WHILE some bodyboarders pulled off their best flips to try and win the 19th Jeff Wilcox Memorial at One Mile Beach last weekend, others rode inflatable crocodiles.
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“I saw Sam Bennett, who came second, do a backflip in the early stage in the final,” open mens’ final winner David Winchester said.
“I knew it was time to step it up.”
Winchester, who won last year’s Wilcox, pulled off his own high-scoring backflip to defend his title against Bennett.
While Winchester and Bennett battled with high-difficulty ariels, John Cruickshank ran to shore and grabbed an inflatable crocodile.
Cruickshank managed a barrel roll on the pool toy, but still finished last.
Although he lost the competition, he won the Good Vibes Award and $300 for his antics.
“The Wilcox is such a great community competition,” Winchester said.
“When John grabbed the crocodile it summed up how fun the competition is.”
Winchester is known as one of the best bodyboarders in the world and is no stranger to heavy waves, including Hawai’i’s Pipeline.
“At the Pipeline Pro because the waves are so heavy, you’re not just worried about the other competitors, you’re worried about the waves as well,” Winchester said.
He said even though the Wilcox was held in small surf over the weekend, competitors could usually expect good waves.
“What I like about the Wilcox is that it is a mobile competition,” he said.
“So you go wherever the swell and the wind is the best.
“You know you’re going to ride the best waves in the region.”
* Winchester won the final with 17.04 ahead of Bennett’s 15.43.
* Gary Thatcher won the drop knee final on 11.67.
* Shayden Schrader won the junior mens' final on 15.
* Shaun Peterson won the masters' final on 15.07.
* Jane Kell won the womans' final on 12.34.