Roberts and de Maroussem win Island Style Classic titles
Local surfer Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh) and reigning ASP Africa champion Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook) were crowned the 2005 Island Style/ Halfway Toyota Surf Classic Champions today (Sunday, 24 April 2005) in small, clean surf at Scottburgh beach on Kwa Zulu Natal’s south coast.
Event organisers utilised the World Championship Tour (WCT) ‘man on man’ format for the 4A rated men’s event from the quarterfinals through to the final.
Roberts, who has surfed Scottburgh since he was seven years old, clinched an emotional victory at his home break in a nail biting final against supremely talented former ASP Africa Champion Shane Thorne (Bluff). 31 year old Thorne enjoyed his second Pro Surf Tour (PST) final of 2005 and wasted no time catching his first two waves. Roberts had the support of the crowd and his patience paid off as he picked a 6.0-point ride which boosted him into first place. The lead changed hands several times with Roberts emerging victorious with less than a point more than Thorne.
“All I can say is that I am so stoked that I won the best event on the tour! I must thank the sponsors and most of all my Scottburgh family, without them I would have ended up in the quarters and to win at my home break is a dream come true,” said a grinning Roberts who could not suppress his excitement about his victory when he received a standing ovation from the beach.
The 2A rated women’s title appeared to belong Stacy Guy (Melkbosstrand) who led the battle from the outset with strong scores like 6.25 out of a possible 10 points. Guy’s powerful surfing was eclipsed by a last minute comeback from Island Style team rider de Maroussem who made up for lost time by earning 8.25 points for a long ride punctuated by big turns. A negligible 0.05-points separated third and fourth place which went to Sarah Johnston (Warner Beach) and Michelle Hill (St Francis) who struggled to catch waves with high scoring potential.
“I’d like to thank my sponsors Island Style and also Halfway Toyota for incorporating a ladies event this year it was awesome and there was a really high standard of surfing,” said de Maroussem.
The spectacular Air Mauritius Air Show involved 12 invited aerialists who managed to find ‘launch pads’ in the testing surf conditions. One of the highlights was an aerial move successfully completed by Simon Fish on one of the borrowed retro surfboards. The main attraction was Shane Warren (Bluff) who flew to victory with a futuristic backside 180 into a 360 reverse which he landed with ease and panache. Warren will soon be on his way to Mauritius for a holiday sponsored by Air Mauritius.
In complete contrast to the high flying progressive surfing in the Air Show, spectators were transported back in time watching an impressive display of old school surfing in the Red Bull Retro Final. John McCarthy (Dbn) completely dominated the showdown with his laid back classic style and fluid manoeuvres on waves that he caught right to the shore. McCarthy walked off with a Derek Girven twin fin replica surfboard and R2 000 cash. Matthew Kruger (Queensburgh) and Simon Fish (East London) were also standouts in this unique event where surfers rode collector’s item surfboards dating back to the early 1970’s.
The Zigzag ‘Blowing Up Award of R1 000 cash went to Brad “Mongoose” Mommsen (Scottburgh). ZigZag representatives felt that Wimpy Wildcard surfer Mommsen had pushed himself throughout the event with polished turns, big airs and tube rides until he was stopped in his tracks by his friend Roberts in the semi-finals.
Despite being a R45 000 professional surfing event, the atmosphere on the beach captured the true essence of the soul of surfing and was described as a celebration of surf culture and lifestyle.
Island Style/ Halfway Toyota Surf Classic
Results from Sunday, 24 April 2005 (Final Day)
4A Rated Men’s Event Results
Final - Man on Man
Winner: Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh) R10 000
Runner-up: Shane Thorne (Bluff) R5 000
Semi-finals
Man on man with the top surfer advancing to the final
Heat 1
Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh)
Brad Mommsen (Scottburgh) Equal 3rd; R3 000
Heat 2
Shane Thorne (Bluff)
Simon Nicholson (Berea) Equal 3rd; R3 000
Quarterfinals
Man on man winner advances to the semis
Heat 1
Gavin Roberts (Scottburgh)
Brandon Jackson (Dbn North) Equal 5th; R2 000
Heat 2
Brad Mommsen (Scottburgh)
Clinton Gravett (East London) Equal 5th; R2 000
Heat 3
Shane Thorne (Bluff)
Ryan Payne (St Francis) Equal 5th; R2 000
Heat 4
Simon Nicholson (Berea)
Dylan Stone (Bluff) Equal 5th; R2 000
2A Rated Women’s Event Results
Final
Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook) R2 000
Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) R900
Sarah Johnston (Warner Beach) R600
Michelle Hill (St Francis) R500
Semi-finals
Top two surfers advancing to the final
Heat 1
1. Michelle Hill (Cape St Francis)
2. Sarah Johnston (Warner Beach)
3. Tasha Mentasti (Dbn North) Equal 5th; R300
4. Nikita Robb (East London) Equal 7th; R200
Heat 2
1. Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook)
2. Stacy Guy (Melkbosstrand)
3. Jessica Matthews (St Francis) Equal 5th; R300
4. Nicole Annells (Warner Beach) Equal 7th; R200
Retro ‘Pick A Board’ Final
John McCarthy (Berea) - R2 000 & Retro surfboard
Air Mauritius Show
Best Aerial: Shane Warren (Bluff) – Return ticket from Air Mauritius
Zigzag Blowing Up Award
Brad Mommsen (Scottburgh) – R1 000
Source: Global Surf News
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