In one of the longest-running sports events anywhere in the wine world, the 14th edition of the annual Vintner's Surf Classic was held on the 16th August just outside Jongensfontein on the Cape South coast. It's a unique and wonderful event, founded, as the organisers say “because of our love for surfing and not having a day off in the years' calendar to do what we love despite other wine-makers regularly getting days off to go play golf or indulge in this and that sponsored event!” Mother Nature clearly approved, as this was the only sunny and calm day amidst weeks of driving wind and heavy rain. The 42 contestants hit the water around 8am and a full day of high energy surfing saw the finals completed as the sun was setting. Wave forecaster Spike (Wavescape.co.za) was there and described the conditions: “The surf was a clean 3-4' with the occasional almost five footer cracking off the backline reef. It was a busy day, with the heats moving along quickly. In the end, Nickie de Villiers scooped the Juniors, Gunther Schultz walked the Seniors, as he does every year he enters, while Ross Lindsay blitzed the ballies to scoop the Veterans division. The only women to enter - Andrea Erwee - was a shoe-in for the women's trophy.” The Vintners would not be what it is without a fine-wine fuelled awards dinner and legendary after-party - and this was duly delivered at the Stilbaai Angling Club, with all contestants receiving their annual bottle of “Big Red” - a very characterful red blend made up of a selection from all the wine-making contestants. 2013 Winners Juniors: 1st Nickie de Villiers 2nd Duncan Savage 3rd Chris Boustred 4th Christo Le Riche Seniors: 1st Gunter Schultz 2nd Werner Schultz 3rd Johan Reyneke 4th Miles Mossop Ballies/Vets: 1st Ross Lindsay 2nd Gary van Wyk 3rd Anthony de Jagger 4th Jan Schliemann Ladies: 1st Andrea Erwee Spot Prizes: Pens en Bene wipeout - Gerrit Mars Suicide head bomber Wipeout - JT van der Westhuizen Best Barrel - Sebastian Beaumont Sponsors: RR Cork Rip Curl Thales Cool Dandy - Scarfini Nixon Natural Energy - Ocean Minded Swox Saint Gobain Tonnelerie Bordelaise JF Hillebrand ZigZag Wavescape Vitamin Water Rotolabel Estate Mobile Bottling For more information or pictures, please contact Sebastian Beaumont on sebastian@beaumont.co.za