THE Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Surfriders team claimed the coveted SSA and Sea Harvest 2018 Grommet Games Surfing Cup Award for the team with the most points in the Surfing Division.
The event was held at Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth from March 22 to 26.
This was no mean feat considering the event, which was supported by Sport and Recreation SA, presented and run by Surfing South Africa (SSA) and hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders, attracted over 120 surfers representing eight districts out of three provinces,
Team Manager, Debbie Atkinson, says, “Although we did not have a full team, we still managed to win the surfing shield, which is highly commendable. Our surfers showed the highest calibre of sportsmanship, manners, beach and competition etiquette during what was a very tough week of heat, wind and stress. We are all very proud of their achievement.
“Seven members of our team were included in the total of 21 surfers and officials recognised by SSA for their outstanding performances in the games and inducted into the Sea Harvest Grommet Games Stars group.”
Coach Jerry van Wyk, was also inducted.
The overall win went to Cape Town Surfriders who claimed the Nelson Mandela Bay Trophy for the seventh year in a row. NMB Surfriders came in a close second having narrowly missed first place by just over 200 points.
The Games featured eight age divisions for girls and boys with the youngest surfers in the contest competing in the under 8 division and the oldest taking part in the competitive under 16 boys and girls group.
U.10 category
- Rory Dace (Cape St Francis) – Finalist – Gold Medallist Winner of the Under 10 Age Group and inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Group
- Shewaan Perils – (Jeffreys Bay) Round 3 knocked out
U.12 Boys
- Evan Prinsloo (Jeffreys Bay) – Finalist – Nickel Medallist 4th place – inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Group
- Jedia El Titus (Jeffreys Bay) – Quarters knocked out
- Oliver Boucher (Port Elizabeth) – Quarters knocked out
U.14 Girls
- Hannah Praetorius (St Francis Bay) – Nickel Medallist 4th place
Kayleigh Botes (Jeffreys Bay) – Semis knocked out
U.14 Boys
- Lorenzo Perels (Jeffreys Bay) – Gold medallist – Chosen as the 2018 Surfer of the SSA Grom Games, Inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Games
- Justin Van Niekerk (Port Elizabeth) – Silver medallist – Inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Games
- Renaldo Atties (Jeffreys Bay) – Round 3 knocked out
U.16 Girls
- Catelin Plomaritis (St Francis Bay) –Gold medallist – Inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Games
- Chloe Atkinson (St Francis Bay) – Silver medallist – Inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Games
U.16 Boys
- Kealan Cowling (St Francis Bay) – Silver medallist – Inducted into the All Stars of the SSA Groms Games
- Zac Bakker (Jeffreys Bay) – Semis knocked out
