Proud Mossel Bay Salutes Its – Snowboarding Queen?

Mossel Bay resident Karin Weich is the fastest female giant slalom snowboarder in South Africa. And Proud Mossel Bay – Mossel Bay Tourism’s campaign to honour outstanding citizens of the town – is very proud of that.

Ms. Weich, who grew up in the town, and now runs Mossel Bay Embroidery, said, “I snowboard for the fun of it. I tried it out on a holiday in Switzerland, and I was hooked immediately.”

She recorded the best time of any South African in the women’s giant slalom event during this year’s Quicksnow SA National Snowboarding Champs, which were held at Lesotho’s Afriksi resort.

Ms. Weich posted a third behind Wales’s Vicky Mayes and Slovakia’s Terza Luksikova – but, not being South African, Ms. Mayes and Ms. Luksikova do not qualify for national honours. Ms. Weich’s time of 75.55 compared favourably with the winner’s 64.72, and Ms. Luksikova’s 70.73 – especially considering that the next best time was 93.44.

She explained that the Quiksnow SA National Snowboarding Champs included both giant slalom and slopestyle events. “In the giant slalom, you have to negotiate a demarcated course as quickly as possible, while Slopestyle is all about tricks performed on a course made up of ‘kickers’ – which are launch and landing sites made of snow, and used to perform aerial maneuvers – and ‘rails’ – which obstacles like handrails, benches and tables that are designed to mimic the urban landscape.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm isn’t surprised about Ms. Weich’s achievements because, she said, “Karin’s also very comfortable on a sandboard – which is quite similar to snowboarding – and at 320 metres, Mossel Bay’s Dragon Dune is the longest in the country.”

Ms. Holm explained that “The Dragon Dune is situated on private property, and is therefore only accessible on tours organised by a local company called Billeon Surf & Sand.”

“Sandboarding is lekker, although it’s an incredible trek up to the top,” said Ms. Weich. “But you’re out in the sun, out in nature, and it’s an incredible feeling of freedom with the wind in your hair and the ocean in front of you.

“It’s good for the soul.”

Ms. Weich – who left Mossel Bay for a period of fifteen years – said that although she misses having the snow nearby, living in Mossel Bay is a blessing.

“After travelling all over the world, you come back and you appreciate it much more,” she said.

“Karin is a true sportsperson and a real credit to her family and the town – and Mossel Bay Tourism’s Proud Mossel Bay campaign is extremely proud that she’s managed to achieve what she has despite the fact that sandboarding is the closest we’ll ever get to snowboarding here in the coastal warmth and sunshine.”

More information:
Mossel Bay: www.visitmosselbay.co.za
Billeon Surf & Sand: www.billeon.com

ENDS