Facebook: Bruce Viaene
South African waveski surfer Bruce Viaene from East London has been crowned the US Open Waveski champion at the Ventura Paddle Surfing Championships.
Vaiene took the top honours in a novel virtual format that pitted him against some of the world's best waveski exponents, and brings him his second major title within a week.
Viaene won the Western Province Open last weekend, winning the crown for the second year in a row.
It was announced on Friday that he had just clinched the coveted US Open Waveski title, beating competitors from all over the world with an 18.10 combination score, narrowly beating World Number #2, Virgile Humbert from France.
The Ventura Paddling Surfing Championships co-ordinated a first of its kind for the sport; a virtual online waveski competition, where athletes from France, Australia, America, South Africa and many other countries took part.
The entrants were required to submit video footage of themselves surfing, recorded during the month of October.
These videos were judged by three international judges.
Viaene took on the challenge, and ventured down the coast, to Jeffery’s Bay to surf the well-known breaks of the area, and gather the necessary footage for the competition.
“It’s been a tough year, but I am thankful to my sponsors and supporters who have continued to encourage me, and to Macski Waveski who have always made it possible for me to chase my dreams,” said Viaene.
Viaene is now in full preparation for the defense of his title at the KZN Waveski Open, scheduled to take place on the 12th & 13th of December.
