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(adapted from iafrica, 02 February 2006)
The Melkbosstrand beachfront will be buzzing with a festival of female surfing this weekend when the third and final 'Girls Get Out There' event on Billabong's Summer Surf Series is staged in the west coast village.
More than 60 girls aged 20 and younger have entered the surfing contest which caters for under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-20 divisions, and offers a total of R7 500 in prize-money along with gift packs of the sponsors' products for contestants. There are also free surfing lessons conducted by fully qualified surf instructors Liam Wood of Sport & Surf, Dene Botha from the Kahuna Surfing Academy along with top Billabong team riders for those keen on trying the sport in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The Girls Get Out There surf contest has attracted many of the best junior performers from all parts of the South African coastline. They include the likes of Heidi Palmboom, Sarah Baum and Puvashnee Nydoo from Durban, Bianca Buitendag from Victoria Bay, Laetitia Lee (Jeffreys Bay), Melkbos local Chantelle Rautenbach and fellow South African junior team members Tarryn Chudleigh (Scarborough) and Lisa Mace (Kommetjie) and South African under-14 champion Tanika Hoffman (Tokai). While the established stars are favourites to pocket a large portion of the cash at stake, the series is designed to offer girls of all abilities the opportunity to start their competitive careers and to meet and mingle with their peers from around the country in a laid back environment.
All the contestants receive samples of Mentholatum Soft Lips, Frenzi sun and hair care products, Mrs Palmer's surf wax and Von Zipper give-aways along with copies of Saltwater Girl surf magazine. There is also a Designer Group hamper of Frenzi products for the best 'learn to surf' participant over the weekend. Prospective female surfers wanting to participate in the free learn to surf lessons just need to bring swimming attire and towels to the beach as Billabong will provide surfboards, wetsuits and accessories.
Please note that these lessons have been extremely popular at the previous two Girls Get Out There events. Girls are urged to contact Laureen Payne at Billabong on (042) 200 2600 or via email at laureen@billabong.co.za to ensure that they reserve a spot in these lessons. The Billabong Girls Get Out There Summer Surf Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the national governing body for the sport. This will be the third and final Girls Get Out There event in the 2005/6 Billabong Summer Surf series. The first event was run at the Bay of Plenty in Durban in September, and the second at Margate on the southern KwaZulu-Natal coast in December 2005.