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» About Bryony » Columns » Features
| COLUMNS Girlz on Boardz by Bryony McCormick I have had my fair share of board riding in my life, which in many respects will continue, though unintentionally with more caution and fear, as I get older. As a female I have taken many an abusive "fluk", the odd pinch on the arse and numerous "she'll never do it" eyeball rolls. On the other end of the scale however, I have been overwhelmed with people (guys) adding extra care, comfort and help in my quest to better myself and improve my skills. Over the last few years female riders have become progressively better, more fearless, stronger and much to my satisfaction changed their attitudes a bit. I think maybe the whole equality vibe in South Africa has been the main cause in all of this, plus a couple of other factors: For example boards are being designed for female figures and styles, equipment and clothing are being created and made in female ranges and magazines are starting to pick up on the new fad and support us too. In doing so, it all affects the standards of riding, the amount of girls partaking in board sports and of course the best part of all, the lifestyle around it. Whether it be skating, body boarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, sand boarding, kite boarding or surfing, all these board sports come with a certain type of lifestyle. Its not quite professional, its not well paid and its not exceptionally supported or advertised, but it is by far the best. It is laidback, relaxed and chilled. It is filled of creative and interesting people, with one thing in common; gaining as much pleasure from life as possible. I think that what motivates me to carry on being a part of it. It's a reminder not to take life to seriously; otherwise you'll simply miss out and let it pass you by. And so let me introduce this column to you, Girlz on Boardz. It's for all those girls who ride boards, and it's about them. I want to introduce underdogs making names for themselves and report on epic events where South African Chic's do our country proud. I want to post compo results and do interviews with our very own rebel girls. It's a space where I hope to in the future provide a little bit of a spotlight for the hardcore girlz doing our lifestyle and nation proud. This month, although belated, I have chosen to report on the recent South African Body Boarding Champs held at Long Beach in Cape Town at the beginning of October. Body boarding, a sport most likely to be have been stumbled upon once by an islander to lazy to swim into shore after a hectic days worth of diving for supper, has come ahead leaps and bounds in its life time. Boards are designed and made with precision and care (let it be known they are not simply clomps of polystyrene). High profile teams are well sponsored and big wave riding and technical moves are being pushed to such great limits even surfers and bigmouth kooks have been known to be caught with their mouth's hanging open. I am mostly speaking for international bodyboarders here though, as it is yet to take off in South Africa. For a brief moment in time bodyboarding was considered the sport of sports, especially when we brought the World Champ Trophy home to SA shores, but it has since fallen by the waste side. This however, has not dampened any bodyboarding souls, and guys and gals alike have been riding and perfecting the art of the sport for the past couple of years. The heavy intro, although timely and seemingly irrespective to the article, is a fabulous way of introducing the SA Champs and Results. Each year bodyboarders from around the country, some old some new, gather at a break to ride for the SA title. Each year there are disappointments, highlights and disqualifications. And each year the standard just seems to rise and rise, however not like the swell did this year. This year the champs took place at Long Beach in Cape Town. The icy water I am sure petrified the likes of all Natal entrants as well as the fact that almost a year ago a bodyboarder was the victim of a lethal shark attack a couple of kilometers from the break picked for the competition. The swell was appalling and the wind factor didn't excite anyone. But again, and simply another point that emphasizes the enthusiasm of bodyboarders alike, the champs went on, and they went on well. The standard was high, the competitors were amped and the teams were lank supportive of fellow riders. Taking place over the school holidays saw plenty of support and generally speaking the event went rather well. As far as the chics were concerned, many a pleasing display awed the judges and the crowds. With a vast number of 'old school' girls pulling out of the sport competitively, it was up to many new comers this year to set the high standard they did. Robyn Sorenson from Central KZN stole the Woman's victory from the popular Kamala Botha, who chose to side with the Western Province team at the last minute. A WP spokesperson claimed that she was their " secret weapon". Apparently she was the only person to think so. It sounds awfully cynical, but the reasoning behind my distaste is so long that it will provide a whole separate article for another time. Young Liza-Mari Raz from South KZN took the trophy for U16's. Her riding ability and style is something to look forward to in the future. As far as the Circuit Results for the season are concerned, both winners were duefully awarded. Liza-Mari took the U16 trophy and Robyn the woman's, not much difference to the Champs. In all the riding was fabulous. The girls were stoked and did their provinces proud. Hopefully a couple of the onlookers and supporters were hooked by the festivities of the champs and maybe next year we will see even more entrants. Results
South African Body Boarding Champs
Women
Circuit Winners:
Women | | |
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