Capetonians were in good form on day three of the Billabong Junior Series at Big Bay in Bloubergstrand, with Durbanite and fourth seed in the Pro Junior Girls Heidi Palmboom the only visiting girl to prevent a complete whitewash by the local contingent.
Top seeds Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) and Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) overcame the elements to ease their way into the semis, along with the runners-up in their heats, and Danielle Johnson (Muizenberg) kept her challenge alive with victory over talented East Londoner Alice McGregor.
But inclement weather had its say, when proceedings were called off after running the respective round of 16 heats for the girls, as a severe frontal system intensified.
Gale-force winds accompanied by driving rain created hazardous conditions for the country’s top surfers aged 20 and younger, forcing organisers to make the call to hold the rest of the contest over for Sunday.
“We were glad to be able to get four hours of competition run (on Sunday). Although the swell wasn’t too big, the wind and the currents made it dangerous, but we’re hoping to get going again at 8am on Sunday,” said event producer Laureen Payne on Saturday.
Organisers are expecting a ‘tough day at the office’ on Sunday with the gale-force winds currently lashing the Cape Peninsula from the north-west predicted to do a 180 degree switch overnight and blow at virtually the same strength from the south-east on Sunday.
This is forecast to bring a deluge of rain in the morning, keep the temperature in single digits all day and lead to a dramatic increase in the size of waves which could create hazardous conditions again.
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