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Secret Surf Spot Delivers Heavy Waves for Anytime Holiday Rentals Xtreme Bodyboarding Showdown

posted by Martin Otto on 14th December 2010

Entrants for the inaugural Anytime Holiday Rental Bodyboarding Showdown who met in Margate at 04h00 on Monday morning (13 December) were rewarded with perfect but heavy 5 to 6 foot waves at a secret surf spot on the South Coast. The event runs in conjunction with the FeverX Games from 11 - 19 Dec where various Xtreme sports are showcased with some of the best alternate sports competitors in SA converging on the KZN South Coast.

“We are really happy with the challenging waves that were on offer for day one of our inaugural event; some waves of consequence were ridden and the standard of bodyboarding was exceptional. We have whittled the field down to the top two bodyboarders and the stage is set for a nail-biting final,” commented Neville Beekman, Director of the Beekman Group which consists of Anytime Holiday Rentals, The Holiday Club, Body Bliss Spas and the Beekman Management Portfolio.

This is the first event of its kind in South Africa where judges only score the most risky manoeuvres that a contestant executes on the biggest or best waves. Boasting the biggest winner’s prize purse in the history of the sport in SA, first prize is R10 000 cash. After much deliberation and carefully examining the weather forecast for week ahead, the event organizers opted to run as many heats as possible on Monday at the remote reef break just north of Hibberdene.

Anytime Holiday Rental Bodyboarding Showdown standouts on day one included Derek Footit (Uvongo), David Lee (Uvongo), Mark McCarthy (Richards Bay) and Darren Halse (Amanzimtoti). These top riders put on a spectacular display of high risk manoeuvres in heavy wave conditions to impress the judges. In the end McCarthy and Halse advanced through to the finals which will be run when the conditions are suitable.

Riding such extreme waves can take its toll on competitors as Brendon van Rooyen (Ramsgate) discovered. Van Rooyen was thrown onto the reef face first on a wave and ended up receiving 7 stitches to the jaw and 20 injections to his face. He was discharged from hospital shortly afterwards.

All in all the Anytime Holiday Bodyboarding Showdown proved to be a huge success and showcased the true nature of bodyboarding as an Xtreme sport. The final and the expression session will take place later in the week along with a coaching clinic arranged by Factory 7.

Six of the reigning SA Bodyboarding Champions in various divisions, including World Tour campaigner Mark McCarthy will be teaching the public and anyone who wishes to learn how to bodyboard at Uvongo Beach. Entry fee will be R50 per person and each entrant will receive a Lizzard hamper and a two hour bodyboarding lesson as well as the chance to win a PowerBalance band. Members of the public can contact Martin Otto for more information on 083 694 7885.

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