Women’s Day Surf Challenge

National Women’s was celebrated by the surfing community yesterday when the third edition of the Women’s Day Surf Challenge presented by Surfing South Africa (SSA) and supported by Sport and Recreation South Africa took place In Cape Town and Durban.

Simultaneous events in Cape Town and Durban have attracted the cream of the country’s past and present female surf stars who were vying for prize-money and points in the SSA Pro Surf Tour ranked events. In addition aspiring up and coming surfers were not only able to compete for valuable prizes in the rookie divisions but also used the opportunity to meet and mingle with their heroines.

Both venues featured 1A rated PST events for Open Women, Under 20 and U16’s with R2 500 in prize-money at stake in each division while the Rookies, who have not previously represented their respective Provinces or competed in a national event, took home plenty of prizes.
Tammy-Lee Smith (Salt Rock, KZN) (pictured) claimed the Open Women¹s title at the Women¹s Day Surf Challenge at the Bay of Plenty in Durban today.
Smith powered to victory, beating former world number three Heather Clark (Port Shepstone, KZN), Lynne Mackey (Morningside, Durban) and Heidi Palmboom (Bluff, Durban) respectively in the closely contested final. Smith won a brand new surfboard and R1000 in prize money.

Rising star Chanelle Botha (Toti, KZN) (pictured) won the U16 division of the Women¹s Day Surf Challenge at Durban¹s Bay of Plenty today. Botha beat Teal Hogg (Dbn), Olivia Brand (N.KZN) and Jade Story (Dbn) respectively in the final to pocket R1000 in prize money. Botha also competed in the U20 division where she placed fourth place.

Former ASP World Tour campaigner Heather Clark (Port Shepstone, KZN) (pictured) finished runner up in the Women¹s Day Surf Challenge at Durban¹s Bay of Plenty today. Clark was narrowly beaten into second place by Tammy-Lee Smith (Salt Rock, Durban).

Heidi Palmboom (Bluff, Durban) (picture) won the U20 division of the Women¹s Day Surf Challenge at Durban¹s Bay of Plenty today. Palmboom beat Nicole Pallet (KZN), Katt Steffen (KZN) and Chanelle Botha (Toti, KZN) respectively to take the title. Palmboom also competed in the Open Women¹s division where she placed fourth.

The Women’s Day Surf Challenge is supported by a grant from Sport & Recreation SA.

Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).