So you wanna be a champion... Competition Strategy in Black and White

Competition Strategy

Doing some reading on the internet can help you fine tune your competition skills. Following what other top athletes are doing might also be a good idea. So, in the next few posts we’ll be speaking to some of the top guys in our sport, identifying their strategies and ways of looking at contest riding.
For now though, this is could be considered the basics for any aspiring contest rider.

Precontest Training

Time your paddle outs - every time
Surf a heat for the first 15 minutes of every free session
Go Big in free surfs! Over emphasize your manoeuvres and length of rides especially during free surfing
Paddle hard, work out, drink lots of water and stay in the shade
It helps to know the place and wave that has been chosen as the competition venue, if you have never been there before you should get there early in the morning to ride before the competition starts
Stretch every day and tune your equipment (Make sure your board is waxed the day before the competition and have a spare leash and fins)

Heat Strategy

1. Watch at least the one heat if not two heats before your own. Study how the waves are breaking; where are the sets coming in and how often; judge a heat in the sand; what does it look like from the beach
2. Check in on time and make sure you put your contest vest on from where you pick it up (this is for the sponsors, but you will be fined if you don’t.)
3. Do not free surf too much prior to your heat
4. Drink lots of water and stay in the shade
5. Use a watch
6. Remember only your best 2 waves will score, so make sure you get 2 scoring waves
7. Try to catch the first quality wave of the heat
8. Manoeuvres in the white water are not scored, so rather get back outside and get another set wave - go for the big manoeuvres outside!
9. Outpaddle your opponent. The option of hassling in the water is up to you, but you should try be out to the peak as fast as possible.
10. Finish each wave cleanly – Show the judges that you are in control
11. Always check your heat sheets. Look at what scores well for the day.
12. Do not catch too many waves - be selective and push into deeper positioning



* ALWAYS BE A GOOD SPORT! IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU! REMAIN POSITIVE, UPBEAT AND WEAR A SMILE AT ALL TIMES - IN THE WATER, ON THE BEACH OR IN THE PARKING LOT! IF YOU LOSE A HEAT LEARN FROM THAT LOSS AND LOOK AT HOW TO IMPROVE. DO NOT COMPLAIN. POSITIVE ATTITUDES HAVE A WAY OF ATTRACTING POSITIVE HAPPENINGS AND PEOPLE. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR NEGATIVE ONES. BE SMART, BE HAPPY! MANY THINGS ARE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL EXCEPT YOUR ATTITUDE WHY NOT MAKE IT A GOOD ONE!

"I love Koel Bay so it was sick to surf the contest there"
I managed to get hold of a busy man for a quick word or two before he got back to work. 2009 was a year to remember for Mark, he learnt a lot and we're hoping that now he's on the road, it'll be the road to more success with many more titles.
Hey bud, we missed you at SA’s this year. Especially seeing as you dominated the SABA tour this year… the year of the “Watts!!” Did you miss not being a part of the Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009?

Ah man it was so hard for me stay home and try learning for my exams, knowing how much you guys were having! That was the first Sa Champs I have missed since 2002 so I was devastated when I found out my varsity exams fell over that same period. I enjoy competing and setting myself goals, seeing what you can really achieve when you work towards something.

Which contest was your favourite this year and why?

Umm...I like them all. Cape Classic maybe... I love Koel Bay so it was sick to surf the contest there and to get pretty fun waves in the corner for the final. It was probably the best showing of Bodyboarding (besides the Cave Rock event, but that’s not a regular feature) put on in the tour this year.

“Spex will be showing face I hope as he is an absolute guru”

So you’re exams are over and it’s nearly time for you to leave for Hawaii. How’s your training gone for that?

Ah the training was going well man. I was feeling good and ready. While I was learning for my exams I was training hard on the gym ball getting my core strong, running lots too, so I was feeling good! Then I finished exams and I was free... so the night life began. Ha-ha. So I got a bit unhealthy and a bit less fit. But at the moment I’m sitting in the dark (06:15 am) in Hawaii. I’ve been here for just over 10 days now and I’m feeling pretty good. Been surfing lots, getting some sun on my body and hanging out with South African’s half way round the world is the best. The crew (Spex, Charles Pass, Jerry, Ryan aka Cracker Janssens, and old man Brandon Foster) have all be working hard. Surfing lots and getting the job done.

“it’s about time we start showing what we've got to offer!”

It’s been rumoured that we might see you doing a couple International events next year, any truth in this and which ones are you looking at?

I was hoping to do the Box event but it looks like that event might not happen now. I’ll be doing the Pipe contest and see how far I can get through that. as for the rest of the tour I’m not sure what’s going to happening but I defiantly want to try and do as many as I can.

Who else, in your opinion, should be making the effort to get on that World Tour for 2010?

Well I know Jared Houston is on it. He’s Bodyboarding amazingly well at the moment. His trip to Australia has defiantly been really good for him. Spex will be showing face I hope as he is an absolute guru. I think there are a lot of guys that should be doing it and many of them I’m not sure why they haven’t already been trying there luck in the international events. I think a lot of us get stuck in ruts or comfort zone at home and it’s about time we start showing what we've got to offer!

It would be awesome if you could defend your title next year, but are we likely to see you at any SABA events next year?

I would love to do some of these events. At the moment I’m just unsure of my travel plans so I don’t want to promise anything. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess but hopefully if everything goes smoothly I’ll be home to do some of the Saba tour and try keep up my good results. Thanks to everyone for all the support my mom especially. Rossi, Iammoster, Limited Edition.

(photos by Specker, Janssens, Bosman, Kruger)

Jared Houston Interview

“I love nothing more than for people to go 'Holy Crap, did you just see that?!?'”

I took a moment to catch up with Jerry, who’s been missed at SABA events since his departure earlier this year. Jerry has been making a name for himself in OZ, turning many heads while he’s trying to break his back. Checkout what he had to say about it…

Hey bud, we missed you at SA’s this year. Especially cause it was on the ‘Wes Kus’ and you could’ve taught some of us East Coasters how to ride those waves. Did you miss not being a part of the Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009 or were you too busy preparing for other things?

Hey Bro! Too be honest I missed being at SA's so bad this year. This has been a pretty tough year for me being away from home for so long and SA's has always been competitive yet a time to relax and catch up with all your mates and degrade some Groms. Some of my best friends made the team this year and I would have loved to have been there to see them do well.

That being said, I love “Famous Last Words” and would really have loved to show North Beach a thing or 2 hehe, just kidding you boys Kill it!

So yeah, never too busy for what’s going on at home! SAFFA for life!

"South Africans freaking rip man"

Where you and what are are you doing at the moment?

I am in Australia! I have been here since June with a short stint in Bali in September. I came over for the Shark Island event, did terribly and decided I had to redeem myself by staying on and doing as much as I can to get noticed.

In all honesty, Oz is an epic place and it’s a Bodyboarders world here, so I will be here for a little while longer, it’s easy to make money to fund my dream and it’s good to be surfing with professionals on a day to day basis! At the moment, I’m split between working a labouring job in Avalon(staying with the man Nick Kruger) and chasing swells with the Cronulla crew(namely Glen Sullivan, Des Govender (emerald owner) and Rich Robson(He is filming my resume).All these guys have looked after me so well and I’m super grateful to them!

“It is safe to say that I will be doing every tour stop I can afford next year and that that’s only the beginning!”

You made a pretty big decision when you decided to stay in Australia and not come home, compete here and carry on with life in Cape Town. Is it safe to say that you will be joining Mark McCarthy and Andre Botha on the tour next year?

Yes it was a big decision, a very hard one at that too, my relationship with my girlfriend of 2 years ended shortly afterwards and I was devastated to say the least. I miss my family and my friends but you know what, I’m sick of seeing every promising bodyboarder from South Africa just fade off the radar either coz they're too scared, lazy or get mixed up in different things.

South Africans freaking rip man and there are a few guys that could have done really well, it takes a few years of hard work to get there, but that’s what it takes!

It is safe to say that I will be doing every tour stop I can afford next year and that that’s only the beginning!

Who else, in your opinion, should be making the effort to get on that World Tour for 2010?

Hmm, this is a hard one, there are a few guys who certainly have what it takes, it’s just a matter of what they want more, you know?

Wattsy is a machine and I think he could definitely do well on the tour, Ratt is another one. Adam Morley gets forgotten about all the time (sometimes his own doing) but he rips and is for sure capable of great things if he wants them. SPECKER, someone get him a proper sponsor and let’s see him right up there with Mark. Wez Fischer too!

As far as the younger crew goes, Terence is still the biggest standout for me and the freaking Ozzie groms would not know what hit them if he had to come over here! If he steps it up in the heavy water and wants it bad enough, big things could await him.

“Shark Island is something else. Believe people when they say it’s not as heavy as it looks, its HEAVIER. WAAAAAY HEAVIER.”

You did really well at the Shark Island Event this year; hopefully next year it can be part of the IBA tour again. What are the events you would choose to travel to and why?

Man, I was totally disappointed with my result but thanks anyway. I was not familiar with the wave at all and it shows, spending the amount of time there that I do now though will see me in much better position next year I think though. If the ‘SIC’ (Shark Island Challenge) sees me banned from tour again next year I most likely will not do it, but we will see.

Unfortunately I have to sit the first half of the year out (Pipe, Brazil and the BOX) due to my participation in this years Island contest. The first event I’m eligible for is Arica which I will be at come Hell or High water next year! From there on I will hopefully do as many euro events as I can, just to establish myself as someone who is in it for the long run and then on to the Canaries in Nov/Dec.

I also hope to compete in as many Oz Pro tour events as possible, they have amazing events and I’d really like to see SABA get too that level soon, we have what it TAKES!

I’ve heard from a couple of guys that the Australians are really taking a liking to you, for your style and willingness to bust. How have you found it fitting in there? Has it been easy to standout?

That’s really good to hear. That’s how it works over here, word of mouth, if you get people talking your on your way.

That has always been my main thing in Bodyboarding, I love nothing more than for people to go 'Holy Crap, did you just see that?!?!?!?', so in a way you could say its been easy, but on the other hand, hitting dry closeouts at Shark Island when all the boys are out is pretty scary so it all balances out.

I froth so much when I hear that people were impressed by me, like after that big vert out the Island on this one swell, Griz(Chris James) tuned me he'd heard from a bunch of guys that I’d been flying, which was really sick. Makes things worthwhile.

I am so happy to be where I am right now, not that I’m this super famous Pro or anything, just happy to be where I am. Grateful.

I saw the other day on Facebook that you had a fun session at Whaley. I really had fun there too and I’ve heard the Player brothers frequent it as well. What have been your favourite places to surf so far?

Yeah, that was a fun lil sesh, Ozzies Froth on craving/snap reverses in the pocket and I had some real steep, pretty tech ones out there that day so I was stoked.

I loved the Box, although I never got it all time, it was sick. Nuggan is lovely, so is Ozzie Pipe.Shark Island is something else. Believe people when they say it’s not as heavy as it looks, its HEAVIER.WAAAAAY HEAVIER.

On the first day of the island comp, myself, Pik and Adam Luehman were getting a few at low tide surge pre heat and Adam confessed that some of the ones coming through on peak were as heavy as Cyclops if not heavier. My Top 2 would have to be Shark Island and a wave down south that I'll call Griz's right ha-ha! Maddest air-bowls ever!

How does Australia compare to home for waves?

We are so blessed at home we have no idea. Oz is sick and probably has more to offer 20ft Reef wise, but the majority of my home breaks are world class in my eyes!

I’ve witnessed it before and would agree with most of the guys when they say that you are the one to watch when Tant is firing, so do you miss it?

Thanks bru. Tant is a very special place for me and I love it! I miss it very much; a lot of guys will argue its overrated and too short and blah blah blah.

Its a fat pit with a massive air bowl, If I may say so myself, my first session back there could be quite something, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

“I wanna hit some MASSIVE sections at backdoor…”

In Durban, Mark Watts and Charles Pass have been preparing for Hawaii with great enthusiasm. Are you pretty excited to get back to the “Rock”? Have you got any other plans, maybe a stay over in Tahiti or something we don’t know about?

Ha-ha! Can’t wait for the Rock, love it there! So happy there are a good crew of Saffas going this year too.

I haven’t got any immediate plans like that, but who knows, Hawaii is still a month away, at the moment I am keeping a very watchful eye on the charts pertaining to a certain lunatic left (if you catch my drift) and hopefully it'll all come together soon, we have had numerous 'almost' days and the last one ended up being pumping so bummed!

But back to the rock, Bru, I am so pumped! So freaking pumped man, this year I wanna hit some MASSIVE sections at backdoor and just rip every surf I have over there, make it count you know?

Are we likely to see you at any SABA events next year?

Bru, I’ll be home in April, so organise Margate and Possibly CT for then please???Ha ha-ha, I would love to compete in those two and the rock, bring on the rock! Also, if I may drop a mad plug, for those of you who love the other side of Bodyboarding, the side that usually takes place at night, next year the IAMMONSTER crew (which I am now a proud member of) have got some real sick plans for Margate event! So be there.

Thanks Jerry,

Any shout-outs you would like to give?

I’d love to thank God (even though I have been such a rat lately and am not deserving of his grace), shout outs to my family, I miss you guys so bad.

My sponsors, SCIENCE CUSTOMS, LIMITED EDITION, IAMONSTER.

Kruger, Lisa, I love you guys thanks for everything! Riviera Hill yewwwww. Des at emerald (actually everyone at emerald) but Des and Lauren, thanks for letting me crash at yours all the time and for the crazy Chow! Doc, Rich, Griz, Luehman, SULLY, Turoy, Brendo, Pence, Ross everyone who has helped me in some way in oz!

Photos by Sacha Specker, Damon Crawford, Steve Jones, Jared Houston, Sixty40 cover by Maurice Aubuchon

Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009

Reef SA Bodyboarding Championships held in Lamberts Bay on the West Coast of South Africa.

Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009 Highlights 1 of 3 from Michael van Huyssteen

Kumba Iron Ore Development Clinic
This was footage taken at the 2009 Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship's Kumba Iron Ore Development Clinic. 40 local kids thought Christmas had come early when they received brand new Bodyboarding kit consisting of a Bodyboard, Fins, Leash and a much needed wetsuit for the cold waters of Lamberts Bay. Lamberts Bay is situated on the West Coast of South Africa about 290Km from Cape Town - Population about 6000.

Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009 Highlights 2 of 3 from Michael van Huyssteen

Champions at the Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009.
All the Champions in 7 divisions: Ladies, Masters, Mens, DK, Boys, Juniors, Pro. The overall provincial Champions received the "Fishman Trophy"

Reef SA Bodyboarding Championship 2009 Highlights 3 of 3 from Michael van Huyssteen

Team Results: Fishman Trophy
02/10/2009 19:33
1 CKZN
2 SKZN
3 WP
4 BOL
5 EP
6 NKZN
SABA Circuit Champions
02/10/2009 19:31
Pro: M Watts (CKZN)
Juniors: A Kleve (WP)
Boys: S Koopmans (WP)
Dropknee: S Tickner (WP)
Mens: S Heale (WP)
Ladies: S Vester (NKZN), T des Rasmos (CKZN)
Masters: M van Huysteen (CKZN)


Pro: Final Results
02/10/2009 19:20
1 S Specker (WP)
2 J Oliff (CKZN)
3 M McCarthy (NKZN)
4 A Waites (CKZN)
5 T Pieters (SKZN), D Lee (SKZN)
7 I Campbell (CKZN), V Harris (BOL)
Juniors: Final Results
02/10/2009 19:15
1 M Webster (BOL)
2 D Lillienfeld (WP)
3 A Waites (CKZN)
4 S Prestwich (SKZN)
Dropknee: Final Results
1 S Specker (WP)
2 V Harris (BOL)
3 W du Preez (CKZN)
4 W Canepa (EP)
Mens: Final Results
1 W Beekman (SKZN)
2 R Venter (SKZN)
3 J Davies (CKZN)
4 J van Daalen (SKZN)
Boys: Final Results
1 S du Preez (CKZN)
2 J Fowler (WP)
3 S Koopmans (WP)
4 R Waites (CKZN)
Ladies: Final Results
1 S Vester (NKZN)
2 L Ras (CKZN)
3 J de Kock (WP)
4 J Norton (SKZN)
Masters: Final Results
1 G Botha (BOL)
2 M Otto (SKZN)
3 M van Huysteen (CKZN)
4 R Scott (WP)