Jan 10, 2012 | Bodyboarding, Featured Posts, General News
After grinding the hard slog to a halt I finally got to go on a long awaited surf trip down the garden route for the December break. Mossel Bay was to be had for one day near Christmas and then went flat for a week. Crazy dubstep parties and trash talking around the camp fire were the highlights of the day as the waves didn’t show much in terms of improvement.
Around the 30th I ventured to Still Bay, hoping to catch a swell that was looking better and better on WindGuru and truth behold, on New Year’s morning it was firing like I haven’t seen it in a long time. Solid 6-8ft corduroy lines were filling up the bay and I surfed for almost 6 hours. The next morning was more of the same being out for 3.5 hours, but the rips started coming over the reef and down the line, making paddling a hard fought battle. On the 3rd it was even more of the same, but the swell was jacking and I decided to skip to Betty’s Bay to try and catch the end of the swell.
Arriving at Betty’s the wind had turned and messed things up, but I could see the potential of some waves to be had. The local crew had it great from early morning, so I was excited to get into it on the dawn patrol the following morning. We surfed ourselves out the morning, and I managed to land on my board and break the fin box on my fish. I didn’t want to risk the long board, so paddled out the afternoon with a bodyboard. BEST DECISION EVER! We had it all time, and were frothing around the braai that evening in anticipation of the next morning’s dawny. Having bodyboarded for 17 years before turning to stand-up I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it anymore. Seems that was not to be a worry at all, just that my feet got chafed heavily by the flippers which I wasn’t used to.
What greeted us was perfection! We caught the second session of the day on camera for your viewing pleasure…
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Oct 14, 2011 | Bodyboarding, Featured Posts
Since this Beachbum has bodyboarded for 17 years, I decided to cover the local 25th South African Bodyboarding Champs 2011, held at Big Bay, Blouberg (near Cape Town), South Africa. It might have something to do with the fact that it was right on my doorstep… The conditions were excellent for bodyboarding, albeit small initially, but throughout the waiting period the waves just got bigger and bigger with the finals day held in huge surf. It was a paddle battle in the finals, especially for the ladies (read Beekman and co), but everyone pulled through and it was a greatly successful event in the end with great exposure for sponsors. The earlier days were sort of a letdown as conditions weren’t that great (though it was contestable) and people questioned the location, but Big Bay showed SA what it’s worth in the end, drawing huge crowds on the finals day (in 30 degree weather) with epic waves.
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Oct 3, 2011 | Bodyboarding, Surfing Events
The South African Bodyboarding Champs is on at Big Bay this week. Be sure to pop in and support the guys. I’ll be doing limited covering with pics this week when the swell picks up, hopefully Wednesday the 5th of October 2011.
Watch this space for some fun coverage and comment us if you’re keen to contribute.
Sep 22, 2011 | Bodyboarding, Surfing Videos
Unknown bodyboarder displaying some tube riding skills…
Apr 3, 2009 | Bodyboarding
The Sports Unlimited/Spur Cape Classic 2009 is taking place in South Africa’s Mother City, Cape Town, until Sunday 5 April 2009.
The 4A rated event, which is the first stop on the South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) tour, is being organised by the Western Province Bodyboarding Association (WPBA), in association with Ocean Minded. It is playing host to South Africa’s finest bodyboarders as they compete for top honours and prizes to the value of R60 000.
One of the competitors is current South African Pro champion, Mark McCarthy. The 25-year old has travelled all the way from Australia to compete. He currently holds 5th place on the International Bodyboarding Association (IBA) World Tour, and said that coming home would be a welcome relief from the strain of constant travel associated with the tour.
Öne of the biggest attractions to competing in the event was the quality of waves surfed last year as a result of the contest being held with a roaming venue,” said McCarthy.
By using the “roaming venue” method of holding a contest, the organisers are able to take advantage of the diverse scope of the Cape Peninsula, which usually offers favourable swell and winds at one or more beaches along the coast.
According to WPBA Chairman, Deon Meyer, bodyboarding is best done on steep, hollow waves that offer riders a ramp-like end to their ride so that they can perform the spectacular aerial manoeuvres that professional bodyboarding has become renowned for.
“The level of competition at SABA events is world class and we will do our best to ensure that only the best waves are ridden in order to showcase bodyboarding as the spectacular sport it is,” Meyer said.
“The level of competition at SABA events is World Class and we will do our best to ensure that only best waves are ridden in order to showcase bodyboarding as the spectacular sport it is”, said Meyer.
For further information please call WPBA Media Liaison, Gareth White, on 072 740 4225 or SABA Contest Director, Pat Harris, on 082 863 6665.
Oct 21, 2008 | Bodyboarding, Surfing Events
Matthew Moir successfully defended his ISA World Longboard title on the final day of the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games at Costa de Caparica in Portugal on Sunday.
The Capetonian was joined on the podium by fellow South African Dave Lee (Uvongo) who came fourth in the Men’s Bodyboarding and the SA tag team who also came fourth in the Aloha Cup.
Moir won all five heats he contested en route to his second gold medal, as he did in California in 2006. This is inspiring him to match the three consecutive longboard titles won by Brazil’s Marcelo Freitas.
“I’m so, so stoked. I never thought I would have the chance to win two events in a row. Marcelo Freitas won it three times in a row and I’ve done it twice, so I’m pretty happy for that. I had great support from my teammates on the beach. That was amazing, I just can’t believe it.”
Australia emerged as the champion nation at the 22nd edition of the “Olympics of Surfing”, earning the accolade for the third consecutive time. American CJ Hobgood took the men’s surfing title,
Australian Sally Fitzgibbons triumphed in the women’s surfing, Brazilian Marcus Lima in the men’s bodyboarding, Natasha Sagardia earned a first gold medal for Puerto Rico in women’s bodyboarding and France won the Aloha Cup tag team event
May 19, 2008 | Bodyboarding
If you’re a bodyboarder and thinking about entering the Wedge Classic in Plett, check out EdgeLife Online Surf Store for your entry forms and an online registration. Ain’t life sweet?
For more info email info@edgelife.co.za.
