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New SA Champs Crowned

Source: www.sabaonline.co.za

posted by Darryn Stephen on 1st October 2006

The final day of the 20th Annual Bodyboarding Championships was an incredible sight. The countries top contenders fighting for the glory of being named this years SA Champion.

The stage was set early in the day, but a thick mist prevented the event from starting. Eventually the air cleared and the final day of competition was underway.

The competition was hot and the results ended as follows

Development - For a group of individuals that have never competed in a SABA event these youngsters ripped. Paddling out in 3-4 foot sets they were busting rolls and spins, showing that they have the basics of the sport down to an art. At the end of the day Gareth Kaatze (CKZN) took the title, with Miguel Cardosa (CKZN), Ivan van der Merwe (SC) in third place and Liam Artingstall (SKZN) taking the fourth place.

Boys U12 - The youngest competitors in the sport showed that they have what it takes to become something great one day. Murray van Vuuran(EP) took the title after a week of impressing the judges. Robert Waites (CKZN) claimed second, followed by Sebastian Koopmans(WP) in third and Andre Blignout(BOL) taking fourth.

Boys - The Boys division was won by Ian Campbell(CKZN) who set the bar high in his heat ensuring a win over Terence Pieters(SKZN) who took second, David Lilienfeld (SC) and Bradley Moys took third and fourth respectiely.

Juniors - It came down to the wire for rivals Micheal Ostler(CKZN) and Adam Morley(SC) with both competitors giving it their all. Ostler however took the title followed closely by Morley with J.C. Zietsman(SKZN) in third and Inacio Serrao (SKZN) in fourth

Girls U16 - The girls final was dominated by the Southern cape region with 3 of the 4 finalists, having their entire girls team make i to the last round. Kina Meyer(SC) claimed the top honor, followed by team mate Geline Derbishire(SC), Boland rider Hermien Greyling(BOL) took third and Monica Olivier (SC) took fourth.

Masters - Mike Van Huuyssteen, a pioneer of bodyboarding in South Africa, took first place at this his 20th SA Champs. Kevin Williams(SKZN) took the second, with Riaan Du Preez (BOL) in third and last years Champion Steven Polinski(WP) taking fourth.

Mens - Ralph Hoppe (EP) took the first place trophy placing last years Mens Champion Wayne Beekman(SKZN) in second and Alan Horsefield(EP) having to take third followed by Ryno Turketti(BOL) in fouth position.

Drop Knee - Derek Footit set the bar to high for the other competitors to beat him and used his local knowledge of the break to take the title for 2006. Sacha Specker(WP) fought back hard but could only manage to get the second place position. Marc Jucker(EP) and Robert Starke(WP) took third and fourth respectively

Womens - Hot favorite for the title Lize-Marie Ras(SC) had to take a back seat to local Inga Pieters(SKZN) who took the title this year. Ras placed second with Western Province rider Pamela Bowren in third and Robyn Sorenson(CKZN) in fourth

Pro - The moment had come to crown this years Pro rider SA Champion. With last years champion Daniel Worsley(WP) knocked out in the semi- finals, the title was up for the taking. Central KZN dominated the final with three team riders leaving Sacha Specker(WP) alone to fight for the title. It was a close, but in the end Alistair Taylor(CKZN) took the title after showing consistently good bodyboarding throughout the event. Wesley Fischer(CKZN) took the second place, after choosing to ride on a different point break than the rest of the heats competitors. Philip Rodriquez (CKZN) portrayed perfect texbook moves but it wqas not enough and he claimed the third place position. Sacha Specker(WP) did his team proud placing fourth in the final of the Pro division as well as the second place position in the Drop Knee division.

Thank you to all the officials, judges and competitors for making this years 20th Annual South African Bodyboarding Championships such an overwhelming success. Credit must be given to the SKZN team for hosting this years event and to the Contest Director Wayne Beekman for staying cool under the immense pressure of running a contest and handling the many natural disasters that were experienced at this years event.

Congratulations are also given to Pro division rider Rylin Richardson(CKZN) who got engaged to his lovely girlfriend Saskia Jade Pinney, at this years event. Best wishes go to them both.

This years sponsors were SCIENCE Bodyboards, REEF Westsuits and apparel, www.FACTORY7.co.za, ENVIRON, Arnette, Spar and Realty1. Thank you for your support, without which the event could not have been held.

Issued on behalf of:

SABA

Issued by:

Darryn Stephen
SABA SA Bodyboarding Championships Media Liaison
Mobile: 072 511 1578
Email: [email protected]

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