Members of the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association (EBA) say that they are looking forward to taking on bigger surfs in the future.
This comes after these athletes, who were part of the 26-member EBA team strutted their stuff at the SA Bodyboarding Championships in Cape Town recently.
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Ambitious Munashe Sihamba from Manor Gardens in Durban, who finished second in the girls Under 10 division, was pleased with her overall results.
“At first I was honestly really disappointed but then my aunty told me that as long as you had fun and put in the effort that was needed.”
The primary school pupil said that she put in a lot of preparation to get ready for the competition.
“I also do ballet and the things that I do in ballet have helped me with my bodyboarding, such as my leg strength, arm strength and my core strength which also helps me in the water.”
She shared some advice for young girls who wish to see themselves in a similar position.
“Bodyboarding is an individual sport and a team sport. For a team sport, you need to be a really good team player and for it to be individual, you need to be really kind to yourself and put in the effort and practise as much as you can to get the win that you think you deserve.”
Meanwhile Sihle Xaba, a resident of Glenwood, but originally from Lamontville, said that he was also happy with the outcome of the competition.
Xaba participated in the men’s division and took second place overall in the finals. He also scooped the Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row.
“I am really proud of the results. Last year I won and this year I was defending my SA title, though it was very close between me and the winner. It really felt good.”
He said that there were no fears for him, going into this sport.
“There were no fears, but in this sport one always has concerns about the waves, and the wind conditions as we always look forward to competing in good, if not perfect, sea conditions.
“This time, conditions were very difficult and challenging. Waves were really small, sometimes winds were not favourable, which made it even more challenging. I guess mother nature had other plans for us which is cool because I am quite used to such.”
Xaba said that he fell in love with bodyboarding after Crispin Hemson from the Natal Bodyboarding Association came to their lifesaving club at eThekwini Beach and introduced the sport to him.
He said his preparation for this competition included a lot of physical training and mental preparation as contests tended to be stressful for him. He practised bodyboarding daily and trained religiously with his team members on Sundays.
Xaba said that he drew inspiration from a lot of individuals such as Darrin Boucher, the chairperson of the EBA, legendary Mike van Huyssteen, Jean-Mac Tostee of Surf HQ Surf Shop, Saul Basckin, Mika Justino of Mstar Distribution, his fellow bodyboarders Sasha Taljaard, Wayne du Preez, Nic Westman, Vange Ackerman from ZA BOOGIE.CO.ZA , and Andrew Campbell. He added the whole EBA Team has been a huge part of his motivation, especially the little grommets.
Xaba, who is also a lifeguard and actor, said he intended to compete more and also give back to the sport by helping youngsters to get to competition level and assist the sport of bodyboarding to grow.
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