The local Pro Surf Tour has just got bigger. With the Easter weekend's Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro now a "one-star" World Qualifying Series event, it means the prize-money has swollen to an impressive R60 000 for the men's division.
But this progression in the local surf industry means far more than just a handsome pay-cheque for the winner.
According to Raymond Gerardy of Lizzard International, the upgrade to a one- star "QS" event will give local WQS campaigners a starting point on home turf toward gaining valuable points needed to qualify for the world championship Dream Tour.
South Africa has only four international events a year: the Mr Price Pro (WQS six-star event), the Billabong Pro (WCT event), the Rusty Cave Rock Classic (WQS one-star event) and now the Lizzard Nandos pro.
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| 'It gives our juniors experience to crack it on the WQS' |
Australia boast four WCT events and seven WQS events a year, as well as a highly rated international junior series.
ASP Africa operations manager Colin Fitch said: "It is fantastic that Lizzard have added another WQS event to our PST calendar.
"It helps show the growth of surfing in South Africa and from the pros' point of view, reflects the standard that is coming up in South African surfing."
For Lizzard, upgrading to a WQS means that local surfers will be able to gain experience against top international surfers and, as a brand, are putting something back into surfing.
Also, Lizzard believe that the exciting new Pro Junior division in the event is key to the growth of top-level surfing.
"It gives our juniors experience to crack it on the WQS," explained Gerardy.
"With an increase in top local level junior events, we are building the foundation for future South African world champions."
With the upsurge in women's surfing, the ladies' division will be hotly contested by the elite of South Africa's women surfers.
Defending Lizzard Nandos champion Sarah Johnston said: "It is the first major event of the year and I want to win it again, not only because it is my sponsor's event, but also because it will be great to kick off 2005 with another title."
Citing Tamarys De Maroussem as her main threat, Johnston's return from the Bico Classic in Margaret River, Australia, two days before the Lizzard will have her well warmed up to defend the title from the three-time South African Champion.
The men's division should be just as exciting, with entries pouring in from local pro surfers, including Antonio Bortelletto, Granville West, Paul Canning, Matthew Kruger, Shane Thorne and Frankie Obherholzer, as well as various internationals.
Four wildcards will be placed into the seeded rounds and the event will include an "extreme air show" with the winner taking home R2 500 for the biggest aerial manoeuvre.
The Lizzard Nandos pro takes place at New Pier in Durban from March 25 to 27.
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