Kowie Boardriders prepare to make waves in new surf season
Planned water sports festival to include GromSearch
here was a poignant start to the Kowie Boardriders Club (KBC) AGM at Guido’s last Friday when members of the club stood up for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for body surfer Graeme “Sunny” Hill who passed away a few months ago.
“He was an executive member of our club, a work colleague and a dear friend to us all … may he rest in peace,” said club chair Mickey Wittuhn.
The meeting continued with treasurer Carl Wurz’s annual report of the club’s financial standing.
Wurz said there had been an improvement in finances, pointing out that membership fees of almost R11,000 had been collected, which reflected a healthy increase in new members to the club.
“The club’s finances are quite solid at the moment,” he said in his address.
The minutes of the previous year’s AGM was then duly adopted and accepted.
The current executive remained in their respective positions because according to KBC’s constitution, new office-bearers are elected every two years. The executive members are Carl Wurz (treasurer) Warwick Heny (secretary) Richard Heny (contest director) Nick Donaghy (media) Joao Felizardo (contest director) and Wittuhn (chairperson).
“The club has grown substantially this year to a remarkable 49 paid up members,” Wittuhn told members.
“Efforts were made to get top quality surfers in our club, not only to boost morale, but to also improve our financial status and to improve the standard of surfing,” he said.
“All of these developments have made a huge positive impact on the club. As an example, we are excited about the purchase of new contest
Tequipment.” Wittuhn said the King of the Kowie prize-giving ceremony was held on September 22 last year at the request of the late Sunny Hill.
“Sunny was part of the executive committee and we agreed to his request to have it earlier as he wanted to see who the winners were. ”
The winners of the various categories were read out as follows: Grom girls: Catherine Wiersma U18 girls: Bekie Downey
U18 boys: Owen Heny
Ladies: Lily Heny Longboard: Andrew Witte
Open: Thomas Lindhorst
Newly capped Protea surfer, 16-yearold Lily Heny was the toast of the meeting, after having qualified for the national team and participating in the world junior surfing contest in Brazil in December.
“Lily was also crowned the U16 girls champion at the recent Border Closed Championships at Nahoon Reef,” said Wittuhn.
He said Lily had been selected to represent Border surfing and he was granted permission to present her with her Border surfing badge at the meeting. ”Her younger brother Owen Heny was crowned the Border U14 boys champ for the second consecutive time … well done Owen,” he said.
Daniel Emslie, whose ranking was climbing, had surfed in the International Challenge Series, he said.
“We wish Daniel [who is injured] all the best of luck for the future to hopefully qualify for the World Surfers League.”
Other KBC surfers to represent their provinces are current SA Open champion Thomas Lindhorst, who won the title in “huge powerful surf” at St
Mike on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast. “Well done Tom, it’s every surfer’s dream to be SA Open surfing champ,” said Wittuhn.
A further feather in the cap was the fact that Carl Wiersma, Bryce and Mitch du Preez, Anton Wiersma, Andrew Laverge, Rory Dace, Clinton Gravett, Wayne Monk, (winner of 14 SA titles) Adriel Wolmarans, Travis van Niekerk and Wittuhn all represented their provinces.
Wittuhn was also team manager for Border for the open, senior and master’s team that won the SA Champs and president’s trophy.
Laverge, in a proud moment for the surfer, was handed his Border badge “for representing his province”.
Wittuhn said Surfing SA had already confirmed the second leg of the Rip Curl GromSearch and the new addition of the Rip Curl Cup would be held on the Easter weekend in Port Alfred.
“I encourage all surfers to begin their training regime for this event.”
Warwick Heny told members that there were plans afoot for a big water sports festival to be hosted in Port Alfred over the Easter weekend.
“[Early indications are] that surfing and bodyboarding are two of 11 events that will be happening in Port Alfred that weekend … a new addition – besides the Rip Curl GromSearch – will be the Rip Curl Cup for U18 surfers and this cup competition will also include an Open division for those who are older than 18. It should be a massive event and it’s quite exciting as Port Alfred needs the business injection. ”
Wittuhn thanked all sponsors, especially BUCO and MiX for their assistance throughout the year.
He added that the committee would meet shortly to discuss the three contest dates and a proposed weekend away for the club at Yellow Sands Caravan Park.