Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am

5A Rated South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) event
Margate Main Beach, Kwa-Zulu Natal south coast – Durban, South Africa
April 1 – 3, 2005

Philip Rodrigues Takes Pro Title in Style

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 01 April 2005: - - Talented North Beach bodyboarder Philip Rodrigues took the Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am title in style today (Sunday, 03 April 2005) at Margate’s Main Beach. Boasting a R30 000 prize purse, the 5A Wimpy Rossi Pro-Am is the highest rated tournament on the 2005 South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) circuit.

“It’s great to see Wimpy and Rossi sponsoring this event again, thanks to support like this bodyboarding as a sport is growing even bigger,” said Rodrigues who pocketed a cool R3 800 cheque for his efforts.

The surf conditions were far from ideal with finalists having to contend with powerful, choppy 2-metre (6ft) waves in dirty water.

Five times SA Champion and owner of the North Beach Surf Shop, Rodrigues (28), showed he still has what it takes to be the best in the country by finishing ahead of SABA third seed Sacha Specker (CT), Richards Bay rider Mark Mc Carthy and second seed Wesley Fischer (Dbn).

Former World Champion Karla Costa-Taylor who has moved to Pietermaritzburg easily scooped first place in the Women’s division. It was Costa-Taylor’s big wave on the outside with a spin and a powerful roll that sealed her first South African victory. Costa Taylor made history by being the first woman in the country to win the “best wave” award for scoring 9 out of a possible 10 points. A tight race for second place ensued with the defending event champion and current SABA leader Robyn Sorenson (Berea) coming off second best to 2005 runner up Debra Patterson (Dbn North); local star Inge Pieters (Margate) placed fourth.

The Drop Knee showdown was dominated by Sacha Specker (CT) who picked up the first wave to lead from the outset. Fourth seed Sasha Taljaard (Dbn) threatened to upset Specker’s reign with some exceptional turns but had to be content with second place ahead of Josh Cleve and Craig Jenkins (Dbn).

The Master’s final was a ‘man on man’ battle between bodyboarding legend Mike van Huyssteen (Former Durbanite now living in Gauteng) who defeat an on form John Cawood – Chairman of the Zululand Bodyboarding Association.

With number one Men’s seed and defending event champion Wayne Beekman (Margate) eliminated in the semis the door was wide open for a new Men’s champion. Wayne du Preez’s (Bluff) hours spent clocking up water time at his new home break, Cave Rock, were evident when he triumphed over talented local favourite Martin Otto (Margate). Drop Knee finalist Sacha Taljaard (Dbn) placed third with south coast bodyboarder Nic du Plooy in fourth.

The Junior final (U18) paid tribute to the number of rising stars coming from the Southern Cape with Adam Morley (Mossel Bay) beating top seed Grant Lee (Margate). Mossel Bay’s Michael Meyer, SABA number three, added more points to his 2005 SABA bid by placing third in front of Justin Zietsman (Margate).

The Boy’s final (U15) was won by Dane Beales (Dbn) from diminutive U12 SABA Champion Terence Pieters (Margate) with Cape Town’s Andries Starke in third and Dune Barker (Margate) in fourth. Blake Gutzeit (Margate) was delighted with his first place trophy in the Boy’s Under 12 final.

Lize-Mari Ras (Zululand) refused to budge from her top seed spot and successfully defended her Girls (U16) title. Liezl von Vollenhoven (Margate) enjoyed the benefit of local knowledge when she out scored Kina Meyer (Mossel Bay).

The Development final was an all-Margate affair with Michael Ansermino taking top honours. Runner up Dane Klusner (Margate) relegated peers Stephen Brandsma and Paul Kleanthous to third and fourth place respectively.

A major upset occurred when Pro and Drop Knee top seed, Vaughn Harris (Southern Cape), was eliminated before both finals; he will need to excel in the upcoming events in order to retain both SABA titles. Harris won the award for “best judge”.

In addition to the generous prizes; valuable South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) rating points were up for grabs which accumulate over the year to determine the ultimate SABA champion as well as national team selection.

This popular tournament which is in its ninth year is sponsored by the Wimpy Margate and Rossi Bodyboards with Island Style and Ocean Sport providing product prizes.

The next stop on the 2005 SABA circuit is Plettenberg Bay for the Wedge Classic from July 5 to 8.

To read more about the latest news and views in SA bodyboarding circles visit South Africa’s most informative bodyboarding website www.sixty40.co.za

2005 Wimpy/ Rossi Pro-Am Final Results:
(SKZN – Southern KZN)

Pro Final:
Philip Rodrigues (Dbn) R3 800
Sacha Specker (CT) R2 300
Mark Mc Carthy (Richards Bay) R1 700
Wesley Fischer (Dbn) R1 200

Women’s Final:
Karla Costa Taylor (Former Brazilian now living in Pietermaritzburg)
Debbie Patterson (Dbn North)
Robyn Sorenson (Dbn)
Inge Pieters (Margate)

Drop Knee Final:
Sacha Specker (CT)
Sasha Taljaard (Dbn)
Josh Cleve (CT)
Craig Jenkins (Dbn)

Master’s Final:
Mike van Huyssteen (Former Durbanite now living in Gauteng)
John Cawood (Zululand)

Men’s Final:
Wayne du Preez (Bluff)
Martin Otto (Margate)
Sacha Taljaard (Dbn)
Nic du Plooy (Margate)

Junior’s Final (U18):
Adam Morley (Mossel Bay)
Grant Lee (SKZN)
Michael Meyer (Mossel Bay)
Justin Zietsman (Margate)

Boy’s Final (U15)
Dane Beales (Dbn)
Terence Pieters (Margate)
Andries Starke (CT)
Dune Barker (Margate)

Boy’s Final (U12)
Blake Gutzeit (Margate)
Girl’s Final (U16)
Lize-Mari Ras (Zululand)
Liezl von Vollenhoven (Margate)
Kina Meyer (Mossel Bay)

Development
1. Michael Ansermino (Margate)
2. Dane Klusner (Margate)
3. Stephen Brandsma (Margate)
4. Paul Kleanthous (Margate)

Best Judge:
Vaughn Harris (SC)

Best Wave:
Karla Costa-Taylor (Brazil now residing in Pietermaritzburg)

To read more about the latest news and views in SA bodyboarding circles visit South Africa’s most informative bodyboarding website www.sixty40.co.za  

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South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA)
Wayne Beekman
wayne@venturenet.co.za

Olivia Jones Communications
olivia@atomgate.com

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