Extreme Big Wave Bodyboarding: What's your excuse?
posted by Olivia Jones on 19th June 2005
2005 Mike Stewart Extreme Big Wave Bodyboarding Contest
Boland Bodyboarding Association (BBA) Speciality Event
Bayview, Hermanus, South Africa
25 June to 3 July, 2005
What's Your Excuse?
What's your excuse not to paddle out into 5-metre surf in icy cold water for the 2005 Mike Stewart Extreme Big Wave Bodyboarding Contest in Hermanus which has a window period from 25 June to 3 July?
South Africa's most popular bodyboarding website www.sixty40.co.za is holding the "
best excuse for not paddling out" competition open to all members of the public who would like to use their creativity to win a pair of Lizzard sneakers.
With less than ten days to go until the start of the waiting period, 30 of South Africa’s bravest bodyboarders are preparing themselves to take on Boland's biggest waves.
2004 event runner up Aadam Grant (Cape Town) was out on the biggest 15-20 ft day last year and summed up how the riders are feeling, "
I'm waiting in anticipation, I just can't wait to get out of town, away from work stress and charge some beasts. I think Bayview is a great big wave venue, it has pretty much everything to offer, the beauty of Hermanus as well as easy viewing for spectators because they can chill on the cliff and watch the madness."
Grant has embarked on a strict training programme which includes Muay Thai and running; others have opted for swimming, cycling, breathing exercises and bodyboarding every day.
The event which is into its fourth year has drawn a mixed bag of marbles ranging from 15 year olds Justin Hoeben (CT) and Adam Morley (Mossel Bay) to Alistair Taylor (Pietermaritzburg) who is more than double their age at 32. Taylor has years of experience in gigantic surf across the globe at spots like Mavericks (California) and Waimea Bay (Hawaii).
Defending event champion and Bayview pioneer Johan "Tjoekie" de Goede (Boland) has confirmed his entry as well as big wave standouts Marc Jucker (Port Elizabeth), Hankus Loubser (Cape Town), Henk Esterhuysen (Boland), Marc Jucker (PE), Wayne Craig (CT) and Wayne "Shaggy" Gardener (EL).
Brandon Foster (California - originally from Durban), Harry Dixon (Mona Vale, Australia) and Stef Skajarowski (Cornwall, UK) are adding an international flavour to this year's event.
Dark horses include Boland bodyboarders Martin Ras and Paul Morkel.
The little known spot of Bayview is a ledging right hand breaking wave that grinds its way over razor sharp barnacles on a shallow reef only a few feet below the surface with the resulting wave being a fearful prospect to anyone brave enough to take on its raw power.
The criteria for the Bayview Shootout is not limited to the biggest wave ridden, but the biggest and best manoeuvres executed in the critical section of the biggest wave - the result will be breathtaking.
Sponsors include Reef, Maui and Sons, Pionier Custom Made Furniture, Science bodyboards, Island Style, Sindrome clothing, ABC printers and Logic Bodyboarding Magazine.
List of Big Wave Bodyboarders:
- Andre Botha (Umhlanga, Durban)
- Brandon Foster (California- originally from Durban)
- Alistair Taylor (Pietermaritzburg - KZN)
- Harry Dixon (Mona Vale , Australia)
- Stef Skajarowski (Cornwall, UK)
- Lourance Klose (Cape Town)
- Johan de Goede (Boland)
- Wayne Craig (Cape Town)
- Ian Kruger (Cape Town)
- Wayne "Shaggy" Gardner (East London)
- Marc Jucker (Port Elizabeth)
- Ryan Jucker (Port Elizabeth)
- Ishmael Grant (Cape Town)
- Aadam Grant (Seapoint, Cape Town)
- Henk Esterhuysen (Boland)
- Paul Morkel (Hermanus, Boland)
- Lloyd Pereira (Cape Town)
- John "Cato" Catlin (Cape Town)
- Tomas Catlin (Cape Town)
- Hankus Loubser (Cape Town)
- Attie van Heerden (Cape Town)
- David Richardson (Cape Town)
- Justin Hoeben (Boland)
- Martin Ras (Strand, Boland)
- Stefan du Toit (Boland)
- Jared Houston (Cape Town)
- Adam Morley (Mossel Bay, Southern Cape)
- Renier Hanekom (Hermanus)
- Vaughn Harris (Tsitsikamma, Southern Cape)
- Alternates (To Be Confirmed)
For background information about Bayview and the Big Wave contest, please visit the Boland Bodyboarding website www.bolandbodyboarding.co.za or visit the contest page on sixty40.
For more information please contact Riaan Du Preez on 082 777 3605
To read more about the latest news and views in SA bodyboarding circles visit South Africa's most popular bodyboarding website www.sixty40.co.za and enter the "What's your excuse?" competition.
For media queries please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 082 537 8840
Email: [email protected]
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