Hutchison Handcrafted Pro Surf Contest, 2A Rated Professional Surfing Tour event

Ballito, KZN North Coast, South Africa.
15-17 December 2006.

Quick Facts.

What?
The 2A Rated Hutchison Handcrafted Pro is the final event of the Professional Surfing Tour (PST) for 2006 and will play a role in deciding the 2006 PST Champion.

When?
15-17 December 2006.

Where?
Surfer's Point, Ballito, on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast, South Africa. This stretch of pristine coastline is praised for its beauty and top quality surfing conditions. The series of bays that make up this beautiful holiday town are ideally suited to handle any swell or wind that the Indian Ocean can dish up, and its because of this that the event is predicted to take place in excellent conditions for
surfing.

Format?
The event consists of three divisions, the Men's, Women's and Pro Junior Division as well as a separate "Retro Expression Session" that will see surfers compete on the surfboard designs of yesteryear in a number of fun-filled, high-action heats.

Who?
Current International Surfing Association (ISA) Men's World Champion, Jordy Smith (DBN), will be competing in both the Men's Division and the PRO Junior Division. Smith, who IS currently  fourth place on the 2006 PST ratings , will be on a mission to secure a good result at the Hutchison Handcrafted Pro in order to make a bid for the title. The youngster is fresh off a massive victory at the ISA World Surfing Games that were held at California's Huntington Beach and will be
bursting with confidence. Smith's charge will be met head-on by reigning PST Champion, Shane Thorne (DBN), and current PST ratings leader and ASP WQS campaigner Warwick Wright (DBN).

The Women's Division will see  Tamarys de Maroussem (DBN) take on current PST number two Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) Also in the hunt for the title is 2005 US Open Junior winner Nikita Robb from East London. Robb, the current under 18 SA Champion, is fresh off a win in both the Open and u18 divisions at the Roxy Wahine Cup last weekend and will be a tough competitor to beat. Local favourite Tammy Lee Smith (Salt Rock) will hope to exploit her local knowledge of the conditions and
take victory in the final event of the year.

The Junior Division will see tough competition from the next generation of South Africa surf stars. While current ISA Champion, Jordy Smith is the obvious favourite in the Junior division, a whole host of young guns will be making his bid for the double very difficult indeed.

What's at stake?
With R20 000 worth of prize money up for grabs as well as PST ratings points available, the last  event of 2006 looks set to be an absolute humdinger.

Heat draws will be available on the SSA website (www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za) from Monday the 11th December.

All competitors need to be at the beach on Friday, 15 December,  at 7.30am.

The Hutchison Handcrafted Pro is the final stop ON the 2006 Professional Surf Tour (PST) and is a Surfing South Africa (SSA) sanctioned event.

The Hutchison Handcrafted Pro is proudly supported by: Bedboys Ballito, Furnishings by Conrad, Friendly Supermarket, Sailors Bottle Store, Dream Nails, U Investing in Health, Secret Spot. The revamped SubZero nightclub is the official party host for the event.

Cane Cutters resort have agreed to a special offer available for all competitors and spectators for the period of the event. Should you require accommodation please contact Cane Cutters Resort, Sheffield Beach, on (032) 947 0851 or e-mail: stay@canecuttersresort.co.za.

Surfers or spectators that may require transportation to and from Durban International Airport as well as other areas in Durban are advised to contact Aqua Tours and Transfers on (031) 208 6494 or e-mail: info@aquatours.co.za

All event related queries should be directed to Bernice Hutchison at Hutchison Handcrafted Surfboards.

Please direct all media enquiries to Brendon Thomas on the contact details provided.

Distributed on Behalf of Hutchison Handcrafted Surfboards.
Bernice Hutchison
Tel: (083) 4096286
Mail: bernice@hh-surfboards.com
Web: www.hh-surfboards.com

Distributed By:
Brendon Thomas.
Hutchison Handcrafted Pro Media.
Tel: 076 778 7507
Mail: hutchisonpro@gmail.com