Klusener triumphs at SA Champs
As the week progressed, the waves got smaller, making it very difficult for the riders.
FOR Dane Klusener (22), winning the men’s division at the recent SA bodyboarding champs at Mossel Bay was more about the team than individual glory. It’s not that he wasn’t stoked, for sure he was, but he was more interested in how the team performed.
“SA champs is totally different in that, when you are paddling out, you are doing it for the team and not wanting to let them down,” said Dane. “They did support me which was great. They are an amazing bunch of guys and it was a such a good trip,” he said.
The Southern KwaZulu-Natal team did very well, coming third overall. “The drive was super long, but it was a good road trip,” said the team’s media officer Brendon van Rooyen.
The first day started off very well, with most riders making it through the rounds. “As the week progressed, the waves got smaller, making it very difficult to surf on such a sharp mussel reef, resulting in at least six riders getting stitches, two of them from the SKZN team,” said Brendon.
Dane sustained a minor cut on the foot but nothing serious. “A couple of our groms got cut up on the rocks but it didn’t stop them getting back in the water,” he said.
On the last day, some serious winds and swells came through, turning the waves on, which saw some unbelievable riding from all divisions.
“Well done to the guys who made the finals and to Dane Klusener, SA champ, winning the men’s division. Martin Grobler came in fourth in the boys’ division and Meagan Nell came third in the women’s finals. Terence Pieters came fourth in dropknee and Storm Prestwich came third in pro,” added Brendon.
For Dane, the win was definitely one of his career highlights, despite having being in the pro division before. It’s just that in the past few seasons he hasn’t had as much time to get in the water, due to a focus on studies and now work. He has completed his civil engineering studies and now works at Kantey and Templer in Durban.
He is looking forward to the forthcoming Southern KwaZulu-Natal champs, as well as being involved (as vice chairman) in organising the South Coast Classic next year. “We’re hoping to make it a good one,” he said.
