Wife and Husband Make History

Two-times Women’s World Champion Karla Costa-Taylor and husband Alistair Taylor (both Durban) completely dominated the Wimpy/Rossi Pro-Am held at Margate Beach over the long weekend. 

The couple won the Ladies and Pro divisions in testing surf, which ranged between 3 to 8ft during the three-day 4A Rated South African Bodyboarding Association (SABA) event.

The Taylors’ victory has cemented the pair in the history of SA bodyboarding (and possibly bodyboarding worldwide), after Karla and her husband each won the premier titles at the same contest.

Karla laid down great scores, like the stunning 9-point ride in the final, and also competed in the male dominated Pro Division, going as far as the quarter finals before finishing 13th in a field of 40 of South Africa’s best.

These achievements bodes well for their three-year old son Joshua, who has already proved to be passionate about bodyboarding.

The 2007 Wimpy / Rossi Pro Am, was the second stop on the SA Bodyboarding Association National Circuit, and proved to be a real exercise in endurance this year.

Day two of the three day event saw a cold front with gale force SW winds blow its way up the Hibiscus Coast, sending in solid 4-8 ft waves for the final day of competition at Margate Beach.

Along with the strong winter swell came a freight train of a current that wreaked havoc with competitors’ paddle outs in every heat.

The drama began early in the day with Jocelyn Norton being dispatched to the hospital emergency room, after a mistimed jump from the rocks into the water.

Because of the near-impossible paddle out from the main beach, contestants were forced to use an access point about 100m away, which was the only real option in getting out to the back line.

SKZNBA would like to thank Wimpy Margate Beach, Rossi Boards, Factory 7, sixty40, Surf M’Ocean, Island Style, O’Neill, Ocean Eyewear, Realty1, No Friends USA, SABA, Coca Cola and Criss Cross Security. Thanks also go to all the judges, totalisers, spectators and everyone who helped make the event a success.

Results:
1 Karla Costa-Taylor (CN)
2 Tamra Aaron (SKZN)
3 Liezl van Vollenhoven (SKZN)
4 Jocelyn Norton (SKZN)