Wessels returns to the top of SA waveski
Port Alfred - Mike Wessels retained his title as the national waveski
champion at the end of a thrilling South African Waveski Championships on
the Eastern Cape Sunshine Coast, while Bruce Viaene rocked the contest with
two nine point waves en route to claiming the senior title.
The start of the National Championships coincided with a large storm that
brought in massive and messy surf. The first rounds of the contest featuring
the Age (Closed) Divisions, Open Ladies and Novice’s took to the water in
these challenging conditions at Kelly’s Beach – a secondary contest venue.
The wipe-outs were aplenty but that just encouraged everyone to push their
limits and post high scores.
The second day of the competition saw much cleaner waves run down the
line-up, at the main break. The Open Men’s kicked off the morning in five to
six foot surf conditions. In round one Mike Wessels (WP), Johann Momberg
(EP), Bruce Viaene (EP), Eugene O’Neil (EP), Francois Steyn (WP), and Malan
Calitz (WP) won their respective heats in hopes of clinching the coveted
title of SA Open Champion.
As the day progressed, the conditions deteriorated, and by Round Four, only
sixteen riders were left in the Open. The next day would determine who would
be crowned champion.
By finals day, the swell size had dropped to two to three feet but still
offered high scoring potential, as spectators and fellow waveskiers watched
the drama unfold as the contest concluded on Saturday afternoon.
The Open Novice was won by KwaZulu-Natal’s Kai Williams, who surfed way
above his ability to put together a total heat score of 13.93 out of a
possible 20 points. Shortly after, Williams went on to win his age group,
Cadets (10-16 yrs), with another dominant performance.
The Ladies Open final was won by Sandra Pienaar (EP) who is no stranger to
the podium. Pienaar has represented South Africa several times and showed
her prowess once again. The Legends (60-64 yrs) was won by Tony Dubber
(Border) who posted high scores with his effortless style.
The Tag Team event took place for the first time in several years. Four
members per provincial team had their turns to rack up points in this fun
but competitive event. Top honours went to Western Province A who narrowly
beat the locals, Eastern Province into second place. Third place went to
Western Province B, followed by KwaZulu-Natal in fourth.
The contest took on a serious tone as the Master’s Division (40-49 yrs)
entered the water. This is a highly competitive age division with many top
riders being represented. Malan Calitz (WP) held an early heat lead and beat
his fellow teammate, Mike Wessels, by a mere 0.31 points. The Grand Master’s
(50-59 years) was won by Morne de Villiers (WP) who has made an incredible
comeback to the sport.
The Senior’s (30-39 yrs) final was the highlight of the day for many
spectators. Eastern Province’s Bruce Viaene showed pure class by posting the
highest wave and heat total of the entire contest. Viaene scored a 9.00 and
9.43, snagging him his third Senior Title and giving him the confidence
needed for the World Waveski Championships later this year.
Utmost respect must go to the Grand Legends (65yrs+) for surfing harder than
others. Ronnie Ackerman (EP) won the title in epic fashion with his radical
surfing which he is world-renowned for.
Finally, all eyes were on the water as South Africa’s top four Open Men
entered the water for the SA Open Final. Francois Steyn (WP), Mike Wessels
(WP), Malan Calitz (WP), and Bruce Viaene (EP) paddled out for a battle
royale. Viaene took an early lead on the opening waves but was soon on the
backfoot as 2019 champion, Mike Wessels put a second great wave together.
Calitz answered back with his own score, putting pressure on Wessels who was
keeping just ahead of the pack. A costly mistake by Calitz led to an
“interference call” against him for accidentally dropping in on Steyn which
resulted in Calitz being penalized into fourth place. As the time ran out,
Mike Wessels claimed his second SA Open title, a feat that hasn’t been done
in decades. Steyn picked up second place, followed by Viaene in third.
“It feels good to win back-to-back titles although I wouldn’t have felt bad
if I’d lost because the level of surfing was of such a high standard.”
shares the 2019 and 2022 South African Open Champion, Mike Wessels.
This event is the crown jewel on the waveski calendar and with it unable to
run since 2019, the “Waveski Family” were eager to come together again to
test their skills amongst the country’s best.
“It was an absolute honour to have Port Alfred as our host town this year,
shares Eastern Province Waveski Surfing Association Chairman, Eugene o’
Neil. EPWSA has seen a massive resurgence recently and their results during
the contest and their ability to host a successful event are testimony to
that.
The rest of the year has provincial contests taking place in KwaZulu-Natal
and Western Province, with the 2022 World Waveski Championships taking place
at Venture, California in November.
More details can be found at
www.canoesa.org.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS -
SA Waveski Championships
Open
1. Mike Wessels (WP)
2.Francois Steyn (WP)
3.Bruce Viaene (EP)
4.Malan Calitz (WP)
Open Novice
1.Kai Williams (KZN)
2.Trent Williams (KZN)
3.Jethro Samuel Keys (WP)
4.Hilgard Rossouw (WP)
Cadets (10 – 16 years)
1.Kai Williams (KZN)
2.Trent Williams (KZN)
3.Jethro Keys (WP)
4,Saskia Moniz (WP)
Senior (30 – 39 Years)
1.Bruce Viaene (EP)
2.Ryan Griffiths (KZN)
3.Rob Smith (EP)
4.John Posnett (WP)
Masters (40 – 49 years)
1.Malan Calitz (WP)
2.Mike Wessels (WP)
3.Johan Momberg (EP)
4.Stuart McHattie (WP)
Grand Masters (50 – 59 Years)
1.Morne de Villiers (WP)
2.Pierre Slabber (WP)
3.Rory Taylor (WP)
4.Craig Bartlett (KZN)
Legends: (60 to 64 years)
1.Tony Dubber (Border)
2.Johan Oelofse (Border)
Grand Legends (65+ years)
1.Ronnie Ackerman (EP)
2.Daryl Moodie (KZN)
3.Dave Griffith (KZN)
4.Ken Clements (WP)
Open Ladies:
1.Sandra Pienaar (EP)
2.Saskia Moniz (WP)
ENDS
