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Newsletter 8 - 26 September 1996

Border / EP Interprovincial 1
Years ago, interprovincial contests used to be the norm, not the exception, as is currently the case. This contest between EP & Border existed a couple of years ago as the Kowie 1000 and was a one-off held in Port Alfred. After various logistical and organization changes and delays, the EP & Border committees got stuck in and put this series together, known as the EP/Border Interprovincial Championship Series. It consists of three events held at three different, relatively unknown surf breaks. This was done to nullify, as far as possible, the 'home break advantage syndrome'. Let's face it, with few exceptions, Border rule the roost at Nahoon and EP have Noordhoek taped. Also, Border weren't terribly keen to surf any of PE's local breaks because of the inconsistency of the surf. (Anyone remember the 1996 Colibri Splash? The wave size just barely made it into the ASRO definition of a contest wave!) Ja-nee, swaer, the Aloe Vera boeties are into fair play these days (since when?!) and the Elephant crowd must maar toe-the-line, eks�! Be that as it may, three venues were chosen for the series viz Round 1 - Seal Point Beach, St. Francis Bay, Round 2 - Queensbury Bay, East London and the old faithful for Round 3, East Beach, Port Alfred. It was also decided to include an open contest running concurrently with the team event to attract bigger entries. Round 1 was held recently (31 August / 1 September 1996) at Seal Point Beach and Border arrived with 16 entrants, a good portion of whom were novices, getting contest experience. This was ample proof that Border were driving their Development campaign with force. EP fielded 14 entrants with a small novice component, too. The contest got started on Saturday after lunch with a blustery SW wind making things difficult for contestants. Swell size was 3 - 4 foot with a rare larger set coming through. A quirk in Seal Point's beach break was the way that, as the tide changed, so the peaks moved around and the swell size changed too. One heat would battle to make the requisite 3 waves per person in very lack-lustre surf whereas the very next heat would have constant sets with consistent size and shape. Spectators were often amused to watch competitors in a heat rush from one side of the contest area to the other in an effort to catch waves. The EP Team surprised all by taking the first round by a comfortable margin of more than 100 points. The top EP riders all got good placings with people like Marius Du Plessis, Craig Seale, John & Ian MacLeod standing out. Border riders of note were "Turbo" Tim, Michael Cowan & D. Hammond. And so ended Day 1 of the contest. That evening a pleasant get together was held at the Border Team's chalets with a braai and other entertainment put on by the Border novices. Several new members joined Andr� Rossi's Buffalo Club, only to pay the true price (far more than the 20c enrolling fee) later in the evening when their attention lapsed. The evening ended late for many (or early in the morning, if you wish) and there were quite a few bleary-eyed contestants at the next day's heats. Day 2 started off bright and calm and the surf was a ridable 3 - 4 foot. The wind turned as the day progressed ensuring that the finals were held in 3 - 4 foot washing machine mush. EP didn't have things their own way this round and had a strong fight from Border but still managed to beat them by 52 points. The Final of the Open contest had its share of shocks as Craig Seale was marked for interference on Michael Cowan and relegated to the also-rans. Results follow: TEAM EVENT: EP Border Rnd 1 1024 908 Rnd 2 996 944 TOTALS 2010 1852 OPEN EVENT: 1. Ian Macleod (EP) 2. Michael Cowan (Bor) 3. Marius Du Plessis (EP) 4. Craig Seale (EP) 5. Johann Momberg (EP) 6. Jacques Kent (Bor) 7. Ronnie Ackerman (EP) 8. Andr� Rossi (EP) The remaining results are as follows: (9) J. Perry (Bor), (10) T. Redlinghuys (Bor), (11) S. Shroeder (Bor), (12) N. Cadle (EP), (13) N. Kotze (EP), (14) D. Hammond (Bor), (15) S. Holmes (Bor), (16) J. MacLeod (EP), (17) A. Momberg (EP), (18) E. O'Neill (Bor), (19) S. McBain (Bor), (20) G. Roux (EP), (21) R. Joubert (EP), (22) C. Barnard (Bor), (23) C. De Brake (Bor), (24) J. Grobbelaar (Bor), (25) R. Nel (Bor), (26) C. Frau (EP), (27) C. Sparg (Bor), (28) G. Chase (Bor), (29) Akona (Bor), G. Lindeman. Round 1 of the series goes to EP, with Border thirsting for revenge! See you all at Queensbury!

EP Closed Champs & Interprovincial Trial
The EP Waveski committee are keeping the results of the EP Closed Champs to themselves. Anyone who wants to know the results can attend the Prizegiving that is to be held later in the year. Sods! Be that as it may, the EP Closed was also used to choose the 12 man EP team to travel to East London to take on Border in Round 2 of the EP / Border Interprovincial Championship Series at Queensbury Bay. With all the swell that's been running the last couple of weeks, it could be a very interesting contest. The EP Closed was held at Noordhoek on Sunday, 22 September 1996, and in spite of the late notice of the contest, the turnout was good. Some new faces and some old forgotten faces were there to compete for EP honours. Welcome to Jean Engela, as one of our new novice entrants. I hope the contest was an enlightening experience for you. It was good to see Natalie Voss at a contest again after a long break to concentrate on her studies. The contest started in fine weather with a good offshore 3 - 6 foot swell running. It wasn't long before the wind turned and became fresh onshore and turned the surf into mush. The 12 man team selected to represent EP at the next Interprovincial are listed below (and, no, the list is not according to seeding, Naude!): 1. Ronnie Ackerman 2. Nick Cadle 3. Marius Du Plessis 4. Naude Kotze 5. Andr� Momberg 6. Johann Momberg 7. Andr� Rossi 8. Gert Roux 9. Anton Van Schoor 10. Anthony Haynes 11. Craig Seale 12. Rudi Joubert Res: Eugene Van Tonder See the attached entry form for more details on the Interprovincial.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS �96
The New Zealand Waveski Championships were held at Tauranga Bay near Westport over Easter this year. They had a fair sized turnout of Aussies, too. Results follow: OPEN: 1. Matt Tyson (Christchurch) 2. Dave Mitchell (Wellington) 3. Neil Dekker (Australia) 4. Lance Milne (Australia) SENIORS: 1. Vince Gardner (Auckland) 2. Neil Dekker (Australia) 3. Steve O'Shaughnessy (Christchurch) 4. Peter Van Hout (Christchurch) MASTERS: 1. Steve Gibbs (Gisborne) 2. Glen Pogue (Australia) 3. Denis Hewison (Christchurch) LADIES: 1. Heather Seaton (Christchurch) 2. Sue Carbines (Christchurch)

SMALLS
Ronski custom waveski for sale, no straps or fins. To float 85kg medium height person. Value R400 negotiable. Contact Craig at 660772 (a/h).

Rumours
Ronnie Ackerman has a new nickname. He has progressed from being Ronnie Ackerdis to Ronnie Hackerman! Probability: Very good!. Reason: You figure it out!
The 1997 World Waveski Titles are to be held from the 15 - 22 March 1997 on the Australian Gold Coast. Probability: Fair, though the New Zealanders seem to know more than their Aussie counterparts who are organizing the contest. The Western Australian Waveski Association Internet Home Page still lists the contest as 'Date to be announced.' Where's the communication, guys??
Still no news from whomever is supposed to give us the news about the 1996 World Champs results. And our Australasian brethren have communication problems!!!
Happing 'skiing!!! See you in the water.

(Copyright - Eastern Province Waveski Association, 1998)