QuickSand2003 - Editorial Riders from all over Southern Africa converged on the Betty's Bay Dunes for the annual QuickSand sandboarding competition, which forms part of the national Sandboarding SA league event structure. Although no rain was predicted for the day the dunes were covered in a thick mist that calmed and belied the tension of the races about to take place. In the first Slalom race of the day Desmond flew away at such a pace it was immediately apparent that he was going to win the event if he managed to negotiate all the flags. Alas, he executed a cartwheel which put paid to his chances in this event. Livio, a firm favourite, gave a great show and put Marco to the test, however a missed flag penalty put him out of the running. Marco, Dave and Gino took the top three places with juniors Clayton, Tynan [13] and James close behind. The BorderCross event was next, which involved launching at an almost right angle to the course and turning left just in time to jump over the first ramp. This looked difficult, but was closer to impossible when it came to negotiating this tricky and dangerous course. Inevitably riders piled up at the first ramp, and those who could extricate themselves promptly [and could coax a second start from their boards] did well to finish in the top two and go on to the semi finals. At the end of this event Marco won convincingly followed by Lee and Chris. In the process Livio and Ludi were removed by injury from the rest of the competition. Enrico and Rhyan showed great support for their fallen rider [Livio] by sacrificing any chance of garnering points, while carrying the stretchered carve master to the awaiting doctors vehicle. The Big Air event was next, where a leap into a few rays of sunshine that had now appeared, meant that the most maniacal of the riders could strut their stuff. Riders attempted a variety of tricks, including methods, front side grabs, backside grabs, 180 switches, tail grabs, nose grabs and double grabs, which latter trick was executed well by Gino and Tynan. The rules however did not favour these two riders and they were placed seventh and sixth behind Darryl, Kyle, Lee, Clayton and Dennis who executed huge air on a ramp that did not give much lift. At the end of an exciting day the statistics told a tale of thirty five competitors, the largest gathering at a sandboarding event in Africa, this can be compared to international events like the SandMaster Jam that Marco competed in where there were twenty seven competitors. The next local event will take place in Betty's Bay during the later half of May, while the next national competition will be at Jeffrey's Bay on 19 July 2003. Peter Swart (Cape Town)

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