Bodyboarding Super Star Couple Competing At Margate
posted by Olivia Jones on 30th March 2005
Brazilian Karla Costa Taylor the 1999 Women’s World Bodyboarding Champ and her husband, former US Champion, Alistair Taylor (from Durban) will be competing this weekend (1 to 3 April) at the 2005 Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am. The highest rated tournament on the calendar takes place at Margate Main Beach on the KZN South Coast.
Although Costa Taylor was toying with the idea of competing against the Pro Men she has opted to ride against South Africa’s top women instead.
“I would like to see the women’s division grow and would like to help female bodyboarders here. The Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am will be my first event competing in SA. I love it here and am looking forward to getting good waves and having fun,” commented World Champion Costa Taylor who recently released her own DVD called “Liquid Doll” about her inspirational life story.
The 32 year old Brazilian Champion also has a 2000 ISA World Title under her belt and will come up against big local names like former SA Champion Debra Patterson (Durban North), 2004 SA Champ Robyn Sorensen (Berea) and 2004 national team member Inge Pieters (Margate) who will have the upper hand of local knowledge.
South African bodyboarding legend Alistair Taylor who grew up on the Durban beachfront has seven SA titles to his name as well as having made the finals of the Pipeline World Championships. Taylor is eager to better his third place result in the recent Cape/ Boland Classic where he was defeated in small waves by top SABA seeds Vaughn Harris (EP) and Wesley Fischer (Dbn).
“It was good to see a bunch of new guys ripping; it’s definitely harder now to win a contest I think than when I was competing here so many years ago. It seems like you can't really afford to have a bad heat and still get away with it. You also have to bust new-school manoeuvres otherwise you just won't get the scores,” remarked Taylor.
The Taylors who have been residing abroad both took a year’s break from the competitive scene to become full-time parents following the birth of their son Joshua and are considering relocating to South Africa where they hope to make a big impact on the development scene.
“Although I am really impressed by the standard of riding here, South African bodyboarding lacks depth, we need more riders. Karla and I would like to see if we can help out with some free coaching for kids to share some of our experience; we might be doing that at the Margate event to start off,” commented Taylor (31).
Upgraded to a 5-A rated contest, the Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am now boasts cash and prizes to the value of R30 000 which will be split amongst the various divisions. The Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am is the third event on the hotly contested 2004 SABA circuit and is hosted by the Southern KZN Bodyboarding Association.
“It’s great to have international riders competing at the Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am, a bit of international flair can only push the local competition up a notch or two,” said event organiser and Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal Bodyboarding Chairman Wayne Beekman who will be defending his title in the Men’s division.
Divisions include pro, boys, juniors, men, women, masters, drop knee, under 12 boys, under 16 girls and a development section which is designed to provide a golden opportunity for young stars to showcase their talent.
In addition to the generous prizes there will be valuable South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) rating points up for grabs which accumulate over the year to determine the ultimate SABA champion as well as national team selection.
Organisers have opted to utilise a three day contest window period in order to stage the two day event in the best surf that the venue has to offer.
This popular tournament is sponsored by the Wimpy Margate and Rossi Bodyboards with Ocean Sport providing product prizes.
To read more about the latest news and views in SA bodyboarding circles visit South Africa’s most informative bodyboarding website www.sixty40.co.za
Issued on behalf of:
South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA)
Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal Bodyboarding Contact:
Wayne Beekman (Chairman)
082 822 1825
Email: [email protected]
Issued by:
Olivia Jones Communications
082 537 8840
Email: [email protected]
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