Taio is making waves in SA bodyboarding
Taio Coulonval, a 13-year-old student from Kloof High School, has taken the bodyboarding world by storm! She recently clinched the gold medal at the 2025 South Africa Bodyboarding Championships in the U16 Girls Division, held in Durban.
THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Taio Coulonval from Kloof High School is making waves in bodyboarding. The young champ recently won a gold medal at the 2025 South Africa Bodyboarding Championships in the U16 Girls Division.
After four days of intense competition and challenging surf conditions in Durban, Taio’s consistency, skill, and fearless approach in the waves earned her victory in a thrilling final against Western Cape competitor Taylor Tredoux.
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“It was tough, but I gave it everything,” said Taio after her win. “Competing against older and more experienced riders pushed me to do my best.”
Taio started bodyboarding when she was five.
“I was introduced by my brother, Teegan Coulonval, who is a Pro Rider. He took me out on his board and caught a wave with me. The bug hit, and from then on, I have been bodyboarding, and I love it,” she said.
The eThekwini bodyboarding team also finished in top spot, bringing home the infamous Fishman Trophy.
Next year the SA Champs will be held in the Western Cape.
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