Cape Town is known for hosting a great event and this year was no exception with the 4^th SA Pro Tour Stop being held at the Milnerton Aquatic Club on the 2^nd and 3^rd of April 2011 in association with Billabong, Sport Unlimited,  Axis Wake Research and Liquid Force.

The competition started on Friday with registration and official practice. A total of 48 riders entered in the event. Open Men Wakeboard and Wakeskate had the most competitors prompting the organizers to create a new division for this contest, “Novice Wakeskate”.

Saturday morning qualifying rounds kicked off with the Novice Wakeboard and Wakeskate divisions having absolutely perfect riding conditions, followed by the Open Wakeskaters who were not that lucky and were subject to rough riding conditions which really turned the playing field upside down.

Extreme Boating’s Axis A22 Wake Boat was then loaded with the flick of a switch; the ‘wedge’ deployed and was ready to produce that perfect wake as the Wakeboarders took to the water. The Junior Men division saw some new entrants from the Cable who showed that they could also pull their weight behind the boat. The Open Men’s division would see two local favorites, tour leader Craig Eygenberger and Dean Engela hot on the heels of Gauteng rider Kevin Goosen going into the Sunday finals. In the ladies and pro men’s qualifier it was Gina Faccio and Dylan Mitchell who secured the top seed going into Sunday’s Finals with some solid riding in the choppy waters.

The first riders off the dock for Sunday finals were once again greeted with perfect glassy conditions. UCT Wakeboard club member Marc Van Cuyck took the top spot in the novice division followed by Austin Owen and Eamon Sullivan. The novice division is set up in such a way that a rider must not feel like he can ride in the Novice Division for the season. It is aimed at giving first time riders experience in the competition atmosphere; it also enables them to gauge themselves against riders in their respective divisions.  We try to encourage novice riders to improve by bumping them up out of this division when they get a top five finish.

In the Junior Men division it was local cable rider Jason Colborne who took top honors with his impressive rail riding skills getting a solid nose press on the flat bar and a fs 540 off the kicker. Cameron Graham from Gauteng took 2^nd place with another Cape Town local cable rider François Du Toit coming in 3^rd.

Dylan Mitchell continued his winning streak in the Wakeskate division with a solid run, hitting both the flat bar and the kicker, sticking a 3 shove, kick flip, toe side and heel side front side 180 and a backside 180. Matti Buys got a close 2^nd place with only one point separating the wakeskate rivals. The highlights of Matt’s run being a clean kick flip and wall ride to board slide on the flat bar. Dean Engela rounded off the wakeskate podium in 3^rd place.

As the day went on the Cape Town Gail force winds swept through Milnerton aquatic club creating extremely difficult conditions for the ladies, open men and pro divisions.

The Open Men’s Division was once again dominated by two Cape Town locals.  Tour point’s leader Craig Eygenberger took first with his two clean passes finishing off his run with a big tantrum off the end of course kicker. Fellow cable rider Gregor Reichmuth took a well-deserved 2^nd place and 3^rd place went to SAWBA Chairman Darryn Ridgway from Gauteng.

Clayton Krause managed to beat young gun Dylan Mitchell’s solid stand up wake pass behind the Axis A22 with some technical mobes and 3 very solid and stylish obstacle hits. Morgan dealt well with the tough water conditions and came away with a 3^rd place finish.

The Ladies division would be contested in the rough conditions; this would prove to be a real test of character. Both seasoned riders Gina Faccio and Deidre Van Niekerk stayed composed and did the best they could, but it was Gina who would once again take the top honors. Newcomer Claire Froneman took 3^rd place as well as the Chad Award.

Thank you to all the sponsors and people, who helped to organize and run this great event,

• Tich Mitchell (SAWBA)
• Mark Burton-Moore & Ross Painter (Sport Unlimited)
• Darryn Ridgway (SAWBA)
• Laurence Gutridge, (Milnerton Aquatic Club),
• Andrew Bourne (Extreme Boating | AXIS Wake)
• Kyle Holtzhauzen (Liquid Force)
• Red Bull
• Billabong
• Power Balance