Future World titles

PhilK · Post by **PhilK** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:59 am

Who knows if there are any thoughts as to holding a future world titles contest in South Africa?

We have some epic waves and there are a few of us Kneelo's around down here!!

SFKneelo · Post by **SFKneelo** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:44 am

Yes, please.

With the young family, that's about what it would take to get me away and on a plane to go someplace I've always wanted to go!

(With family... ouch!!! Better win a lottery!)

southpeakbrad · Post by **southpeakbrad** » Fri May 11, 2007 9:19 am

Hey Phil,
Sorry you couldn't make it to Santa Cruz. You should get a crew together for New Zealand and hold some local comps then you guys will be well on your way to hosting

By the way, where you located? I'm probably coming over in '08.
Brad

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:55 am

Phil I would be there, where you thinking, Durban or Capetown?

Somewhere with an easy paddle out

red · Post by **red** » Sat May 12, 2007 5:11 pm

Phil,
This is an unofficial view - I'm not involved with the world's organisation at all:

SA just needs to get its act together to be in a position to organise a worlds
The reason the one before last was in Tahiti was because the SA organisers failed to deliver and Tahiti stepped into the breech.

Restart the kneeboard clubs - generate enthusiasm and see if you can get something going for 2012 when SA's chance comes around again (NZ 2008 then Australia 2010) - but you'll have to be good to persuade the U.S that you deserve the next chance instead of them.
Europe's also making noises.

I was instrumental in the start of the first SA kneeboard club - the Natal Kneelo Association - a long time ago. We ran the first SA pro contest for kneeboarders and hosted a world's a number of years later.

I was 20, energetic and enthusiastic. That's all you need if you can get a good group of guys together.

Start your own revolution.

PhilK · Post by **PhilK** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:04 am

Mike
I dont mind Cape Town or Durban or any of the great point breaks in betweeen.

Brad
I am located in Cape Town I moved back here in December after 7 years in the UK I will email you my details and if you are in CT get hold of me I wil show you some of our cold classic waves.

Red
We are starting a SA kneelo site at the moment , I have been away for 7 years and have seen that the kneelo scene here has dropped off the contest radar whereas ever where else in the world it seems to be on the up.I am going to try and generate interest as there are still quite a few kneelo's around us guys in our 30's are still ripping and dominating some of the CT surfspots

Cripple Crusader · Post by **Cripple Crusader** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:21 am

Phil, Know Karl at Surf Zone in CT used to run a lot of w-end contests... often used to see them pulling in at Derdes on w-ends..... was 6yrs ago though!!!
Going to be back in CPT in June for 3 weeks... be good to see some kneelos in the water!! Where do you usually surf? Hear there was a corker of a swell on the w-end!!!!

PhilK · Post by **PhilK** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:44 am

Cripple Crusader

Yes swell has been good surfed at OlifantsBos in the Cape point Nature Reserve On sat morning.
We have had a month now of regular 6-10FT swell on Thursday last week Dungeons was going with a 15-18ft SW swell running
I know Karl well he is no longer at surf zone after he did his knees in downhill mountainbiking I dont think he kneeboards much anymore.
I was in the 97 WP team.
I live in Hout Bay so I surf Llandudno, Kommetjie and the Cape point reserve mainly

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:09 am

Back in the day kbing was (relatively) big in RSA, we had excellent SA champs at Seal Point (near JBay) in the early/mid 90's I remember (vaguely) over 70 competitors. As Red said, it needs someone with the drive to make it come alive again.Lots of guys (and gals) have dropped off the radar - its the same old guys still doing their thing....Like most kboarders, theyre into their own thing and then youve also got the North vs South Cape Peninsula split.

All that said CTN has an awesome, varied coastline. If you are prepared to spend a bit on petrol you will always get some surf.

Do we deserve a world champs her, thats the question - maybe we have to establish ourselves again to make it happen....

Cripple Crusader · Post by **Cripple Crusader** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:26 am

Phil. Going to be around CT 18/6-9/7, probably staying in Kenilworth, so will be in the water at Llundud's, Kom & Sea Point.... hopefully be able to hook up for a session. Also hoping for a week up in J-Bay (wife & weather permitting!!) Peter.

Be great to have a Worlds in SA again...... CT has too many ideal venues for it.......... be great to have a mobile comp!!!!

red · Post by **red** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:54 pm

excellent SA champs at Seal Point

Ha ha
Great waves, good vibe - excellent calamari on sale at the van on the beach
I was coach and got done for using a whistle to signal sets to our (WP) competitors "No artificial signalling devices" they said

Good luck, Phil in getting crew back together. I know a lot are overseas, but there's still a ton of talent down there. Time for the worldwide resurgence to hit SA

southpeakbrad · Post by **southpeakbrad** » Mon May 14, 2007 6:24 pm

Phil, just drop me a PM and I'll keep your contact info handy. Brad

Irish · Post by **Irish** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:23 pm

I also spend some years in SA in the 90's and remember quite a few very good kneelos both in CT and Durban. Get Gigs involved he is the godfather of SA kneeboarding and has a LARGE profile over there as you know...he can organise a lot of support for a future world titles as he has so many links and connections within the surfing industry...so get organised and i for one would love to attend a future W Titles in the Republic....
Good luck guys kneeboarding needs a strong south african contingent....

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:34 pm

While in Santa Cruz, I spoke with Gigs a bit about his interest in putting in place an organization to host a world contest in SA. He replied that he really knows the Durban area and loves the breaks for such a contest, but there has been significantly declining safety issues in the city and is concerned it wouldn't a good idea with things as they are.

PhilK · Post by **PhilK** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:38 am

Scott

I agree with Gigs Durban is not that great , however the Natal South Coast a 30-60min drive depending on where you go is perfect for a good contest there are a number of very consistent right hand point breaks in warm water hold the contest between May and Sptember and you are sure to have great surf.

Irish

I was thinking of talking to Gigs he does have all the contacts.
A local kneeboarder Andrew Black is busy setting up a SA Kneelo Website and I will try and use that to start getting support for local contests again we still have quite a few guys around and all surfing to a good level.
I am sure there are plenty of Kneelo's out there who would love a trip to SA for a world title contest

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