Shane Sykes talks about the venue for the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro pres. by G-Force
Durban - the fourth event in Africa's 2018 men's Qualifying Series takes place this weekend 18-20 May, and local surfers are currently en route to Durban to compete. The Zigzag Durban Surf Pro pres by G-Force will feature QS 1,000 and JQS 1,000 events for both men and women.
North Beach is the contest venue for the fourth WSL Africa Qualifying Series event of the year, the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro pres. by G-Force, and it is the perfect arena for high-performance surfing. - WSL
The regional series, bolstered by the five event City Surf Series, has proven to be a great boon to South African surfing, with Michael February being the first graduate of the successful launch platform for aspiring South African surfers. Last year, Mikey walked away with three wins, a second and a third in the seven events staged in South Africa, including victory at this very event, to earn enough points to place him as an alternate surfer on the WSL Championship Tour.
A great result at the Ballito Pro pres by Billabong was what put him in the zone, but it was through much hard groundwork done at the City Surf Series that saw him hone his craft, allowing his contest experience to shine through at the bigger events.
Kelly Slater withdrew from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast contest, giving Mikey a slot, and this continued at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event, where Mick Fanning officially retired and Mikey officially got his slot in the top 32.
Currently at the top of the Africa's 2018 men's Qualifying Series is young goofy-footer Jordy Maree, with David Van Zyl in second and Dylan Lightfoot in third.
Jordy Maree comes into the contest as the number one seed on the WSL Africa QS rankings, and after an excellent run at the start of the season, looks set to continue his winning ways. - WSL
In Africa's 2018 women's Qualifying Series, Nicole Pallet is in front, with Kai Woolf right behind her and Zoë Steyn in third. At this crucial stage in the game, these surfers will be making a move to solidify their ranking for the second half of the year.
In the men's JQS rankings young Dillon Hendricks has a slim lead over Luke Thompson, with Max Elkington not far behind in third place.
Over on the women's JQS rankings, goofy-footed Kai Woolf is up front with loads of distance between her and second placed Kirsty McGillivray, while Zoe Steyn is in third place here too.
The contest venue for this event was originally set for New Pier, Durban, but the Durban beaches are currently going through a major sand-pumping operation after much sand was eroded from the beachfront during a recent storm. The event has now been moved to North Beach where the sandbanks are reported to be producing classic surf.
Nicole Pallet heads Africa's 2018 women's QS rankings after podium finishes in the first three events of the season. - WSL / Thurtell
At this early stage of the game it looks like fairly small conditions on tap for the contest period, with a small lift in swell for the final day of competition.
North Beach Prepares for the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro
Craig Jarvis
Durban - the fourth event in Africa's 2018 men's Qualifying Series takes place this weekend 18-20 May, and local surfers are currently en route to Durban to compete. The Zigzag Durban Surf Pro pres by G-Force will feature QS 1,000 and JQS 1,000 events for both men and women.
The regional series, bolstered by the five event City Surf Series, has proven to be a great boon to South African surfing, with Michael February being the first graduate of the successful launch platform for aspiring South African surfers. Last year, Mikey walked away with three wins, a second and a third in the seven events staged in South Africa, including victory at this very event, to earn enough points to place him as an alternate surfer on the WSL Championship Tour.
A great result at the Ballito Pro pres by Billabong was what put him in the zone, but it was through much hard groundwork done at the City Surf Series that saw him hone his craft, allowing his contest experience to shine through at the bigger events.
Kelly Slater withdrew from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast contest, giving Mikey a slot, and this continued at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event, where Mick Fanning officially retired and Mikey officially got his slot in the top 32.
Currently at the top of the Africa's 2018 men's Qualifying Series is young goofy-footer Jordy Maree, with David Van Zyl in second and Dylan Lightfoot in third.
In Africa's 2018 women's Qualifying Series, Nicole Pallet is in front, with Kai Woolf right behind her and Zoë Steyn in third. At this crucial stage in the game, these surfers will be making a move to solidify their ranking for the second half of the year.
In the men's JQS rankings young Dillon Hendricks has a slim lead over Luke Thompson, with Max Elkington not far behind in third place.
Over on the women's JQS rankings, goofy-footed Kai Woolf is up front with loads of distance between her and second placed Kirsty McGillivray, while Zoe Steyn is in third place here too.
The contest venue for this event was originally set for New Pier, Durban, but the Durban beaches are currently going through a major sand-pumping operation after much sand was eroded from the beachfront during a recent storm. The event has now been moved to North Beach where the sandbanks are reported to be producing classic surf.
At this early stage of the game it looks like fairly small conditions on tap for the contest period, with a small lift in swell for the final day of competition.
Jordy Maree
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Shane Sykes talks about the venue for the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro pres. by G-Force
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