Boost for female surfing as Billabong ‘Girls Get Out There’ Series grows
What: Billabong Girls Get Out There Surf Series
Where: Margate, Jeffreys Bay, Cape Town & Scottburgh
When: December 2007 – February 2008
The rapidly growing female surfing community in South Africa will receive a big boost through the expansion of the third annual Billabong “Girls Get Out There” Surf Series that runs from December to February along the coastline of the country.
The girls-only events staged in Margate, Jeffreys Bay, Cape Town and Scottburgh feature competition surfing for every level of ability, from novices to pros, alongside free Learn to Surf and Yoga sessions in a fun and relaxed beach festival atmosphere with music, an MC and heaps of giveaways for all in attendance.
“The Billabong Girls Get Out There events are an opportunity for anyone and everyone to join the very special lifestyle that surrounds surfing,” said Tara Hossack, Girls Marketing Coordinator for Billabong South Africa. “Girls can become part of a sport that is somewhat exclusive and gain the confidence to play and have fun with friends and family in a healthy and active environment. There are plenty of opportunities to try something new, be it surfing, yoga or simply spending a day on the beach in a bikini. The Girls Get Out There events are all about having fun…everything else will follow!”
Prize-money for the four-event series has nearly doubled to R110,000 making this the biggest and most lucrative all-girls series ever run in SA. All four Pro Junior events have been upgraded from 2A to 3A status and the final Open event will increase from 3A to 4A, with prize-money of R20,000!
The ratings points earned in these two divisions count towards both the Girls Get Out There series titles and the annual Surfing South Africa (SSA) Pro Surf Tour (PST) crowns. There is additional incentive for the Pro Junior girls where the series winner will receive a coveted wildcard into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships held in Sydney, Australia, every January.
The finalists in the highly competitive U15 division and the Novices category, which is for girls U18 who have never competed in a surfing competition before, will share product vouchers to the value of R2,500 and R1,100 respectively. Each event will also reward the most deserving local competitor with the Kustom Kreative Award and a hamper of Kustom footwear products while the winner of the Von Zipper Expression takes home a hamper of Von Zipper eyewear products.
Alongside the competitive arena, anyone wanting to try their hand at surfing can join the free beginners’ classes conducted by qualified surf coaches who provide specialised equipment and advice that will soon have you up and riding. And role models like 2007 GGOT Open champion Sarah Maritz, reigning Billabong Pro Junior champ Tarryn Chudleigh and GGOT U15 title holder Alice McGregor will be displaying their skills during the events.
The regular Yoga sessions held regularly throughout each day provide the opportunity to try out this ancient form of well-being with stretching and breathing exercises demonstrated by experts at no cost to participants.
The 2007/8 Billabong ‘Girls Get Out There ‘ Surf Series launches in the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast tourist Mecca of Margate on the weekend 8-9 December. This will be followed by similar events in Jeffreys Bay (15-16 December) and Cape Town (2-3 February 2008) before wrapping up in Scottburgh on the KZN coast on 16-17 February where the 2008 series champions will be crowned.
