4th September 2014
Our 3rd Birthday Bash!
Small Bay was iridescent with serene waters of translucent blue and turquoise, when SUPsistas celebrated their 3rd Birthday Bash on Thursday, 4 September. SUPsistas founder Karina Figl, her right hand "sista" Michéle Minnaar and the Xpression on the Beach (XOTB) team set up the scene for what was going to be another fun celebration!
Once the arriving "sistas" exchanged heartfelt hugs and excited hellos, the games began onshore with the hilariously entertaining 'Paddle' game. Standing together in a spread-out circle while holding a paddle upright in front of themselves, the ladies had to follow Karina’s orders of "LEFT!" or "RIGHT!" trying their best to grab the paddle next to them before it hit the sand – as that was grounds for elimination. There were many 'whoo-hoos", "yeahs!" and "oh nos” from the competitors and many belly laughs from the spectators!
Next was the extremely popular 'Tandem' race. This race saw the ladies lined up along the water's edge in teams of two. From here they sprinted into Small Bay where they both had to mount one board! Together they raced across the smooth waters, pivoting around a human buoy and then paddling as hard as they could back to the beach, where they ran their boards over the finish line. A few pairs capsized amidst all the haste and excitement, but with heart-pumping adrenalin rushing through their veins, they quickly regained their positions on their boards and finished the race. The contestants were understandably exhausted but each SUPsista sported a huge smile of achievement, as they basked in congratulatory cheering and applause from the audience.
Last, but certainly not least, was an 'In & Out' relay race where ladies had to repeat the circuit of the Tandem race individually. There was a lot of splashing around and a few abrupt wipe-outs coming back in through the small shore break, but again everyone completed the course safely with faces of joy and looks of accomplishment.
SUPsistas then announced that earlier that week they had received an #IceBucketChallenge from the WOWees (a fun group of ladies who body board in Big Bay). Those keen to take up the challenge each made a R50 donation and were instructed to strip down to their bikinis, leaving their warm wetsuits behind. SUPsistas sponsor, CamOne SA, videotaped the acceptance speech and them all sprinting into the bay to dive under the chilly but refreshing Atlantic waters. Just over R1,000 was raised and donated to the Motor Neuron / ALS Disease Association of SA on behalf of the SUPsistas. View the SUPsistas #IceBucketChallenge video: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=782394998468480
After all the exhilaration the day was still not done! Prize giving took place and gifts of thanks & appreciation were handed out. All prizes & gifts were generously donated by SUPsistas' sponsors and included XOTB branded SUP & beach goodies, Coreban paddle bags & caps, "How-to-SUP" instructional DVDs, polarised Glider eyewear, trendy Urban Bling jewellery, a New Balance footwear voucher and SUPsistas branded merchandise.
"I had a blast at our 3rd SUPsistas birthday party! Not only did I get spoilt with a gift voucher for a one-on-one lesson with reigning SA Ladies SUP Champion Tarryn Kyte, for being the longest standing member at the Birthday Bash, but I also won prizes from Coreban in our races and was drawn as the winner of a pair of New Balance running shoes in our ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! Yummy food, fantastic weather and good company - all in all a fun day!", said Jenny Barnes, who has been a SUPsista since day one – three years ago.
The splendid affair was captured in vivid colour by talented local photographer Mandi Ireland and the album can be viewed on SUPsistas' Facebook page: www.facebook.com/supsistas.
SUPsistas looks forward to celebrating with all the sistas again next year!
**********************************************************************************
SUPsistas is a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) initiative that aims to introduce as many women to the world's fastest growing water sport. We meet every Thursday at Small Bay, Cape Town.
"Our mission is to inspire women to have fun on the sea, get fit, healthy and push their personal limit to bring out the best in themselves and at the same time support children empowerment programmes."
Alison Valbom, joined SUPsistas earlier this year and has this to say: "Having moved from Jo'burg to Cape Town I wanted to do something Capetownian! After hearing about SUPsistas I decided to give it a try. What a fantastic experience! I was immediately made to feel welcome. My total lack of experience was no problem! In no time with personal care from Michéle and Karina I was SUPing. I'm still working on the wave catching but nothing beats the pleasure of SUPing with new found friends and seals on occasion!"
All proceeds raised by SUPsistas goes towards assisting & empowering 3 orphaned children from Du Noon.
For more information on SUPsistas, please visit our website and join our weekly newsletter to stay up to date: www.supsistas.co.za. If you would like more information on how you or your company can assist the SUPsistas, please contact Karina Figl on 072-320 2444 or email [email protected].
Once the arriving "sistas" exchanged heartfelt hugs and excited hellos, the games began onshore with the hilariously entertaining 'Paddle' game. Standing together in a spread-out circle while holding a paddle upright in front of themselves, the ladies had to follow Karina’s orders of "LEFT!" or "RIGHT!" trying their best to grab the paddle next to them before it hit the sand – as that was grounds for elimination. There were many 'whoo-hoos", "yeahs!" and "oh nos” from the competitors and many belly laughs from the spectators!
Next was the extremely popular 'Tandem' race. This race saw the ladies lined up along the water's edge in teams of two. From here they sprinted into Small Bay where they both had to mount one board! Together they raced across the smooth waters, pivoting around a human buoy and then paddling as hard as they could back to the beach, where they ran their boards over the finish line. A few pairs capsized amidst all the haste and excitement, but with heart-pumping adrenalin rushing through their veins, they quickly regained their positions on their boards and finished the race. The contestants were understandably exhausted but each SUPsista sported a huge smile of achievement, as they basked in congratulatory cheering and applause from the audience.
Last, but certainly not least, was an 'In & Out' relay race where ladies had to repeat the circuit of the Tandem race individually. There was a lot of splashing around and a few abrupt wipe-outs coming back in through the small shore break, but again everyone completed the course safely with faces of joy and looks of accomplishment.
SUPsistas then announced that earlier that week they had received an #IceBucketChallenge from the WOWees (a fun group of ladies who body board in Big Bay). Those keen to take up the challenge each made a R50 donation and were instructed to strip down to their bikinis, leaving their warm wetsuits behind. SUPsistas sponsor, CamOne SA, videotaped the acceptance speech and them all sprinting into the bay to dive under the chilly but refreshing Atlantic waters. Just over R1,000 was raised and donated to the Motor Neuron / ALS Disease Association of SA on behalf of the SUPsistas. View the SUPsistas #IceBucketChallenge video: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=782394998468480
After all the exhilaration the day was still not done! Prize giving took place and gifts of thanks & appreciation were handed out. All prizes & gifts were generously donated by SUPsistas' sponsors and included XOTB branded SUP & beach goodies, Coreban paddle bags & caps, "How-to-SUP" instructional DVDs, polarised Glider eyewear, trendy Urban Bling jewellery, a New Balance footwear voucher and SUPsistas branded merchandise.
"I had a blast at our 3rd SUPsistas birthday party! Not only did I get spoilt with a gift voucher for a one-on-one lesson with reigning SA Ladies SUP Champion Tarryn Kyte, for being the longest standing member at the Birthday Bash, but I also won prizes from Coreban in our races and was drawn as the winner of a pair of New Balance running shoes in our ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! Yummy food, fantastic weather and good company - all in all a fun day!", said Jenny Barnes, who has been a SUPsista since day one – three years ago.
The splendid affair was captured in vivid colour by talented local photographer Mandi Ireland and the album can be viewed on SUPsistas' Facebook page: www.facebook.com/supsistas.
SUPsistas looks forward to celebrating with all the sistas again next year!
**********************************************************************************
SUPsistas is a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) initiative that aims to introduce as many women to the world's fastest growing water sport. We meet every Thursday at Small Bay, Cape Town.
"Our mission is to inspire women to have fun on the sea, get fit, healthy and push their personal limit to bring out the best in themselves and at the same time support children empowerment programmes."
Alison Valbom, joined SUPsistas earlier this year and has this to say: "Having moved from Jo'burg to Cape Town I wanted to do something Capetownian! After hearing about SUPsistas I decided to give it a try. What a fantastic experience! I was immediately made to feel welcome. My total lack of experience was no problem! In no time with personal care from Michéle and Karina I was SUPing. I'm still working on the wave catching but nothing beats the pleasure of SUPing with new found friends and seals on occasion!"
All proceeds raised by SUPsistas goes towards assisting & empowering 3 orphaned children from Du Noon.
For more information on SUPsistas, please visit our website and join our weekly newsletter to stay up to date: www.supsistas.co.za. If you would like more information on how you or your company can assist the SUPsistas, please contact Karina Figl on 072-320 2444 or email [email protected].
