FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Taio Coulonval is continuing to make waves in South African bodyboarding after securing a fourth place finish in the Ladies Division at the recent South African Bodyboarding Championships in Cape Town.

Competing during the October holidays, Taio, a member of the eThekwini Bodyboarding Association, was asked to step up from her U16 division to compete in the Ladies Division (18 years and over) as the KZN team did not have a lady rider.

At just 14, the Kloof High School learner took on eight other competitors and held her own against far more experienced riders, knocking out four competitors to book her place in a tough final. Despite trying conditions, Taio rode a competitive heat to finish fourth in the country.

Also read: Waves of success for young bodyboarder

Last year, she won gold in the U16 Girls Division at the 2025 SA Championships which were held in Durban.
She said after her win last year she was inspired to keep pushing. “Competing against older and more experienced riders pushed me to do my best.”

Taio, who started bodyboarding at age five, was introduced to the sport by her brother Teegan Coulonval, 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 team also finished top at last year’s event, bringing home the coveted Fishman Trophy as the overall winning province.

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