WAKEBOARDING
On the weekend of 1-3 March 2013, South Africa’s top wakeboarders and wakeskaters gathered on the banks of North End Lake, Port Elizabeth, to compete in the second stop of the 2013 South African Pro Wakeboard and Wakeskate tour.
The conditions for the weekend could not have been more ideal. The riders were blessed with flat water, warm weather and a large crowd of supporters. Who would have guessed that PE had so much to offer the sport? It is clear that the Friendly City harbours many keen, young wakeboarders, as the novice division was the biggest division of the event, introducing many fresh, young riders and showing how wakeboarding is growing in South Africa.
The pro men were on top form, all battling it out for that pinnacle position on the podium. In the end it was Cape Town rider, Dylan Mitchell who took first place throwing down a big worm, toeside 720 as well as a heelside back 540. Shaun Faccio did enough to earn him second place, landing a clean front mobe and a peat rose. This left third place to go to one of the youngest pro men riders, Ryan Durham – sticking a switch toeside frontside 900. Incidentally, the two top riders of the comp, Dylan and Shaun, have been chosen to compete in the 2013 Wakeboard World Cup, which takes place in Australia later this month. We wish them a safe trip and all the best for the big event.
The ladies division was also a tightly contested affair that weekend. On top were the two Cape Town ladies, Melissa Colborne and Candice Bacon. Melissa stuck a full clean run taking first and Candice, unfortunately going down on her front roll, landed in second place. Deidre van Niekerk, sadly fell ill during the competition but still pulled through and managed to land a third spot on the podium. These three ladies are now all in contention for the overall tour first place with it all coming down to an interesting and very competitive last stop…
