Komunity Project Future Stars Set to Drive Transformation at Upcoming Quiksilver Pro Durban

PRESS RELEASE

Surfing South Africa has announced the names of the eight junior surfers that will be contesting the 2009 Komunity Project Future Stars at the upcoming Quiksilver Pro Durban, a six star prime Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) event set to take place at New Pier between 17 and 26 April. The Komunity Project Future Stars event will showcase the progress that is being made in the transformation of the sport of surfing in South Africa and as eight of the top Junior surfers from Surfing South Africa's transformation program surf against each other in an exclusive event.

Due to take place on Friday 17 April, the Komunity Project Future Stars will see the eight invited surfers competing against each other for a wildcard entry into the Quiksilver Pro Junior, a Grade 2 ASP junior event that will be held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro Durban. The experience of surfing against some of the top juniors in the world and contesting the US$10,000 in prize money will inspire the eight invitees to raise their surfing to a new level. All eight surfers will be flown into Durban and accommodated by Komunity Project, decked out with surf accessories from the leading surf accessory brand and on top of the wildcard entry into the Quiksilver Pro Junior, the winner will also receive a one year sponsorship from Komunity Project.

The invitees include Papi Makanyane, Elroy Thomas and Brandon Benjamin, three of the newest names in Western Province surfing circles, while the Eastern Province trio of Dominic Abersalie, Qhamani Bam and Bertie Stuurman are gradually making inroads into the junior surfing scene on that stretch of coast. The last two invitees are Bright Ntuli and Khayelile Ngcobo, both of whom hail from the KwaZulu-Natal south coast and have benefited greatly from the transformation initiatives in that area.

Due to take place from 17-26 April 2009, the Quiksilver Pro Durban's 6 Star Prime rating makes it one of the premier events on the 2009 WQS and has attracted some of the world's best surfers to take on the South African surfing elite. The 2009 Quiksilver Pro Durban is scheduled to take place at New Pier, Durban, but due to the unreliability of the surf conditions the event organisers have made arrangements to move the contest out to Ansteys Beach on the Bluff if the need arises. The total prize money for the event is US$145,000 with the winner walking away with US$20,000 and, more importantly, 3500 WQS ratings points.

Keeping in line with the latest technological developments, the Quiksilver Pro Durban will include a live webcast on www.quikprodurban.com that will attract a host of viewers from around the world. The webcast will feature live footage and score updates in real time, and will be punctuated by commentary from some of world surfing's most respected voices, among them 1989 World Champion and former Durban local Martin Potter.

The 2009 Komunity Project Future Stars Invitees:
Papi Makanyane (WP)
Elroy Thomas (WP)
Brandon Benjamin (WP)
Dominic Abersalie (EP)
Qhamani Bam (EP)
Bertie Stuurman (EP)
Bright Ntuli (SKZN)
Khayelile Ngcobo (SKZN)