Durban North bodyboarders bring home the gold at SA champs
Saul Basckin and McKayla Boucher were part of the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association (EBA) team that won national titles.
TWO local residents were among the standout performers at the recent SA Bodyboarding Championships in Cape Town.
La Lucia’s Saul Basckin was crowned the winner in the SA Grandmasters division while McKayla Boucher claimed the Girls’ U16 division title.
It was Basckin’s third national title in the over-50 division and McKayla’s second national title, having won the U12 division last year.
The duo were part of a 26-member eThekwini Bodyboarding Association (EBA) team that travelled to the Mother City to compete against some of South Africa’s top riders.
Also read: Hockly wins U23 silver as SA team shine at world champs
McKayla, a Grade Eight learner at Danville Park Girls’ High School, said she has been more consistent with training, which has helped her excel.
“My goal was to win the U16 division. Last year I won the U12 division and prior to that I’d finished second for three consecutive years. I feel I’ve worked harder than before and put in more time in the ocean and been consistent with training. Before this I didn’t care really, I kind of just surfed because I enjoyed the sport. My goal now is to defend the U16 title next year. Bodyboarding has become such a big part of my life and I hope to continue pushing boundaries,” she said.
For Basckin the consensus is similar.
“The competition was incredibly close and the standard of riding was extremely high. Every heat was hard-fought and there was very little separating the riders. Winning another national title makes all those early mornings in the water worthwhile. I also feel getting to the finals is an achievement of itself because of how competitive each division is. I’ve bodyboarded since I was 13 and I’ve now been competing in grandmasters division for the past six years, which has really kept my passion for the sport going,” he said.
- To find out more or to join the free clinics by the EBA, email info@ethekwinibodyboarding.co.za.
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