Lucky first for surfer
Teenager Lai Kwok-wai surprised himself and his rivals by winning the boys' under-18 division at the Quiksilver Hong Kong Surfing Cup at Shek O.
Kwok-wai had never competed before, so the 17-year-old from Shek O was delighted to have won the title.
'My father runs a restaurant at Fung Bay [near Shek O] and I had time to practise. This is a good result for me,' he said.
Kwok-wai is used to the powerful waves at Big Wave Bay and his natural talent helped him win the most important junior title.
The under-16 boys' title was won by Antoine Douse, who caught a few superb waves and a few bottom turns to win his division.
Like Kwok-wai, Antoine will probably be picked to represent Hong Kong in the Quiksilver International Bali Grommet Surfing Competition in July.
The men's surfing title went to Italy's Lorenzo Pellegrini, who beat South Africa's John Stephenson and compatriot Nicolas Coombe. Defending champion Mark Hsu of Hong Kong finished fourth.
The final was held in medium-sized waves of 0.60 metres to 1.2 m.
Competition was fierce with seasoned amateur surfers from South Africa putting up the most snaps and carves in the waves.
Hong Kong's Ho Wing-sun and Lau Shui-wing took first and second place in the men's bodyboard event.
