Guys, would be nice to see three very valid points which have been raised covered.
Point #1:
engelvlerkies wrote:
BACK TO THE POINT Where has the Durban event gone?
In years past Durban has been the epicentre of bodyboarding in South Africa and we had a really hardcore Durban crew - the local Durban surf industry industry knew this and there was at least some investment from them. Nowadays, if anyone took a look out at the Durban beach front and compared it to back then, then I am sure that their impression would be that bodyboarding is not what it used to be. Granted many of the local crew who do charge are missioning to better bodyboarding spots up and down the coast when town is not on but we no longer have an event in Durban which impacts the sport in a big way. The Durban Beach Festival had over 700,000 people attending in 2006 according to a press release - that is a lot of eyeballs and if we want to develop the sport then the Durban Beach Festival is one of the prime opportunities to show the public what bodyboarding is. I've been told that this event is not happening because of funding but I think
we should do all we can to encourage and help the organisors of the event to get this contest back on the calendar next year.
I know that when it is small/average Durban is not a good bodyboarding wave but there are ways of overcoming the impact the event can have by using the beach presence to show off bodyboarding for what it "really is" through good branding that features bodyboarding in extreme surf and even run video footage on big screens. It will cost money but that should be our aim. Simply having an event in sloppy surf with a poor beach presence/branding is not good for the sport.
Essentially, I think bodyboarding needs a good Fund Raiser in South Africa. The events have our services on offer - to help with design, branding & media coverage but we need to find a way to get away from unpaid favours because it is not sustainable.
Mark Clark wrote:
Maybe we should just take a whole new course of action with contest, brain storm some ideas and what not and set the scene with a whole new type of event lineup steering away from the same old contest scene?
i think there should be more big move contests, roaming venues, waiting periods, random comps over a year like previous one for biggest wave, sickest wave found, biggest boost, maddest DK move or barrel etc to push the riders in the sport? to many owes riding like a bunch of tits in SA holding back so much...how often do you go for a sesh and check owes really boosting big and pushing the limits? now days it more about socials and lame rolls...
The SABA circuit has its place without any doubt. While I think top-level bodyboarding is more about what you speak of, there has to be somewhere to ply your trade. We would not have guys like McCarthy, Spex or Fischer doing so well internationally if we ripped out the SABA circuit.
What needs to happen is to get the Cave Rock event back - or another location of similar quality - and back & promote the hell out of it. When that starts succeeding and we can support a second then we can start introducing more.
A healthy contest structure would look as follows:
Local - Clubs/Schools
Provincial - regional champs and trials.
National - SABA Circuit & SA Champs
National/International (Pro Only Events) - Cave Rock (or other location)
Point #2:
engelvlerkies wrote:
Rumor has it that last years’ SA’s and Wedge Classic was rife with disgruntled competitors. The roll-to-the-beach / roll-off-a-close-out format the order of the day. Wedge is a wave where technical riding should be rewarded.
Eg.
Cave rock = 1. Tubes 2. Big moves.
North Beach = 1. Long waves 2. Combination maneuvers mixed in with the occasional big move.
Wedge = 1. Big moves 2.Technical Riding
Etc.
This irks me. Is a roll not the most basic of maneuvers?
Doesn’t this defy the whole reason the 2 wave system was incorporated a few years back?
SABA, where have you gone?
“SABA is the governing body of bodyboarding in South Africa. We are a non-profit organization operating for the aim of developing and nurturing new bodyboarding talent, as well as providing rules and structure to contests from club level (???) to national level.â€
Am I correct in assuming that one of SABA’s reasons for being is to ensure the development of Contests?
From what I heard this was a highly debated issue after last year's events at the Wedge and I have spoken with the contest organisor this week. Both he and I are on the same page and yes, the Wedge should be about "Big Moves and Technical riding" (I like the way that that was put there). As to who makes the final call - I am not yet sure but I will be following up.
To me it is a simple matter of following a precedent set by events like Cave Rock, Pipeline etc where the focus is on big moves and tube riding but rather than tube riding, we should focus on technical. With waves offering similar opportunities you need some criteria to distinguish one ARS from another (as an example).
If any riders would like to voice their opinion - support for or against then please do so. After all, a contest can't happen without contestants so you do have a voice and rather speak up and help bring about change than bar the event because of a poor experience last year.
Point #3:
Mark Clark wrote:
its due to our forefarthers in bodyboarding that are just dissapearing off the scene....
Very true. As always, if anyone is wanting to put their hand up and would like to help then you can contact any of the organisations or you are welcome to contact me and I will try refer onto the right people.
not telling though...
