Psyched for the surf, Shane has his eyes set on breaching world’s top 30

Riding the waves of his surfing career, Shane Sykes is determined to become one of world’s top 30 surfers.

He started his surfing career while still a junior at Umhlali Preparatory School and recalls the lessons he and his friends received from Bongani Xulu at Salt Rock Beach as being the catalyst for his career.

“That is when the love for surfing was instilled in me, when I was eight years old and enjoying myself surfing. I stopped playing other sports because they did not feel right. I was too small for rugby and cricket. I could not catch the ball, so there was no hope,” said the 23-year-old surfer.

Xulu, now the superintendent lifeguard for KwaDukuza, an international surfing judge and vice president of Surfing South Africa, recalls those first lessons with fondness.

“I am very proud of Shane, he has done very well and what impresses me most about him is the attitude he has towards the sport. I have been fortunate to have been a judge in some of the big competitions he has competed in to witness his progress. His dedication and passion always shows when he is in the surf,” said Xulu.

At the age of 10, Sykes’ talent was noticed by a resident who was working for the surfing apparel company Quiksilver, who put in a word for him to be sponsored.

On the first weekend after getting his sponsorship he won the Billabong Pro-Junior held at Scottburgh on the South Coast.

“At high school I missed out on lots of school work because my surfing career was keeping me very busy. My teachers were not happy with me. I decided to homeschool because I was sure that I wanted to be a surfer full-time.”

Sykes is ranked 59th in the world and to keep himself competition ready, he is taking part in the online video Surfing Open League contest and has reached the quarter-finals.

“There will be no normal competitions until next year, so this helps me to work hard on staying fit,” said Sykes, who has also made a series of videos on himself and his lifestyle called Reach that have attracted attention from international online surfing magazines.

This is a dream come true for Sykes.

“I follow those magazines and to see my work being featured in them makes me happy.”

Sykes has also decided to prepare for life after surfing, and started a health superfood bar, Mi Acai, in Salt Rock last year.

“I saw a gap for a healthy fast food place and I am really happy about the progress. The support has been very good and I thank everyone who has supported my business since day one,” said Sykes.

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