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Emslie wins SA Open Surf Champs

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31 August 2010

Greg Emslie, the top seed and surfing in home waters, was crowned the 2010 Mr Price South African Open of Surfing champion at Nahoon Reef on Sunday after two days of competition.

The experienced East London surfer was joined in the winner's circle by fellow SA Team member Chantelle Rautenbach of Melkbosstrand, who won the women's title, and Slade Prestwich of Scottburgh whose brilliant performance in the Pro Junior Final saw him taking home the trophy.

Emslie was a standout throughout the event, setting benchmarks in every heat he surfed in. Even when conditions were small, and at times marginal on day one, the current SA champion was outstanding.

Superb score

In the first round Emslie showed off his skills by recording a superb 9. 20 out of 10 wave score to underline his title credentials.

It was not all plain sailing in the final, however, and the 32-year-old was pushed all the way by 16-year-old Jeffreys Bay star Steven Sawyer, who led their heat until Emslie caught his final high scoring ride.

Simon Fish, who makes surfboards out of Cape St Francis but hails from East London, was third and father-to-be Tyrell Johnson of East London placed fourth.

Emslie has now won four of the five Pro Surf Tour (PST) events he has competed in this year.

Achievements

He is not only the current SA champion, national team captain and Cold Water Classic winner but can now add a second SA Open title to his list of achievements in 2010.

Rautenbach produced top quality surfing in the women's final to beat Kirsty Delport of Durban, local girl Alice Mc Gregor, and fellow national team member Stacey Guy into second, third and fourth respectively.

Scottburgh local Prestwich produced the highest heat score of all three finals, 16 out of a possible 20

Dylan Lightfoot finished second and fellow Jeffreys Bay surfer Steven Sawyer third. Another J-Bay local, Bertie Stuurman, achieved his best result in a major PST event, when he finished fourth.

SAinfo reporter