SA Champs - Like a candle in the wind

12th October 2010

6 long days of sand, sun, wind and rain along with 106 heats sees the end of another successful SA Champs at Suncoast (Durban). A wise Indian once said "if you not too sure about the hot then just get yourself a mild my lannie"

SA champs really brings out the best and worst in all of us.

Watching team mates win and lose heats and with the luck of nature against you really sends your emotions into a rollercoaster ride. The feeling of underperforming is enough to de-motivate anyone and seeing the look of frustration on the faces of the unsuccessful is all part of competing.

Mark McCarthy Backflip

When I paddled out for my Q final against Spex, Ian and Murray I knew I had to surf at my best if I wanted to make it to the Semi Finals. I always try have a game plan and this time it was to paddle out to the back and get two outside moves within 10 minutes. But that never happened and I was left out on the outside for 10 minutes and counting with no score. I was in a bad place and started to feel de-motivated. With 7 minutes left I found a wave and linked it up to the beach to get a 6 point ride and moved into 3rd. There were 5 minutes left and I still needed a 5 point ride, but I also still needed to paddle out to the back which took 3 minutes of the 5 left. On this day nature was on my side and with 30 seconds left I was able to get to the outside and find a 7 point ride and move into 2nd place. I really did not plan it this way and it could have been Murray or Spex that could have got that lucky wave. On days like this it really is the luck of the draw and I am sure everyone that was at SA Champs will agree that the 5th day of SA Champs was a killer for all and I was lucky to survive it.

We can all look back at the mistakes we made and learn from them.

Mosh Pits

I am super stoked to come out on top for 2010!

This year's SA Champs was really jam packed with some world class heats, one mistake and you were out. There were so many standouts in all divisions from the boys, juniors, men's, lady's and Pros.

I am already looking forward to next year's SA's in Cape Town. Let's see if WP can import more riders from Mossel Bay, if CKZN can take back their beloved "Fishman" trophy and if EP can get Nick Phillips on time for his heats.

Without the hard work of anchor man Stu, tweeting machine Oros and the help of rest of the CKZN crew, SA's would never have been such a great success. Big thanks for all involved in making SA Champ's one to remember. Thanks to Lizzard, Science, Power Balance and Factory 7!

So I look back at last week and my top 5 the Highlights:

At 5) Giving the NKZN first years the hardest viper shots and best hair styles.
At 4) Seeing SKZN lift up the "Fishman" trophy after a long 8 years!!!

SKZN

At 3) One bounce with WP and taking a ball full blast on my back from Spex.
At 2) Seeing Jared fall in LOVE!
And making NO 1) Best mosh pits and jamming to the CityBowlMizers

Mosh Pits

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