The 2024 South African Bodyboarding Championships, held from September 22nd to 26th in Port Alfred, concluded with the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association (EBA) claiming the coveted overall team title. In a thrilling showdown, they dethroned the reigning champions, Cape Town Bodyboarding (CTB). The event attracted around 140 talented body boarders, competing across a wide range of divisions, including boys, juniors, pros, men’s, ladies, development categories, grand masters, and drop knee, showcasing the sport’s diverse skill levels.
At the 37th edition of the SA Bodyboarding Championships, Ethekwini emerged victorious against fierce competition from provincial units such as Cape Winelands, Eden, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Cape Town Bodyboarding. The contest commenced at the iconic Halfway Beach, but as conditions evolved, it relocated to West Beach, where athletes faced challenging swells of up to 6 feet, compounded by strong winds that tested their skills and adaptability.
This year’s championship not only highlighted the rising talent in the sport but also emphasized the tactical prowess and resilience of seasoned competitors, with Ethekwini’s triumph marking a significant milestone in their bodyboarding legacy.
Clinton Millard, former SA bodyboarding champion and local competition organizer, expressed satisfaction with the smooth proceedings, highlighting the support from local sponsors and the introduction of live streaming for the first time.
With her extensive 30-year tenure in senior roles, Pat Harris has significantly impacted South African bodyboarding. Her optimism about the event’s success highlights both the contestable waves of Port Alfred and the strong community support from likes of the Royal St Andrews Hotel, Reef South Africa, Multi Security, Sun Zapper South Africa, Absa Bank SA, BS Sports, Sunshine Coast Port Alfred, Edge Financial Group and ZA Boogie. It’s great to see such a tight-knit community supporting the sport and helping to elevate its prominence in the region.
Judges emphasized strict adherence to competition rules, with warnings already issued regarding penalties for rule violations. Disputes must be presented to a special panel within a 20-minute to avoid point deductions. A significant boost to the competition was the inclusion of experienced French official Tom Cahour, who joined the judging panel alongside his South African counterparts.
Despite the challenging conditions, the competition was an extraordinary showcase of talent and sportsmanship, reinforcing the championship’s prestige in South African bodyboarding. Aden Kleve achieved an incredible feat by securing both the Pro and Drop Knee Titles—a rare accomplishment in South African bodyboarding history for the second time. Nicholas Westman scored the only 10 of the event in his round 2 elimination round with a long barrel-to-roll combo at the main west beach peak.
A big shout-out to all the riders, parents, officials, and sponsors for making the 2024 South African Bodyboarding Championships another memorable event for the books! Your support and dedication are what make this event special year after year.
SABA Tour Winners 2024
- Boys U8 – Noah Harris (EDEN)
- Girls U12 – McKayla Boucher (EBA)
- Boys U12 – Eduart Kleinhog (CWB)
- Grandmasters – Saul Basckin (EBA)
- Masters – Ashley De Pontes (NMBA)
- Ladies – Tracy Delport (EBA)
- Mens – Clinton Millard (NMBA)
- DK – Ashley De Pontes (NMBA)
- Boys – Taylor Halse (NMBA)
- Juniors – Hugo Naude (EDEN)
- Pro – Hugo Naude (EDEN)
Team Event – Fishman Trophy 2024
- 1st: eThekwini Bodyboarding – 16,916 Points
- 2nd: Cape Town Bodyboarding – 13,938 Points
- 3rd: Cape Winelands Bodyboarding – 13,462 Points
- 4th: Nelson Mandela Bay Bodyboarding – 9,934 Points
- 5th: EDEN Bodyboarding – 9,323 Points
- Best Wave of the contest – Nick Westman – Perfect 10
- Best Move of the contest – Vaughn Harris
- Most Senior Rider of the contest – Micheal Van Huyssteen
- Most Improved Riders – Taio Coulonval and Noah Harris
- Ivan Friedman Award – Clinton Millard
- Top Judges – Luke Goder, Angelo Ackerman, and Wayne Berry
Development Boys U8: - 1st Seder Smit (CTB)
- 2nd Noah Harris (EDEN)
- 3rd Zion JV Rensburg (CTB)
Development Boys U12: - 1st Ben Potz (CTB)
- 2nd Eduard Kleinloog (CWB)
- 3rd Blaize van Rooyen (CTB)
GIRLS UNDER 12: - 1st Taio Coulonval (EBA)
- 2nd McKayla Boucher (EBA)
- 3rd Shiloh Taljaard (EBA)
BOYS: - 1st Leo Molligan (EBA)
- 2nd Liam Stander (CTB)
- 3rd Finn Randall (CTB)
- 4th Dean Hart (EBA)
JUNIORS: - 1st Hugo Naude (EDEN)
- 2nd Mika Justino (EBA)
- 3rd John Krige (CTB)
- 4th Tristan Hubbard (EBA)
LADIES: - 1st Tracy Delport (EBA)
- 2nd Caitlin Steenkamp (EBA)
- 3rd Lezandre Wolmerans (CWB)
- 4th Vashti Craig (EDEN)
- 5th Layla Heyns (EDEN)
GRAND MASTERS: - 1st Saul Basckin (EBA)
- 2nd Michael van Huyssteen (EBA)
- 3rd Jacques Roestoff (EBA)
- 4th Riaan Du Preez (CWB)
MASTERS: - 1st Clinton Millard (NMBA)
- 2nd Wayne Craig (EDEN)
- 3rd Ashley De Pontes (NMBA)
- 4th Ralph Hoppe (CTB)
DROP KNEE: - 1st Aden Kleve (CTB)
- 2nd Nicholas Westman (EBA)
- 3rd Sascha Taljaard (EBA)
- 4th William Wilkinson (EDEN)
JUNIORS: - 1st Hugo Naude (EDEN)
- 2nd Mika Justino (EBA)
- 3rd John Krige (CTB)
- 4th Tristan Hubbard (EBA)
MENS: - 1st Roland Jack (CWB)
- 2nd Kade Howarth (EDEN)
- 3rd Bart Larter (CTB)
- 4th St John Calitz (CTB)
PRO: - Tie 7th Nicolas Westman (EBA) and Vaughn Harris (EDEN)
- Tie 5th IIlyaas Samai (CTB) and Wesley Coetzee (NMBA)
- 4th Hugo Naude (EDEN)
- 3rd Victor Holloway (CWB)
- 2nd Teegan Coulonval (CWB)
- 1st Aden Kleve (CTB)
All pics by Talk of the Town, ZA Boogie & Brett Smith – Ndlambe wildlife and scenic photography
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