Catching the wave to Champs

Two local surfers from Crawford North Coast are appealing to the community for their support.

Matric student Teal Hogg and Olivia Izzard (grade eight) have both been included in the South African Junior surfing team and hosted a fundraiser on Saturday night at Crawford North Coast, where they showed some home-grown surfing talent filmed by local directors.

The team will be heading down to Oceanside, California, in the USA in October to compete in the International Surfing Association’s World Championships.

But to get there, Teal and Olivia need about R75 000 each.

“This includes our flights, accommodation, food and entry fee into the competition,” said Teal.

She will be competing in a world’s contest for the second time, while it will be Olivia’s first time.

“I think the most difficult part of World’s will be the jetlag, since we are arriving on the day of the welcoming parade and the next day competition starts,” said Olivia.

Teal said it will come down to mental strength.

“I think it is going to be about mental strength, especially because we will have so little time to settle in before our first heat,” said Teal.

The girls expect the team’s biggest opponents to be Hawaii, USA, Brazil and France.

“The level of competition here in SA is just nowhere near the standard that it is over there, so it will definitely be challenging,” said Teal.

Teal will compete in the U18 division and Olivia in the U16 division.

Both already entered the Ballito Women’s Pro presented by Billabong that will take place from June 28.

“We entered, but it will be tough to get in since they only take 16 girls to compete,” said Olivia, who rides for Billabong.

The girls are planning on hosting more fundraisers later to make sure they can get on that plane to California.

You can e-mail kznsa.central@gmail.com if you would like to assist them.