Hitting the wedge at West Beach
THE annual West Beach Warfare bodyboarding competition tied in to the Royal St Andrews Hotel Easter Festival last weekend, and the level of competition was boosted by the participation of world fourth-ranked bodyboarder Iain Campbell.
Local bodyboarder and South African team coach Clinton Millard arranged the two-day competition and said conditions on the first day were a little tricky.
“Big swell came through and the tide was low so it caused the waves to break on the shore with not much of a section for the riders to ride,” Millard said.
“When the tide came in in the afternoon the waves turned better. That’s why we ran the finals so late on the Sunday because the tide was better then.”
There was big money to be won in the pro section, and as expected, top prize of R10000 went to Campbell.
In second place, Codi Butterworth took R2 160, and third place was shared by Rory Fellows-Smith and Teagan Coulonval, who split the R1440 cash prize. “It was great to see our local riders really shining through,” Millard said.
Kyle Lax picked up second in the men’s section – this being only his second contest, and Nathan Austin came fourth in the men’s section, with this his first contest. Also surfing a contest for the first time, Rachel Lax came second in the ladies section. “So some real talent coming from Port Alfred side,” Millard said.
“The pro final was a repeat of last year’s event with Iain Campbell and Codi Butterworth going head to head again. Iain kept his title but Codi gave him a really good run.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Easter Festival last Friday, Campbell said: “It’s a great experience coming to Port Alfred and seeing the scenery and all this town has to offer.
“Speaking on behalf of the athletes, thanks. There are not many events for bodyboarding in South Africa, and the prize money is getting better. Thanks Clinton Millard for putting this forward and getting us to come to this festival. We look forward to having this event every year – the wave is incredible.” Full results:
Pro: 1 Iain Campbell, 2 Codi Butterworth, 3 tied Rory Fellows-Smith and Teagan Coulonval, 5 tied Alexander Nutt and Wesley Coetzee, 7 tied Michael Roberts and James Jones
Masters: 1 Clinton Millard, 2 Craig Naude
Ladies: 1 Skye Bothma, 2 Rachel Lax
Boys: 1 James Clayden, 2 Alexander Nutt, 3 Jack Sang, 4 Jake Goder
Men’s: 1 De Waal Spies, 2 Kyle Lax, 3 Shannon Harris, 4 Nathan Austin
Drop Knee: 1 Sascha Taljaard, Iain Campbell, 3 Rory Fellows-Smith, 4 Alexander Nutt
Juniors: 1 Michael Roberts, 2 Luke Goder, 3 Dylan Palmer
Top judge was Murray van Vuuren, Wesley Coetzee won the expression prize for his back flip and the wave contest was won by Codi Butterworth.