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Border surfer dies in horrific shark attack at Port St Johns

BY DAVID MACGREGOR

Daily Despatch – Port Alfred Bureau

THE most dangerous beach in the world for shark attacks has claimed its fifth victim in three years after a teenage surfing sensation was mauled to death in Port St Johns on Saturday afternoon.

The tragic death of up-and-coming Border star Zama Ndamase, 16, in front of his brother, Avuyile, and his surfing buddies at Second Beach has sent shockwaves through the close knit local surfing community.

The Lodge owner Mike Gatke – who was sitting on his verandah watching Zama and his mates surf – yesterday told the Dispatch the horrific attack had left surfers at the 300 metre stretch of beach “traumatized”.

“It was hectic…I heard screaming and shouting and saw Zama splashing the water before he was pulled off his board.

“I saw the blood in the water and realized he had been attacked.”

A stunned Gatke saw the terrified teenager bravely try to paddle to safety – while his horrified friends scattered in all directions to the safety of the beach.

“He somehow got back on the board and even managed to catch a wave almost to the beach, but was swept back out to sea by a rip current.

“His friends watched helplessly from the sand.”

According to Gatke, who mentored Zama and his mates at the acclaimed Ilitha Surfing Academy, the talented teenager’s mother and sister – who live at Second Beach – were there when his lifeless body was finally pulled from the water by lifeguards on a jet ski.

He is believed to have died from loss of blood after the shark tore into his left thigh – severing an artery.

Although the Port St Johns surfers were given several state-of-the-art Shark Shield devices – which prevent attacks by creating an electric field around a surfer – more than a year ago, Zama was not wearing one when he was bitten.

Only one of the four or five surfers who were in the water when the shark attacked was wearing a device – which has a very limited protective radius – and was nowhere near Zama when he was bitten.

“He was too scared to even try and pull Zama out the water when he was still alive and near the beach.”

By the time lifeguards secured a Shark Shield to their rescue jetski and sped off to help the bleeding youngster it was already to late and all they could do was fish his lifeless body from the sea.

Top Border surfer David “Herbie” Malherbe – who lives on the Wild Coast – yesterday said a lasting solution to the Second Beach spate of five fatal shark attacks in three years needed to be urgently formulated.

“If half this number of attacks had happened at most other beaches in the country there would have been massive outrage and preventative action taken, but obviously due to weak local government/municipalities and the location nothing has happened.”

Second Beach has become known as the most deadly beach in the world after five people were savaged to death in the sea there.

According to Gatke a sixth body was found on the beach – a week before Christmas last year – with bite marks on it, but locals are still unsure whether the man drowned or was attacked by a shark.

According to Vaughan Meecham – who has managed the Border Junior Team for the past three years – the news “has absolutely devastated the Border Province.”

He said Zama had developed from a “cocky little boy to a very talented surfer who was chosen at the 2010 Grommet Games to be a part of the Surfing South Africa Development Team.”

Meecham said he realized when he chatted with Zama’s brother, Avu, after the attack how much “love these two boys shared for each other.”

“Avu said….’my brother died doing something he loved best, and that was surfing’.”

“Sometimes he spoke about the shark attacks that took a few of his friends in Port St John’s…he was very aware of the threat but could not resist the Port St John’s break, which he would argue is one of the best in the world.”

Malcome Logie, the Border junior Team coach said: “he was a young guy, full of spirit and always ready for a laugh.“

“There is real concern that the surfers who were in the water during the attack will not be able to cope and plans are being made to send a counselor to the area to help the locals handle the tragedy.”

An appeal has been made to help raise funds for counseling and to help the Ndmase family.

“All funds raised will be used to assist the Ndamase family with expenses and contribute to the costs of sending a grief counselor to work with the family and the community

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Roll With RVCA Hits Port Alfred This Saturday

Saturday 4 December will see the final Roll With RVCA event for 2010 take place at Port Alfred. The Roll With RVCA series is a grassroots surfing series that has taken place at various beaches across the country, and has been hosted by local surf shops. The Port Alfred event is hosted by Catch A Wave Surf Shop.

The entries have been flying in for this one-day event, and the 60-entry limit has already nearly been capped. If you still want to enter then please register at the Catch A Wave Surf Shop at the Heritage Mall today, or call 046 624 2851 to reserve your slot.

Conditions for the event look promising, with an offshore west wind predicted on Saturday along with a decent-sized east swell. Combined with the low tide in the morning, the contestants could be treated to some perfect little barrels on Saturday. There is R10,000 worth of RVCA product as prizes across the various divisions, so competition will be fierce.

Zigzag surfing magazine has been the proud media partner for the series. There will be a Zigzag photographer in attendance at the event, and all images and results will be showcased on http://www.zigzag.co.za as well as on various RVCA online platforms.

Warwick Heny, the secretary of the Kowie Boardriders Club, is proud that their club is hosting the Roll With RVCA Port Alfred event.
“We are stoked that RVCA could assist our surf club in these tough economic times,” said Heny. “By sponsoring this event, RVCA have managed to help us end off our surf club year on a high, and local surfers are delighted to be able to win some awesome RVCA gear. It’s also cool that Roosta will be here and the groms will be frothing for some RVCA freebies he will be dishing out.”

Richard Heny setting up at Port Alfred © Roger Gailey

RVCA’s Arno Lane is also happy with the upcoming event, and the series in a whole. “The series has enjoyed incredible support,” said Lane. “We’re stoked to be working with the Kowie Boardriders Club for this the last event of the year, and look forward to a bigger and better series in 2011. Good luck to all the contestants.”

Andy Irons Passes Away At Age 32

Source: http://surf.transworld.net

It is with a heavy heart that we spread this news of Andy Irons untimely death. Initial reports have him passing away after getting dengue fever in Puerto Rico where outbreaks have been reported. On Sunday, Andy, 32, withdrew from the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico citing an illness. According to reports which have yet to be confirmed, Andy was so sick he was unable to board his flight from Dallas to Kauai, got a hotel room, and was found there dead by an employee leaving behind a pregnant wife, family, and world full of friends and fans.

More details to follow.

Andy will be greatly missed by all.

Andy took the ASP World Tour by storm and won the World Championship in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He will be remembered as the one guy in the world who could regularly beat Kelly Slater and his surfing in waves of consequence will live on forever. Just this year, Andy was one of five surfers we chose to have in the TransWorld SURF surf movie, High Five. His part was last (given to the best performing surfer) and perfectly displayed his legendary backside tube riding skills and man-sized hacks.

KBC members in Border Junior team

Congratulations to Dane Cox and the EL based KBC members, Tristan Coetzee and Michael Monk, who surfed in the last King of the Kowie event – for making the Border Junior Team and will be surfing at the SA CHAMPS in Cape Town this week.

Good luck …..

Worlds biggest wave ever ridden!

Oh my sack!!!!!…………………..

Latest pics in Roger’s Gallery

Check out some more of Roger’s latest pics in his Gallery….

don’t forget if you wanna order a high res pic of you tearing a peeling right hander a new one you can drop Roger a mail at sculpturedrugs@imaginet.co.za and he’ll hook you up.

Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Pro 2010

Despite the smaller waves on offer today Jordy was the complete standout, throwing out big turns and superman’s.

Jordy Smith became the first South African to win a WCT event since the elite tour was introduced almost two decades ago. He now comfortably leads the world ratings, and the question of the world title has gone from speculation to the main talk of the tower.

Smith looked set for a semi-final exit in this year’s Billabong Pro, when he drew Bede Burbidge and let the Australian run away with the lead. The Durbanite was comboed with less than four minutes remaining in what turned out to be the most exciting heat of the year. A smaller tactical wave that zipped along inside (called onto by his crew of faithful spotters) allowed him to string together a few moves and huge superman. As the chess game unfolded, Bede kept Jordy off the next few bankable waves, by taking off and kicking out on the first wave of the set, and then surfing the second wave down the point. But Jordy scrambled back into position and – with just 30 seconds left on the clock – blasted the closing wave to secure his second final of the year.

There was no need for the spotters in the final, as Jordy oozed confidence. His surfing was fast, precise, tack sharp, and powerful. It was the Jordan Smith show from start to finish, bagging an 8.9 and a 9.03 before the ten minute mark had even been reached. The SA connection ran strong through the final, with Australian point break specialist Adam Melling coached and mentored by two-time semi-finalist Greg Emslie on beach.

Sean Holmes cemented his reputation as the ASP’s biggest wildcard spoiler. Sean took out previous WCT winner Jadson Andre, nine times world champ Kelly Slater, and three times world champ Andy Irons before losing to Durbidge. Holmes was surfing with an injured back, but what he lacked in fitness this year he made up for contest acumen that he hasn’t shown in the past. As the ASP heavyweights found out, “beware the wounded surfer”.

Patriotrism was at an all time high on Madiba’s 92nd birthday, with SA flags, vuvuzelas and goosebump support from a huge partisan local crowd. Jordy bagged $50000 for the win.

King of the Kowie results

Thanks to all for competing and supporting the last King of the Kowie at East on Saturday.

The waves were pretty good for most of the day and some great surfing took place ! It was great to see the young groms coming through and getting involved.

We had a number of new entries and new members joining so our club is growing once again.

New Springbok Over 35 # 1 seed, Wayne Monk, showed all why is the best in the country in his age group by decimating all in both Open and Over 30 divisions !

Cape Town import, Kit Beaton surprised by taking the Over 40’s ! Great to see Rick Betts and Cliff Cawood back in the contest arena also !

Same goes for local ripper Darren De Bruin, who is now finally up to speed on what’s happening after I added his email to the list (my fault)

And PK was welcomed back after a long stint out due to injury !

Tristan Groenewald impressed all with his mature surfing style but Dane managed to pip him in the U20 final !

Last events ladies surfers,  Lindy and Jolene could not attend unfortunately – so no winners in that division !

Antman’s efforts ensured he may come out tops in both divisions he entered !

The series winners will be announced at the AGM nearer the end of the year !

The RVCA Tee shirts & hoodies – a big thanks to Brett and Donne at Catch a Wave for arranging these – the T shirts with our logo on are really nice ! Note the washing details, our water is bad so wash in fresh water ! Please ensure you support your local surf shop and speak to Brett if they do not have the surf gear that you want – in stock. The Hoodies are awesome and excellent value – Justin has some names down and if you wish to order one, email me with your size and I can add to the list for which we will require full payment of R 200 before we order them. Pay online and send me proof please.

If anyone wants to go to the TKEI for the away trip on 6- 9 August, contact Stevo on his email address:steven.palmer69@gmail.com

Herewith the contest results:

Groms: 1. Kye McGregor 2. Luke Swart 3. James Davies 4. Daniel Davies

U15: 1. Tristan Coetzee 2. Todd Dustin 3. Cuan McGregor 4. Michael Monk

U20: 1. Dane Cox 2. Tristan Groenewald 3. Wade Labuschagne 4. Michael J Neave

Knee boarders: 1. Anton Wiersma 2. Steve Palmer 3. Brad Labuschagne

Long boarders: 1. Dave McGregor 2. Jurie Swart 3. David Davies 4. Jannie du Preez 5. Cliff Cawood

Over 30: 1. Wayne Monk 2. Warwick Heny 3. Anton Wiersma 4. Steve Palmer

Over 40: 1. Kit Beaton 2. Dave McGregor 3. Cliff Cawood 4. Rick Betts

Over 50: 1. Jannie du Preez 2. John Burman 3. Paul Klopper

Open: 1. Wayne Monk 2. Warwick Heny 3. Tristan Groenewald 4. Richard Heny

Wipe out of the day: Brad Labuschagne

Winner of the Lizzard wetsuit draw: Wade Labuschagne

There were 52 entrants with some of the surfers surfing two divisions.