Roxy Wahine Cup

Junior Surfers Raring to Go at the 2009 Roxy Wahine Cup 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 November, 2009 : - - Durban, South Africa - Teenaged surfing phenomenons Sarah Baum (Durban) and Bianca Buitendag (George) have quickly established themselves as two of the best junior surfers in South Africa, and are looking to make their presence felt in the premier open division at the upcoming Roxy Wahine Cup, scheduled to take place at Suncoast Beach, Durban, from 12-13 December 2009. Close friends on land, but fierce rivals in the water, Baum and Buitendag have made a significant impact on the South African surfing scene over the past two years.
 
Baum (15) began her competitive career at an early age and, as the youngest surfer to ever represent South Africa in the ISA World Surfing Games at age 14, has been exposed to competition at the highest level. The New Pier local has a long history with the Roxy Wahine Cup, competing in her first event at the age of 8 where she won the Surfer of the Contest Award after braving the huge waves of Umhlanga Rocks. More recently Baum has finished runner-up in the premier Open division, firstly to surfing icon Heather Clark (Port Shepstone) in 2007 when Baum was only 13, a feat which she repeated at the 2008 installment.
 
"Almost everything I do is focussed on making me a better surfer," says the Durban wunderkind. "I have just started working with a personal trainer at the gym which is helping my surfing heaps, and I am home schooled which gives me the freedom to surf when the waves are good. Trying to get through exams while preparing for the Roxy Wahine Cup isn't easy though!"
 
It is not only South Africa's top girl surfers that are nervous of Sarah's surfing ability. At the recent Occy Grom Comp in J-Bay, Baum took out several of SA's top junior boys as she charged through to a third place finish in the U16 Boys division. Recently crowned the first ever ASP Africa U20 Champion, Baum is a bundle of energy and says she battles to sit still for more than a minute.
 
Fellow South African Junior Surfing Team member Bianca Buitendag has a similarly impressive track record, and will also pose a major threat to the more established names in the Open division. Hailing from the powerful point breaks of the Southern Cape, the sixteen year old already has six national titles under her belt, and won the U18 division of the Roxy Wahine Cup in 2007 when she was only 14. Quiet and determined, Buitendag's free surfing is respected as world class as she pushes the envelope of new moves. The goofyfooter's admiration of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton also speaks volumes about Buitendag's commitment. Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack several years ago, but quickly returned to the water and has become one of the world's most respected surfers despite her disability.
 
"Bethany is so determined, a technically great surfer and she has a never say die attitude," explains Buitendag. "She sets the standard on how much more, over and above talent, is required to be a competitive surfer."
 
Both Buitendag and Baum agree that the Open division will be punctuated by some fierce competition, and with the likes of defending champion Tarryn Chudleigh (Cape Town), Tammy-Lee Smith (Ballito), Kirsty Delport (Durban), Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) and Stacey Guy (Cape Town) all competing, the two upstarts will have to fight for the top positions. South African surfing icon Heather Clark was recently injured in a car accident, and at this stage is unsure whether she will be fit enough to participate, but should Clark make a recovery she will be a major threat as she has the benefit of years of experience competing on the World Championship Tour.
 
With over R22500 in prize money up for grabs across the six divisions - ranging from U14 to Open - the 2009 edition of this iconic event has attracted a host of South Africa's best surfers. Due to take place at Durban's Suncoast Beach on the weekend of 12-13 December 2009, this year's Roxy Wahine Cup marks the 11th edition of this illustrious event. The contest will see prizes awarded in the Novice, U14, U16, U20 and Open divisions and always enjoys a festive atmosphere on the grass banks overlooking the beach. With R22500 in prize money up for grabs in the five main divisions, and a coveted year-long Roxy sponsorship going to the winner of the Novice division, the Roxy Wahine Cup offers the perfect mix of fun and serious competition.
 
The Roxy Wahine Cup is a Surfing South Africa sanctioned event. Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport and is affiliated to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the International Surfing association.
 
Roxy would like to thank the following sponsors for facilitating the organization of this event: Virgin Mobile, Resolution, Durban City, SuperSport, Suncoast Entertainment World, Saltwater Girl Magazine, Red Bull, Nivea and Clean & Clear. During the Roxy Wahine Cup, Saltwater Girl’s website will host a gallery of lifestyle and action images as well as a blog on the event www.swg.co.za.
 
All the relevant information on the Roxy Wahine Cup 2009 can be found at www.roxy.co.za/wahinecup.

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