Rising Ballito surfing star Coco Clark will represent South Africa at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Peru this December.

The exciting talent was selected in the Girls’ U14 category following a string of good performances on varied breaks around the country, showcasing her adaptability.

“I’m so proud to be selected for the national team,” said the Ashton International College Ballito Grade 8 pupil.

“I’m grateful to all the people who helped me get this far.”

Most recently, Coco was in action at the South African Junior Surfing Championships in Jeffrey’s Bay, where she narrowly missed out on the final.

“I had a really great time surfing with all my friends in J-Bay. I had a lot of fun and surfed with many talented people,” she said.

Coco’s consistency throughout the season also secured her third place in the Girls’ U14 division of the year-long South African Surf Tour (SAST).

The 2025 SAST season featured nine events across the country, including high-profile competitions at the Ballito Pro and the Port Alfred Easter Festival. Rankings were determined by each surfer’s best six results, with a maximum of 6 000 points available. Coco competed in exactly six events, earning 4 680 points – enough to stamp her ticket to South America.

“I’m looking forward to going to Peru. I’m going to practice very hard and do my best because this is an amazing opportunity,” she said.

Her season highlights include two victories at the Rip Curl Grom Search Long Beach in Kommetjie (February) and the Rip Curl Gromsearch #3 in Scottburgh (June), along with a bronze medal at the Sea Harvest Junior Open at Dairy Beach in Durban (May).

“I can’t wait to do it again next year; I will give it my all,” added Coco.

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