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| Monday 14th of September 2009 |
Monk, Strachan and Buitendag crowned Mr Price SA Open champions at Nahoon Reef
Wayne Monk OpenMens winner. Photo Sacha Speker
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Mr Price SA Open
A Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) event
Nahoon Reef, East London Saturday & Sunday September 12 & 13, 2009
Monk, Strachan and Buitendag crowned Mr Price SA Open champions at Nahoon Reef
Experience prevailed over youth in the Men’s division of the 2009 Mr Price SA Open of Surfing at Nahoon Reef Sunday ( September 13) when former two time SA Champion Wayne Monk of East London surged to victory in perfect one 1-2 metre surf at his home break.
Monk seemed on top of his game throughout the event, relying on his vast local knowledge of Nahoon Reef to ensure that he caught the best set waves.
His strategy worked from the round of 32 all the way through to the final where he beat fellow East London surfer Clinton Gravett (21) Klee Strachan (19) of Winkelspruit and Gary Van Wieringen (Scottburgh) into the minor places,
Monk posted a massive nine point ride in the dying seconds of the final to emulate fellow East London winners Greg Emslie (2008) and Devyn Mattheys (2007) and clinch another popular local surfer victory in this Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour event.
“I played that game the whole contest and it really worked for me. I didn’t want to have to wait until the last minute for the best waves but that’s just the way it ended up,” said the forty year old father of two children aged 11 and 14.
Although Monk has been a two time South African champion the SA Open victory is his maiden Pro Surf Tour title.
“I’ve competed in the SA Open for the past five years and actually haven’t done too well but this year I wanted to do well and put more practice time in so I’m stoked that it happened,” explained Monk who owns the retail surf store ‘Just Surfing’ in East London.
Klee Strachan U20 Boys winner. Photo Sacha Speker
In the hotly contested under 20 junior division 2008 SA Team member Strachan proved too strong for his fellow finalists. The former Capetonian opened up his bid for the title with a massive eight pointer on his first ride and never looked back securing first place ahead of Nick Godfrey (Cape st Francis) Jaco Steyn (Melkbosstrand)and Chris Leppan (Umhlanga).
“After opening up with a good score on my first wave in the junior final all I needed to do was back it up with another good wave, which I did,” said Strachan who stepped onto the podium in both the open and junior division.
“I was hoping to do the same in the open final but things didn’t work out. Either way third in the open division is a good result and I’m happy with the way both events went for me today.”
South Africa’s talented teenage star Bianca Buitendag of George was also a clear winner taking honours in the womens division with some powerful surfing. Buitendag signaled her intentions for the title in the quarter finals and continued to build momentum through to the finals where she beat current SA Champion Heather Clark (Port Shepstone) into second place. Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbos) was third and Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) came fourth.
“I caught a lucky wave in the first five minutes of the final which boosted my confidence,” explained Buitendag who was referring to her a massive 8.5 wave score.
“It’s good to start off well in a heat,” she continued, “it not only boosts your confidence but also takes the pressure off you and puts it on your competitors.”
The Mr Price SA Open of Surfing enjoyed two perfect days of surf and weather for the competition which was protected with Shark Shield devices placed strategically in the line-up throughout the duration of the two day event.
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