SA Champs: Day 2 Surfed in testing conditions
Gareth White25th September 2007
Organisers chose to only run two divisions today, the Masters and Juniors Divisions. Conditions started to deteriorate when a gale force onshore wind reared its ugly head a few hours into the competition.
The Masters heats started the day off and were contested in very choppy, erratic swell which made scoring highly very difficult. Michael van Huyssteen (CKZN,) put on a good performance during the first heat and seems intent on claiming his 10th Masters Division title. Hot on his heels was Capetonian, Brett Simpson (WPBA,) who only recently returned to the competitive scene, but is making his presence felt with his impressive riding ability. Local contender, Wesley McQuillan seems to be continuing with his winning streak with an impressive victory in heat 2.
Slowly but surely the wind crept up and by heat 4 of the Juniors Division, riders were slugging it out in solid surges. The opening heats had it slightly better and standout performances came from Michael Ostler (CKZN,) Dane Beales (CKZN) and Justin Zietsman (SKZN). As the rounds passed the swell size started to pick up on the pushing tide and before long, riders were getting a serious beating from the 6 foot mounds pounding the shoreline. Standout performances in the latter rounds came from Jared Houston (WPBA,) Emile van Vollenhoven (SKZN,) Mark Webster (BBA) and Chris Elliott (WPBA.)
Although conditions were not the best, riders dug deep and performed radical manoeuvres on rather solid waves - a true reflection of the never-say-die-attitude of a dedicated sportsman or women.
As of yet it is unclear what tomorrow will bring with regards to the contest. Swell and wind predictions are not favourable, but organisers might be able to run a few heats early in the day. Once again we will have to wait and see what Mother Nature offers us.
The South African Bodyboarding Championships 2007 is hosted by the Eastern Province Bodyboarding Association together with the South African Bodyboarding Association and is brought to you by Science Bodyboards, Reef Wetsuits, Factory 7 Bodyboard Shop, debis Fleet Management, Pennypinchers, Plett Tourism / Bitou Municipality, Robberg Estates, Bobbin Craft, Arnette, Environ and Havaianas.
The Masters heats started the day off and were contested in very choppy, erratic swell which made scoring highly very difficult. Michael van Huyssteen (CKZN,) put on a good performance during the first heat and seems intent on claiming his 10th Masters Division title. Hot on his heels was Capetonian, Brett Simpson (WPBA,) who only recently returned to the competitive scene, but is making his presence felt with his impressive riding ability. Local contender, Wesley McQuillan seems to be continuing with his winning streak with an impressive victory in heat 2.
Slowly but surely the wind crept up and by heat 4 of the Juniors Division, riders were slugging it out in solid surges. The opening heats had it slightly better and standout performances came from Michael Ostler (CKZN,) Dane Beales (CKZN) and Justin Zietsman (SKZN). As the rounds passed the swell size started to pick up on the pushing tide and before long, riders were getting a serious beating from the 6 foot mounds pounding the shoreline. Standout performances in the latter rounds came from Jared Houston (WPBA,) Emile van Vollenhoven (SKZN,) Mark Webster (BBA) and Chris Elliott (WPBA.)
Although conditions were not the best, riders dug deep and performed radical manoeuvres on rather solid waves - a true reflection of the never-say-die-attitude of a dedicated sportsman or women.
As of yet it is unclear what tomorrow will bring with regards to the contest. Swell and wind predictions are not favourable, but organisers might be able to run a few heats early in the day. Once again we will have to wait and see what Mother Nature offers us.
The South African Bodyboarding Championships 2007 is hosted by the Eastern Province Bodyboarding Association together with the South African Bodyboarding Association and is brought to you by Science Bodyboards, Reef Wetsuits, Factory 7 Bodyboard Shop, debis Fleet Management, Pennypinchers, Plett Tourism / Bitou Municipality, Robberg Estates, Bobbin Craft, Arnette, Environ and Havaianas.
