Richard Kidd attracts top sponsors

Ballito resident Richard Grant Kidd (16) has had a great start to the year.
His surfing skills have attracted the attention of Gavin Roberts, team manager for Lizzard Surf Wear, who has just signed him up to represent their brand.
Richard lived in Ballito when he was younger and enjoyed the challenge of competitive surfing, but then moved to Johannesburg for a year when he was 13 years old.
His mother Vanessa realised that he was like a fish out of water and arranged for him to return to Durban where he was a boarder at Glenwood High School.
Being closer to the sea allowed him to get back in the water where he is happiest.
Richard got some really good results in 2013, winning ‘King of the Lane’ at the North Coast Boardriders for both the U16 and U20 divisions and coming fifth in both the SA Champs and the Billabong event at Seal Point in Cape St Francis.
But it was at the Nature Valley Lizzard Surf Fest in December where he was noticed by the sponsors as he made finals in the U16 and U20 boys divisions.
Graham Smith of G-Force boards has also recognised this youngster’s talent and ability and has come forward with a sponsorship of surfboards for the year.  Having Graham Smith’s support can only have good results as he has been one of the strongest forces behind his son Jordy Smith’s international success.
Richard is now home schooling and will be doing grade 11 this year.
He has a very busy surfing schedule ahead with many contests all over South Africa and his biggest goal is to do well in the South African National Trials which will be taking place in the Western Cape in February.
An elated Richard said he is honoured to be representing Lizzard and G-Force Surf Boards.
“It is a dream come true to have such good sponsors.  I will be working closely with my coach QJ during the next few weeks as I plan to really up my game this year.”
Surfers can now register for the KZN Central Surf Trials on www.kzncentralsurfing.co.za.