Rodrigues Sacrifices Prizes for Team Members

Olivia Jones
2nd October 2005
In possibly one of the most unselfish acts seen during the 2005 Rip Curl SA Bodyboarding Championships, Pro division runner up and five times SA Champion Philip Rodrigues gave his prizes away to encourage three of his fellow CKZN team members.

Philip was so impressed by Junior team member Michael Ostler's standard of riding that when he was eliminated following an excellent first round performance he wanted to remind Michael how talented he really is by giving him a brand new pair of C-Phynz Fins.

Matthew van Huyssteen (Mike's son) also caught Philip's attention and was awarded a new Rip Curl Surf Watch.

"Because he lives in Gauteng Matthew never gets to go in the sea nearly as often as everyone else. For a kid that bodyboards about once a year it was impressive to see him paddling out on a 6ft plus day and making it to backline as well as catching a wave; I gave him my watch for inspiration for his effort," said Philip.

At the end of the Rip Curl SA Bodyboarding Champs, Philip decided to donate a bodyboard compliments of his store North Beach Surf Shop to Jonathon "Oros" Oliff for his hard work caddying during the girls and young team member's heats.

Philip's generosity was done to instil additional team building for the successful CKZN crew that walked away with the fishman team trophy.