South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag’s trademark vertical backhand moves clinched her 3rd place at the Hunter Ports Women’s Surfing Classic this past weekend. The 6 Star rated ASP Qualifying event was held in Newcastle, Australia in Sunday 23rd February.
Bianca was on form winning 3 of the 4 heats she competed in on her way to the semi final. She unfortunately had to bow out to Hawaii’s Alessa Quizon who scored a 14.50 to Bianca’s 11.83. The 2080 point earned have moved her up to number 7 on the ASP Women’s QS ranking.

This performance is ideal for Bianca’s 2014 ASP Women’s WCT campaign giving her a confidence boost as it gets underway on the 1st March with the Roxy Pro Gold. In 2013 Bianca was crowned Rookie of the Year by finishing in number 8 in her inaugural year.
Malia Manuel won the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic by defeating fellow Hawaiian surfer Alessa Quizon in the final. Sarah Baum and Faye Zoetmulder, fellow South African surfers finished in equal 13th and equal 67th respectively.
The 6 Star ASP QS Men’s Burton Toyota Pro surfing event ran in conjunction with the woman’s event was taken by Australian Matt Banting who beat Nathan Hedge, also Australian, in the final.

South Africa’s Beyrick de Vries and David van Zyl finished in equal 17th and took 625 points each. Slade Prestwich finished in equal 49th, Dylan Lightfoot and Dale Staples finished in equal 73rd and Michael February in equal 97th.
Dylan Lightfoot also competed in the Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior and ended in equal 13th.
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