SA champ a small dose of dynamite

She’s a small packet of dynamite alright, and she’s spreading the stoke when she talks about surfing with that charismatic smile of hers.

South Africa’s new U13 girls surfing champ, Gabi Lailvaux, eats, sleeps and breathes surfing.

The Westbrook local was hooked on the sport from the day she rode her first wave with her dad at just seven years old.

“I was pretty much born into the surfing lifestyle. My dad taught me to surf in Umhlanga and I loved it right from the start,” she said.

She competed in her first competition when she was seven and still remembers that day very clearly, when she stood on the podium in second place.

Fast forward a few years and now she is a South African champ, the U14 girls Billabong Junior series winner and the defending Natal Champs U14 girls winner.

“I think being SA champ now it will definitely create more opportunities for me. The important guys like team selectors and sponsors take notice, it is good publicity for me,” said Gabi, already focused on the road ahead.

She has her sights set on the SA U15 girls title next year.

“Girls’ surfing is taking off so much right now, there is a lot of tough competition, but it makes you train harder and keeps you on your toes.”

Small and strong, she packs some power thanks to the hours she puts in to train.

“I think training and eating right is so important. When the surf is not good, I train in the gym or go running. My coach, Quinton Jones, makes us train in bad waves because that is often the conditions you get during competitions!”

Gabi is serious about surfing, but she still has to deal with school.

“Being a straight A student it definitely is a challenge to try and balance my surfing with my grades. With exams coming up, school is taking priority at the moment.”

Even though the Crawford North Coast pupil enjoys school, surfing takes the cake without a doubt.

“I cannot think of anything better than to go out and surf. I have made so many amazing friends through surfing, from all ages and all corners of the country, it has been an incredible journey so far.”

A love for surfing goes hand in hand with this girl’s talent and big things are yet to come.