Dreams become a reality for young surfer
Ntando Msibi scooped two wins on the final day of the recent 2014 Durban July Surfing Extravaganza.
THE South African Maritime Safety Authority's maritime sports ambassador, Ntando Msibi, scooped two wins on the final day of the recent 2014 Durban July Surfing extravaganza, sanctioned by Surfing South Africa as a 2A Rated Pro Surf Tour event.
The event was supported by SAMSA, eThekwini Municipality and hosted by the KZN Central Surfriders Association in conjunction with event organiser, Durban Stars. The contest offered more than R50 000 in prize money across 10 surfing divisions.
The three day competition featured men, women, pro junior boys and girls and U18, U16 and U14 divisions for boys and girls. Generous prize money was provided to surfers from all over South Africa as well as Australia and Mexico.
Msibi came third in the U20 division and took fourth place in the U18 division. He was a recipient of a scholarship award for the 2013 International Surfing Association competition in Ecuador from SAMSA.
The surfing and jet ski competitions are in line with SAMSA’s long-term strategy of developing marine tourism and leisure investment for port cities as it remains a key contributor to local economies.
The surfing competition also provided platforms for SAMSA ambassadors such as surfers Sifiso Mhlongo and Sandile Mbutho to train young enthusiasts in surfing.
Other SAMSA ambassadors include Samelikiswe Cele, Wazir Surajlall, Jade Metts, Olivia Brand, Olivia Izzard, Cana Foster, Tide Lee Ireland, Bevan Willis, Teal Hogg, S’celo Zondwayo, Dan Redman, Welcome Radebe, Jordi O’ Keefe, Msibi, David Van Zyl and Brandon Jackson.
Msibi said: “I am very excited that my hard work has paid off. SAMSA’s support has allowed me to realize some of my dreams. There is nothing that will stop me from achieving my goals to become a pro-surfer.”
