‘Froggy’ brings Gold to Del Mar

Bill “Froggy” Schildge of the Del Mar BodySurfing Club won the gold medal in the Legends Division of the International Bodysurfing Championship in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The annual event was held on Aug. 3 as part of the annual International Surf Festival (www.surffestival.org).

To win the top honors Schildge, 61, narrowly edged out the legendary bodysurfer Hal Handley from Encinitas, who was the 2012 gold medalist. Schildge is also widely acclaimed for his contributions and efforts to the development of the sport throughout France, a country that has recently produced some of the world’s best competitors.

Other members of the Del Mar BodySurfing Club also fared well in the Manhattan Beach contest. In the Grand Masters division, David Lane and Vince Askey took home Silver and Bronze for the MBC, while Eric Phleger finished 5th place in the Masters division.

On Aug. 17 & 18, many more men and women members of the DMBC will compete in the Bodysurfing World Championships in Oceanside (www.worldbodysurfing.org).

The DMBC congregates every weekend at 9:30 a.m. on the beach in front of the Del Mar Motel to enter the waves for approximately one hour. The DMBC was formed in late 2012. The club has raised a fund to help promote the DMBC and sport of bodysurfing.

Recreational and competitive bodysurfers are encouraged to participate with the DMBC. Men, women, boys, and girls of all ages are welcome. The DMBC plans to take members on exchange programs to several countries, including France, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Australia.

For more information: DelMarBeach@aol.com, or visit the Facebook page of Del Mar BodySurfing Club.