Richard Smith.  Richard suffered a stroke a while back, and is slowly recovering.  He and his wife Debbie came along to the awards and were presented with a beautiful embroidered frame to thank Richard for all he has done in the surfing community.

Chris Knutsen (Current world champ!) stole the show with his hilarious speeches, revealing some intimate secrets about his lovely wife Fiona.  When Jestyn Viljoen presented him with the Wave Wizards Club Award Chris was very emotional had a lot of people in the room shedding tears.

The top trophies were awarded to the most outstanding surfers in KZN for 2010 and went to Chris Knutsen for Masters, Sarah Baum for top girl surfer, and Beyrick de Vries for top Pro Jnr & Open Surfer, Kat Steffen for Snr Surfer, Little Gaby Lailvaux received a Rugrat award from the Hoggs.

Mike Frew was MC for the special trophy awards and handed out the following:

(votes for the following trophies were done by 10 parents/surfers  of A Team surfers who have experience and knowledge of all the surfers in the u20 division)

Volcom – Grom  with the most potential:                       Josh Smit (Athlone Park)

(u16 surfer that shows most promise)

Klynsmith – Most Improved Girl Surfer:                                    Lenieka Botha (Toti)

New Pier Coffee – Most Improved Boy:                                   Wade Simkiss (Umdloti)

Durban surfing – Surfer with most Spunk:                                  Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)

(surfer that makes you smile when you see them coming)

Personality of the Year                                                  Davey Van Zyl (Dbn North)

(most polite/best manners etc)

Lizzard – Sportsmanship                                                           Daniel de Sousa (Dbn North)

(does not always win but always has good attitude)

Precision & Engraving – Biggest Heart                          Mikey Venter (Warner Beach)

(shows no fear in the water)

Billabong – Most Consistent for KZN                           Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) (consistently gets in finals/results)                                      AND Sarah Baum (Winkles)

RED – Surfer Supreme -                                                          Chad du Toit (Durban)

(stand out surfer in 2010)

Gotcha – Girl Surfer of Year 2010                                            Sarah Baum (Winklespruit)

Quiksilver – Boy Surfer of the Year 2010                                 Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)

The following votes were done on results at SA Champs 2010:

Senior Girl Surfer of the Year:                                       Kat Steffen (Kloof)

Senior Boy Surfer of the Year:                                      Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)

Masters Surfer of the Year:                                                       Chris Knutsen

Rugrat of the year (from Hogg family)                            Gaby Lailvaux

Wave Wizards Surfer of Year                                                   Chris Knutsen