World Bodyboard Champs Diary: Rocky start to Canaries trip
posted by Jonathan de Lauwere on 29th November 2011
It has been a bit of a rough start to our World bodyboarding Games trip due to a delayed plane in Johanessburg and therefore us missing our connecting flight from Madrid to Las Palmas. Then every travellers worst nightmare happened ... Janneke and Johnny's boards didn't arrive!
To blow off some steam we took the team out on Friday night to see the city of Las Palmas. Boy was it a night to remember and it was just what our team needed. Watching the duo of young gun Storm & DVT chat to any passing hot Spanish doll asking for digits, a kiss or a Facebook invite was very entertaining. Lets say by the end of the night Storm has got more than a new Facebook friend, or 2 or 3 ...
The last few days have been spent cruising the cities of Las Palmas and Galdar where we are staying and surfing spots like El Confital, La Guancha and the wave of all waves, El Fronton. The SA team has really made an impact here in and out of the water. I watched them the other day at El Fronton and they were getting such good waves are in good rhythm. Out of the water bodyboarders are treated with utmost respect and where ever we go our duo of Storm and DVT are harassed by a swarm of young girls asking for autographs on pieces of paper, their clothing or even skin. I think a lot of little Spanish dolls new Facebook pics will have our Storm in them.
Today all the teams met and we did the march pass through Galdar city and met in the city centre where all the teams paraded their flags and each team went on stage to put sand from their local beach into a big glass jar. We were greeted by the mayor and a lil speech was given. Around 22 countries have come out for this event and to see each team in their kit, holding their countries flags proudly whilst marching the city streets was a awesome experience. Again our junior was bombarded with requests for autographs and photo's. The vibe was amazing and the people of this beautiful island of Gran Canaria have made everyone feel so welcome.
After that we set out for a free surf at El Fronton. For those of you that have only seen this wave in magazines showcasing your favourite rider boosting meters above the lip or in videos with Ozzie big wigs going for broke. No magazine, video or person can show you or explain it to you how heavy and gnarly it is until you actually see it for yourself. Fronton breaks at the foot of a cliff on a slab of rocks not too far out from the shore. Deep ocean swells come out the North Atlantic and explode on the reef of El Fronton causing the craziest, heaviest left and right breaking peak. If the wave isn't intimidating enough for you, well getting in and out is another problem. There's no real channel, sand or easy way in and out. You always almost guaranteed to bleed when you leave the water. But apart from that this wave was truly made for bodyboarding. The waves wedge or peak on the reef, you scoop in, get a mad barrel and are then greeted by the ramp of your life. Just remember to make the barrel cause if you dont, you guaranteed to wrestle for a while under water with the reef.
When we got out to a very crowded El Fronton we were greeted by fellow Saffas Wez Fisher, Adam "blue gums" Waites and Dane Beales. All the Saffas had amazing waves in and definitely kept the hard charging reputation of South African bodyboarders high.
It is insane that they are bringing the World Bodyboarding Games 2011 to a top world class bodyboarding wave like El Fronton. By the looks of it, our riders will keep the flag flying high over the next couple of days and make us proud.
By the time you all read this, we will be in day one of he competition. I will keep you updated shortly on how we are doing so keep checking in for updates on here or SABA Facebook page.
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