stayinverted: Simon Heale

When you talk to Simon you realise that he has a total love for the sport of bodyboarding and everything that comes along with it.Simon is a true embassodor of the sport and always pushes for more! Simon and a few of his mates has also introduced tow out bodyboarding to the beaches of Cape Town! a real spectacular division to bodyboarding. I dig spending time with Simon as his positive approach to almost anything really rubs of on a person.

Simon slotted....

The interview....

Hey Simon!Tell us where you from?

Hey mate, Im from Edgemead, in Cape Town..its a not-so-close-to-the-beach little suburb that i love!

How long have you been bodyboarding?

Ah gees i reckon it must be ten years this year hey...wow times flown!!

Tell us a bit about your missions and travels?

Ive been super privilaged to have been able to travel all over S.A with the sickest group of friends...done pretty much all the West coast, vbarring a few gems we still have to wrangle, and done all the East coast wich is always a good trip with the boys.Ive also just recently been over to Oz with Jared Houston and Jarret "Pik" Johnson. was an amazing trip that really opened my eye to the potential we have in this country of ours, both with riders and the spots.

Are you looking to travel in the near future?

yeah man, im never one to just stay at home, i love being on the move the whole time so im looking to travel for sure, like i said, we've got a good few West coast trips in the pipeworks which hopefully will turn out good as well as im thinking of doing Indo in June..im just gona have to see how my funds work out. Otherwise its local trips for this year, then next year a bit of overseas travel.

What is you favourite spot in South Africa dude?

I wouldnt be able to say there's only one favourite man, we have such a selection of different kinds of waves its really sick! but my top few would definitly be The Hut, Koelbay, Tombstones, Gardens, and this recently found reef yet to be named. There's heaps of amazing places but those are my recent fav's!

....and your favourite spot across the waters?

The few spots i surfed over in Oz i would have to say The Box, Shark Island and most definitly Nuggen...i wasnt privilaged enought to score reallt good black rock, but im pretty certain that that would be my favourite from what ive seen it could do, we got it in pretty horrid conditions and it was still epic fun.

Tell us about your worst wipeout...Where did it happen?

I took one minor beating at Shark Island, i though i was going to get cut up for sure, but luckily nothing happened, just a good ol spanking. I reckon definitly my heaviest beat down was at Yzers on quite a solid day. Took a good sized one, hit the botto and drew my line for one MOTHERLESS barrel..as i pulled up i misjudged the pull of the wave and got sucked straight through the roof and taken to the bottom. One MEGA beat down happened.as i came up the next wave was on my head. took a quick breath again and the same thing happened. BEATEN. this happened about 3 times in a row. i had no air and was freaking out. luckily Mr leash didnt snap so i stil had my board and could get in safe.

I hear you are progressing in the tow out scene in SA,tell me about it?

Yeah, a good crew of us have been giving it a few tests here and there. gotten a couple of really fun ones but nothing of epic proportions...YET!there been a couple of really big airs, but nothing like we will be getting. the vision is big! its such a sick new aspect to bodyboarding that hasnt really been tested too much in S.A....the ou's over in OZ have been doing it for ages and trust me, they make it look heaps easier than it is. but that speed is so additctive!:)

Who is your role model? who inspired you during your career as a bodyboarder?

Internationally: Mitch Rawlins, Mr Winchester, Hardballs and a good few others..such charges with smooth smooooooth style!Locally: Jared Houston, Pik, Daniel Worsley, Rippers i have the privilage of watching and surfing with for many years.

What gear do you ride at the moment?

I get hooked up with some epic boards from Rossi..i have 2 at the moment, one is my custom shape and the other is the Mark Watts shape..giving both a good testing and loving them both.I have a nonfunctional wetsuit.got a pair of sweet Pency Limited Edition finsAnd Lokt_in hook me up with clothing and soon to be coming wetsuits!Loving it!!

How do you see bodyboarding progressing in South Africa?

Its growing. faster and faster. every second i look away and then look again, someones done something new. towouts. then riding dungeons. and surfing bigger heavier waves.Mr Cobus Bosman discoveing new reefs as often as we're taking breathes of air. better competions and better contest veunes. THE SA BODYBOARDING SCENE IS DEFINITLY ON THE UP AND UP! and with guys like Spex, Jerry, McCarthy and Wattsy all holding there own over in Hawaii and OZ they're all doing an amazing thing fin terms of getting our SA name out there.

Any words of wisdom for the young and aspiring bodyboarder?

Set goals. Focus on getting them. whether it be in contests or free surfing. Train hard to reach them because the reward when u get them is epic. then when u reach them, set more...and LOVE attaining them.

Any last words?

Of course..Andy Raath is chilling up in Jozi marinading chicken for a living. but he'l be back. watch this kid.Rufus is an aminal who desires so much to be a full blooded rangy..look at his hair when u see him, point, laugh, the high 5 him. He's Killing it of late!!he has big things planned for this year too so keep you eyes peeled.and Mr Jarret Johnson. he doesnt think. watch him. very closely. Big thanks to Rossi and Lokt_in clothing. and i cant wait for this contest year to get started. BoOm!!everyone get to every contest u can. ride. support. throw fruit. who cares, just be there!

Thanks for your time Simon.

Here are some shots of Simon doing what he loves best! Epic!!

Revo of the ramp.....