Giving back stoke with World Surf League’s Tasha Mentasti

Durban born Tasha Mentasti is a pioneering lady in the surfing industry and after travelling the world for 12 years as a professional surfer, she has now dedicated her time to giving back to the sport that she said gave her everything.

How did you go from working in the water to on land? 

I have been very fortunate to transition from a professional surfing career to professional staff. I owe it all to Toast (former professional surfer, surf photographer, Mr Price Pro event organiser and survivor of TWO lightning strikes – Pierre Tostee) who took me on as a temp when I came back from California in 2003. I started off putting together a digital photo library for him – me, a total surfrat.

Your official Ballito Pro role is commentating…how does it feel to be the one commentating vs being commentated about?

I enjoy commentating because I am there for the surfers. There is a big game going on in the water and the surfers are listening to our voices for scores as we help guide them with where they are at and what they need next. Beach commentators have a big responsibility to play and are one of the biggest factors that influence surfers’ choices in the water, which impact their whole careers.

The surfing lifestyle seems to have really cleaned up as they are all veggies now, do yoga and just generally seem to have moved away from that stoner, beach bum rep. How do you feel about this shift?

I love seeing surfers being professional. As more money has been put into the sport, so you see professional surfers upping their game. There are a lot of sponsors and contracts which means the surfer is the face of a brand and therefore needs to be more aware of what they put into their body and how to represent themselves, especially with frothing groms following them on social media. Contracts now usually state that surfers are not allowed to consume any alcohol or smoke, not even tobacco. Even their coaches have to keep it clean.

You have been involved with the Jbay Open for a while as an organiser and commentator. How does Jbay compare to the Ballito Pro?

Tough one! Jbay has bigger stature because it is the dream tour and gets the world’s best surfers like John John Florence. Ballito Pro is the biggest ranked event and we are lucky to have Jordy Smith here. Also the whole festival around it is great and the best part is that we have summer in winter – only place in SA that offers that!

What is some of the best things you have done through surfing?

Love that question! I am involved with adaptive surfing, which is a real heart project for me. It is an incredible new sport where we take people with various disabilities and teach them to surf. This idea was inspired by a friend of mine who was paralysed after a car accident and believes that being in the ocean has saved him from suicide.

We work with a lot of disabled kids from Khayelitsha, who have never really left the township before, as they often can’t get out because taxi’s don’t want to transport them because they take up two seats with their wheelchairs. It is such humbling work and makes me feel so grateful.

I was the coach for the 2016 SA Adaptive Surfing team and co-ordinated the first Triggerfish South African Adaptive Surfing Championships in Muizenberg last year.

You have been travelling with surfing since age 16. Do you ever want to just lead a “normal” life and settle down somewhere?

I have been traveling for over half of my life so it’s all I know. I have moments where I want to settle down and buy that house. When I moved to Cape Town seven years ago I thought that might be the place, but I am still a nomad.

Quick facts:

Highest ranking: 10th on the WQS

Ballito Pro role: Commentator and general legend

Hobby: Hiking up mountains in the Western Cape.

Favourite food: Homemade spaghetti bolognaise – I could eat it everyday!

Follow her on Facebook – Tasha Mentasti or travel with her on Instagram – Tasha Mentasti.

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