So, we finally got to get in our first official beach wrestling adventure this summer!
As I mentioned in my last entry, our beach wrestling attempt last week was foiled by an off-putting weather forecast, and so the beach visit only resulted in scouting and solo filming. But today, we had no weather fears to worry about!
So, early this morning, VeVe, Hanz, and I ventured out to the Rockaway beach for some wrestling action in the sand, sun, and surf. Sadly, Amazon Annie and Azy couldn't join us, but hopefully we can get them involved on the next go-around.
VeVe had last attempted a little beach wrestling last August, but I don't think Hanz had ever wrestled on sand and surf before. I don't know if he knew what to expect, but he got a pretty good taste of it this morning. Actually, I think both VeVe and Hanz got a good literal taste of the ocean with this morning's bout!
I bought the competitors down to the water's edge, and we set up a fight area just inside the surf line, so that the water would wash in and out during the match. So, as the tide rolled, the competitors would be alternatingly surrounded by wet sand and several inches of water. And, of course, the sand and rolling waters proved a to be quite key aspect in this entire endeavor...
VeVe and Hanz started off with a pure submission wrestling bout, a regular competitive bout with all submissions being legal. I kind of hoped they'd do a little more with takedowns, since I know what "difficulties" surf wrestling can provide to participants - takedown, stand up, takedown, stand up is a more forgiving method of handling this environment - but these two were just bound to discover the beach's joys all on their own.
So off they went! And as soon as they hit the ground and started to work, they both discovered how immobilizing the wet sand can be: you get pressed into it and get stuck, it scratches you when you try to scoot around on the ground, it makes you fend off the environment just as much as you're fending off your opponent. And then there's the challenge of the rolling waters! Opponent on top of you and pressing you into the sand? So you're stuck in the mud and.... here comes a wave! Get rolled over and "face plant" right into the water. Gasp for breath just as the tide rolls back in, and here's some tasty salt water. It's a huge challenge to beach wrestle on the ground!
As I mentioned in my last entry, our beach wrestling attempt last week was foiled by an off-putting weather forecast, and so the beach visit only resulted in scouting and solo filming. But today, we had no weather fears to worry about!
So, early this morning, VeVe, Hanz, and I ventured out to the Rockaway beach for some wrestling action in the sand, sun, and surf. Sadly, Amazon Annie and Azy couldn't join us, but hopefully we can get them involved on the next go-around.
VeVe had last attempted a little beach wrestling last August, but I don't think Hanz had ever wrestled on sand and surf before. I don't know if he knew what to expect, but he got a pretty good taste of it this morning. Actually, I think both VeVe and Hanz got a good literal taste of the ocean with this morning's bout!
I bought the competitors down to the water's edge, and we set up a fight area just inside the surf line, so that the water would wash in and out during the match. So, as the tide rolled, the competitors would be alternatingly surrounded by wet sand and several inches of water. And, of course, the sand and rolling waters proved a to be quite key aspect in this entire endeavor...
But despite the environmental challenges, VeVe and Hanz fought on! In fact, they fought for about 11 long minutes before the first submission was eventually gained.
After a little interview to give their first impressions and comments, the competitors steeled themselves for the next round, which had quite the potential to be an even greater challenge: pins only!
So, they no longer had to worry about sticking their necks into choke holds, but now they faced the possibility of being pinned down into the rushing waters...
And, oh yes, this round was the hardest. Especially for little VeVe.
With her ability to slide and slip around her opponent's body greatly reduced by the sand-burn traction, VeVe found Hanz's size advantage to be quite the foil. But despite being stuck, sunken into sand, and water logged, VeVe fought on with amazing perseverance.
And, by the way, any standard belly-down pin defense would often result in water in the face... and, of course, don't forget the opponent on top of you.
But despite fatigue, sand burn, and salt in the eyes they fought on!
The Pins Only round lasted about 10 minutes, with only one full 3-count pin being achieved, despite all of the many attempts and body-pressing effort. Both competitors emerged drenched, roughed-up, and covered in wet sand. Surely, this is not an activity for the faint of heart!
Furthermore, VeVe has a low tolerance for cold, and even though she was moving about, the water was slowly freezing her into shivers. But what a trooper!
Anyway. VeVe and Hanz gave another brief commentary for the camera afterwards, letting us know their thoughts and opinions for this round. We'd intended to also do a third round of takedowns only, but by this time the beach was starting to populate, and park rangers were starting to buzz about.
So that was beach wrestling for today! Make no mistake, it is an adventure, this style of wrestling in the surf. It can be rough, and cold, and scratchy, and certainly salty-wet. It can be grueling, and fatiguing, and even claustrophobic. It's a great struggle, it's very tough, and it most certainly is both a physical and mental challenge!
I just put the full video of this together, and I'm actually taking a break right now from capturing screen stills. I've got so much I'd like to say in the video's official description, since this video offers so much. Competitive mixed wrestling, splendid outdoor environment, physical stress, mental anguish, an exercise in sheer will power. Whew, ok, just thinking out loud here. So, let me fire off this post and get back to work on the images!
Updated!
And now at 11 pm this same evening, the video has been released!
Reader comments, opinions, and feedback are welcome! What do you think of this type of beach wrestling?
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