WORLD CHAMPION!

Good morning once again. Our first evening in CSF was a bit of shock and awe. My Father had read the signs and left for home early afternoon. The evening was spent handing out Christmas presents and just your general family banter, making sarcastic comments and little innuendos kept the minds sharp and then there was the house rule of taking off your hat which was an immediate and without pardon "strafdop" (penalty drink).....

Skipping forward a few days today was the International World, Cape St Francis King of the Beach Bodysurfing Championships. A few days ago Jason posted the idea on the morning bodysurfing app and an event was born. Entrants came from far and wide across the globe and before we could say Captain Jack Sparrow we had 36 paid entrants! People were scanning the wave and wind apps to check out the conditions and I heard tales of people downloading apps to try to get the slightest of advantage for the Saturday morning. 

With very little time to organise the event it was decided that 8am would be the start time. Some rules were checked, but every competitor at the very least had a copy to peruse and scrutinse. Costume size, wetsuits, kicking, scratching and interference was covered in the comprehensive rulebook. I kid you not, there were at least 46 pages in the user manual. Formula 1 take notes...

Word got out far and wide that the World Championships, International Body Surfing competition of Cape St Francis was ON! It was a go!! Personally I was a bit worried as the day before the day before Hayden Holmes had given us a 27-0 master class in King of the Beach, but notes were taken, video footage was analysed and discussions were had. This was serious business it was!

The time drew near and I guess everyone was doing their own personal bit of secret training as the final practice and final final practice was not too well attended. Rumours were circulating that swimming caps and shaving of hair might be the thing to bring final fame and fortune to the winner! The nerves were beginning to fray! The evening before the event there was a gathering (for the invited few), but it ended early as a good nights sleep seemed to be the right final preparation.  A neat rum here and there was sort of compulsory to tame the jitters.

Today was that day, The King of the Beach, Cape St Francis, International, body surfing World Championships! The plans had been laid, the preparation had been done and Fame and Glory lay at the shoreline. Who would be crowned the Inaugural King of the Beach, International, World Champion?

At 07h45 we left Jackpot (the house) to be on time for this prestigious event. On arrival that the main beach we were met by a contingent of competitors all equally nervous and excited as to who would take home (Holmes) the floating trophy. It was truly an International field and the organisers had surpassed expectations with the choice of venue. Certain thing were not in their hands, such things as rain clouds and wave size. Undertones of moving the event further down the beach to a perhaps better location had been murmured. The organisers stuck to their guns and would not delay the start or move the venue due to the prevailing conditions. F1 take note!

We had received the permits from the authorities about an hour before hand, so nothing was going to stop this event from taking place now. An unfortunate aside, the trucks bringing the grand stand, podium and flags and other bells and whistles was stuck at the Stop and Go, and would not reach the venue in time for the event. Note to Jason... Next time we need them there at least the day before for setup, but we understand that because the permit came through last minute this was unavoidable.

08h02 they took to the water, me included. There might have been about 718 competitors, but perhaps I am over exaggerating slightly. The water was a sublime temperature so well done the organisation. After the 1 and only practice wave, Jason turned the button clockwise for a little more swell size and the event got under way. The early morning horn from the starter hurt no ears, there was too much adrenaline pumping through the veins and before we knew it we were all lined up beyond the back line and ready for the call. 

This is where it all sort of becomes a daze (some would argue that one was in the zone!). A call was made, the wave rolled on in and all of a sudden controlled chaos ensued. 718 competitors swam, jumped, paddled, did water ballet and the wave propelled us in the direction of the shore. According to the rules, the person body surfing the wave furthest to the shore was the winner. The wave was great and I thought that I had a chance, but I bumped into another competitor and held on a bit, but soon realised that he was still in front of me, so I would have lost anyhow. I did not win that one.

Much like F1 qualifying the winner was not the winner until the end, so we all waded back out to sea to set up again for the next call/wave. Stories were exaggerated and yarns were spun as to the best technique on the way back our to the backline, but there had been a clear winner on that wave. The banter on waiting for the next call and wave was second to none. People were being ripped off (made fun of), others were seriously analysing their technique and some were just listening quietly, hoping to pick up tips to the next attempt. 

This show went on for a couple of more waves and again the winner, won, and then he did not. Similar to F1 last season, with Verstappen claiming a good few wins at the beginning of the season, but others also won races in the later half of the season. It was going to be close as to who would emerge eventual World Champion, Cape St Francis International Body Surfing person 2025!

Prize money was that the winner would buy breakfast for all the competitors. This is a slightly odd construction, but bragging rights until the next WCICSFBS would more than compensate for a temporary dent in the bank balance.

Who won the WCICSFBS?     Judges decision was final and although some claim potentially to have perhaps won, it was my brother who paid for breakfast! So proud!!!!! 

The thing about this WCICSFBS was the humbleness of the competition who without venom or spite accepted the verdict of the judges and crowned the Champion CHAMPION! (Take note F1). Well done team!

Looking back on this morning I have extremely fond memories of my participation in this event. Good clean fun is the term to summarise the morning! We have a WINNER! Hail and glory to BRADLEY POTGIETER WCICSFBS CHAMPION! 

Long live the KING!