Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Steve Pike
THE announcement this week that the SUP world champs will take place in Fiji this year marks a huge milestone in the sport.
Yes, it partly shows another success in the drive to expand to all corners of the world by the International Surfing Association, led by the indefatigable Fernando Aguerre.
However, if you consider the kind of waves that will be facing the wave-riding competitors of the ISA World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddle Boarding Championship, it also marks a huge leap in the SUP wave-riding evolution. The event includes wave riding and ocean-racing disciplines.
Those who have seen people like Kai Lenny, the young SUP star who has been absolutely killing giant Jaws in the last two months, won’t be too surprised. The ISA announced that spots like the scary and dangerous left-hand reef break Cloudbreak would be on the agenda for the more than 200 athletes and about 30 national teams contesting the team medals.
Aguerre announced that it would take place from November 5- 13. I had a chat with former national SUP team member Greg Bertish – he was part of the first SUP champs back in 2012 – about what it means for South African standup paddlers.
He was excited, although surprised that Cloudbreak would be included – a huge test for many SUP athletes from the minnow nations.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “And really good for Team SA because our young guys have been tackling some proper Cape slabs, and our standard should cope. However, some of the smaller nations, especially some European teams, might struggle in heavy, barrelling waves like that.”
According to the Outdoor Industry Association in the USA, standup paddleboarding is the fastest growing outdoor activity. It will feature at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, 2017 World Beach Games in San Diego, and forms part of the ISA application for the next Olympics.
However, Tokyo 2020 has apparently recommended only surfing, so the ISA has targeted SUP inclusion in the 2024 Olympics.
At the SUP worlds, South Africa will be looking to challenge last year’s winners the United States, who dethroned Australia from their three-year reign.
With the rand falling and Fiji one of the most expensive countries in the world, Team SA’s biggest obstacle will be sponsorship, so head to http://www.supsa.org.za/ and support our team.
Two by Two
AUSSIES Matt Wilkinson and Tyler Wright won the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast respectively in clean 3-4’ surf at Snapper Rocks last weekend. Unfortunately, South African hopes were dashed when Jordy Smith was knocked out in Round 2, and Bianca Buitendag lost to her friend Johanne Defay in Round 4.
Three Times Lucky
THE third and final leg of the elite coaching series hosted by South African Surfing Legends takes place this weekend in Durban. It was interesting to hear former pro Paul Canning, who spent 14 years on the world tour, lament the lack of big events in South Africa.
As one of the coaches, he said talent was not enough. The coaches aimed to instil in the youngsters a winning combination of desire, dedication and discipline, along with technical tips and training tech- niques. See www.southafricansurfinglegends.com
Epic Pain
FOR sheer drama – comprising attributes that test the human body to its limit (pain, blood, sweat, and tears) – you can’t beat the Cape Epic. I have been devouring the TV highlights but wish the broadcast was earlier than 10.30 every night. Whose to blame: DStv or the highlights team?
Goodbye Little Boy
APPARENTLY the little boy is packing up his bags and heading for the hills. That’s right, El Nino (a warming of the Pacific Ocean surface) is over, dissipating a lot more rapidly than normal due to global warming.
Mid-term forecasts had said it would take months to ease but according to my sources, it has taken mere weeks. This means that our winter should return to normal. And what is that? Don’t ask me! Some cold fronts. A few storms. Big waves!
Weather Tip
THE weekend looks to deliver less than ideal SW breezes. Although not strong, blowing moderate, there aren’t many places that will be offshore. Today, solid 4-5’ surf runs, with 2-3’ lines bending into False Bay. Muizenberg doesn’t look too bad, with cleanish side to offshore breezes. Tomorrow, a 10’ south swell hits south-facing beaches. False Bay fires, with solid 6’ lines sweeping in. Muizenberg Corner will be breaking way out the back, and the morning looks kind of offshore! TODAY Athletics: IAAF World Indoor Championships, day 2, 2am/7.45pm, SS7/SS9/MaXimo Boxing: Golden Gloves WBA Super/IBO Strawweight World Title: Hekkie Budler v Byron Rojas (12 rounds), 7.30pm, Select Cricket: ICC Women World Twenty20, India women v Pakistan women, 11.30am, SS2 ICC World Twenty20, India v Pakistan, 3.30pm, SS2/SABC3 Golf: PGA Tour, Arnold Palmer Invitational, day 3, 7pm, SS8 European Tour, Hero Indian Open, day 3, 9am, SS7 Ladies PGA Tour, JTBC Founders Cup, day 2, 12am, SS6/CSN Motorcycling: MotoGP, GP of Qatar, qualifying, 7.15pm, MaXimo Motorsport: F1, Australian GP, third practice, 4.50am, SS6/MaXimo; qualifying, 7.50am, SS6/MaXimo Rugby: Classic Rugby Clashes St John’s College v Parktown Boys, 1.50pm, SS1/CSN Six Nations, Wales v Italy, 4.15pm, SS6; Ireland v Scotland, 6.45pm, SS6; France v England, 7.45pm, SS6 Super Rugby, Sunwolves v Rebels, 5.45am, SS1/CSN; Crusaders v Southern Kings, 8.15am, SS1/M-Net; Reds v Blues, 10.35am, SS1/CSN; Lions v Cheetahs, 4.30pm, SS1/M-Net; Stormers v Brumbies, 7.05pm, SS1/M-Net; Jaguares v Chiefs, 11.35pm, SS1/CSN Soccer: PSL, Golden Arrows v SuperSport, 3pm, SS4; FS Stars v Polokwane City, 3pm, SABC1 Future Champions – Gauteng, play-offs, 8.15am, SS4; final, 12.55pm, SS4 English Premiership, Everton v Arsenal, 3pm, SS3/MaXimo; Crystal Palace v Leicester, 4.45pm, SS3/MaXimo; Swansea v Aston Villa, 7pm, SS3; Chelsea v West Ham, 4.50pm, SS5; Watford v Stoke, 6.50pm, SS7 La Liga, Real Betis v Malaga, 11.30pm, SS3; Real Sociedad v Las Palmas, 10pm, SS5/MaXimo3; Deportivo v Levante, 9.25pm, SS5/MaXimo3; Sporting Gijon v Atletico Madrid, 4.55pm, SS8/MaXimo3 Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, BNP Paribas Open, semi-finals, 7.50pm, SS7 WTA BNP Paribas Open, semifinals, 3.50am, SS7 TOMORROW Athletics: IAAF World Indoor Championships, day 3, 1.45am/7.20pm, SS7/MaXimo Cricket: ICC World Twenty20, South Africa v Afghanistan, 10.30am, SS2/CSN/SABC3; Sri Lanka v West Indies, 3.30pm, SS2/CSN/SABC3 Golf: PGA Tour, Arnold Palmer Invitational, day 4, 6.30pm, SS1 European Tour, Hero Indian Open, day 4, 8.30am, SS7 Ladies PGA Tour, Founders Cup, day 3, 1am, SS8/CSN Motorsport: F1, Australian GP, main race, 6.30am, SS6/MaXimo NASCAR Sprint Cup, Auto Club 400, 9.30pm, SS8 Motorcycling: MotoGP, GP of Qatar, Moto3, 4.45pm, SS6; Moto2, 6pm, SS6; MotoGP, 7.45pm, SS6/MaXimo Mountain Biking: Cape Epic, stage seven, Boschendal/Meerendal Wine Estate 84km, 9.35am, SS6 Road Running: New York City Half Marathon, 21.1K, 1.30am, SS7 Rugby: Premiership, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, 2.55pm, SS5; Leicester Tigers v Saracens, 5.10pm, SS8 Soccer: PSL, Platinum Stars v MP Black Aces, 3pm, SS4; Chippa United v Maritzburg United, 3.30pm, SABC1 English Premiership, Newcastle United v Sunderland, 2.30pm, SS3/MaXimo; Man City v Man Utd, 5.30pm, SS3/MaXimo; Southampton v Liverpool, 3.20pm, SS5; Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth, 5.50pm, SS5 La Liga, Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao, 12.55pm, SS5/MaXimo/MaXimo3; Real Madrid v Sevilla, 9.25pm, SS5/MaXimo3; Villarreal v Barcelona, 4.55pm, SS7/MaXimo3; Valencia v Celta Vigo, 7.10pm, SS7/MaXimo3 Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, BNP Paribas Open, finals, 9.50pm, SS6 WTA BNP Paribas Open, finals, 7.50pm, SS8 MONDAY Cricket: ICC Women’s World Twenty20, Australia v New Zealand, 11.30am, SS2 ICC World Twenty20, Australia v Bangladesh, 3.30pm, SS2 Golf: Ladies PGA Tour, Founders Cup, day 4, 1am, SS4/CSN Rugby: Varsity Cup, UCT Ikeys v NMMU Madibaz, 12.45pm, SS1/CSN; Maties v NWU-Pukke, 2.40pm, SS1/CSN; CUT v UP-Tuks, 4.40pm, SS1/CSN; UJ v UFS Shimlas, 6.45pm, SS1/CSN Soccer: Soccer Zone, 9pm, SABC1 TUESDAY Cricket: ICC Women World Twenty20, India v England, 11.30am, SS2 ICC World Twenty20, New Zealand v Pakistan, 3.30pm, SS2 WEDNESDAY Cricket: ICC World Twenty20, England v Afghanistan, 11am, SS2; India v Bangladesh, 3.30pm, SS2 Golf: World Golf Championships, Dell Matchplay, day 1, 8pm, SS1/CSN Soccer: Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier, GuineaBissau v Kenya, 5.50pm, SS3; Zambia v Congo, 5.50pm, SS5/SS9 Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, Miami Open, day 1, 4.50pm, SS6 THURSDAY Cricket: ICC Women’s World Twenty20, Australia v Sri Lanka, 11.30am, SS2; Pakistan v Bangladesh, 3.30pm, SS2 Golf: PGA Tour, Puerto Rico Open, day 1, 4.30pm, SS7 World Golf Championships, Dell Matchplay, day 2, 8pm, SS1/CSN Soccer: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, CONMEBOL MD 5, Ecuador v Paraguay, 10.50pm, SS4; Bolivia v Colombia, 9.50pm, SS5 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier, Ghana v Mozambique, 5.20pm, SS3/SS9/MaXimo International Friendly, Italy v Spain, 9.30pm, SS3/MaXimo U21 International Friendly Spain v Croatia, 7pm, SS5 Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, Miami Open, day 2, 4.50pm, SS6 FRIDAY Cricket: ICC World Twenty20 Australia v Pakistan, 11am, SS2; South Africa v West Indies, 3pm, SS2/CSN Golf: PGA Tour, Puerto Rico Open, day 2, 4.30pm, SS1 World Golf Championships, Dell Matchplay, day 3, 8pm, SS1/CSN Hockey: Euro Hockey League, WKS Grunwald Poznan v KHC Leuven, 1.40pm, SS7; Rot Weiss Koln v UHC Hamburg, 4pm, SS7; KHC Dragons v Atletic Terrassa, 6.15pm, SS7; Racing Club de France v SV Kampong, 8.30pm, SS7 Rugby: Super Rugby, Hurricanes v Southern Kings, 8am, SS1; Peru v Venezuela, 4am, SS3/CSN Soccer: 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CONMEBOL MD 5, Chile v Argentina, 1.20am, SS3/MaXimo; Peru v Venezuela, 4am, MaXimo Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier, Nigeria v Egypt, 4.50pm, SS3/SS9/MaXimo/MaXimo3; Swaziland v Zimbabwe, 4.50pm, SS3/SS9 International Friendly, Netherlands v France, 9.30pm, SS3/MaXimo Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, Miami Open, day 3, 4.50pm, SS6 SATURDAY Athletics: IAAF World Half Marathon Championships Cardiff, 3.30pm, SS9 Cricket: ICC World Twenty20, Bangladesh v New Zealand, 11am, SS2; England v Sri Lanka, 3.50pm, SS2 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, Australia v Ireland, 11.30, SS6 Golf: PGA Tour, Puerto Rico Open, day 3, 4.30pm, SS1 World Golf Championships, Dell Matchplay, day 4, 8pm, SS7/CSN Hockey: Euro Hockey League, Dinamo Kazan v Harvestehuder THC, 11.25am, SS7; Real Club de Polo v Club Egara, 1.45pm, SS7; Rugby: Premiership Rugby, Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby, 7.25pm, SS1; Saracens v Exeter Chiefs, 5.10pm, SS8 Super Rugby, Chiefs v Force, 8am, SS1/CSN; Rebels v Highlanders, 10.35pm, SS1/CSN; Sunwolves v Bulls, 12.45pm, SS1/M-net; Cheetahs v Brumbies, 2.55pm, SS1M-net; Sharks v Crusaders, 5.05pm, SS1M-net; Jaguares v Stormers, 11.25pm, SS1/CSN Soccer: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, CONMEBOL MD 5, Brazil v Uruguay, 2.35am, SS3 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier, DR Congo v Angola, 4.20pm, SS3/MaXimo; Cameroon v South Africa, 4pm, SS4; Burkina Faso v Uganda, 7.50pm, SS4 International Friendly, Austria v Albania, 6.25pm, SS3/MaXimo; Germany v England, 8.50pm, SS3/MaXimo Squash: PSA World Tour, British Open, semi-finals, 4pm, SS5; men semi-finals, 7.30pm, SS5 Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000, Miami Open, day 4, 4.50pm, SS6