GROWING bodyboarding beyond the shores of Durban is a high priority for South African (SA) champion Tracy Delport and the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association who have partnered to host regular free clinics on North Beach for aspiring bodyboarders and ocean lovers in a bid to raise awareness about the sport.

On Sunday (October 20), the clinic at the Bay of Plenty Beach drew in a large crowd of young and old bodyboarders who had the privilege of getting tutelage from Delport, Debbie Patterson (youngest SA women’s champion) and IBC world number six Pamela Bowren while treading water with SA men’s number two Keegan Boucher, U16 champ McKayla Boucher and Caitlyn Steenkamp who ranks second among SA women.

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The 07:00–09:00 session began with stretching and learning techniques on dry land before the bodyboarders suited up to ride the waves of the open seas under the guidance of Delport, Patterson and Bowren. Delport said they want to grow the sport of bodyboarding, and they looking for support in doing so.

“Bodyboarding is a culturally diverse sport which does not get a lot of recognition. I have been involved in bodyboarding clinics for a number of years in the hopes of raising awareness of the sport and trying to get as many kids into the water as possible, purely for the love of it and seeing the enjoyment it brings to the children who join the clinics.

“I also coach every Friday afternoon, and I have worked with quite a few kids over the years who have grown and started achieving success in the sport,” said Delport.

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She said that bodyboarding needs more exposure as it gains more traction among young people, with some coming as far as Lamontville and uMlazi to be part of the clinics.

“It was an honour to have Pam take the clinic as our guest for this session as she rides the world tour in bodyboarding. She is ranked sixth in the world which is a massive accomplishment for South Africa as athletes in the sport struggle for financial support. But we are passionate about the sport, and the clinics give us time with the kids in the water, and we are loving the positivity, confidence and growth that we are seeing among the children,” said Delport.

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Her sentiments and positivity were shared by eight-year-old Jack Bezuidenhout’s mother, Vernie, who was impressed by her son’s confidence on a bodyboard as she watched the morning’s session.

“He loves going to the beach and bodyboarding with his dad,” said Bezuidenhout, who is also a swimming instructor. “Attending this clinic was a great opportunity that we could not miss. Jack has been swimming since he was four months old and loves being in the water. He attends bodyboarding classes with his school and often goes out to sea with his dad. We are an outdoorsy family, and the sport is a good form of exercise. Being out on his board and in the ocean among other children gives him joy – they get to be kids and be free while doing a sport they love.”

The chairperson of the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association and SA Grandmaster, Saul Basckin, said the clinics are free and open to the young and old. “Everyone is welcome – bring your board down and be part of the session. The clinics start at 15:00 on Friday, and they are overseen by the association,” added Basckin.

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