Surfing to success

It is just after 11am in Salt Rock and the beach is looking postcard-fabulous.

The temperature is sweltering but Bongani Xulu is easily the coolest dude on the beat, rocking his trademark boardies and shades.

“Howzit going, dudette?” he says.

The KwaDukuza lifeguard supervisor’s smile is going to be extra broad for a few weeks, as he celebrates adding another achievement to his growing list. He is one of eight new members on the Surfing South Africa board of directors.

Already an internationally accredited surfing judge and coach who has judged the Mr Price Pro since 2005, Xulu is proud of his new portfolio.

“It feels good to know that hard work pays off. I have always wanted to be the best and look at me now. This is one of the highest ranking positions in the surfing world,” he enthused.

Xulu lost his left leg in a hit and run accident when he was 14, but he has not allowed this setback to hamper his career. He is no stranger to hard work.

“Sure, I have to work twice as hard as the next person but sometimes I feel I get more done with one leg than I did with two. I do not accept an ‘I can’t’ mentality. I had dreams of being a pro surfer, but now I get to enjoy the sport from a different angle.”

Xulu’s new role will see him looking after the national surfing squad and developing surfing in SA.

“Many people just think the idea of surfing is cool, but I want to see it taken seriously. You can make a career out of it. It is not an elite sport.”

His dream is to see dudes and dudettes from each of KwaDukuza’s 27 wards learning to swim and surf.

“The surfing culture is real on the Dolphin Coast, and I would love to see it boom!”

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