Marius Du Plessis floating Noordhoek - PE.

1996 NEWSLETTERS

Newsletter 1 - 5 Jan 1996

Is there anybody out there??
A middling turnout at the Social session on Sunday, 12 November, makes me wonder where all you waveskiers are. What's that you say? You never received you newsletters in time?!? I must apologize, a breakdown in communications made the last newsletter appear a little late. In fact most of the letters were hand delivered by Craig and I in an effort to reach the majority of people on the mailing list in time. We, unfortunately, did not have the time to reach everyone. As it was, those who missed the Social missed a day of fantastic weather, though the surf could have been better. When I arrived there around 11h00, the surf was averaging about 3 -4 ft in the bowl but it dropped off as the tide went out. The low tide made for interesting dodging of shallow rocks and Sandra Pienaar was very keen to see me maintain my title as King Of The Pinnacle. I had to disappoint her though as I stayed well away from there. It was heartening to see two young potential juniors learning to waveski in the shallows. These guys are the future of waveski surfing in SA. With them lie the development of new styles and manoeuvres which mark the progress of any surf sport. About the B&B the night before the social I have no news. I had other commitments and as far as I can tell there were no other Committee members present at the Braai to give me feedback. Not a good situation.

Future Dates
Mark your calendars, diaries, filofaxes, etc. with these dates. 14 Jan 1996 - 1st EP Trial; 28 Jan 1996 - 2nd EP Trial; 10 & 11 Feb 1996 - Kwa-Zula/Natal Open Contest, Durban; 11 Feb 1996 - 3rd EP Trial; 25 Feb 1996 - 4th EP Trial; 10 Mar 1996 - 5th EP Trial; 2,3,4 April 1996 - SA Closed Waveski Champs, Cape Town; 7,8 April 1996 - Colibri/Splash Waveski Challenge, Port Elizabeth; 12 to 21 July 1996 - World Waveski Championships 1996, Durban; October 1996 - World Waveski Gold Coast Challenge, Gold Coast, Australia. Unless you are otherwise notified in a newsletter, all EP Trial contestants are to meet at Summerstrand Beacon at 07h00 for all Trials. To stand a chance to qualify for the EP Team 1996, contestants must participate in at least 3 of the 5 Trials.

EP Trial 1 - Not!
This Trial was postponed due to unfavorable surf conditions and lack of interest! Seven trialists arrived to compete, which was not enough to hold a contest! The contest equipment also failed to make an appearance. We were disappointed by the poor turnout, but assumed people had been discouraged by the fresh east wind that was blowing. Contestants must please, in future, at least arrive at the rendezvous point, whether the weather is favorable or not. Had there been more contestants this trial could have been held at Beachview or Maitlands, where conditions were better. Be that as it may, five of the trialists decided to travel to Beachview for a social surf session. I was one of them and, in spite of the cold water, almost everyone enjoyed themselves. I say almost, because I just sat on my board being quietly scared poopless. I am not particularly fond of Beachview and even though the surf wasn't very large it was quite gnarly and the margin for error between waves and rocks was less than appealing. Craig Seale was seen in a beautiful tube before it 'rolled him out the barrel'. The wind eventually drove us out the water after about two hours. All in all, a disappointing day. EP Trial 1 will be restaged on 14 January 1996. See 'Future Dates'.

EP Trial 2
This trial, initially supposed to be held on the 10th December 1995, will be postponed into the new year. The reasons are the postponement of the 1st Trial and the Border Open Championship held on the 10th December 1995. For these reasons the Bay Waveski Development Classic will also be postponed into the new year. See 'Future Dates'.

Health Matters
Firstly, let me state that I am not a doctor nor a physical education expert, and my advice in this article is based on common sense and advice that I've picked up on the way in my waveski experiences. Waveski Surfing is a sport which makes or "breaks" backs. Think about it. You are strapped to your waveski with nothing but about an inch of high density foam rubber between your board and your backside. Every impact that your board makes with the water in which you surf is transmitted directly into your spine and back muscles. Contrary to common conception, water is not "soft", and the higher the speed and momentum with which you strike water the "harder" it becomes. Think of how painful an uncontrolled bellyflop into a swimming pool is. The same applies to taking a wipe-out or landing from a radical move on your waveski. The impact can often be very jarring and your poor back has to absorb most of it. Surf experience goes a long way preventing back stress, but how much has your back been stressed gaining this experience? Another thing to help your back is ordinary stretch exercises for 20 minutes every day and stretch exercises prior to entering the water. It looks silly and macho but you have a choice - look silly or spend a small fortune on medical and physio bills with the added disadvantage of a premature end to your waveski "career". There are too many people who have had to give up this very enjoyable sport because their backs have decided 'Enough!'. Makes you think, doesn't it? If you are interested in finding out what exercises are best for strengthening your back and keeping it supple speak to your local doctor, physical education teacher, physio-therapist or one of the Provincial waveski surfers. Most of them follow some kind of training routine to keep in shape. The choice is yours, make or 'break'!

It's a New Year and time to shake off the festive season excesses. Trials begin early this year because of the jam-packed national and international waveski calendar, so hit those exercise routines, dodge the Gauteng freeway surfers and get in shape for 1996. The EP Committee wishes you a prosperous 1996, and may your waveski surfing go from strength to strength! Surf's up!

(Copyright - Eastern Province Waveski Association, 1998)