Problems for SA Champs

Torrential rain and a flash flood hit the beach of Uvongo later on in Day 2 of the 20th Annual South African Bodyboarding Championships. This resulted in the beach of Uvongo being washed away. By night fall the beach did not look like it was going to be contestable the next day.

Day 3 began with a view of what was once the summer haven that is Uvongo beach, transformed into a wasteland of tree stumps and sticks. The water was a chocolate brown and looked to be like a Zambezi Sharks paradise!

Event organizer Wayne Beekman had to make the call to move beaches as continuing at Uvongo was no longer an option. An urgent meeting was called with the regional heads to decide whether or not to move to the nearest bathing permitted beach. This decision was not easy as the nearest beach that was open was Scottburgh, 60 kilometers north of the official competition beach.

The decision was made to move there and that the Pro division would compete in their round 1 heats. Time was running out and the event needed to be relocated to Scottburgh ASAP, to avoid any more possible delays.

On arrival, as if luck was fighting the SA Champs organizers, the banks break and start to push mud and debris into the water. This made the lifeguards declare the beach unsafe and the competition could not be held on the main beach. In true die- hard bodyboarder fashion the competition moved to the nearby beach next to the caravan park and got set for the Pro divisions heats.

The waves were between 4-6 feet and bowling nicely, although the easterly was beginning to blow and the side wash and waves were becoming harder and harder to work with.

Alistair Taylor (CKZN ) started the day off in heat number 1, with an incredible wave starting with a spin into an ARS and busting huge off the end section with a roll. Marc Jucker(EP) followed in heat number 2 with some powerful maneuvers leading to him winning his heat as well.

Current SABA tour leader Marc Watts (CKZN) took a pounding in his heat, only scoring an 82% and losing his heat. This may be due to the fact that may of the guys were saying that with the strong side wash and choppy, but still very big, conditions that that was one of the most difficult paddles they had ever done, with some of the guys feeling sick and some even throwing up after their heats this just showed how hectic the conditions were and how determined the Pro division is to win this years SA Championships.

The conditions are still not ready for the event to be held at Uvongo for day 4 of the event, there are a few options open namely Margate and Lucien. For further information call the Hotline number on 083 488 3916 sponsored by www.factory7.co.za.
The SABA South African Bodyboarding Championships 2006 is hosted by the South Coast KZN Bodyboarding Association and is co-sponsored by SCIENCE, REEF, www.FACTORY7.co.za , ENVIRON, Arnette, Realty1 and Spar.

Issued on behalf of:

SABA

Issued by:

Darryn Stephen
SABA SA Bodyboarding Championships Media Liaison
Mobile: 072 511 1578
Email: [email protected]