Whatshot
Experience counts as Bouman and Edward prevail in tough Ocean Heroes surf conditions
Experience counts as Bouman and Edward prevail in tough Ocean Heroes surf conditions
Veteran surf lifesaving iron man Matt Bouman delivered a master-class in brutal surf conditions at North Beach to win the sixth edition of the ADreach Ocean heroes competition from a strong field of athletes.
Bouman exited the water after the swim leg of the four-discipline iron man event in last place as the rest of the men's field charged into the big surf at the start of the surfski leg. As the surf churning against the pier decimated the field, Bouman used his decades of experience on a surfski and his sheer brawn to crash through the surf and into an event-winning lead.
With a sizeable lead over defending champion Connor Botha, Bouman tore along the pier on the run leg and made no mistake on the malibu board leg to wrap up a peerless victory for the Umhlanga Rox SLC stalwart, with Botha second and Sanele Nxumalo wrapping up a superb third place.
"It was really just about being consistent, moving quickly, moving decisively, and once we go
It was such good fun. The surf was big but it was consistent. You had to understand the ocean and you had to take a gamble. "There was good reason why I was last after the swim leg - these guys are all top swimmers and iron men and I am basically a surfski paddler.
"It was just my day. That's what I love about racing in the ocean. I kinda let go of expectations in surf lifesaving because, while you are always trying to win, it is ultimately the ocean that says who wins," he said.
George Edward, who was leading at the start of the ski leg with Travis Misdorp just behind him, finished fourth with Keaton Riddle, who was battling with a severe allergic reaction after the race, finishing fifth.
Earlier in the day 19 year old Michael McGlynn came out of the surf first to claim the top step of the podium in the Surf Swim, with plucky 15 year old Tatum Botha winning the women's equivalent.
In the new malibu board race George Edward powered clear with James Matthew to claim first and second ahead of the form athlete Connor Botha while Alice Edward added the women's mailbu board race crown.