After the first half of the 2012 Auto-Sleepers British Bodyboard Tour was plagued by swell related postponements; the early Autumn looks like being a fixture packed season for the UK’s top spongers.
BBC Chairman Rich Hall said “The Welsh and Wedge comps were postponed due to lack of swell, and the Mawgan Porth event had to be moved from the bank holiday due to safety concerns; this means that we’ll have a very compressed competition season this year. But we’ve stayed true to our mission statement of only holding events where/when there is a chance of displaying bodyboarding as a high performance sport – which I hope everyone appreciates”.
He continued, “We have the Porthtowan, Portrush and Portreath events steaming ahead on their planned dates, and MP and the Wedge comp to try to factor in as well. I would dearly love to get the Welsh comp back on-line too, but the available dates may scupper that. As it is, we may need to look at a mid-week timing for the Wedge comp – which I know isn’t ideal for everyone, but it’s now about getting the Tour actually run this year.”
With BBC staff looking set to have to put their Autumn on hold, they will be seeking additional help over and above the usual core of judges and helpers. Anyone with judging experience or who is able to give a Saturday/weekend in September or October should contact the BBC via britishbodyboardclub.co.uk
Competitors are advised to keep a close eye on the BBC calendar for updates and to get their entries in early. Entry monies will be refunded in the event that a competition doesn’t run – or these can be carried forward to another event, so you won’t lose out.
The youngsters will have a busy few weeks too, with the British Nationals age divisions being run at the Bodyboard HQ Porthtowan Classic. In the run-up to this there is the Found/Bodyboard Depot Junior Showdown and the Grom club with heat drills and coaching supported by the BBC.
In other news, the ISA recently announced that the 2012 Bodyboard World Championships will be held in Venezuela this November. The 2012 ASG Tour champions in the Open, DK & Women’s divisions will be automatic first drafts, and the BBC will be aiming to give the team all the support it possibly can.