After being forced to take a break due to the COVID-19
pandemic last year, the 2021 Sea Harvest SA Junior Surfing Championships
presented by SMTH Shapes, kicked off again in Jeffrey’s Bay yesterday, October 1.
Day one of this annual surfing event for competitors aged 18
and under, started at Lower Point in, what is for the Kouga region, much needed
rainfall. Wet but windless conditions offered 2-4ft waves that presented some
lumpiness for the junior surfers to navigate.
The day’s results reflected the tricky but rippable
conditions with scores oscillating between low and excellent scores, in those
instances where the wave offered the opportunity.
According to a media statement released by Go Social, Daniel
Emslie (U18 Boys, Buffalo City Surfers) was one of the surfers that was able to
successfully identify two good waves and furnish them with combinations of
searing carves and an air. He was rewarded with a pair of excellent scores (8 +
8.18), asserting his dominance early on in the contest.
“In the U16 Boys division, Connor Slijpen (Cape Town
Surfriders) secured the highest single wave score of the day with a combination
of major manoeuvres, his mature surfing defying his 16 years of age,” the
statement read.
“Levi Epenetos (Cape Winelands Surfriders) has jumped up
into the U14 Boys division since the last SA Junior Championships and put on an
impressive performance with his precise, explosive backhand attack. With the
highest heat score total in his division, he secured a spot in the
Quarterfinals for himself.”
To wrap up the day, the U12 division took to what for them
were overhead conditions. Loghann Tilsley (Cape Winelands Surfriders) was a
standout in the division, his mature surfing and powerful backhand cracks
earning him two good scores and a spot in the Quarterfinals.
Day two of competition that started today, will see the girl’s
divisions take to the water in a series of action-packed heats.
