A group of Maritime wrestlers spent a day at the beach last month to compete in the 4th annual Beach Battle Sand Wrestling Tournament.
Held at Green Bay Beach, the tournament saw around 50 athletes use their best grapples and take-downs in an effort to take home the winning title, but also to help raise money for local wrestling clubs and in-school wrestling programs.
Matthew Naugler, wrestling coach for Predators Amateur Wrestling Society, who hosts the tournament, says Sand Wrestling is similar to traditional wrestling, but with a key few changes that can challenge an competitor.
“It’s done on a sand surface, and is basically just take-downs,” he said.
“Matches only go to three points and there is no ground work like there is in other styles of wrestling, mostly because you get sand in your eyes.”
Sand wrestling has become very popular he said, and while it hasn’t yet reached the Olympics, it is in the World Beach Games, and is one of three styles of wrestling recognized internationally.
With its subtle differences, Naugler says beach wrestling, or any wrestling is a great sport for any kids looking for something outside the traditional ‘Ball and Field’ sports to challenge them competitively.
“The beautiful thing about it is it can turn a fairly non-athletic young person into an athlete in one of the toughest, most physically demanding sports in the world,” he said.
“It’s not for everybody, but it certainly appeals to a lot of people.”
The tournament ran on Saturday, August 17th, with wrestlers competing based on age, weight and gender. A list of winners can be found below.
Reported by: Cody McEachern
Twitter: @CodyInHiFi
E-mail: mceachern.cody@radioabl.ca
4th Annual Beach Battle Sand Wrestling Tournament
August 17, 2019 ~ Green Bay Beach, NS
Kid-F 36kg: 1. Amanda Rodriguez, SSWC
Kid-M 40kg: 1. Caden Murphy, PAWS 2. Sam Ritchey, BP
Kid-M 57kg: 1. Zachary Ernst, PAWS
Kid/Bantam-M 31kg: 1. Ryan Vanderwal, PAWS 2. Austin Shields, SC
Kid/Bantam-M 33kg: 1. Michael Vanderwal, PAWS 2. Joshua Bissett, CGCWC
Kid/Bantam-F 56kg: 1. Olivia Hamilton, YWC 2. Amberlee Mader, SSWC
Kid/Bantam-F 72kg: 1. Emily Swinamer, BP 2. Meeka Crouse, SSWC
Bantam-F 47kg: 1. Geneva McDormand, BP 2. Nataya Shields, SC
Bantam-M 59kg: 1. Ethan Harrington, SWC 2. Jonah Levac, YWC
Bantam-M 68kg: 1. Dustin Johnson, SSWC
Bantam-M 96kg: 1. Harley Fraughton, YWC
Cadet-M 76kg: 1. Mason Mader, SSWC 2. Boston Lewis, YWC
Juvenile/Junior-F 75kg: 1. Johanah Eisnor, SSWC 2. Emmie Dauhpinee, BP
Senior-M 78kg: 1. Makaulay Lawson, MAWC 2. Dylan Porter, IND
Senior-M 87kg 1. Devon McDormand, IND
Senior-M 98kg 1. Mike Garland, BP 2. Mike Reginbal, IND 3. Gord Patchett IND
Acronyms:
BP – Bridgewater Panthers
CGCWC – Canada Games Centre Wrestling Club
IND – Independent Wrestler
MAWC – Metro Amateur Wrestling Club
PAWS – Predators Amateur Wrestling Society
SC – Summerside Cyclones
SSWC – South Shore Wrestling Club
YWC – Yarmouth Wrestling Club
