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Wimpy/Rossi Pro-Am Backstage Pass - All Access

posted by Sean Tickner on 18th April 2009

So every contest has results and write-ups, it's interesting but it can get stale. This year I'm doing it differently. I'm going to be giving you a run-up to the event as well as daily results and happenings from the riders point of view and fill you in on all the behind the scenes action. The Competition, the Waves, the Riders, the Groupies, the Parties and the Winners! I'm going to cover it all, just so you get an insider's view of what will be an awesome SABA contest, the 10th Wimpy Rossi Margate Contest 2009.

So here we go, come along for the ride and if you've got any questions, post a comment and I'll try including them in the write-ups to come.

The Run-Up

Margate is a small town on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast, just over an hours drive South of Durban. It has hosted one of the biggest bodyboarding contests on the SABA Calendar every year for the past 9 years, this will be the 10th. Personally, it's my favourite contest. It's close to home and delivers the goods when it comes to contestable waves.

The first thing you need to do is find accommodation. It's always a good idea to book one of the many holiday flats within walking distance to the Main Beach. Gather a bunch of your friends and fork over your hard earned cash but REMEMBER, it's not your flat/house so look after it. This year we're fortunate enough to have secured a flat overlooking the contest area, perfect to keep on top of the action.

We've got some of the top Durban riders residing together, with the likes of Mark "Boychamp" Watts, Jonathan "Oros" Oliff, Stuart Bradford, Sean Tickner, Billy Tennant, Jason Duvenage and the man behind I AM MONSTER, Matt Kieser. Good times will surely follow and I'll be there to keep you updated.

So you've organized accommodation, you've sorted out how you're getting there, now what?

Now, you sit back and wait, less than a week to go. Hopefully we'll have reeling rights freight-training down the sandbanks of Margate Main Beach, we'll be having quotes and comments from the guys riding the contest, the Sponsors making it possible for us, the people organizing it and the spectators there to cheer everybody on.

I've already managed to get a few words from the people who will be there, just to whet your appetite.

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Marc "Rossi" Rossouw
Rossi Board Company Owner (sponsor)

Q: Hey Rossi, Tenth Year as Sponsor, what does Margate mean to you?

Rossi: Margate is a sick little town or village, everything is a 5 min walk anywhere, night or day. During the event you just bump into ou's coming and going. I have enjoyed giving back to the sport in some small way and every year there are more groms at this event than anywhere else. I must also thank the South Coast Committee and the parents and all that make this event run so smooth you know who you all are young & Old(ish).

Q: Most memorable moment, in or out of the water, day or night?

Rossi:

Day: I have had some fun barrels with Colin and Martin out at Margate myself before, but stand outs must be Craig Maree winning pro years back, Mark Watts winning Juniors and Pro in the past. Margate might not be known as a ripping wave but if you can remember back to Spex's opening wave of the pro final last year you could put that on any DVD - big boosted ARS, into the tube and then combo rolls and spins ... 10's ... that wave really stands out for me.

Night: Too many to tell and too many I can't tell, maybe Oros showing young girls his "boil" or Vaughn Harris boogieing on the speakers at 2am at Backline. Oh and Billy doing some late night walks to the judging tower ... too funny. Let's see what this year brings!

Q: Any bets for the winners this year:

Rossi: Mark Watts is fresh off a win in Cape Town, Mark "boetie" McCarthy is someone to watch out for, his bodyboarding has come on in the last few years, he blew me away with his riding at SA Champs last year in the final. I also bumped into Wez Fisher a few weeks back he is the kind of guy that could arrive with no one knowing and deliver a beat down ... Jared Houston is due a big win. If Spex makes it, I might put my money on him though - he was just about unstoppable last year Pro or DK.

Mark Watts aka BoyChamp

Q: You've just come off the win down in Cape Town, how do you feel going into Margate?

Mark: I feel really good after winning cape Classic and very comfortable on my boards and in my riding. I'm looking forward to a good result in Margate and hoping to back up my good form of late.

Q: Biggest Competition?

Mark: Mark McCarthy, Wesley Fischer, Jared Houston, Derek Footit, Dave Lee, Dan Worsley.

Q: Best place to celebrate a win in Margate?

Mark: Will definitely be Stuart Bradfords flat and probably end up at The Village Tavern, where lots of cheap drink will be flowing, hope to see you all there.

Derek Footit
Factory 7 Owner (sponsor)

Q: What does Margate mean for you as a sponsor and a rider and a local?

Derek: As a Sponsor, the WOW FACTOR is key, the DK Division has always produced the goods with riders like Specker, Tickner and Canepa doing what they do best ... Margate has a great advantage for spectators to get right on top of the action too with the grass embankments stretching out along the point getting in close on the action... As a rider I just love to compete, Win or Lose, but winning is always a plus...I always look to have fun while competing and I feel that's been key to a lot of the success that I've had in the past, being able to enjoy a heat whether I've won it or lost... Margate has never been a great hunting ground for me for surf, cause I usually try stay away from the crowds so only really surf it when it's on, and that's usually good wedging midbreaks, which we never seem to get for our comp cause we get hit by big swell mostly for the Wimpy/Rossi, which is awesome but Margate is always a tough paddle in big surf and in a heat it can work against you ...

Q: You're hungry, favourite Take-away in Margate?

Derek: Wimpy's Double Cheese Burger with a Strawberry Smoothie ... Hits the spot every time!

Q: Most under-rated rider who might just take the win this year?

Derek: There's been a couple of upsets in the past in the early rounds from the Juniors and even some boys, but never a win in the Pro Division, I think that time is coming soon and there's a few riders that I've got my eyes on, but I think calling something like that can damage a riders tempo leading up to a big event creating added pressure with the hype...I'm gonna sideline my call and watch to see if it unfolds...and if that grom's in my heat then I'll just have to put on my game face and let chips fall where they may!

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Good Luck to all the competitors ... see you in the water.

There we go, straight from the mouth of the riders and sponsors, or both in Derek's case. Like I said, we're not trying to be stale this time around, get ready to read all about the life and times of a SABA Contest. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for some action shots in and out of the water.

See you there!!!

For info on how to enter and to follow all the action of the Wimpy/Rossi Pro-Am visit www.sixty40.co.za/wimpyrossi2009.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article may not be the same views of SABA or Sixty40 Bodyboarding. Neither do any of the parties concerned condone illegal actions or actions that bring sponsors or the sport into disrespect.

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