SA bodyboarding trio claim crest of SA champs’ waves

THREE local bodyboarders made their town proud after achieving top positions in the recent South African Bodyboarding Championships held in Durban from 2 until 6 October.

The Ugu Bodyboarding Association were in the finals for four divisions out of seven, and succeeded in winning two.
Nico Müller (33), Michelle Imeson (28) and Reece Hargreaves (19) of the Ugu Bodyboarding Association (the south coast team) are some of the town’s finest board riders who competed in the recent SA champs and made it through to finals.

Nico of Illovo Beach achieved fourth place in the masters division and was crowned SA champion of the drop knee division. Nico has been bodyboarding for 20 years and competing for just as long.

“Due to work, I wasn’t going to compete at SAs this year. Then the South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) announced they will require each team to have a masters rider. Our provincial chairman of Ugu, Heino Nel advised me that without a masters rider the entire team would not be permitted to compete. Forced into the contest, I was concerned about my fitness and riding capability come champs time. I wasn’t expecting to get past the first round, I definitely surprised myself with my win and am super stoked.”

“I had no training, I only managed to go for a run twice prior to SA champs,” he said.

Nico described the level of riding he was up against as ‘something else’. “I was up against some of the biggest names in SA bodyboarding, all gunning for the top spot,” he said. “I had to face my childhood hero in the semi-finals, Sasha Taljaard who has been dominating the sport for as long as I know. This in itself was a huge honour.”

The rider explained that Murphy’s Law usually saw the worst possible conditions present themselves over any contest, however by some chance, this year’s SA champs saw good waves rolling in throughout the week.

“This allowed for some amazing riding from my competitors as everyone could showcase what they were made of,” he said.

Reece added that the wind and tide proved tricky factors as they changed the wave continuously. “I played to my strengths where I could. My efforts in the final two days’ quarters, semis and finals paid off.”

Both Nico and Reece’s performance has qualified them to represent their country at worlds, however SABA doesn’t have the backing to send SA riders to compete.

Reece went on to win the final heat of the men’s division, crowning him SA champion. “I’ve been bodyboarding for some six years,” said Reece. He admitted that he only began taking it seriously some two years ago, at his first SA champs.

“I was shocked when I won the men’s finals. I have never won a contest of such great importance,” he said. “Our training was long and hard. This year we had Derek Foodt as our team coach. He helped a lot when it came to dynamics of the sport and the little things to do to ensure success. We trained every Sunday and on the odd occasion we competed in the Blowout Bodyboarding Series as a team, to boost our confidence when it comes to contest riding.”

Reece admitted that although he enjoys the more laid back part of the sport, he hopes to represent his country at world games or compete in an event on the APB world tour. His more immediate goal is to find a sponsor that will enable him to push his riding to the next level.

Michelle competed in the women’s division where she placed third. The salty local has been involved in the ocean all her life, taking up bodyboarding at the tender age of eight and surfing at 13.

“I’m equally passionate about both sports,” she said. “It all depends on the wave of the day as to whether I pick up my surfboard or bodyboard and fins. Both are always waiting in my car.” Michelle was unable to train prior to champs after sustaining a surfing injury in Indonesia some months before. However, this didn’t lessen her capability to showcase her talent at SA champs.

All three riders thank team captain Rory Fellows-Smith, team manager Heino Nel, media man Wesley Coetzee, coach Derek Foodt, family members, sponsors JM Signs, Leopard Clothing, Ulwenbu Security, Futurelife and Marilla Surf and the riders of the Ugu Bodyboarding Association.

To get involved in bodyboarding for the Ugu Bodyboarding Association or to find out more about the South Coast team, contact team manager, Heino Nel on 072-900-5818 or visit Ugu Bodyboarding Association’s Facebook page.

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