SA's surfers dominate events

2008-04-04 16:18

Punta Rocas - SA's Andre Malherbe has produced a powerful performance at the ISA World Masters Surfing Championships in Peru.

Malherbe top scored with an outstanding 18.0 points out of 20 as Team South Africa dominated proceedings.

Competing in solid two metre waves in round 3 of the winners stream in the Grand Masters (Over 40) division, the younger of the East London-based Malherbe brothers, utilised manoeuvres honed at his home break of Nahoon Reef to post an early 8.5 point ride before racking up a near perfect 9.5, the joint highest single ride of the event, to accumulate the day's best heat tally.

Malherbe said: "It was good to get a good win under my belt and be one step closer to the final.

"I'm excited about the prospect of making my first final. I was in the Masters division last year, so I'm ready to go hard in my Round 4 heat. I'm looking forward to it."

Team SA hold three of highest ride scores

He now meets his brother David, Peruvian surfing legend Magoo de la Rosa and former ASP World Tour campaigner Jo Jo de Olivenca (Brazil) in Round 4 where the top two progress directly to the Grand Masters Grand Final.

Team South Africa, winners of the team gold medal at the inaugural ISA World Masters Surfing Championships at Puerto Rico in 2007, whitewashed Thursday's action with the Malherbe brothers joined by Marc Wright and Nick Pike (Kahunas), Chris Knutsen (Grand Kahunas) and Heather Clark (Master Women) in netting big wins in their respective divisions.

After four days of competition, Team SA surfers now hold three of the 10 highest single ride scores and four of the top 10 heat totals across all men's divisions while Clark owns the top three rides and top two heat totals in the women's event.

- Sport24