Rodrigues The Man To Beat At 2004 Vodacom Beach Africa

Olivia Jones
23rd June 2004
Vodacom Beach Africa
Durban�s North Beach
Hosted by the City of Durban � South Africa�s Playground
July 2 - 11, 2004

�Jack of all trades� Philip Rodrigues (Durban) will be the man to beat at the 2004 Vodacom Beach Africa festival which runs from 2 to 11 July at Durban�s North Beach. Rodrigues has confirmed his entry into the Vodacom Bodyboarding Classic, Vodacom Touch Rugby, Vodacom Beach Soccer Challenge, Mr Price Pro and Mr Price Night Surfing events. The talented 27 year old is no stranger to victory having excelled in a number of different events in the past.

�I love winning,� explained the remarkable all round sports star, �so I thought I would enter as many events as possible. I love the ocean as well as soccer so the Vodacom Beach Africa festival is going to provide the perfect opportunity for me to compete in all of the disciplines which I enjoy. It only comes around once a year so I am going to make the most of it.�

The highly competitive athlete has won the South African Bodyboarding Championships an impressive five times as well as finishing second in the world in 2000 on the Global Organisation of Bodyboarding Tour. Needless to say he is aiming for first place in the R22 000 Vodacom Bodyboarding Classic which takes place on 8, 9 and 10 July at the Bay of Plenty.

Known primarily for his bodyboarding prowess Rodrigues was responsible for one of the biggest upsets at the 2003 Mr Price Night Surfing event when he eliminated the reigning South African surfing champion Quintin Jones (Cape Town) and went on to finish equal 17th overall. This time round he is hoping to better his placing as well as bruise a few international surfers egos at the 2004 Mr Price Pro.

Rodrigues owns the popular North Beach Surf Shop and has put together two top notch teams for the Vodacom Touch Rugby and Vodacom Beach Soccer Challenge. Respected as one of the best strikers in his Sunday soccer league, the ambitious surf shop owner has vowed to go all out to ruffle even more feathers on land when he takes on the rugby and soccer greats.

�It�s a great time of year because the weather is perfect, most days are sunny and it doesn�t get too hot. It is good for business too because the festival attracts so many people to the beach,� commented Rodrigues who can�t wait for July�s festivities to kick in.

Issued on behalf of:
Vodacom for Vodacom Beach Africa
www.vodacom.co.za

Issued by:
Olivia Jones Media Communications
082 537 8840
Email: [email protected]