ST Francis Bay surfer, Dale Staples, claimed overall victory at the recent online Rip Curl E-Pro tournament – a first for South African surfers.
The dynamic online surf competition saw 60 of the top South African surfers battle it out for their share of prize money and bragging rights as winners of this unique event.
In the men’s final, Shane Sykes from Salt Rock put a massive hands-free punt in as his last shot, while Staples submitted a wave from Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay.
The judges’ decision went to Staples for his combinations of turns against Syke’s single move.
Both surfers had already submitted their best waves, with Sykes’ semi-final entry his best wave and Staples’ barrel in round 4 his best clip.
A stoked Staples said, “My final clip was definitely not my best one, but it was enough to secure the winning spot.
“Sykes’ straight air was absolutely ridiculous.”
Staples went on to the win the Red Bull Best Tube award for his massive barrel from the west coast, despite some fierce competition from Chad du Toit, Josh Redman, Dan Redman and Mike Frew.
“It has been such a winter of waves in South Africa, and there were so many good barrels in the contest, so I am so happy to win the best barrel as well,” he said. “It was a great event. Thanks to everyone involved.”
A second online surf contest, in partnership with Surf Web Series and Surfing South Africa, will take to the online waves in the near future.
