The 2008 annual Boland Champs
posted on 9th September 2008
Contestants were greeted with meaty 3-4ft glassy conditions at an almost unrecognizable Koeëlbay.
After the monster waves proceeded to batter the coast for the better part of last week contestants hardly recognized the caves, or main beach for that matter, they all know. Although caves is know to "loose" its banks due to the seasonal winter swells washing sand away, long time local and previous SA Master champ, Marcel Habets claimed never to have witnessed caves being in such a state.
None the less caves produced the goods with stand out performances by Tomas Degenaar, Justin Hoeben, Donavan Bassett, Kobus Bosman, Gustav Botha and Marcel Habets.
Early morning conditions provided solid 4-5ft bombs breaking 20m from the showers rolling into a rocky shore break. The contest was moved down the beach to a new bank at the end of the main beach closest to caves which suited the high tide better as low tide and reports of dropping swell would offer optimum conditions at caves.
Kicking off with the DK division, Paul Morkel represented the Onrus crew in fine fashion considering his slight visual impairment due to a minor social conflict of interests, it was not a he but a SHE. But was over taken by west coast local Ryno Turketti who posted some high scoring waves with Peet Verreynne following Paul closely to finish in third place.
The boys division followed soon after with Double first for new comer Melt Hugo competing in his first Boys Final heat and this being his very fist contest he's ridden. He had the spectators oo-ing and aa-ing due to his antics over the rocks. Winning the Boys final was Mathew Lombard followed by Kyle Cobano, Jandre Coetzee, Vincent Cobano and Melt Hugo.
Moving the contest back to caves for the Masters final offered some good hollow wedges. Marcel Habets posted the first high score that seemed to have sealed the deal but unfortunately not finding a back up score placing him second. Gustav Botha's consistent and precision barrel ridding combined with good manuver combonations proved to be the winning formula with Riaan Du Preez claiming third place followed by Len Bradford.
Stepping up the ridding a few notches was the junior division which delivered the first few air reverse attempts and having the crowed cheering on solid inverts and rolls. Top of the log was Eugene Meyer, followed by Tiaan Hoeben in second place with "Sakkie" Niewoudt third and Christaan Jonker fourth.
The Pros sped off in high gear. With a confused Tomas Degenaar claiming a cut back on the best air reverse, mutated invert, ballistic ARS bowl section but fortunately redeemed himself by actually hitting the ramps and placing some high scores to progress to the finals. Donavan Basset rode consistently through out the contest finding the scores with good barrel ridding and solid manoeuvres. Particularly a slightly late invert looking approach to the lip which ended up being a lighting fast inverted reverse spin popping out the white wash seconds later. Justin Hoeben's Air reverse also deserves a special mention from the earlier round almost not fitting into Marcel Habets' camera frame earning him a 10 and the win in that heat.
But no one seemed to have any answer to the either Kobus Bosman's or Gustav Botha's performances. Kobus scoring a 10 himself for a deep barrel and posting consistent high score with solid manoeuvres to claim the win ahead of Gustav Botha's excellent display of barrel ridding skills.
A great thanks goes out to our sponsors Reef SA and Science for their consistent support and fantastic prizes such as Reef's thermo Vests (Worth R450), wetsuit socks, caps (worth R200), Leashes (worth R150+) for each and every division. Please support companies like this that support bodyboarding.
Also thanks to Len Bradford, Blanch Hoeben, Gustav Botha, Justin Hoeben Marcel Habets and Riaan du Preez for contributing to a successful Boland Champs 2008.
Final Results
Boys
1. Matthew Lombaard
2. Kyle Cabano
3. Jandre Coetzee
4. Vincent Cabano
5. Melt Hugo
Masters
1. Gustav Botha
2. Marcel Habets
3. Riaan du Preez
4. Len Bradford
DK
1. Ryno Turketti
2. Paul Morkel
3. Peet Verreynne
Junior
1. Eugene Meyer
2. Tiaan Hoeben
3. Sakkie Niewoudt
4. Christiaan Junker
Professional
1. Kobus Bosman
2. Gustav Botha
3. Donavan Bassett
4. Tomas Degenaar
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Comments
 | mac13
11th September 2008 13:38 |
| nice one cobus! kool baai guru |
|
