HAWAIIAN surfer Sebastian Zietz jumped aboard a tour bus soon after his triumph at Prevelly on Saturday afternoon to celebrate his win with a jaunt across the region, visiting breweries and sampling local beers along the way.
Julian Lelah, owner and operator of Margaret River Brewery Tours said he received a call from Zietz’s coach soon after the winner had stepped off the podium.
“I got a call from [coach Tom Whitaker] in the morning to say ‘Seabass’ had just won the pro and wanted to head out to celebrate,” Mr Lelah said, referring to the surfer by his nickname.
Mr Lelah collected the champ and his entourage from Prevelly and headed to Cheeky Monkey Brewery, the first stop on the tour. After enjoying a few cold beers the group gathered to head to the next location but the champ was nowhere to be found.
“When we all got back in the bus we couldn’t find him. He had been mobbed by fans and was busy getting his photo taken, signing autographs and meeting brewery staff,” Mr Lelah said.
Once Zietz had returned to the bus, the tour continued to Black Brewery where raucous celebrations lasted well into the afternoon.
“We kind of got stuck there and didn’t manage to get to the rest of the tour spots, such was the extent of the party,” he said.
Zietz was ferried to Margaret River where he was subjected to a champagne shower in the IGA carpark before he handed over his jumper to a local fan.
“He said he was genuinely stoked to be hanging out here, let alone to have won the comp itself,” Mr Lelah said of the visiting surfer’s enthusiasm for the region.
Mr Lelah said the celebratory afternoon was a highlight for the business and surfing in the region.
“Maybe the soul of surfing is still alive when the biggest star of the day can end up on the bus of the smallest tour operator in town, checking out the best the region has to offer and connecting with the locals.”