Lize-Mari to Defend Pro-Am

Defending champ Lize-Mari Ras (Durban) is amongst the top seeded bodyboarders taking part in the eleventh annual Margate Wimpy/Rossi Pro-Am Bodyboarding event at Margate Beach from April 27 to 29. 

“The Wimpy/Rossi Pro-Am has always had some heavy swell and good waves making it great for the competitors as well as the spectators,” commented Wayne Beekman Southern KZN Bodyboarding Association Chairman.

“With the recent storms having restructured the banks along the KZN Coastlines, I think we may well be in for a slightly different kind of event this year. With the outside banks being very deep, the majority of the swell is pushing through onto the newly formed shallow inside banks.

“Late April is nearing the winter season and we usually get some early swell and light offshore winds during this period leading into winter, so we will all be holding thumbs that the weather Gods play in our favour and good old King Neptune sets the scene with some cranking swell,” said Beekman.

Former women’s world bodyboarding champion Karla Costa Taylor (Durban) will pose a major threat to her male counterparts when she takes them on in the lucrative Pro Division.

The R2, 400 prize purse in the Drop Knee division has been sponsored by Factory 7, which has resulted in the renaming of this category which is now known as F7 DK.

The Ladies section will be hotly contested with defending champ Lize-Mari Ras (Durban) coming up against the reigning SA Champ and local rider Inge Pieters (Margate).

Margate Beach, on Kwa Zulu Natal’s south coast, has a reputation for attracting consistent, good quality waves. Spectators can look forward to seeing some spectacular high risk manoeuvres in some nail biting match-ups.

There will be other beach activities such as the Factory 7 trampoline competition and also product give-aways.

Margate Beach Wimpy, Rossi Board Company and Factory7 will again be joining forces as the main sponsors for the event providing lucrative cash prizes for the pro’s and drop knee divisions totalling R14, 400 and much-needed product prizes for other divisions.

The contest is expected to run over two days to allow for a one day window period further improving the likelihood of getting perfect surf. The Wimpy/ Rossi Pro-Am briefing takes place on April 26 at 6.30pm in the Margate Hotel on Marine Drive.