Day 1 Hurley SA Champs

Here's the round-up of Day 1 of the Hurley SA Champs by our roving reporter and photographer Sandy Coffey:

"Our EP team is full of optimism and team spirit after a successful first day at the  Hurley SA Champs. Smart and unmissable in bright red, the entire team were  seen cheering from the beach as our surfers showed strength and style in the  water.  The EP Team are so united, not even the KZN Zulu Warrior - flown especially from Durban by the KZN team - could stop our team from being the standout spirit on the beach!

Conditions at the Point were contestable albeit a bit small– waist high 1-2  foot clean offshore but this didn’t deter. Coach Graham Hynse was happy “I’m  stoked with the team. They were all outstanding today. And that’s because they  are united and focused. But we need to remember that it gets harder from here.  There are no easy rounds”.  

Manager Annie Van Der Merwe adds, “The Team is so disciplined this year and it  feels like we are one big family – united and bonded – they have been a pleasure  to manage.”  The team is staying in a comfortable house – with a great view of the point – and  the kids are definitely not going hungry – The Boardwalk has made sure of that!  Each day delicious and nutritious food arrives directly from PE and there is more  than enough to feed our hungry juniors. Willem Van Rijswick, Assistant Manager  is delighted, “Because the food and the logistics are taken care of, we are then  freed up to focus on being there for the team – it has made a huge difference  being sponsored”. 

Thanks to Louisa Lightfoot for making sure that the kitchen  runs smoothly. It’s not an easy task keeping a big team fed and much goes on  behind the scenes to make this happen. We will have a comment for you  tomorrow from Louisa – today she said she was speechless and I need to give her  more warning.!! 

RESULTS 

UNDER 17 BOYS 
Matt and Jono– won their heats and are now through to round 4 
Alex and Jerry came second in their heats and are through to round 3 
Pete came third, but got through to round 3 

UNDER 15 BOYS 
Sebastian, Arnold, Joshe all won their heats, now through to round 4 
Enrico got second place and is now through to round 3 
Rewaldo got a third place and goes to the repo (round 2) 

Sebastian Williams got the highest wave score in the EP Team – a 7.25 ! 

Tomorrow sees the Under 17 Girls, Under 15 Girls and Boys and the Under 13  Boys and Girls in the water. Swell is likely to pick up, and we looking forward to  a great day on the beach again. Will be checking in again tomorrow."

Thanks Sandy, good luck to our team! 

All images Sandy Coffey