Dylan wins Zag Breakthrough Performer of the Year

Dylan, awesome news about you scooping the ZigZag Breakthrough Performer of the Year at the Zag Awards in Durbs on Friday night. Did you know you were in with a shot or did it come as a surprise?

It was a total surprise, my parents knew but managed to keep it a secret. It was radical as the car I went to the function in kept breaking down and we had to push the car into the parking lot at Gateway – while listening to the announcer saying “could everyone be seated so we can start with the evening” When they called me up I was shocked, but also exhausted from pushing the car!!

Who else were you up against for the title?

Well, the Award is for a surfer who has made everyone stop and take notice. SA is full of this kind of talent, so I am very privileged to be chosen for this award.

Other than being a helluva prestigious honour to win, did you score some loot or prizes as well?

No loot, but I did score an awesome picture of me surfing for my moms lounge and lots honour which is something that cannot be replaced!

What was the jol on Friday night like – anyone tossing name?

It was a really sick jol, everyone who is anyone in the surfing industry was there and to be part of the festivities of the awards was rad. (Dyl is obeying the age-old code of "what goes on tour stays on tour!" Good man!)

You’ve been on a moerse roll in the last year – take us through the highlights.

From the beginning of last year when I came 2nd in Worlds it all seemed to come together for me in Peru. After winning the U16 Billabong in Vic Bay, I got into the ASP Worlds where Bali was the first stop. I was doing really well there and then started to feel a bit ill, I had Dengue fever which knocked me for that event and the Brazil event – never been so sick in my life. I came back to the last of the Ripcurl events in South Africa and managed to win that, securing the trip to the RIpcurl final in Bells beach over Easter which I won. What an amazing experience that was to walk up the stairs that Mick Fanning had walked the day before on his win and to stand on that podium. It was then off to Worlds in Panama where I got a ninth.

So what’s on the cards for the rest of the year for you – competition wise, as well as any cool trips planned?

I have the Billabong QS event in a weeks time in JBay – my home break!! Then I am off to Bali for 5 weeks to try my hand at the left breaking barrel comp The Padang Padang cup – I won this as my prize for winning the Ripcurl international Jnr at Bells. After that we have SA Champs in JBay this year and the Billabong Jnr Series in Seals this year. So lots of local comps to look forward to.

Shot Dylan – keep flying the Eastern Cape flag high! Good luck for the Billabong Pro - we're all holding thumbsLocal is lekker J