Seal Point Boardriders Club 2024

This year saw the rebirth of the Seal Point Boardriders Club, with a new look, new committee and a whole round of fresh energy.

Committee

Headed up by Dan Thornton as club chairperson, the committee comprises Jade Dace, Chantal Shooter, Lynette Stander, Simon Fish, Ari Kraak and Craig Jarvis. Plenty of parents got involved over the year, with great vibes and camaraderie, and the contest organiser and grom coach was Shane Thorne.

Monthly Grom Comps

The club held a series of Grom Comps over the year, and eight contests were run successfully. A few experienced junior surfers and a few absolute contest novices all hit the water for these fun competitions, with prizes not just for contest winners but also for best moves, best wipe-outs, best wave, most committed, most improved and more. The club enjoyed generous sponsorship for the kids from The Bakery, Pig and Rooster, The Cape St Francis Resort and the Full Stop, and The Brewery for adult hydration. They were a great success, and most contests ended with a quick braai on the beach, a few libations, and good times.

Club Championships

We held the club championships during the year, and the waves at Seals were epic for this event. Battle-hardened surfers, moms and groms alike hit the water with gusto, and there were some fun side events like the paddle battle and more. It was also great to see

Zigzag Editor and local resident Jazz Kuschke entering the contest, acknowledging the importance of club surfing and club culture. He placed a credible 4th in the Over 40’s division.

Final Results

Grom Boys: 1. Slayde Shooter, 2. Max Burrows, 3. Murray-John Boonzaier, 4. Leo Mcleod.

U18 Girls: 1. Hinatea Chretin, 2. Charlotte Reitz, 3. Brin Jarvis, 4. Summer Harding, 5. Maya Weiss.

U18 Boys: 1. Rory Dace, 2. Rylan Jarvis, 3. Troye Jorge, 4. Ollie Boucher.

Ladies: 1. Faye Zoetmulder, 2. Anna Weiss, 3. Flavi Kupczyk, 4. Carryn Plomeretis.

0ver 60’s: 1. Andre Venter, 2. Richard Arderne, 3. Ed Godfrey, 4. Dennis Desilva.

Over 50’s: 1. Bobby Ellis, 2. Julian Werts, 3. Rob Gault, 4. Kevin Boucher.

Over 40’s: 1. Simon Fish, 2. Matt Mcleod, 3. Dan Thornton, 4. Jazz Kuschke.

Paddle Battle:

Males: 1. Slayde Shooter, 2. Leo Mcleod.

Females: 1. Brin Jarvis, 2. Summer Harding.

Open: 1. Rory Dace, 2. Donovan Zoetmulder, 3. Joel Dace, 4. Billy Payne.

Thanks to The Store, Calibre, The Pig and Rooster, The Brewery, Fishstix, Flavii and Surf Sense for the prizes and support

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Club Chair Dan Thornton receives the Cheque from Rotarian Lyn Aitken

Automated External Defibrillator and First Aid Kit

Thanks to a donation from Billy’s Beach and Rotary St Francis, the club was lucky enough to purchase an AED (automated external defibrillator). Billy’s Beach made a substantial donation to Rotary St Francis, which then decided how to use the funds for the best of the community, and the Seal Point Boardriders Club was lucky enough to receive R25k toward the purchase of the EAD.

Dr Malan kindly led a CPR and AED talk and walk-through with paramedic Johan Loubser from Ubabalo Medical.

This presentation was well attended by club parents, committee members, and other interested club members. Charles Black, a trauma therapist at the Ocean Bay Recovery Centre, was also in attendance,

An AED is a simple, ‘idiot-proof’ defib that can be used in emergencies at the beach.

Ventria supplied the AED and donated a highly sophisticated first aid kit and a heavy-duty backpack for the kit and the AED. Thanks to Maria, this kit and AED will be stored at the Pound / Liquid Lines and available for anyone who needs them in emergencies. This first aid kit and AED, along with our shark attack kit at the beach, means that the SPBRC is one of the country’s most equipped and prepared surf clubs in case of emergencies.

Sponsorship

Club member Rory Dace was chosen to represent South Africa at the ISA world junior championships, and the club presented him with some funding to help him get to El Salvador. Rory achieved 9th place, and the club was proud of his performance.

Club Apparel

With their new logo, the club also produced Seal Point Boardriders apparel, which was very popular among its members. Big thanks to Chio Kraak, who made all the apparel for the club and exceptional prices for club members.

End Of Year Function

This will be held during the first week of December, with the date and venue to be finalised. It will comprise a fun evening, surf moves, fundraising, and the Seal Point Boardriders Discoteque.

Club Membership

In 2024, the club did not charge any subs fees for the year, preferring to show club members, parents and interested parties what they were all about. The club will charge membership fees for 2025. The rates are R150 per person per year, with a family mem- bership capped at R600. These fees will be payable at the end of year function.

Chairperson’s Message

“The club had a good year,” said chairperson Dan Thornton. “We set out with some goals and achieved them all and over-achieved with a few others. The club is growing from strength to strength. Our next mission will be to organise inter-club events and motivate other clubs in the area to get involved. Club surfing is the way forward in South Africa, and we want to be the exponents of club culture, to ‘live and die for your surf club.’ See you in 2025.”

Contact:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SealPointBoardRidersClub/ email: sealsboardriders@gmail.com