The Backyard Sessions 2018 Recap

Troy Allers

Troy Allers demonstrating how to properly pop a 3 shuv – Photo: Nikki White

The first stop of the 2018 South African Wakeskate Tour took place at The Boarder Post on the South Coast of KZN. The event, which is the perfect mix of development and progression for the sports of Wakeskating and Wakeboarding in SA, saw a diverse group of Juniors, Ladies and Pro’s take part.

After a windy and challenging day of qualifying on the Friday, the Pro division was narrowed down to six Semi Finalists – Justin White, Dylan Mitchell, Sean Bacon, Dale Nieuwstad, Kaylib Louw and Matti Buys.

Saturday’s weather seemed more favourable although the Semi Final heat conditions were not ideal. Heat 1 saw Sean Bacon take the heat win with a variety of technical rail and flip tricks in his run followed by Kaylib Louw who’s technical rail hits put him through to the final.

Kaylib Louw, Fronside Boardslide to 270 out late into the finals just snatching that 3rd spot. Photo: H Scholtz

In Heat 2 Justin White and Dale Nieuwstad put together close runs that put them into an intense battle for the qualifying spot with the Justin edging out Dale behind Matti Buys who, despite a shaky start, managed to secure the heat win.

The four man Final kicked off in absolute prime conditions with glassy water and the tides playing their part to ensure a perfectly heighted rail. Justin White kicked things off with a host of lines and consistent riding. Kaylib Louw came straight out on the attack and this strategy proving to pay off for him as he took 3rd place with his best 4 trick line.

Sean Bacon laying down a textbook backside boardslide bs 270 out. Photo: H Scholtz

Sean Bacon come out flying in the start and lead the heat for most of the first half of the final with some boosty Back Lips and consistent Frontside Flip to kickflip combos

Bacon’s lead lasted until Matti Buys found his groove posting two consecutive high scores in a row, the later being an 8.5 with a run of a Front Shuv Backflip, to Frontside Flip then Switch Frontside Flip and finally ending with a Bigspin Frontside Boardslide to get him his 4th consecutive Backyard Sessions win.

The Ladies Wakeskate event saw the champ Nikki White taking another win followed by Candice Bacon in 2nd and Courtney Van Niekerk in 3rd.

The Junior Division showed much promise and saw Cody Dry take the win in both Wakeboard and Wakeskate clean sweeping the weekend’s events. Jack Chapman and Ashton Dry traded off second and third spot finished in both board and skate.

Matti Buys locking into a bigspin front board securing the top spot. Photo: H Scholtz

This stop marks the start of the South African Wakeskate Tour for the year. Athletes will move onto the next tour stop in Ballito on the 21st of April at the Ballito Cable Ski Park.

Special thanks goes out to – Red Bull, The Boarder Post, Rip Curl, DC Shoes, Bacon Bikinis, Umtamvuna River Lodge, SA Pumptrax, Estuary Spa, Derek Chapman and the South African Wakeskate Tour.

Words: Matti Buys
Photos: Hano Scholtz & Nikki White

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