Riding waves of success – and an interview with Storm and Dune

THE Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal Bodyboarding Association (SKZNBA) held the fourth trial for the 2015 team selection at Lucien beach recently.

For most of the riders, the day was the last opportunity to impress the judges and selection committee, as the only remaining trial will be for the selection of pro riders.

Small clean peaks on a hollow shore-break provided plenty of ramping sections for aerial manoeuvres during the early rounds, but it was a question of the quick and the slammed with some revelling in the punchy conditions, and others struggling to make the fast barrels and sections.

The smooth wave faces of the early morning gave way to wind fanned closeouts of doom, and wave selection and a bit of luck became ever more crucial in most of the heats.

In the men’s and pro division, Dune Barker and Storm Prestwich both surfed at a professional level, landing cleanly executed aerial combinations in both rounds.

The junior division riders were out to flip, and clearly have an all-out game plan forming in anticipation of possible selection for the upcoming South African Bodyboarding Championships.

It was evident in the contest riding of all the trialists that the previous three trials had polished up contest strategy a little and the standard of riding demonstrated by the younger division was impressive.

Very few mistakes were made by some very amped and improved riders.

Team selection promises to be hard for the committee, as overall total scores are bound to be close. A decision will be made in the next few weeks.

All riders would like to extend their thanks to Rory and Sian Fellows-Smith, who steered a smoothly run selection process in their role as club ‘chair-couple’, and made the whole thing happen in the role as herders and totalisers of countless late groms and contestants.

All the parents and supporters make the whole thing worthwhile, and your (sometimes) quiet attendance and support through long days at the beach mean the world to the riders.

A huge thank you to Island Style and Lizzard for providing essential shelter from sun and rain for all the judges and contestants, and to Maniac Energy drink for rocket fuelling some epic heats this year.

* Meanwhile, the Cave Rock Classic took place recently at the infamous break of the same name on Durban’s Bluff coastline.

It was a veritable clash of local and international titans as the event hosted the best of South African bodyboarders and surfers, and drew a large crowd of frothing spectators.

Southern KZN was represented in the melee by local legend Derek Footit, and rising professional star Storm Prestwich.

The long tube rides and huge boosts of the two ensured that they took down some big names during their devastating blitz through the final rounds.

Storm won every heat he surfed on the way to the quarter final round, where he lost on a split point to professional Ricky Basnett.

The standard of riding in the semi-final round was absolutely crazy, and it was a genuine sporting achievement to make the cut.

Derek relied on a looping backflip and a travelling invert air to progress into the final rounds, and was counting on an in depth knowledge of the wave and a fiery determination to earn him first place in the finals.

The final was an intense affair as Derek took on one of the world’s top-rated bodyboarders in the battle for first place, while pro riders Sascha Specker and Stephen du Preez scrapped over the lower placings.

The finalists literally put their bodies on the line, with the line consisting of a razor sharp reef, inches below the grinding lips of Indian Ocean barrels.

In the end, only a small score difference separated Derek’s long tube ride to invert from the world tour veteran’s invert-to-backflip, so it was the Hawaiian rider who narrowly clinched victory as the buzzer ran out on one of the most epic battles to take place in South African bodyboarding in a long time.

INTERVIEW

The South African bodyboarding community has recently been stunned by the dominance of some Southern KwaZulu-Natal Bodyboarding Association riders, with marked success by pro, men’s, junior, ladies and dropknee division riders in the Kumba West Coast Classic and the Cape Classic.

The consistent podium placings of pro rider Storm Prestwich, and men’s division’s Dune Barker garnered the attention of key players in the industry, and both were approached by multinational distributors with sponsorship contracts.

We sat down with them and ran a few questions regarding the brands, the future and exactly what it takes to get to the top.

This was the question and answer session that followed:

Congratulations on your new sponsors, care to fill us in on the companies?

Storm: Agent18. They are an elite Wetsuit company from Australia and are now available in SA.

Dune: Good morning and thank you I was really happy to become part of Reef South Africa which includes Reef wetsuits, Reef bodyboards and stealth fins.

When were you approached with the offers, and what did it take to get noticed?

Storm: Just at the end of May they got into contact with me. Sent me a business contract to sign and the best wetsuit I’ve ever worn so yes, I was sold easily.

Dune: They are based in Cape town and I was approached by Len Bradford via Facebook. I’ve been consistent in my competitive riding and have been noticed on Facebook, that’s how I got sponsored.

How will the added support contribute towards your success on the competitive SABA tour this year?

Storm: Their wetsuits are very warm, comfortable and by far nothing like anything I’ve worn before. So, in essence I’m a lot more focused on my heats and not getting cold and am able to do anything without a heavy wetsuit pulling me down on airs like my old wetsuits. Also, it’s a good mind boost that such an elite company wants me as their rider.

Dune: They keep me warm with their top of the range wetsuits and my riding has improved so much with their boards and stealth fins I couldn’t be more comfortable.. It’s helped me a lot for SABA this year being noticed a lot more and gives me a comfortable mindset with the equipment I have been given.

Will you be representing the brands next in local and national competition?:

Storm: Yes definitely!

Dune: I have won two big competitions this year and am aiming to win the SA champs and the SABA tour this year in my divisions this year to promote the company further!

I have gotten the riders on the South Coast interested in the gear and have many purchasing their gear through Len.

What are you hoping to bring to the brands through sponsorship, and how will you achieve this goal?

Storm: Well obviously to get everyone on to Agent18’s side and support the brand. They put a lot of money into bodyboarding internationally and now that they are in SA they want to or will do the same and make the sport grow. Support those that support you.

Dune: Promoting the brand has been fun because locals are loving the Reef wetsuits coming out, the new reef boards and stylish new stealth fins. Many have been bought already which makes me happy and proud to be a part of this company.

Have you tested their products in decent or cold conditions yet? Any thoughts to share?

Storm: Yes I have and it’s safe to say the colder the water the warmer you are. They really are next level when it comes to wetsuit technology.

Dune: I have clocked up some really solid contest results on the boards, and found them to be world class in terms of speed and rail performance. My surfs this winter are the longest of my life, it feels like I am dry most of the time.

Can riders get in contact with you with regards to purchasing the gear, or are there retailers that you can direct potential clients towards?

Storm: Yes. of course. Get hold of me on social media at @stormprestwich or Agent18 @agenteighteenza.

Dune: Please do, find me on Facebook or the beach, I would be stoked to talk to anyone about this kit.

Any upcoming product releases that we should look out for?

Storm: The winter shipment had just come in and there are some really crazy wetsuits. Also, the summer shipment is what I’m really excited for. There are some cool things coming.

Dune: The current range of winter suits is not only amazingly warm, but very well priced. Take a look and try one on at your local stockist, you will be shocked at how easy it is to move in a Reef wetsuit.

Any final thoughts to share?

Storm: Keep warm this winter like me and let’s get the sport of bodyboarding to grow.

Dune: Watch out for me this year on the SABA tour and at SA champs. Everyone around soon will be enjoying Reef South Africa as much as me.
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