(DAIRY BEACH, DURBAN) New Pier Durban came to life today for one of Durban's favourite surfing sons as local boy Warwick Wright walked away with the title at the Coppa Del Volcom. With surf in the six foot range and conditions ranging from perfect to very good, Wright put on an awesome show of backhand tuberiding in the morning before excellently utilising his mechanical backhand repertoire in the afternoon to win the final heat ahead ofÊUmhlanga's David Weare. Weare had been a standout throughout the event, and looked set to walk away with the title having secured two high scoring waves through the heat. Then in the last few minutes of the final the best wave of the heat walled up across Dairy Beach and Wright found himself in the perfect position to take advantage of it. As Wright blazed his way between the piers, throwing huge plumes of spray with every manoeuvre,ÊWeare saw the title slipping from his grasp.

"I saw that wave coming through but was out of position for it," said Weare after the final. "Shane Thorne was further up than Warwick and paddled for it but couldn't get it, allowing Wok (Wright) to catch it, and I knew it was probably game over."

The wave did score high enough to push Wright into the lead, and Weare found himself waiting for a wave that would give him the opportunity to usurp Wright - a wave that would never come. In the end Weare was able to hang on to second ahead of a rampantÊDaniel Redman (Umlodti), while New Pier local Shane Thorne found himself out of sorts with the conditions and had to settle for fourth.

"I'm stoked with the win and the opportunity to take on the rest of the world in the Volcom Qualifying Series international finals in California," said Wright at the prizegiving. "This was an amazing event with such incredible surf, and to walk away with the title, some cash and a ticket to the US is just the cherry on top!" Wright will travel to California to take part in the Volcom Qualifying Series world finals between 9 and 11 May, and also walked away with R2000,00 in prizemoney for his efforts today. In the women's division of the Coppa Del Volcom, seasoned world tour campaigner Heather Clark (Port Shepstone) used her years of experience to take the title ahead of three of South African surfing's most exciting future prospects - Kirsty Delport (Berea), Tarryn Chudleigh (Cape Town) and Bianca Buitendag (Southern Cape). With the sizeable surf making it tricky for the younger girls, Clark's experience and big wave prowess came to the fore as she blitzed two huge waves to establish an almost unassailable lead. Nevertheless, the youngsters were not to be outdone easily and put up a valiant effort. Ever fearless Delport went for some huge manoeuvres and was rewarded with second place, while Chudleigh's backhand attack bears mentioning too, given the consequence of the surf. But ultimately kudos must go to the tiny figure of Bianca Buitendag who at fourteen was one of the youngest (and certainly the smallest) competitor in the entire contest. Buitendag's achievement of reaching the final in such heavy conditions underlines her true talent and bravado, and firmly establishes her as one of South Africa and the world's brightest future stars.

The Junior division was a fiercely contested affair, eventually culminating in a match up between four of the country's top junior surfers. Chad du Toit (Berea) has long held the reputation as South Africa's top junior surfer, rising from the under-10 division years ago and collecting a mountain of titles and trophies over the year's. But today du Toit was hard-pressed by one of the newest names in junior surfing, Casey Grant (Scottburgh). Grant has an incredibly smooth and flowing style of surfing, an looks more comfortable on a surfboard than he does on dry land. Unfortunately, despite a great run through to the final, Grant was unable to keep up the momentum and lost to du Toit after the young master surfed a perfect tactical heat and added the Coppa Del Volcom junior title to his long list of accolades. St Francis local Nick Godfrey, another stalwart of the South Africa junior division came third while New Pier local Shawn Dennis's manic backhand attack was only enough to secure him fourth in the windy conditions.

The last division to be contested was the Grommet division, and saw a threesome of Durbanites come up against lone Capetonian Michael February. February has had a solid run over the past few events, and managed to keep up the momentum as walked away with the title. Umhlanga's Beyrick de Vries has maintained a steady rivalry with February despite their close friendship, butÊa series ofÊhuge re-entries and one knee-buckling floater on a solid six foot wave midway through the final was sill not enough for the young natural footer and he had to settle for second. Clinching third was David van Zyl, another polished andÊstylish surfer honing his skillsÊat Durban'sÊNew Pier, whileÊScott le Fevre took fourth.

The Coppa Del Volcom also enjoyed great support on the beach as spectators were treated to various soccer-styled activities and awarded prizes, while Red Bull pumped out an awesome selection of music through their mobile music centre "Stretch".

The Coppa Del Volcom is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa and is the final event of the 2007 Volcom Qualifying Series. The winners of each division will receive an entry into the International VQS finals in CaliforniaÊfrom 9-11 MayÊwith the winner of the Open division receiving a free flight to the event as well.

Final Results of the 2008 Coppa Del Volcom:

Open Men:
1. Warwick Wright (Durban)
2. David Weare (Umhlanga)
3. Daniel Redman (Umlodti)
4. Shane Thorne (Durban)
Ê

Women:
1. Heather Clark (Port Shepstone)
2. Kirsty Delport (Durban)
3. Tarryn Chudleigh (Cape Town)
4. Bianca Buitendag (Southern Cape)
Ê

Junior:
1. Chad du Toit (Durban)
2. Casey Grant (Scottburgh)
3. Nick Godfrey (St Francis)
4. Shawn Dennis (Durban)

Grommet: 1. Michael February (Cape Town)
2. Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)
3. David van Zyl (Durban)
4. Scott le Fevre (Durban)