Umhlanga surfer secures victory

The 21-year-old was in top form at Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape, winning every heat from round one to the final, posting scores in the excellent range by executing a variety of innovative and stylish manoeuvres. With good 4-6 ft surf on offer, spectators were treated to a high standard of surfing by the country’s best.
 
De Vries had to fend off a determined Michael February (Kommetjie), who posted three excellent scores in the final. De Vries was against the ropes at a stage in the heat but took to the air to crack the nod from the panel of judges scoring a nine-point ride to seal the deal.
 
“I am super excited about my win, the waves were so good the whole weekend and the level of surfing was amazing. It is so good to have events like this, it’s given me more confidence going into the next few international events,” said an elated De Vries after the win.

Casey Grant of Scottburgh and Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) both surfed phenomenally well throughout the event but were no match for the on form pair of De Vries and February in the men's final.
 
In the Under 20 junior boy's final it was Salt Rock resident, Shane Sykes, who peaked when it mattered most, Sykes opened up with a seven-point ride in the twenty-five minute final and was untouchable thereafter. Jarred Veldhuis of Kommetjie managed to string a pair of waves together in the increasingly testing conditions to finish second while Dylan Lightfoot and Slade Prestwich (Durban) finished third and fourth respectively.
 
Beyrick De Vries was announced the overall Quiksilver Takes One To Know One Series winner after back-to-back wins in the series, while Diran Zakarian of Melkbosstrand claimed the series win in the junior boy's division. Event sponsors and coordinators Quiksilver were ecstatic with the series, “We are happy to end off the series with an event like this with good waves and insane surfing! This series has been so well received, it’s so good for South African surfing, the level of surfing has been amazing and we’re definitely looking to replicate this next year,” said Quiksilver Marketing and Sales Manager Dane Patterson.
 
The Quiksilver Takes One To Know One series events are all 3A Pro Surf Tour rated events with a total of R90 000 paid out as prize money. Sponsors Techniblock Sunscreen, Drift Camera’s, Skullcandy, Zigzag Magazine and Red Bull all played a big role in bringing this series together. The series was sanctioned by Surfing South Africa.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

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