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 Durban - Surf Iron Man Matthew Bouman has set his
sights on winning the ARB Surf Ski World Cup in July following the dramatic
collapse of the national men's K4 sprint team.
The 30 year old Durbanite was major force in the inaugural event last year
until he blew and limped home sixth, five minutes behind winner Hank McGregor.
Olympic Dream in Tatters
Bouman spent the
remainder of the year striving to secure qualification for a men's K4 crew to
the Beijing Olympic games in 2008, until the crew was ripped apart, first by
the withdrawal of Shaun Biggs, and then the lure of the Hansa Powerade Dusi
which Ant Stott won in January.
"That was basically the last straw, particularly as Hank McGregor had put his
hand up to take over from Shaun Biggs, which would have made up a very strong
K4. But with all the last minute deals to go against our decisions and do the
Dusi, the K4 fell apart, which was really sad," said Bouman.
"I had set my heart on qualifying for the Olympics, which I genuinely felt was
on track. But now, with the Olympics out of the picture, I am now able to set
my sights on serious surf ski racing, and there is no bigger title to aim for
than the ARB Surf Ski World Cup in Durban in July.
 Matt Bouman
Molokai Challenge
Bouman is already hard at work getting in long distance training on his ski,
and may well include the tough Molokai Challenge in his preparations for the
Durban World Cup event, which he firmly believes to be the effective World
Championships of Surf Ski racing.
"Last year established the ARB Surf Ski World Cup in Durban as the premier
event in world surf ski racing. It attracted a lot of the big guns, and showed
that South Africans are the dominant force in world surf ski racing," said
Bouman.
For Bouman the 2007 event has become his primary focus. "Last year I knew I
didn't have enough miles, and I was hoping for a North Easter to come to my
rescue. But when it turned out to be flat and brutal I knew I was going to
blow, and wasn't surprised when it happened", he said.
"This year I have this fantastic base from all the sprint training. When I
might have had a six cylinder engine, now I have a supercharged V10, and I want
to see how it goes!", he added.
R80 000 Purse
"I am super excited about the July race," he added. The first prize of R80 000,
which is the biggest purse in paddling history will no doubt add to that enthusiasm.
He is also expecting an even stronger contingent of internationals to contest
the event. "Last year's race, both the field and the intensity of the racing,
set the benchmark. While I am hoping to go and do a few of the other World Cup
events, it is really clear that the Durban event is the premier event in the
calendar."
As for Hank McGregor?
"Hank (McGregor) can happily think of himself as the world champion, until such
time as someone else comes here and beats him," said Bouman.
The ARB Surf Ski World Cup takes place in Durban between 29 June and 1 July.
More information can be found at www.surfskiworldcup.com
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Good Luck at MOLOKAI matt
