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Newsletter 5 - 28 May 1996

Beachview Bonanza
This was a special trial held to select a team to represent EP against Border in the three interprovincial contests starting on the 8 & 9 June 1996 in East London. All the entrants met at the Summerstrand Beacon and because of the forecast easterly wind and flat conditions in the bay the venue chosen was Beachview. Of interest to waveski followers was the attendance of all three MacLeod waveskiers, John, Alistair & Ian. It was good to see them in the water after such a long absence and we hope that, business allowing, this continues. When we arrived at Beachview the surf was on the small side (for Beachview!). The sets were rolling in at around 4 foot. However after low tide, when the tide began to push hard, the sets became bigger. So much so, that the last heats were run in surf with sets often pushing the 8 foot mark. This surf was a bit much for some and we had a few retirements. Rudi Joubert, one of our development waveskiers, had to retire in his last round-robin heat because he couldn�t paddle out past the break. All credit to his courage though, because in his previous heats he showed that he wasn�t intimidated by the gnarly Beachview surf. Alistair MacLeod also retired due to a strained back. I had a squeaky escape when, after being knocked over by a wave, found myself in front of one of the island reefs that stick out in the middle of nowhere at Beachview. When I looked up I saw that I was between the reef and a fast approaching wave. With no time to extricate myself from the situation I resigned myself to a trip to Casualty. The wave (and my guardian angel) promptly picked me up and threw me right over the reef into the water on the other side. Not one part of me or my board touched the reef! I decided then and there that I had pushed my luck far enough for the day and retired. I think I will remember that reef for the rest of my life. People like Ian MacLeod and Craig Seale reveled in the large surf and went ape. Aerial after aerial after re-entry after re-entry...... It was quite spectacular. Also impressive at the tender age of 51 was John MacLeod. Mr. Macski still has the moves! He wiped the floor with most of us to make the semis where youth finally managed to prevail. Great show, John! Wayne Magson, one of the new members, surprised all when he squeaked into the final by the skin of his teeth! Well done, Wayne! The final was very closely fought between Ian MacLeod, Craig Seale and Johann Momberg and that was the order of finishing with Wayne Magson making an exhausted 4th place. Ian & Craig were generally neck and neck till near the end of the final when Ian caught a long left breaking wave almost to the beach which included an aerial, a re-entry or two and a successful cover-up. The judges scores for this wave averaged between 7 & 8 out of ten and just pushed Ian ahead of Craig. Arguably the best wave of the day. All in all a successful if nerve-racking (for some) trial. One disappointment is that we didn�t have any lady entrants, so we will not be fielding a ladies team for the interprovincial contests. Selected team members are listed below in random order. There will be team practices on Sunday, 26 May 1996 and Sunday, 2 June 1996. All team members to meet at Summerstarnd Beacon at 09h30. Apologies can be phoned through to Craig at 311593. Open: Craig Seale, Ian MacLeod, Alistair MacLeod, John MacLeod, Andr� Rossi, Anton Van Schoor, Wayne Magson, Gert Roux, Hendri Kroukamp, Naude Kotze, Johann Momberg, Nicholas Cadle. Reserve: Andr� Momberg Junior: Jurie Van Dyk, Rudi Joubert. Reserve: Eugene Van Tonder The first IP contest, as stated, will be in East London on the 8th & 9th June 1996. Members with travel or accommodation problems are to let Craig know timeously so that arrangements can be made.

National Waveski Team Selected
SAWSA have released the names of the SA Representatives to the World Waveski Titles to be held in Durban in July 1996. They are listed below in their seedings. Cadets: 1. R. Griffith (Nat) 2. R. Le Roux (Bor) Veterans: 1. H. Spreng (Nat) 2. P. Smuts (WP) Ladies: 1. L. Le Roux (Bor) 2. T. Sassen (WP) Masters: 1. D. Griffith (Nat) 2. K. Le Roux (Bor) Juniors: 1. J. Momberg (EP) 2. M. Calitz (Bol) Seniors: 1. B. James (Nat) 2. W. James (Nat) 3. R. Purcell (Bor) 4. S. Hugo (Bor) 5. K. Fahrenfort (Nat) Res: S. Shroeder (Bor) Open: 1. G. Kendrick (Nat) 2. M. Kendrick (WP) 3. M. Orsmond (Bor) 4. C. Seale (EP) 5. M. Cowan (Bor) 6. T. Redlinghuys (Bor) 7. D. Hammond (Bor) 8. C. Powell (Nat) Res: J. Kent (Bor) Our congratulations to Craig Seale and Johann Momberg on their selection. Let�s kick some Aussie butt!!

EP Caravan
EP Waveski recently bought a small secondhand caravan from John MacLeod. After the chassis has been strengthened and refurbished, it is the intention to use the caravan for social and competition events. It will have space for a sound/PA system and contest equipment will probably be stored in the caravan. The chassis needs to be strengthened to handle the judging platform that we envisage building over the caravan. EP intend to sell advertising space on the caravan to raise funds. It is a highly visible, mobile billboard and since we intend to use the caravan on numerous occasions throughout the year, we feel it will attract important advertisers.

AGM - 1996
The AGM is on! It will be held on the 12 June 1996 at Cape Receife Lighthouse. Starting time is 18h30 for 19h00. Liquid refreshments will be available from a cash bar. Please study the attached Nomination Form and portion of the EPWSA Constitution regarding AGM procedures, as well as the Agenda. Nominees, nominators and secundus must be present at the AGM for their nominations to be considered. Nominees must consent to their nomination. No press ganging!! The constitution says 2 weeks written notice is required to tender nominations. The current committee have waived this proviso for this AGM and will accept nominations at the AGM so long as they are submitted on the nomination forms. The committee has already received several nominations but all other nominations on the attached form will be welcomed. Note that all are welcome but only paid up members may cast votes. If you are concerned about the people driving waveskiing in EP come and cast your votes. Don�t be an apathetic wimp! Vote! Waveski�s future depends on you! So come one, come all. Come for the AGM and the social evening thereafter, as we initiate the new committee. (He, he!!) Seriously, folks, it is important that anyone even remotely interested in waveskiing attend this AGM.
Well, this is a short newsletter this time round, but I hope to have something bigger in a later issue. I�m still following up on waveski shapers and manufacturers. Another idea I had was to feature popular waveski breaks, say, one break per newsletter. This requires some research so forgive me if I�m not immediately forthcoming with articles. Well, that�s it, folks. See you at the team practices. Everyone try to be there. It�s important for team spirit and waveski solidarity. Imagine 15 waveskiers taking over Pollok or Noordhoek! The stand-ups will have a fit!

Useless Information Dept
Did you know? To paddle from the ski-boat launch area to the bowl out at Noordhoek, takes between 200 and 300 paddle revolutions. I know, I counted! And if you catch 10 - 15 average length rides in a session you paddle more than 2000 revolutions in that session to get back to the break. Happy surfing!

(Copyright - Eastern Province Waveski Association, 1998)