Compitition

finals WBC 05
Originally uploaded by sosidesc

There has always been a debate wether bodysurfing is a sport or an art form. Depending on who you are it could be either one or both. Most bodysurfing is done for fun, exercise and camaraderie. So a combination of fun and fitness makes it a soulful experience. The kind that takes your mind of all the pressures of life. The kind of activity that will keep you young and fit. There are bodysurfing competitions too. Contests usually have age group divisions since everyone from little kids to grown adults compete. Bodysurfing in this way would make it a sport. Competing against one and other to see who is best, to have a winner. Competition is a stressful environment. The pressure of trying to out do others in the short amount of time in a competitive heat is heavy. Some enjoy this, some don't.

Rod Heburn took this picture of me in the final heat of the 35-44 age group at the World Bodysurfing Championships in Oceanside California. The name "World Championships" is thrown around a bit lightly I think in this case. There are competitors from other parts of the world but the majority are from right here in California. The sport of bodysurfing has very little in the way of sponsorship for the athletes. Therefore not many can afford to take time off from regular jobs to compete in a foreign land. There also is no pro circuit or anything like that. Without the support of the surf industry There is no money. With no money you can't get a legitimate gathering of the worlds best to compete. I really want to change the perception the surf industry has about bodysurfing. Why the surf mags don't or I should say rarely ever promote bodysurfing is a mystery to me. I'd like to change that.