The Billabong Junior Series Presented By BOS In East London
Sarah Baum was the winner of the U20 Girls division and also took home R10k. The Durban-based goofy-footer has been traveling and competing on the WQS, and hasn't been home and competing for some time. "I haven't surfed in a contest in South Africa for so long. It was good to be competing at home again," said Baum.
"The waves were fun, and it has been a great event." Sarah is home in South Africa until the Women's WQS kicks off again in August. "I'll be putting the money towards a car," said Baum. "I plan on doing some traveling and surfing in South Africa over the next few months."
The tournament had a somewhat difficult start when the muncipality was forced to close the contest venue of Nahoon Beach due to sewage runoff from a burst pipe caused by the heavy rains over the Easter weekend. Luckily for all, Gonubie was chosen as the alternate venue by contest director Cyril Nel, and what a good choice that proved to be.
Gonubie delivered great waves, ranging in the two to three-foot range all weekend, ideal for high action surfing from the country's best junior surfers. The sun poured down the whole weekend, and the wind forgot to blow.
In the U18 Girls it was Chanelle Botha who took the win for the second time, repeating her performance from the first event in Durban. Kai Woolf from Jbay won the U14 Girls division convincingly
U20 Girls 1. Sarah Baum (Dbn) R10 000 2. Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) 3. Emma Smith (Jbay) 4. Tahra Uren (Jbay)
