22 April 2007

South African surfer Beyrick de Vries continued his winning streak in the US when he won the under-16 division of the Wave Warrior Challenge at Melbourne Beach, Florida on Sunday.

The victory followed his win two weeks ago in the 24th Annual Wavemasters surf contest at Jacksonville Beach, North Florida, where he stunned the local surfing community with a nine- and 10-point ride to win in his first outing in the United States.

De Vries, who has just turned 14, is contesting the under-16 and open divisions in a number of top US contests, courtesy of his sponsors Bilt surfboards.

'Stoked'
"I am stoked with my win," he said.

"The early rounds were challenging, but I made it through to the finals and then it all came together for me. The surf was good; about three-foot and it worked really well for me."

Craig Hiller, CEO of Bilt Surfboards, who sponsor de Vries and held the contest, said: "This young man has a huge future. He is one of the best U14 surfers I have seen in the world.

"He has a head on him ahead of his years and is a pleasure to watch. When Beyrick surfs the beach comes to a standstill because he is such an exciting surfer. I just hope South Africa knows what they have got in this young man."

After his successes, De Vries is considering a change to his competition schedule.

King of the Groms
"I am hoping to change some travel arrangements to surf in the Quiksilver King of the Groms in Florida on the second of June," he said.

"I am scheduled to be in California then, but would love to surf this contest here as I am sponsored by Quiksilver."

De Vries has another two months in the USA before returning home to Umhlanga.

"I have been traveling for the last month already and I am still here for another two months. It is a long time to be away from home and I miss it a lot," he admitted.

De Vries will be joined by his family in a few weeks' time. They're flying over to the US to support him in his last two contests.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

Want to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SAinfo material

	Beyrick de Vries in action and on his way to victory

	J-Bay draws world's best surfers SA surfer stuns with US win Aussie wins Quiksilver Pro Africa Jordy Smith claims first WQS win Smith lifts world surf junior crown Jordy Smith: world surfing champ Sonne, Brandung und Wale beobachten Soleil, surf et observation des baleines Sun, surf and whale watching Watersports in South Africa

	Wavescape

SA Sport Update Get up to speed with what's happening in South African sport.

Coastline gallery Take a photo tour of SA's varied seashores, from the cold Atlantic of the Northern Cape to the scuba diver's paradise of Sodwana Bay.