SURFING NEWS - South Americans were the dominant force, mostly from Brazil. The WSL Qualifying Series 3,000 rated event attracted a huge international field of surfers who possibly saw the cheap cost of living and beach breaks similar to Brazil as key attractions, along with the chance to nail some more points in the 10,000 rated Ballito event coming up.
Alex Ribeiro, 28, defeated fellow Brazilian and good friend Hizunome Bettero in the action-packed final held in Brazilian-like conditions - 3ft onshore waves. South Americans dominated the final day with 10 advancing to the last 16, six to the last eight and all of the top four coming from the either Brazil or Peru.
Hawaiian teenager Zoe McDougall was crowned Women's Champion at the Volkswagen SA Open of Surfing pres. by Hurley at Dairy Beach in Durban on Saturday, winning the closely fought final held in contestable shoulder-high waves.
McDougall, who also won the junior women's title on Friday, completed a rare World Surf League double triumph by securing back-to-back victories at the same event, an honour that will be recorded for posterity on the inaugural John Whitmore Cup. Mateus Herdy from Brazil took the junior men's.
In the men's event, Ribeiro was chaired from the water’s edge to the awards area by an ecstatic group of Brazilian Storm peers. “I’m stoked to win here and share the final with my friend Hizunome.”
Ribeiro is determined to re-qualify for the elite tour, where he was last year. “The points are great here. Now I will be focusing on the super important Ballito and Japan events and hopefully get a win there also,” he commented.
