AW E H
This is a labour of love. This is The Pit™ - a South African bodyboarding group, blog and ‘zine, with the sole intention of sharing the work of local photographers and videographers who spend their time documenting local riders. So, here’s a little taste of what’s going down along the South African coastline and a look at some pumping pits. In this 1st edition; we grab a few words with Plett grom, Niklas Martin, and see what he has to say, share some photos of recent sessions along the coast, and catch up with Durban bodyboarder, Sean “Ballie” Muller. If you’re amped to get involved - get in touch. You can also send your photo submissions through and I’ll keep you posted. The Pit™ is a bodyboarding community based project that would not exist without you - one love.
Underground bodyboarding culture. Aweh. I hope you enjoy the 1st Edition, catch you in the water!
The Pit™
Graham Wiles
graham_wiles@yahoo.com
PHOTO: Lavanya Naidoo
CONTENTS
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52
PHOTO: Willem Theron
Nik Martin
is a 17-year-old bodyboarder from Plettenberg Bay. Putting in the hours on the water, here are a few quick words: Focus, along with a whole lot of determination & passion; that is what makes me who I am today. My everyday activities revolve around bodyboarding and I do everything I can to be in the ocean as long as I can, as often as I can. I live in a small house on top of a hill that overlooks the wild waves of Keurboomstrand. My parents are extremely supportive of my bodyboarding lifestyle and allow me to travel for both competitive and free-surf sessions. My brother, Leon, also bodyboards and I really enjoy surfing with him and the rest of the Wedge Crew at spots all over Plett. We always push each other to ride on the next level, which has undoubtedly upped my game.
DK or Prone: 99% Prone
Local Spots: Plett Wedge, The Wreck, Lookout & Natures Valley
Music you wish your friends were listening to: The soundtrack from “The Art of Flight”- by far the best snowboarding movie I’ve seen.
Favourite local & international bodyboarder: My favourite South African bodyboarder is without a doubt, Jared Houston, whilst my favourite ...
international bodyboarder is Mitch Rawlins. Both are smooth and stylish riders, setting the standard I want to reach!
When the surfs flat: I hang out with my family and friends, do my schoolwork, skate or earn some bucks at the local surf school.
I love bodyboarding because: The ocean is my element, and bodyboarding allows me to be at one with it.
School / 9 - 5: Oakhill College, Knysna.
Goals: Do well on the SABA Tour 2012, get Springbok Colours, travel overseas and make a name for myself internationally.
Clubs: We have no clubs in Plett, but The Wedge Crew always hangs out together.
Aweh: Thanks to The Pit, my friends & family for their constant support, & my sponsors, ZION South Africa & Mexican Surfwear, for keeping me warm!
PHOTO: Willem Theron
PHOTO: Pierre Marqua
PHOTO: Pierre Marqua
RIDER: Niklas Martin
PHOTO: Bryan Paynter
RIDER: Andy Green
PHOTO: Graham Wiles
RIDER: Clayton Harris
PHOTO: Claire Butler
RIDER: Unknown
PHOTO: Tyler Walker
PHOTO: Adam Waites
RIDER: Alex Chang
RIDER: Graham Wiles
PHOTO: Duncan Harris
RIDER: Bryan Paynter
PHOTO: Graham Wiles
RIDER: Ryan Collins
DAVID LILIENFELD
17/04/12 14:04 - LLANDUDNO
WW W.TH E P I T.CO.Z A
PHOTO: Chris Clarke
RIDER: Simon Williamson
PHOTO: Frans Lombard
RIDER: Mafoos Lombard
PHOTO: Claire Butler
RIDER: Unknown
PHOTO: Graham Wiles
PHOTO: Louis van Rooyen
RIDER: Greg Fraser
RIDER: Warren Van Der Merwe
PHOTO: Errol Wiles
PHOTO: Daniel Grebe
RIDER: Chris Green
RIDER: None
PHOTO: Simon Heale
RIDER: Bas Koopmans
PHOTO: Bryan Paynter
RIDER: Chris Green
PHOTO: Daniel Grebe
RIDER: Brendon van Wyk
PHOTO: Chris Van Lennep / Action Beyond Bodyboarding Magazine, USA, JAN 1990
SEAN MULLER
started Bodyboarding in 1982 at the age of 12, before bottom slicks, channels & bicep leashes were even invented, back in the day when bodyboarders still rode with twin skeggs and foot leashes. He started competing for North Swell Bodyboard Club when he was 13 and competed in the first ever official SA Champs in 1987, placing 2nd. Having ridden for Team Morey from 1988 until 1992, Sean was chosen to represent SA in Hawaii at the Bodyboarding World Champs in 1992, but got a dame pregnant on a surf trip to East London and got left behind. He won the AAA rated Lazer 2 Classic in 1990 and made the final of almost every major bodyboarding event in SA between 1987 – 1992. Sean then took a break from competitive bodyboarding and focused on free surfing, trying to look good in a suit, and feeding the new family. He got married 5 years ago for the first time and now has 3 kids, age 20, 19 and 5, all from different moms. “It’s complicated,” he says, but still bodyboards a few times a week. Currently riding for Warner Beach Bodyboarding Club, he also made this year’s CKZN team in the Bullets Division. Sean is a partner in a technology company and shareholder in Maniac Bodyboarding Accessories, a new South African brand of accessories, soon to be launched in SA.
Years in the water: 30-ish
Favourite local & International break: Cave Rock & Madagascar - No crowds.
...
Favourite Up-and-Coming Local Bodyboarders: Storm Prestwich, Stephen Du Preez and Dylan van Tonder on the knee.
When the surfs flat: I spend time with my beautiful wife, 3 kids and work on developing new Maniac Bodyboarding Accessories.
I love bodyboarding because: It’s as much a part of my life as breathing.
9 - 5: Try squeeze in an early morning wave, send very important e-mails, do lots of very important things, meet very important people, get home between 6 - 8pm, spend some time with the family, then work on Maniac ‘til 11ish, and ZzZzZz ...
Goals for 2012: Nurse my back through one last SA Champs and get Maniac going so that I can put back into SA Bodyboarding.
Aweh: BIG UPS to all the South African bodyboarding brands and everyone that puts anything back into the sport, local guys behind the lens, Chris Clarke and Bryan Paynter, as well as Mike Van H and Geordie, the only bodyboarders older than me that I still see in the water.
PHOTO: Lorraine Muller
PHOTO: Chris Van Lennep / Action Beyond - Bodyboarding Magazine, USA, AUG 1991
PHOTO: Lorraine Muller
RIDER: Sean Muller
PHOTO: Simon Heale